After the successful colonization of two habitable worlds, the Alpha Centauri system became a frequent destination for, not only the thousands of individuals who chose to immigrate here, but many others who were eager to make a profit on a wide-range of available business opportunities.  Over time, as the number of colony transports, cargo ships, and merchant vessels traveling through this system increased; so did the amount of incidents of illegal smuggling and piracy.  Although the planet Toliman Gamma was established as the new headquarters for their private security forces, monitoring the growing level of traffic and subsequent criminal activity soon became a tremendous undertaking.  

Local scientists in this system, chosen for their expertise in genetic manipulation, were assigned to create a new breed of super-soldiers.  The Citadel, constructed in New Sparta, became the center of operations for these dedicated scientists who proceeded to develop a total of twelve genetically-enhanced embryos in artificial wombs.  In 2162, the first group of these advanced Humans were born; each of them engineered to have greater strength, higher intelligence, faster reflexes, better agility, and the capacity to heal rapidly from minor injuries.  These dozen individuals were prepared from birth to cultivate both their intellect and their physical skills through years of intensive and rigorous training.  At 18 years of age, the majority of them were assigned to become the first of an elite new security unit known as the Sentinels.  Only the top two graduates were assigned as officers within the Centauri military.

The Sentinels were initially delegated to be responsible for both peacekeeping and defensive operations within the Alpha Centauri system, but would occasionally provide assistance to others if aid was requested.  By the time the civil war with Earth began, there were nearly 400 members in their ranks.  The Sentinels played an integral role in the fight for colonial independence and currently remain a valued source of security for the Centauri Union.