The Federal Intelligence Agency was established in 2006 after the dissolution of the NSA (National Security Agency) and the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), both of which were implicated in organizing a conspiracy to overthrow the US government. In theory, it was supposed to take over and join their functions, but in practice it remained an underfunded institution of marginal importance for almost half a century.

This all changed after the ratification of the NUSA Constitution in 2053. The FIA was granted extensive powers and privileges, and a huge budget made it possible to recruit a veritable army of secret informants and equip them with state-of-the-art technology. Since 2065 when Rosalind Myers became the NUS president, the FIA has steadily grown in strength. The active participation of agents in the course of the Unification War has become an open secret. After the war ended, the FIA's involvement in direct military action was greatly reduced in favor of data acquisition and analysis.

FIA agents now conduct intelligence operations around the world, loyally and discreetly pursuing the NUSA's political objectives. The weekly reports that President Myers receives from the FIA's leadership provide her with invaluable knowledge of the plans and actions of foreign governments and multinational corporations, and even a few influential private individuals. Skeptics say that the FIA serves Myers mainly as a secret weapon in her political games against Militech. The reality? Only the FIA knows.