An epiphany, and more.

I went out for lunch and a movie with my wife today, and while we were eating, discussed my stories and some of the history behind them. Some concepts revealed themselves and as we talked they cemented themselves into how the Enhanced came to be, in the world of FORCE.

FORCE: The Federal Office for the Research and Control of the Enhanced.
Purpose: To locate and protect the Enhanced from those who would victimize them; To recruit or relocate the victims to a safe location where their differences can be considered ‘normal’ rather than ‘strange.’ If recruited, to use their abilities to protect all people, Enhanced or not, from victimization by any person or group of persons; To capture and control those Enhanced who choose to use their abilities to the detriment of others.

Enhanced: Those people who, for whatever reason, demonstrate abilities above and beyond those of statistically ‘normal’ people. These abilities include but may not be limited to Strength, Psionics, Speed, Perception, Healing and Endurance. Other known abilities include Flight and Energy Projection of many different sorts. Statistically speaking, roughly 1% of North Americans possessed some form of Enhanced ability as of 1 January, 2080 with perhaps 1% of this number having a significant power that could be considered effective in a military manner. This number has roughly doubled since the inception of FORCE in 2053 after the alien attack. The exact source of Enhancement is currently unknown, but is believed to be directly related to radiation released during said alien attack.

Constructs: Constructs are a separate subcategory of Enhanced in that their enhancements are designed, rather than the effect of environmental stimulus. Constructs include any Enhanced possessing bionic prosthetics of greater than human-normal capabilities such as extra-strength robotic limbs and broad-range optical and auditory implants. Constructs may also include any being created through the use of Genetic Engineering, chemical or electro-chemical process which changes the original body structure. Under the precepts of FORCE, Constructs are to be considered as Enhanced.

Aliens: It is known that there are other species among the stars. Two of these species were involved in the battle that heralded the coming of the Enhanced. It is now believed that the vulpinoid species that calls themselves the Valani fought to protect the Earth in that battle. The Valani clan Ysan now rules in exile on Earth, taking for its headquarters the FORCE base once known as the Raccoon Mountain Pump Storage Facility. At least one other alien species now has a representative upon Earth, though she does not know where her home system lies from Earth. By the benefit of their technologies, their unhuman appearance and native abilities, aliens are to be considered Enhanced for as long as they reside within North American boundaries.