Mind-wipe
"What do you remember of your operation in the Gorgonoid Mine?"
"Not to be impertenant sir, but where's that?"
-Unknown subject undergoing mind-cleansing.[2a]
A Mind-wipe (also referred to as mind-cleanse,[2a] mind-sweep,[3] mind-purge, or mind-scrub)[2c] is an intensive process used to remove memories from an individual.[2d]
The best way to keep a secret is to force an individual to forget it, at least when execution isn't the preferred option. Knowing of any of the Imperium's innumerable secrets,[2b] or simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time, often condemns an individual to execution or, if they are fortunate, mind-wipe.[2b] It is a brutally invasive process frequently used by the Inquisition.[2d] This process is also utilised by the Adeptus Mechanicus.[3]
During the Great Crusade, the Order Elucidatum frequently used "Brain Destroyer" drugs on human populations who witnessed Warp activity or nascent Imperial Cults. As the name implies, this seratoxin destroys the mind of those it is forced upon.[4]
Contents
Inquisition
The Inquisition uses this process with varying degrees of frequency and used at their own discretion on various acolytes and hecnhman[1a] or on more elite assets like Eversor Assassins.[1b][2e] Inquisitors will mind-wipe or execute individuals exposed to the knowledge of Daemons at their own discretion, whether it be a guardsman or planetary governor.[1c] Mind wiping those involved in a daemonic encounter is typically done as an attempt to ensure that their taint and knowledge of it doesn't spread.[5]
Some Inquisitors often use the brutally invasive mind-cleansing and mental reprogramming techniques to repair the mind's of their assets and acolytes. Often times the most effective way to repair a damaged mind that has experienced severe mental trauma is to force it to forget the trauma suffered in the first place.[2a] When the Ordo Malleus requisitions Imperial Guard troops to combat Daemonic threats, at the conclusion of an operation the Inquisitor typically disposed of said troops, often times via bombing. Some see this as a mercy after witnessing such mind-bending horrors. However, if they are highly-trained elite troops or otherwise seen as valuable, they might be fortunate enough to be mind-wiped. This is an intensive process reserved typically reserved for troops the Inquisitor plans to keep in their service and use in future operations.[2d]
Mechanicus
High ranking members of the Adeptus Mechanicus place a high value on the secrecy of their work and are known to mind-wipe the entire crew of ships housing their research facilities in order to maintain loyalty and secrecy.[3]
See also
Sources
- 1: Dark Heresy Second Edition: Core Rulebook:
- 2: Dark Heresy: Ascension:
- 3: Genefather (Novel), Chapter 18
- 4: The Horus Heresy Book Eight - Malevolence, pg. 30
- 5: Gathering Storm: Fracture of Biel-Tan, pg. 89
