Order

The Order is the paramilitary arm of the Consortium. It is composed of 24 individuals, both male and female, all enhanced through a substance referred to as Compound 36. Individual members of the Order are referred to by their corresponding Greek letter, the number of the corresponding Greek letter, or generically as Ranks or Agents. Each member of the Order is associated with a Handler that provides direction or assignments.

Screening Process

To be considered a candidate for the Order, there is a rigorous screening process. First, candidates must pass a genetic compatibility test. The genetic compatibility test is a statistical probability matrix that indicates the likelihood that an individual will not reject or suffer adverse side effects from Compound 36. The genetic compatibility test is given at all Consortium health care institutions worldwide. In fact, it is the only requisite condition for receiving free health care.

The genetic compatibility test can be failed one of two ways: Exceedingly high compatibility and exceedingly low compatibility.

If a candidate's compatibility is too high, then it's the individual is too susceptible to overexertion of abilities and losing control of them. The highest acceptable end of compatibility is 80%. On the other hand, if compatibility is too low, then the individual will not gain any (or enough) of the enhanced trait outcomes required of inducted Order members. The lowest acceptable end of compatibility is 40%. Exceptions can be made for compatibilities considered traditionally outside of control limits, typically on the high end, although this requires authorization at the senior leadership level of the Consortium to do so.

If genetic compatibility is passed, the second requirement is a psychological stability test. As Compound 36 has extensive and permanent effects on the body, psychological stability is a key component to ensuring the longevity and sustainability of individual Order members as well as the Order as a whole. Activating inert Compound 36 in an agent requires willpower and focus. Using baseline abilities and pushing them further can be mentally taxing, with many Order members suffering psychological and pathological side-effects from the creation process.

The psychological stability test is handled in three parts: A written test, an in-person interview, and a scenario exercise. The written test gauges reactions of the candidate to specific situations and what the best course of action would be. The in-person interview seeks to confirm what the candidate has described, with deviations of character or willful deception being noted further. Finally, the scenario exercise places the candidate in a high-stress situation without the candidate's knowledge that the scenario is an actual test. It gauges the real-time reaction of the candidate and, if successful, the candidate is offered placement as an Initiate.

Initiation

Before a candidate can become an Initiate, he or she must pass the Screening Process. All members of the Order undergo training prior to being considered a candidate for the Order. During this time, they are known as Initiates. The training period varies by Initiate and depends largely on mental aptitude. Prior to becoming an Initiate but after the Screening Process has been passed, the candidate must sign an agreement during they effectively surrender themselves as property of the Consortium. In certain cases, there are financial incentives for doing so, but most do it out of obligation to the Consortium's ideals. Contract language can vary, but effectively indicates that the candidate can only be released from employment with the Consortium under its own term; the contract's life is for an indefinite period of time, this is due to the varied period of training an Initiate must undergo combined with the fact that Compound 36 freezes the aging process. Regarding training, the Initiate must train for at least one year, but in some cases training can last up to twenty years or more.

Initiates are trained in numerous areas, including diplomacy, armed and unarmed combat, marksmanship, problem solving, and various other disciplines, including espionage and information technology. Options also exist for primarily academic pursuits, such as chemistry, physics, literature, and history. Critical thinking and practical application of knowledge areas is always considered the top priority during instruction.

During training, Initiates are often pitted against each other in combative and non-combative exercises. Competition is always individual, even when teams are assigned, as all Initiates are told that only the best among them can ever be considered for induction into the Order, and even then only when a position or Rank becomes available. Some Initiates may train for years before a Rank opens up, so Initiates are continuously training, developing, and refining their skills.

Initiates are kept in dormitories.

Once an Initiate has begun combat training, the first injection of Compound 36 is given. This immediately grants the full complement of enhanced abilities. Initiates are monitored very carefully after the first dose has been given, as side effects can be devastating at this time. While genetic compatibility provides a reasonable expectation of Compound 36's performance, it is not 100% accurate and detrimental, debilitating side effects can occur. Halfway through training a second injection of Compound 36 is given, which stabilizes the first dose. This is similar to a multi-shot vaccination, which requires time for the requisite biological processes to take place.

Initiates also have the option of dropping from the training after a minimum time period of one year, but still belong to the Consortium as per the contract terms. The Consortium can choose to either terminate a contract, or keep the individual in the employment of the organization. This is done especially if an Initiate shows significant promise in other areas, such as leadership, game theory, cost-benefit calculation, or assessment.