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You... you! You turned me into a monster! Why would God do this to me?
― Bertrand after gaining his powers.
Joseph Bertrand III was a native citizen of New Marais, former leader of the New Marais sect of the First Sons, before it disbanded, and the leader and creator of the Militia, Corrupted, and Vermaak 88 (indirect) and local leader of New Marais.
Biography
Early life
Not much is known about Bertrand's early life, beyond his deeply-held religious beliefs and his equally intense belief he had in his own destiny. He is established as one of New Marais' native citizens, and in one of Wolfe's Dead Drops mentions that, as a child, he played in the caverns beneath the city- before they were taken over by the First Sons, of course.
The First Sons
Bertrand later found out of the organization known as the First Sons, which he later joined after learning more of the nature of Conduits. He was part of New Marais' division, and had Sebastian Wolfe alongside him to develop several projects, such as the containment facility below the storage house of one of Bertrand's properties, and also the Transfer Device.
Wish for Power
Bertrand was a religious man, believing God had sent him to Earth as a savior. He eventually discovered he was a potential Conduit, causing him to truly believe he had a higher purpose. Seeking to activate the Conduit gene within him, Bertrand began experimenting. Betrand was aware of Dr. Sebastian Wolfe's work with the First Sons, and immediately gained interest for the Ray Sphere.
Eventually, Bertrand gained admission into the First Sons, eventually becoming their head of operations in New Marais. As the local leader, Betrand had access various technology advancements and resources, using Wolfe's expertise for a wide range of experiments. Bertrand also had limited contact with Kessler, who told him of the Beast and warned him to prepare. Bertrand began to believe his higher purpose was to stop the Beast as he was also potential Conduit.
Bertrand has Wolfe forcefully work for him, developing a Ray Sphere for Bertrand himself. When it was finished, Bertrand went to the slums, gathered a number of people whose deaths he believed would go unnoticed, and
Bertrand prepares to activate the Ray Sphere in New Marais.
took them to the rural areas of New Marais, believing it would be obscured from the public. Betrand soon activated the Ray Sphere. The activation mistakenly gave the potential Conduit Nix her powers, and also gave Bertrand his. As Bertrand's powers developed, he began realising his mistakes.
Bertrand was given the power to transform into a immense abomination, but could not control it. Betrand later became furious with Dr. Wolfe, as Wolfe said he was unable to reverse it. Bertrand forced Wolfe to attempt to create a device that could reverse the Ray Sphere's effects or he would be executed. Using the newly discovered power of Blast Cores, Betrand increased his power to allow him to mutate humans into abominations like himself, known as the Corrupted. It was with this he began to see a new future for himself. He believed God wished for him to wipe out all Conduits.
Using his power, Betrand amassed an army of Corrupted, which eventually attack New Marais civilians, having them conviced Conduits were dangerous and harmful. Using the Corrupted to overwhelm the local police, Betrand's private army, the Militia, filled that void, driving the Corrupted out of the city. Still under threat from attack, the people of New Marais accepted Betrand and his Militia as their new leaders with little resistance.
Subsequently after Kessler's demise, Bertand seized the First Sons' resources and technology for himself, using his growing Militia. No sooner had he placed himself in control using less moral methods of experimentation, including the use of unwilling human subjects.
Dictator of New Marais
Discovering that Cole Macgrath had entered the city, Betrand subsequently gave a speech at the centre of
Betrand gives his speech.
New Marais town. Betrand claimed the "Demon" was amoung them, referring to Cole. Betrand then exclaimed that all "deviants", referring to Conduits, and Cole would defeated by the Militia. Betrand continued this propaganda by promoting the Militia and their services. However, during this speech, a one the Corrupted abominations appeared and began to attack the Militia while others appeared.
Betrand immediately fled with some Militia soldiers. Cole, who watched the scene unfold, pursued. Fleeing to his limousine, Betrand was subsequently confronted with Cole, who jumped onto the roof of the car. While Cole demanded, answers, Betrand ignored this, stating he had nothing to say to him. When threatened, Betrand told Cole to be worried for his head, as the car drove into a chopper, knocking Cole off. Betrand successfully escaped this and continued his plans.
Rebelled
The Militia soon kidnapped Dr. Wolfe, who has been aiding Cole, on Bertrand's orders. However, after Cole and Lucy Kuo freed Wolfe and attempted to escape Bertrand had his men pursue Cole and Kuo and dismantle their getaway car, through radio transmission. Successfully killing Wolfe Bertrand later had Lucy Kuo taken prisoner, ally of Cole and potential Conduit. By experimenting on her, he managed to make her powers develop. Using Kuo as a template, he then used the Power Transfer Device to turn the mercenary organization Vermaak 88 into what they refer to themselves as "Forced Conduits."
Bertrand's chopper destroyed by Cole.
Dividing her powers among such a massive number put a strain on their bodies to try to compensate for their incomplete power, Vermaak 88 Ice Conduits became insane, and they all seemed to mutate - some faster than others - until becoming what's refered to as Titans. Over time, Cole destroyed much of Bertrand's Militia troops and his propaganda. Eventually, Cole conspired with the Rebels to storm Fort Philippe, where Bertrand was located.
After seeing the Rebels and Cole attack Fort Philippe, Bertrand summoned a Helicopter to take him away from the danger. However, as Bertrand entered, Cole, from afar, fired a shock grenade at the helicopter, damaging it and forcing it to inevitably crash.
Bertrand's True Form
Bertrand. I alone saw his true face.
― Cole MacGrath on discovering Bertrand's secret.
With the chopper destoryed by Cole, it subsequently crashed. Bertrand, enraged, transformed into the Behemoth as Cole investigated. Forming a dust cloud in the centre, Bertrand then revealed himself as Cole attempted to investigate. Immediately attacking the city, Bertrand began to pursue Cole across the city. Attacking Bertrand with most of his powers, the latter proved to be a strong enemy. Eventually, however,
Bertrand half mutated with Behemoth features.
Bertrand revealed his weakness, his pressure points that glowed purple.
Cole began to hit them and Betrand was slowly weakened. Eventually, however, Bertrand was defeated. As he collapses, a thick smoke surrounded the area. However, as it cleared, Bertrand was revealed in his Human form, half mutated with Behemoth features. As Cole attempted to pursue him, the thick smoke covered the area again, conveniently allowing Bertrand to escape to Flood Town via boat.
Secrets exposed
Bertrand mutating a civilian into a Corrupted.
Eventually, Bertrand began visiting the train yard weekly for unknown reasons. Though Bertrand was unaware of this, Cole and his allies arranged to follow Bertrand there, and bring evidence of any crimes. Having various forms of the Corrupted locked away at the train yard, Bertrand, subsequently arrived at a warehouse there. There, with a civilian named Nate, Bertrand assured him it was acceptable to have fear. Though he comforted him and claiming he had nothing to be afraid off.
Having Nate sit down, Bertrand suddenly emitted a green radiation and gas from his hands, and slowly and painfully mutating Nate into a Corrupted, whilst exclaiming he would exorcise the demon from him. Though unaware of this, Cole who spied on him, recorded the events and had them broadcasted on television. Subsequently seeing this on television, Bertrand gazed at his roof to see Cole, mocking with the camera. Enraged by this, Bertrand fled the train yard, slowly mutating in the process.
Bertrand ambushes Cole.
Bertrand eventually went into hiding after the events were broadcasted and the civilians lost all respect for Bertrand. However, Cole attemped to restore power to the gas works, to which Bertrand confronted him there with his men after having Cole ambushed, imprisoned in a cage, preventing him from using his powers. Bertrand attempted to get Cole to understand his offer: conspire together to defeat the Beast.
However, Cole refused, believing Bertrand would eventually betray him the first chance he has. Bertrand then ordered his men to excute Cole. As Cole called for aid on his phone, Zeke Dunbar arrived and fought of the Milita, forcing Bertrand to flee.
Conduit Arms Race
I mean could this really be just about money? When the guy just gives it all away? What's he trying to do? Is he trying to buy respect? Pay his way into Heaven?
― Cole, curious on Bertrand's true intentions.
Bertrand's plans on Conduit genocide.
Eventually, Cole discovered documents on Bertrand's plans and activites in a vault. Finally discovering Bertrand's main plan, sell forced Conduits to warlords across the world and, in effect, start a new arms race. Cole wondered what were Bertrand's motives, as it must be for more than money, considering Bertrand donates much of it to charity. Wondering if it was for respect, Cole concluded that, knowing Bertrand, he would use it for some means of saving the world for a higher cause.
Death
Happy, Betrand? Not a Conduit any more.
― Cole on Betrand's demise.
Cole confronts Betrand.
Betrand eventually attempted to escape at a helipad, however, was confronted by Cole after tracking him down. Cole questioned his actions, where Betrand admitted he intended to induce fear into oridinary Humans to turn them hostile against Conduits, even claiming that he believed himself to be a demon too, his pride transforming him into a monster. Cole briefly mocked Betrand on his former desire to gain powers, only to instead be transformed into a immense abomination. Betrand stated he believed all Conduits were abominations.
However, Cole challenged this statment, that people kill others, not abilities. Betrand agreed, before running of the building, falling, and turning into a Behemoth once again. Though being attacked in his weak points by Cole
Betrand's demise.
with the aid of the Rebels, Zeke was eventually able to lauch several missiles at Betrand. Pursuing Cole across the district, Betrand was eventually lured into a trap with propane tanks. Weaken by the explosion, Betrand continued to attack, however, Cole continued to hit his weak points. After enduring enough, Betrand eventually began to stagger and fall to the ground, dying as Behemoth. Betrand's corpse was subsequently cleared away by the Rebels.
Legacy
Despite failing to trigger the Conduit genocide himself, if Cole, used the RFI to kill the Beast and cure the Plague. The end result is that every Conduit on Earth, active or dormant, died, thus accomplishing Bertrand's ultimate goal.
Powers and Abilities
As a Human
Betrand, as a Human, was an extremely intelligent man. Though delusional, he had many methods on how get his own way. Such as his method to gain powers. Betrand maintained the same intellgence as a Conduit, and created a complex plan to kick-start a Conduit genocide after developing a hatred for them. Betrand began to mutate civilians of New Marais into Corrupted, soon having them obeying him. Addtionally, Betrand made the South African military company, Vermaak 88, into a Forced Conduits with the abilities of Cyrokinesis.
With two factions of Conduits to terrorize New Marais with the Milita to combat them, Betrand used this as a means of convincing the people Conduits were abominations and must be destroyed. Betrand also was a natural leader, commanding the Milita, Corrupted, and the New Marais sect of the First Sons before it's disbandment.
As a Conduit
Betrand's powers as a Conduit.
Bertrand was immensly powerful Conduit, using powers similar to what the larger Corrupted monsters utilize in battle. Bertrand could transform himself into the fearsome Behemoth. Bertrand had the unique ability to use his powers to mutate normal civilians of New Marais into Corrupted. The way in which he does is he creates a form of lightgreen gas and liquid from his hands that painfully mutated people into Corrupted monsters.
In Behemoth form Bertrand could also spawn spikers through his toxic pus. Bertrand additionally has a number of long slithery tentacles hidden in his rib cage, that when released from his chest and draw them into himself to spawn Swamp Monsters or he could channel his tentacles into the ground and grab people with them. As a Behemoth, Betrand has the ability to emit poison sludge from his mouth much like a Ravager or Devourer Corrupted. Often times he would spit the standerd green liquid and others he would shoot acidic homing spores. As the Behemoth, his roars would emit a noxious gas.
However, in his Behemoth form, Betrand had a large weakness: several pressure points that glowed purple revealed on his body whenever he wished to attack, that when hit, would effectively weaken him. Due to his mutation, however, Bertrand is highly sensitive to UV-lights.
Appearance and Personality
Bertrand, a man of God.
Bertrand appeared to be a true believer. As he found out he was a Conduit, he believed that God had made him one so that he could save humanity. Bertrand, expecting to become a "pure hero", was outraged when he got his powers, believing the Devil made him that way, corrupting him. Around this time he developed a hatred against Conduits, believing they where a subject of science and evil. Bertrand saw himself as a demon, hating himself for what he had become.
Bertrand also did several good deeds, however, such as donating to various charties and planting trees. In his Human form Bertrand wore a black coat with leather boots, a white shirt underneath, with a red vest. He also appeared to be in his late 50s to early 60s. As a Behemoth, Bertrand was a of immense size, walking on four, crab-like legs, having a large back that acted as a shell, and his stomach opening up almost like a clam, which would reveal his pressure points. Bertrand's head as a Behemoth was white with several purple eyes and two mandibles with teeth.
Bertrand also, at one point, tried to tranform back into his Human but was temporarily crosses with Behemoth features. There maintained several eyes, one of his mandibles and other features similar to his Behemoth form.
Trivia
- Bertrand is behind the creation of all three factions in inFamous 2 - he created the Militia to combat Conduits, and he created the Forced Conduits and Corrupted to start a Conduit arms race and in turn start a Conduit Genocide.
- Bertrand does broadcasts in New Marais in similar fashion to the Voice of Survival, spreading lies about Cole and attempting to persuade the citizens of New Marais to go against Cole. Unlike the Voice of Survival he has some success, evident by the protestors around town who constantly shout negative things about Cole. Also, his negative broadcasts weren't forced to be played in that fashion by a particular faction.
- According to Laroche, it took 7 chainsaws, 30 men, and 12 pickup trucks 7 hours to clear his body from the streets.
- Bertrand is createable for UGC but will act like a normal person.
- In the retail release of inFamous 2, Bertrand in his human form seemed older, while in pre-released game footage, he seemed a little younger.
Gallery
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