Holden Carver a.k.a. The Conductor was a member of I.O. Special Forces who was exposed to an artifact from The Bleed which fused to his nervous system, killing his team and granting him a healing factor, immunity to most psychics, and the ability to transfer pain, but not feel it. John Lynch sent Holden into deep cover to work for Tao and discover his secrets. Lynch then fell into a coma, leaving Holden trapped as a sleeper agent.
Over several years, Carver worked his way up in Tao’s organization to a Torpedo (Lieutenant) and finally reaching the rank of Prodigal (a Section Head reporting directly to Tao).
Before going undercover, Carver was engaged to Veronica St. James, a fellow I.O. operative. After his promotion to Prodigal, he becomes involved with Miss Misery as only her combination of pleasure and pain can make him feel anything in his altered state,