Bionic Commando

TASC (Tactical Arms and Security Committee)

TASC is the military intelligence and security agency in the Federal States of America (FSA), and the original developers of military-grade bionic technology. TASC works under the direction of the Department of Defense, and is mandated with protecting the country from security threats.

At the height of its power, TASC had at its disposal a team of Special Ops "bionic commandos" that was considered the finest military unit in the world. The bionics program was developed early in the organization's history, when a civilian program was co-opted by ambitious agents looking for a new breakthrough. Among the early proponents of the technology was "Super" Joseph Gibson, TASC's most successful operative.

While the bionics program was still in prototype phase, TASC faced a more serious threat - the attack of the fascistic Imperials. Charged with protecting the FSA from this threat, TASC sent "Super" Joe Gibson to infiltrate the Imperial base, but he was captured in the attempt. In his absence the first bionic commando, Nathan "Rad" Spencer, was activated and sent into the field. Spencer was able to not only rescue Super Joe, but was also ultimately responsible for defeating the Imperials' war machine.

Afterwards, Joseph Gibson was promoted to Director of TASC, and under his leadership, bionics became one of the most important elements of national defense. Billions of dollars were poured into the project, with an entire team of bionic-enhanced commandos developed under the supervision of Gibson and Spencer. However, the technology was divisive, and Gibson was forced to lobby hard against the growing numbers of those who opposed bionics. Rumors grew that the mysterious deaths of several high-profile anti-bionic activists during this period were in fact the work of TASC agents; the act that finally forced the government's hand was when a group of rogue bionics were accused of aiding a rebellion against the FSA, Nathan Spencer was tried and convicted of these assassinations; and despite his allegiance to TASC, it was the verdict of the court that he had been working alone.

The conviction was a blow to TASC; but it was nothing compared to the next move. The reformist President Allen, elected on a platform of opposition to the technology, announced the executive order that came to be known as the Bionic Purge. The development of bionic technology was declared illegal, and TASC's bionic program became outlawed overnight. Its own agents were now criminals, and the organization was now charged with implementing the ban, rounding up their own members and stripping them of their bionic parts.

Even that was bungled - many of the bionic agents escaped underground, or were allowed to by sympathetic TASC members. However, with the failure of the army to respond to the crisis in Ascension City, TASC is presented with a chance for redemption.