Action Interview: Catacomb

Peter Drake took his mobile off speakerphone as he motioned for the two men in front of him to close the warehouse door. "This guy is supposed to be the BEST, Mr. Luthor. Honestly I've heard more stories about him than a few. Apparently he's some kind of urban legend. The Man Who Can't Be Killed, kind of thing. Just let me lay eyes on him, though. If I can see him I'll be able to tell if he's the real thing or not--that's the easy part. I've never been enamored with big reputations and the like. Those things are so often manufactured and the person you're hiring is frighteningly average at what they do." A moment later there was an ominous, slow, three-knock sequence at the warehouse door. Drake motioned to one of the henchmen and the man unholstered his pistol and slowly opened the door. For a moment before anyone crossed the threshold, the henchmen looked up slowly and staggered backwards as one of the largest men Drake had ever seen walked into the warehouse. He made a mental note to make the men carry automatic weapons to "greets" like this from now on--the pistol seemed woefully inadequate. The man wore a long black trenchcoat and was easily over 6-foot-8, a grey ski-mask covered his face and his boots echoed loudly on the concrete. As the man walked towards Drake, he nodded his head but did not extend his hand. Peter Drake wasn't a man who liked to waste time and for the first 5 minutes he pelted the giant with questions, eventually getting to the meat of why they were meeting:

Please understand first, that my employer pays for a RESULT. Not a service...failure really isn't an option, is that a sticking point for you?

The man known as Catacomb replied in a thick Russian accent "Do not ask silly questions. If you doubt my reputation, employ some other man. But I can see in your eyes. You want message, and know I can deliver it."

Good, because a man in your line of work knows how quickly he can go from employee to TARGET, do we understand each other?

The large man looked up slowly "That is the second time I let you call me incompetent. I do not give third times. You hire me for job. I can do job."

Drake tried not to look intimidated. He simply wouldn't let this meeting get derailed by testosterone. "I'm a representative of the man who's looking to hire you. You come highly recommended but my employer can afford ANYONE. you're former military is that right?"

The giant nodded "Yes, in Russia. I know every sort of weapon, gadget, and explosive. If it kills, I know how use it."

Do you have experience with super-powered targets? That's a deal-breaker for many in your...line of work.

Catacomb laughed, his boastful bellow echoing eerily throughout the warehouse. "I am blessed with great power, beyond that of the normal man. Yes, I do not fear superheroes, nor supervillians. You want one dead?"

Drake smiled and paused for a moment. Was this guy serious? "Yes, that's the job. I'm going to need a list of your last five jobs as proof of your level of expertise."

The larger man's eyes squinted "Read obituary if you want proof my ability. I am told I brutal. should be obvious which ones are mine."
This man's bravado was starting to test his patience but it didn't matter. He'd have all the info he needed shortly. "And your fee, sir?"

"This price is for one man or woman. More people, more money." Catacomb handed Drake a scribbled down note with a number on it. "And is price for dead. I do not take alive."

My employer is rather particular with details. He likes to be assured that people are competent. How can we be sure you have the proper weaponry for a job like this?

Catacomb pulled a slug from a pocket, revealing a greenish bullet with wires running up its side. He held it between two fingers and showed it to Drake. "Do you know what this is?" He put it in the palm of the smaller man's hand, a wisp of red air (a sign of Catacomb's sorcery)  twisted and eerily supported the bullet. "Is chemEVO bullet. Very rare. Hard to find for weapon should not even exist. But anything can be found with right amount of money." Catacomb flicked his wrist and the bullet took off and jetted around the room turning left around corners, around Luthor's people. The giant stood there with confident calm and with another flick of his wrist, some brand of sorcery stopped the bullet in midair, an inch from Drake's forehead. "Is amazing device. Will change to fit weakness of super-powered person." A moment later the bullet fell and Catacomb caught it in midair. "I have more weapon and other talents."

The smaller man swallowed involuntarily, he didn't like this man--not one bit. His business was fear and that was quite obvious. But he'd find out shortly if he had the skill level to justify his words, however. "Now to the details, we need to be sure you can handle this kind of job. So we have a test target before the mark we can give you the job for the mark we really want taken out, is that an issue?

Catacomb shrugged. "Pay, and I will do both jobs."

"The details are in this specially modified IPAD. It's yours to keep so that my employer can update you with relevant information. Here, take a look  he said as one of the henchmen handed the larger man the device.

As the giant held the device in front of him to read the screen, suddenly, the screen glowed with an eerie blue light and mesmerised him. Drake laughed knowingly. The eggheads at LexCorp had developed it years earlier. It was a device that made the conscious mind recede and left the subconscious mind dominant, putting the subject in a fugue state where they would be unable to give misleading or deceptive answers.

Peter snapped his fingers in front of the huge man's face to make sure the device had worked. "Yeah he's under, let's find out if this guy is who he SAYS he is."

What's your name? your REAL name.

The Giant whispered "I do not know it. I am name I gave myself: Sergei Romanov."

Are you the hired asset known as Catacomb?

 "Yes."

How long have you been active?

"One to two years."

What special abilities do you possess?

Catacomb looked up "I am given great power through Deadtree, and that special. I sate tree hunger, and I gain power."

Have you at any time or do you currently have an assignment to eliminate Lex Luthor?

Catacomb replied slowly "No."

Can you say with confidence that you can eliminate the vigilante known as Batman first and then complete an assignment on the superheroine known as Wonder Woman as well?

"I could. I am unsure if I would."

What's your greatest fear?

"Nothing. My life is Deadtree, and I no die under its protection."

Drake's brow furrowed. Deadtree? What in God's name? No matter, they'd find out more later if they deemed it important. "Tell me something no one knows about you."

"You ask impossible question. The Deadtree knows me better than I know self."

An instant later Drake pressed a button on the pen in his blazer pocket and the screen started to dim. A second later Catacomb's eyes lost their glossy look and Drake watched the effects started to wear off.  "Good, you're obviously one of our top candidates, Mr...Catacomb is it? We'll be in touch." The moment the warehouse door closed behind the man Drake dialed a secure number that very few people on the planet possessed. "Mr. Luthor? Peter Drake here sir, everything's a GO."