The Mavericks, under the leadership of Sigma who was ressurected by the Tsivrixsh, was attempting to once again wipe out humanity for his own purposes. Along with Vile and a new reploid created by the Tsivrixsh, Crucifixtion, the three managed to keep the Hunters on their toes.
CorSec, Earth's defense force, was prejudice against all reploids. Reploids, banished to the Wastelands created from X and Zero's fight with each other when Zero went Maverick, was destined to stay there forever. However, when the Mavericks were ressurected and the looming threat of the Tsivrixsh running around, reploids were recruited to join the new Hunters. CorSec, rebelling, left EarthGov and began to fight against all sides.
And finally, the Tsivrixsh, a threat from space, being led by the one known only as "The Elder", the 13th member of The Counsel, and his apprentice Xevil, attempted to take Earth in the Tsivrixsh's campaign to take over the entire galaxy. They were the true threat during the story, but didn't make a big appearence until Session 18: Contact.