ne of the reasons for the success of the Technocracy in the Ascension War is their extensive use of created troops. Many mages live in the terror of Iteration X, having encountered nothing but the infamous HITMKs. Similarly, the enemies of the Progenitors may never have been introduced to anything more than the violent Superior clones. However, none of the Technocracy's constructed footsoldiers remain more mysterious than the sinister Men in Black. It is my endeavor to enlighten my associates as to the nature of these shadowy foes and thereby lift some of the veil of secrety and fear that surrounds them. 

First let me say that this sort of study virtually requires the cadaver of the subject of examination and, as you have probably heard, this is just not possible. The Men in Black exhibit the peculiar and annoying habit of completely disappearing upon death. It is fortunate indeed that I happened upon the work of the Hermetic Adept Thomas Christophe, although I hesitate to divulge the means whereby I have done so. In his working journal he writes: 

"Our covenant, having lately battled the Grey Mages in a particularly ostentatious display of ancient sorceries drew the attention of a pair of these black-clad pasty faced operatives. I might note that the renowned ability of the Men in Black to show up at such times is certainly a thing which terrifies many an unwary spellcaster. But it is also a clue as to their origins. Not that anything of the sort was on my mind at the time. 

"As I was saying, we discovered that we were being trailed when the pair inadvertently set off one of Gregory's wards. We knew that it we did not kill them that the covenant would be compromised as we really had no choice but to return home in our current state. Luckily, the Ward of the Vanguard Salamander badly wounded one of our hunters and at least singed the other. We turned on them with the desparation of cornered beasts and fought for our lives. One of the Men in Black shot me with what appeared to be some sort of energy gun from science fiction. As he rushed up to me to finish the job at point blank, I really could think of little to do in my stunned and pained position.  

"I drew upon the power of the ancient talisman my aged mentor had given me, muttering hastily grunted words of command. To my surprise, the enemy was enveloped in a shimmer of indescribable color and filtered through the air like so much water flowing into the amulet's jewelled setting. Looking around, I saw that my friends had reduced their foe to the typical empty black hat and coat that Tradition legend ascribes to the defeated New World Order. Staggering to my feet, I was happy to accept Gregory's shoulder as he intoned the words that would renew the ward, and we fled to the covenant. 

"One long paranoia-filled week later, when most of us were still marked with the tell-tale hints of yellow and black bruises, we decided to study our catch. To my knowledge no one had ever captured a Man in Black before and this seemed to demand our best effort. Carefully we sent word to my Master asking that she come to us as we felt it necessary to lay low for a while. That evening she arrived via a Hermetic Portal and the examination began in earnest. 

"I guess I should explain that the fact that my talisman had drawn my enemy into its depths served as a further clue to the origins of the Men in Black. Reverently, I listened as our Master reminded me that the Seal of Solomon amulet I bore was most effective against spirits. You must understand that it was with these three facts in mind that our experimentation began: 
The Men in Black always vaporized upon death. They had an uncanny knack at discovering the spiritual resonance of hubris. This particular specimen had been captured by an enchantment mostly designed to capture the spiritual denizen. 

"Anyway, after watching, in not a small amount of awe, as our Master released the Man in Black from the Seal and bound him by a mighty spell within the circle upon our great table, we set to work. Isn't it funny how we think of one of them as a 'him'. I mean I can tell you that if you had seen the cold detached way it watched us, you would not ever think of the Men in Black as human. Not ever again. They are certainly made by mankind, but they are impostors. It did not even cry out or struggle as we cut into it and began a sort of living autopsy. It only watched with curiosity, and as every bit was cut away it would disappear into nothing. So, I summoned a certain familiar spirit of mine. I fear I cannot reveal its name, even here in this private journal, you never know what might happen. Seducing my servant with freshly cut bits of Man in Black flesh, I sent it to the higher spheres in search of answers."