Alpha

Origin
"Alphas", named as such by Dr. Lee Rosen of the DOD, are a type of metahuman in possession of unusual abilities hat occur naturally to them. The first confirmed records go back to the American Civil War in an unpublished and recently rediscovered report by a Dr. Zachary Harrison who was found deceased in his home in 1862.

Modern accounts of Alphas began around the 1960s when multiple tests were run by the Department of Defence. In the modern day it is assumed at least 0.02% of humans possess some form of Alpha ability.

Abilities
The exact nature of an Alphas abilities varies wildly between individuals. All known abilities are caused by an abnormality in the physiology of the Alpha. These can be hereditary but may also develop spontaneously in embryos. All Alphas have a sensitivity to infra-sound for unknown reasons.

Known abilities include the increasing of bodily functions and senses to greatly magnified degrees, the conductivity of various forms of energy, production of unusual substances and the manipulation of brain chemistry among other, more specific, examples. It is worth noting that such abilities often come with strained social psychology as Alphas may find it difficult fitting in or understanding the world from their altered point of view.

While some Alpha abilities may be mistaken for artifact use, the Warehouse works closely with a unit of the DOD dedicated to the identification of Alphas to prevent any cross-department cases arising.

For individuals with abilities granted by artifact use, see "Metaphysical Artifact Entity".

Warehouse 13
Despite keeping a fair distance from Alpha-related cases, the Warehouse has been known to employ Alphas as agents. The abilities "scouted" for tend to be ones useful in investigative areas.

Individuals who display precognition, empathic skills, eidetic memories or skill at detecting lies are highly sought after.