Baron Zemo
| Helmut Zemo (Scenesys ID: 7743) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| https://tinyurl.com/y3obsx96 | |||
| Quote | |||
| "With enough experience and enough patience, a man can do anything." | |||
| Profile | |||
| Full Name: | Helmut Zemo | ||
| Gender: | Male | ||
| Species: | Human | ||
| Theme: | Marvel (VFC) | ||
| Occupation: | "Superhero" | ||
| Citizenship: | Argentina / Sokovia | ||
| Residence: | New York City | ||
| Education: | MS in Electrical Engineering, Ècole spèciale militaire de Saint-Cyr, HYDRA Training | ||
| Status: | Dropped | ||
| Groups: | Thunderbolts, Hench, Martial Arts-OOC | ||
| Other Information | |||
| Apparent Age: | 37 | Actual Age: | 37 |
| Date of Birth | 15 August 1989 | Actor: | Daniel Bruhl |
| Height: | 180 cm (5'11") | Weight: | 85 kg (188 lbs.) |
| Hair Color: | Light Brown | Eye Color: | Brown |
| Theme Song: | {{{Song}}} | ||
Profile
Among European nobility Helmut Zemo is recognized as the fifteenth Baron Zemo. He was a military officer in Sokovia that fled to the US after that nation was overtaken by Latveria.
Citizen V is the field leader of the Thunderbolts. He seems OK but most folks are still making up their minds.
"The Phoenix" is one of HYDRA's top agents, most notable for being largely a mystery.
Current Player Approved: Not Applicable
Sheet
Description
Helmut Zemo stands just a bit under six feet tall, but one might be forgiven if he seems taller, given his bearing. His light brown hair is cut short, a bit longer than military fashion but still short enough that it's well clear of his eyes. His eyes are a shade of brown that nearly matches his hair, and bear a certain cold intensity to their gaze. A light bit of stubble covers mildly sharp, even handsome features. His build is lean, but he moves with a certain degree of athletic grace coupled with confident bearing. Those familiar with such things would likely suspect he has had some kind of military background, and certainly he seems to have maintained his fitness.
History
Helmut Zemo was born the 15th Baron Zemo, a proud scion of a line that stretched back to the late 13th century, and one of the old ruling families of the nation of Sokovia. Not that this meant overly much, as Helmut's great-grandfather Heinrich had sided with Germany in World War II and ended up among the highest echelons of HYDRA due to his scientific expertise. This had led to the family fleeing to Argentina after the war, where they managed to remain hidden but comparatively impoverished. Despite what was outwardly a normal-ish upper-middle-class upbringing, however, the family's HYDRA ties continued well into the modern day.
As such, Helmut Zemo's lessons in combat, espionage, and deception started at a disturbingly early age. When he was four years old, his family returned to Sokovia, and were able to legally claim their old family castle. This "re-legitimization" along with help from some HYDRA members in key places, allowed the Zemos to reintegrate with the old-world nobility of Europe, albeit without the financial backing many such families enjoyed. This got them invited to the parties...but made them objects of pity and scorn...something that the young Helmut deeply resented, particularly as he was raised with a belief in his inherent superiority. Still, Helmut buried any outward signs of that resentment and put on a "winning" smile that earned him many friends despite his comparatively impoverished position.
Helmut was an exceptionally bright and charismatic young boy, however, and so he excelled in his pursuits, both overt and clandestine, racing through prestigious European academies (in positions earned more through merit than money) at the top of his classes, and pursuing studies in the field of Electrical Engineering, eventually gaining admission to the elite military academy of Saint-Cyr. He again topped his class, and along the way made a great many more friends and acquaintances that would soon be among the officer corps' of various European (and a few further abroad) nations (though of course, particularly France). Sadly, his parents did not survive to see him graduate, dying at the hands of Sokovian dissidents.
Zemo entered the Sokovian military immediately upon his graduation from Saint-Cyr, at the rank of Major, and receiving the new code-name of "The Phoenix" among HYDRA, reflecting his rising fortunes. He easily qualified for the elite special operations section of Sokovia's relatively small military, and was soon designated the leader of their covert operations group, called "EKO Scorpion Team." Scorpion Team was responsible for political assassinations and various other bits of "dirty work" on behalf of the Sokovian goverment (usually against the very type of dissidents that had killed his parents). He rose swiftly to hold the rank of Colonel and became a player in the Sokovian government itself, albeit behind the scenes. He also discovered during this time that HYDRA had absconded with his family's fortune following World War II, and hidden it from his family , something that considerably soured his opinion of the organization, though he kept that opinion well-hidden. He was, in truth, slowly working his way (with HYDRA backing) towards a military coup that would place him (and the name Zemo) back in control of Sokovia, but when Latveria invaded in 2024 that plan came crashing down.
Latveria invaded Sokovia on behalf of the dissidents that had risen up against the oppressive regime Zemo worked for. Zemo and his Scorpion Team were among the very few military units that had any success at all against the Latverian invaders, but it was rapidly apparent to Zemo that Sokovia was a lost cause in the face of Latverian technological superiority. Zemo fled on the eve of defeat, releasing his Scorpion Team members and seeking refuge in the United States. He also utilized the services of a hacker with the handle "Fixer" (though he never met the individual in person) to plunder the Sokovian treasury, hiding the money away in a multitude of shell-corporations and international accounts. He presented the massive sum to HYDRA...minus the amount they had stolen from his family, with interest (and Fixer's considerable fee).
Personality
The first thing that one needs to know about Helmut Zemo is that he is possessed of unshakeable self-confidence. Some might even say arrogance, but it rarely manifests as the type of sneering condescension that one tends to see from arrogant men, as the second thing one should know about Helmut is that he firmly believes he is here to make the world a better place for everyone. He just has a very skewed idea of "better" that basically involves drafting metahumans into service whether they like it or not, and using them to enforce order upon the world. Some might call that tyranny, but Helmut doesn't really care what they call it: The results will be what matters. He would prefer that people come to serve willingly, but he'll accept non-willing or reluctant if he has to.
Fortunately for Helmut, he is a very charismatic fellow, and he very much rewards loyalty and respect with a full measure of the same, and tends to treat his subordinates quite well (especially by "super villain" standards). He can be harsh when others fail to live up to his expectations, but generally he tends to be someone that people LIKE following. Apparently that boundless confidence can be infectious. Helmut is cunning and patient, and capable of taking setbacks in stride and keeping towards the long view. He knows his goals may not be accomplished in his lifetime, but he will try like hell to make it happen, as he is an extremely driven and disciplined individual.
Abilities
ENHANCED VITALITY
Zemo has spent most of his life engaging in extensive physical training, as well as many combat situations. He has also immersed himself in "Compound X," a chemical compound developed by his great grandfather to extend life and maintain vigor. It does not allow him to attain superhuman physical attributes, but it does mean that despite pushing 40 he still has the physical potential of a man in his physical prime (and will continue to do so for another couple or three decades if he semi-regularly bathes in the compound and continues his intensive training regimen). As such, Zemo is at peak human physical fitness, though he still has to train rigorously and maintain a healthy diet to keep himself that way.
GENIUS
While not a top-tier intellect such as Reed Richards or Victor Von Doom, Zemo's raw intelligence is very much in the genius range, though he has spread it across a more broad array of subjects and skills as opposed to specializing in a single field. Still, Zemo is a far faster-than-average learner and is capable of at least being in the same room with the super-geniuses and usually not feeling completely out of his depth, though some of that may stem from his own superiority complex.
MIND CONDITIONING
Skills
DECEPTION
Helmut Zemo is a world-class liar. He can easily pass lie detector tests, and he gives off none of the usual nonverbal cues that skilled investigators and interrogators usually pick up on when he spins falsehoods. A great deal of his "technique" comes from cradling his lies in half-truths and misdirection. Tee point being, he's been a secret member of HYDRA for almost his entire life. He's very good at keeping secrets and maintaining facades. He is also extremely adept at disguise and, effectively, acting, able to feign emotions and alter his body language to portray different personas.
EDGED WEAPONS
Helmut has been trained in fencing and swordsmanship practically since he was old enough to hold one, and has recently intensified his training in this area to support his new costumed identity. He is a master of a variety of European-style blades, to include traditional longswords, rapiers, sabers, smallswords, and broadswords, able to stand toe-to-toe with some of the best in the world. Zemo is also reasonably skilled with knives, though not nearly on the same level as with swords.
ENGINEERING
Helmut graduated at the top of his class with a degree in electrical engineering. While he is not an inventive genius like Tony Stark or his ilk, he is very comfortable with utilizing beyond state-of-the-art technology as well as modifying (though usually more "side-grade" than "upgrade" when it comes to highly advanced gear) and repairing it. He is gifted enough to be conversant with true inventive geniuses, understanding most of the concepts involved without great difficulty, once explained. Zemo is also reasonably skilled with chemical engineering, particularly in regards to his great-grandfather's work with "Compound X" and "Adhesive X".
ESPIONAGE
Zemo has been trained in spycraft virtually since he was old enough to walk and talk. He is adept at cryptography (and decryption), shadowing (and spotting and losing a tail), disguise, interrogation (including both physical and psychological torture methods), and breaking-and-entering techniques. While not quite to the level of masters of the trade such as Nick Fury or the Black Widow, Zemo is skilled enough to operate quite effectively in the world of secrets and spies.
FIREARMS
Zemo is a skilled marksman with most modern and high-tech firearms. While he's not going to out-shoot the Punisher or Bullseye anytime soon, he's on par with veteran special operations soldiers, and is particularly skilled with handguns of various types, up to and including using them in conjunction with a sword in his other hand.
HAND-TO-HAND
Zemo is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant, on par with expert martial-artists but not up to the level of "masters." Still, he's skilled enough that he can stand against most such individuals for a bit of time without embarrassing himself (though when he recognizes a superior combatant he'll likely try to find an alternative way of dealing with them than direct confrontation).
LEADERSHIP
Helmut Zemo is an exceptional leader, both in terms of tactical prowess and in terms of inspiring his teammates. He demands respect, but also gives it, proving surprisingly (and genuinely) loyal to those teammates that show him the same in kind. He has a particular knack for "herding cats" and can get very disparate groups of individuals to work together smoothly. In tactical terms, he adjusts easily and smoothly to rapidly changing circumstances, and has exceptional situational awareness, usually having a good read of the battlefield at all times, even in the midst of combat. He has several years of special operations experience backing it all up, making him a very effective battlefield commander.
MULTILINGUAL
Helmut is fluent in many languages. He has native-speaker proficiency in Spanish, German, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian. Additionally, he is conversant in Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Finnish, and Dutch. He also knows a smattering of Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, and Afrikaans. Chances are, wherever he finds himself in the world there's a reasonable chance he will be able to communicate effectively enough to get by, whether in written or spoken word.
POLYMATH
Resources
CONTACTS
Helmut has made a great many friends and acquaintances over the years. Many of them are members of European nobility, as well as former comrades from his school days, which means he knows many high-ranking military officers, again mostly across Europe. Sokovia may be an occupied nation, but there are several Sokovian soldiers that escaped who might think well of Zemo, particularly as he is remembered there as one of the few commanders that enjoyed any level of success against the invading Latverian forces. Being a charismatic and charming (when he wishes) fellow, Helmut could likely call on many of these individuals for small favors, though only a few are likely to stick their neck out too far for him. Still, the right word in the right ear at the right time can make a seemingly small favor have a large impact. At the very least they are a reliable source of general political and military information and gossip that the regular public might not ordinarily be privy to.
COSTUME
Citizen V's costume is comprised of a material that provides a considerable degree of protection from low-mid caliber firearms, moderately powered energy blasts, and extremes of temperature. High-powered weaponry and the like can still damage it (and him), and even the bullet resistance is the type where he's very much going to feel it if he gets shot (and it may well incapacitate him). The suit is also insulated against mild to moderate electrical shock. The mask of the suit contains a heads-up display that can provide image intensification ("Night vision"), infrared vision ("Thermographic"), and up to 100X magnification/telescopic image enhancement, protection against sudden bright lights and the like, as well as standard UV protection. The cowl and mask are also equipped with short range radio transmitters so Zemo can keep in contact with his team members. The outside of the mask is a two-way mirror surface, so if the mask's electronics go down, Zemo can still see normally.
FIXER
Despite being two very different people, the criminal tech-wizard Paul Norbert Ebersol, known as the Fixer, and Helmut Zemo have somehow managed to form a genuine bond of friendship over the last few years. Of all the Thunderbolts, Fixer is the one among them that Zemo knows he can count on, even if his cover gets blown. Fixer enjoys the challenges Zemo provides him with, and even likes his company, and accepts him as one of the few people he is willing to take orders from without much, if any, argument. Zemo would be willing to take considerable risks to keep Fixer alive, well, and free, even at his own expense, and Fixer would do likewise for Zemo. It is in very many ways an odd pairing in terms of personalities involved, but a very effective one, as well. At the very least, Fixer is all-too-willing to put his powers and expertise to use at Zemo's behest, for both good and ill.
FORTUNE
Prior to leaving Sokovia Zemo plundered the national treasury of the collapsing government. Even after he gave the lion's share of that to HYDRA, he was still left with a few billion dollars to himself. However, much of it had to be spread across a vast array of shell corporations and international accounts, and is still in the process of being properly laundered through a variety of means. As such, he really only has several million in liquid assets, and of those only a few million can be drawn on without at least several days delay as transfers are made, etc...but those amounts grow by the day, and Zemo is thus far relatively frugal with it. While he does enjoy a bit of luxury from time-to-time, he generally doesn't flaunt his wealth at all, and "on paper" thanks to his friend Fixer, he left Sokovia with a tidy and seemingly perfectly legal nest egg of wise investments built upon a modest inheritance from his parents. Added to his relatively generous stipend from his Thunderbolts service, he can live a comfortable lifestyle without arousing suspicion.
HYDRA
Zemo's family has long held a great deal of influence in HYDRA, particularly as Zemo's great-grandfather was a founding member of it's World War II incarnation. Zemo's family has retained these ties even in exile and relative impoverishment, leading to Helmut presently being one of HYDRA's most valued deep-cover operatives, codenamed "The Phoenix." Helmut technically has control of a HYDRA cell, including several people employed at Thunderbolts Headquarters, though they do not actually know their leader is Helmut Zemo, as he only tends to meet them masked and using a vocal distorter. But he has ways of communicating with them, and passing them orders to engage in acts of information gathering and the like. It's only about a squad of agents, but they are willing to die for the cause, if need be. In a pinch, Zemo could ask for more assistance from HYDRA, up to and including "expendable" cells being set up to take a fall so he can maintain his "heroic" persona, or to allow critical bits of HYDRA technology to fall into his hands. Zemo is considered valuable enough that HYDRA might even expend resources to "rescue" him if his cover were blown or he otherwise found himself in need of such assistants. He's not technically in the "High Command" but he's not far outside of it, and unlike many of the other leaders in the organization, people actually tend to like him.
THUNDERBOLTS
As the field leader of the Thunderbolts, Zemo has access to the equipment, vehicles and headquarters of the team. This includes training facilities, living quarters, supersonic transport, additional weaponry and technology, and medical care, as well as being paid like a high-ranking government employee. While the budget for the team is generous, there are limits, and more importantly Zemo and his teammates are accountable for the resources of the team. That's not in the sense that they have to pay it back under normal circumstances, but if they can be proven to be using the Thunderbolts' resources carelessly or for purposes that fall outside the scope of their work, their access (including Zemo's) could be limited.
WEAPONS
As Citizen V, Zemo primarily uses two weapons. The first is a dueling saber crafted of adamantium. Aside from being virtually indestructible, never needing to be sharpened, and capable of cutting through nearly anything if there's enough strength behind the strike, it also has conductors in the handguard and pommel that can be used to conduct an electrical charge along the blade, allowing it to be used as a stun-baton style weapon using the flat of the blade. HIs other weapon is an energy-based sidearm, with a variable power setting that can range from non-lethal (basically akin to getting hit with "rubber bullets" or shotgun beanbags) all the way up to a blast powerful enough to punch right through most standard automobiles. Once you get into heavy armor or opponents with exceptional levels of durability its' effectiveness drops considerably, though it may still be painful or uncomfortable enough to provide an effective distraction, depending on where it strikes. Outside of these weapons, Zemo has access to other weaponry through the Thunderbolts, HYDRA, and he has his own private collection of a dozen or so well-crafted (And occasionally vintage) swords ranging from medieval-style broadswords to Spanish-style rapiers to semi-modern cavalry sabers, as well as several firearms of various types, but mostly modern semiautomatic handguns.
ZEMO FORMULAS
Helmut's great-grandfather, Heinrich Zemo, invented two chemical compounds of considerable value and utility: Adhesive X, and Compound X (Heinrich may have been a genius chemist but he was not so imaginative a namer, apparently). Adhesive X is one of the strongest adhesives known to man. So strong, in fact, that it was not until the early 21st century that the criminal known as the Trapster (who had managed to re-create Adhesive X) managed to create a counter-agent that could dissolve it. It generally takes beings of Hulk-level strength and durability to have any hope of forcibly removing it without harm to themselves. Helmut and the aforementioned Trapster are the only individuals on Earth with the knowledge of how to create Adhesive X. While Zemo rarely uses the stuff, it would not take him long to create at least a small amount, which can be used for a wide array of uses, both utilitarian and nefarious.
Weaknesses
ARROGANCE
Zemo thinks that he is self-aware enough that he has accounted for his own limitations and frailties, but he hasn't really. The downside of being nigh-inhumanly confident in oneself is that you're always going to end up with a blind spot somewhere. A betrayal you didn't see coming, a hole in your defenses you never even conceived of. As much as Zemo may believe otherwise, you cannot truly plan for all contingencies (Especially in a world as chaotic as this). One day that could bite him, and it's probably going to take a good chunk out of him when it does.
DIRTY MONEY
Zemo, with the help of his ally the Fixer, embezzled an enormous amount of money from the Sokovian government prior to its' collapse. However justified he might have felt in doing it, or how entitled he might have felt in claiming that wealth, it was still a highly illegal act and not the kind of thing that goes unnoticed. While Fixer was good about covering his tracks and HYDRA provides a bit of additional cover for the maneuver, there are individuals out there with the means and capability to track it down (in particular the ruler of victorious Latveria, should he take an interest in such things). Basically this leads to two or three big problems. One, whatever of that money is unlaundered is vulnerable to being counter-seized if someone tracked down all those loose ends. Two, he could be prosecuted for the crime if enough evidence were gathered, though there may be some question as to the legal standing involved. Three, there are some people that might be really angry about it and would seek to harm Zemo over it through less-than-legal means, quite possibly up to and including outright killing him. Zemo thinks he and fixer are smart enough to keep themselves safe. They might even be right. Orrrrr they might not.
ONLY HUMAN
While perhaps an exceptional human (certainly in his own opinion), Zemo is still human. While he has access to technology that may help mitigate his physical frailties somewhat, the fact remains that in many ways he is the least (physically) powerful member of his team. He has to work extremely hard to "keep up" in a world of mutants and metahumans, and while his work ethic is not in doubt, and his physical conditioning is excellent, it's quite possible that his body will break before his spirit will. He can get sick, poisoned, or drugged. A serious injury may keep him laid up for weeks or even months, barring some kind of high-tech or supernatural healing intervention, and attacks that some of his teammates might not even feel could kill him in an instant.
RESIDENT ALIEN
Zemo is a resident alien of the United States, not a citizen. Technically he is a political refugee, and while he has been useful enough to the US Government that Ross "Fast tracked" him for permanent resident status, he is still subject to certain bureaucratic requirements in order to keep himself a legal resident of the US. He is also subject to much easier deportation should he be even suspected of criminal activity. Either way, there are certain organizations that are tracking Zemo, and that's just the relatively benign ones. US Intelligence agencies have an interest in him too, given his background, though Ross' influence mostly keeps them off Zemo's back...for now.
TRIPLE AGENT
Logs
To Refresh Character's Log List Click Here. Then hit the resulting button to dump the old cached list.
| Title | Date | Scene Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Test-Driving the New Lab | June 7th, 2019 | Summary needed |
| A Very Brief VIP Tour | May 14th, 2019 | Helmut Zemo gives Secretary Ross a brief tour of the Thunderbolts' base, and a progress update. |
Cutscenes
To Refresh Character's Log List Click Here. Then hit the resulting button to dump the old cached list.
| Title | Date | Scene Summary |
|---|---|---|
| No logs submitted yet. | ||
Gallery
Family Business
Costumed
