S.H.I.E.L.D. Extra Sensory Perception Division

S.H.I.E.L.D. E.S.P Division

History

Since it's inception in the early days of the agency, the ESP (Extra Sensory Perception) Division has been possibly the most controversial element of SHIELD's operations. Formed to protect SHIELD agents from attempted psionic attack or mind control, the 'Brain Wave Gang' (as it became known amongst members of the agency) maintained a constant telepathic vigil for signs of mental interferance or anomolous behaviour at all levels of SHIELD. Equipped with a vast array of esoteric equipment, the ESP Division quickly became the subject of rumours and distrust and it was commonly believed that too much power and responsibility was placed within it's grasp. Even the Director and his senior staff were liable to telepathic surveillance (in effect, mind reading), in the division's search for 'embryonic peril'. Fury in particular fell foul of ESPD surveillance and his distrust of the agents who made up the team was widely known.

Insignia of the SHIELD ESP Division

Despite official disaproval, the Espers operated in almost total freedom, both inside and outside the agency, maintaining a 24hr vigil on all agents and recording their brain scans in the massive databanks of the SHIELD computers. During the 1960's the ESPer Division was instrumental in the successful completion of a number of SHIELD operations and they won a grudging acceptance from their colleagues. Over time, however, further abuses of power would be revealed which could not be attributed to the freedom the Division was allowed. The division's downfall was to come when it was discovered that the 'Delta' LMD had used the ESPer Division in his search for agents to be encoded as 'Deltite' replicants, gradually replacing a vast proportion of the agency's operatives with duplicates sympathetic to his cause.

Using his replicants, the Delta construct eliminated the SHIELD 'Executive Committee' and usurped the Chairman's position. With his powerbase secure, he proceeded to pervert the agency's manpower and resources to achieve his goal of total global domination. Using elements of SHIELD, along with subverted cadres of both Hydra and AIM, he manipulated Director Fury and his remaining agents - forcing Fury to become a fugitive from his own agency after framing him for treason and assigning many of the unencoded agents for 'Delta training' to bring them under his control. Only the actions of Fury and a small band of loyal agents and their allies prevented his mad scheme from succeeding, but SHIELD was to pay a terrible price: the Agency's UN charter was revoked and SHIELD was disbanded.

'Network' Nina, Former Head of the SHIELD ESP Division

Although very few members of the ESPer Division survived the Deltite Affair, Fury sought out one of the most unpredictable to recruit into the new SHIELD crew during 'Operation Rebirth': 'Network' Nina was a project of the earlier 'psi-bernetic' research carried out by the ESPD - her natural abilities were augmented by neural implants which increased her psionic potential and allowed her to interface with computers and other machines.

But her new abilities were wild and unpredictable and after it became apparent that the neural net was actually causing Nina physical pain whenever it was activated, Fury immediately ordered her retirement from active service.The Director made sure that Nina received the very best care possible, even taking personal responsibility for her well-being after the agency's public dissolution and visiting her regularly throughout the long and painful series of surgical and psychological procedures that would eventually see her declared free of the implant's harmful effects.

When the new SHIELD was created, Nina was the natural choice to head up the ESP Division - a much smaller operation than it's predecessor with strictly limited responsibilities and duties. Nina was to prove an excellent Division Head, popular both with her subordinates and ther colleagues in general. The new ESPD was instrumental in the successful conclusion of more than one of SHIELD's most difficult operations and Fury came to rely on her counsel, dispite his very public criticisms of the earlier 'brain wave gang'. Nina eventually gave her life in service to SHIELD, when her neural implants were overloaded in a confrontation with the Hydra double agent Psi-borg. Fury was deeply affected by the loss of his friend and as the agency became threatened by government manipulation and other exterior threats, he was able to arrange matters so that another permanent Head of the ESPD was never appointed.

When SHIELD was brought under the banner of the Stargate Command, Fury and Hammond quickly recognised the need for a strong defence against the mental control that appeared to be evidenced by certain System Lords and - reluctantly - Fury found it necessary to extend the duties of the ESP Division and appoint a new Division Head who was equal to the new task. Through contacts in the Intelligence community, Fury soon heard rumours about Mnemosyne Raļs and eventually tracked her down to a small bar in Paris that she was running while she waited for a new challenge to take her fancy. Despite her initial reluctance, Fury was able to convince her that he could offer the challenge she was looking for and recruited her into the elite Unit. Her selection as Head of the ESPD was controversial, but oher flamboyant style has proved to be the right approach and the Division is producing some impressive results.