Quicksand
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Real Identity: Not Applicable
Appearances (BTAS): The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy
Powers/Skills: Immobilization
Voiced By: Not Applicable
Quicksand is an optimal mixture of sand, clay, and salt water. Usually ocurring near other bodies of water, salt water is pushed up and down through layers of sand by the process of convection. Sand makes up the top layer, thus the salt serves to destabilize it and creates an unsuspecting trap for some. Unable to support much weight, the slightest force will cause the layers of sand and water to separate until only dense high viscosity regions are left. An equal force of pressure has to be applied for a victim to move in the quicksand. The pressure serves to reintroduce enough of the water back to stabilize the sand. Contrary to popular belief, it is impossible for a victim to completely sink under quicksand. Instead, it is the surrounding elements that will kill such as increasing tides, heat stroke, or dehydration.
Quicksand is one of many death traps employed by the Instigator to pry information out of his targets. On one occassion, he used it on McWhighter, a diplomatic courier for the International Relief Consortium. Upon being supplied information on bonds, the Instigator lowered a lever to pull the courier out.