Biological augmentation: Difference between revisions

{{Era|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}}

The [[Forerunner]]s used artificially-induced [[Forerunner mutation|mutations]] consisting of a combination of genetic engineering, gene therapy and biochemical manipulation to custom-tailor an individual's body to a [[form]] considered suited for their social standing and field of work in a [[rate]].<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/forerunners '''Halo Waypoint - Universe''': ''Forerunners'']</ref> While many of the changes were ostensibly cosmetic and made for cultural reasons, others were designed to enhance a Forerunner's abilities. Many of the enhancements were to the neurological and cognitive abilities of the individual,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 261''</ref> although at least the [[Warrior-Servant]]s' mutations also made them physically stronger and more robust.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 279''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 86''</ref>

The first major effort to create biochemically-augmented supersoldiers was known as [[Project ORION]]. The beginnings of the program can be traced back to [[2321]], when the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] began to build upon bioengineering protocols developed during the Interplanetary Wars. However, after five military candidates were selected and tested, the project was declared ineffective and the candidates were returned to their respective chains of command.{{Ref/Reuse|enc44}} Within a year, all candidates would die of unknown causes. The project was secretly relaunched by the [[Colonial Military Administration]] well over a century later in [[2491]], with the recruitment of 65 adult test subjects; hundreds more were added after the first batch completed their training. The ORION augmentations included enhancements to muscle density, lung capacity, vision, hearing and balance.<ref>'''[[Media:ILB_Cochlear_tuning.ogg|cochlear_tuning Axon]]'''</ref> While the ORION operatives were highly successful, the project on the whole was deemed a failure due to many factors, among the most prominent being the high "washout" rate of the augmentations as well as the limited effectiveness of the enhancements themselves.<ref name="journal">'''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'''</ref> Former ORION project member [[Avery Johnson]] remembers the experience as being agonizing filled with confusing, hormone-inducing rages.{{Ref/Novel|SiSto|Chapter=4}}

As a crude replication of the technologies used to forge the Spartans, human [[Insurrectionist]]s use "[[rumbledrug]]s" which degenerate the user's body but grant them superhuman abilities for a short time, potentially giving them a fighting chance against Spartans.{{Ref/Reuse|midlothian}}

During his service within the [[Covenant]], Jega 'Rdomnai was a member of the [[Silent Shadow]], a unit within the Covenant's [[Special Operations]] branch. During one of his missions, he lost his left arm and left mandibles. 'Rdomnai had the two replaced with prostheses, despite robotic replacements being antithetical to Covenant tradition and principles. The injuries also gave 'Rdomnai a lust for battle and vengeance, both of which completely outweighed his own pride in his own Sangheili culture.{{Ref/Site|Id=ign|URL=https://www.ign.com/articles/halo-infinite-campaign-get-to-know-jega-spartan-killer-ign-first?utm_source=twitter|Site=IGN|Page=Halo Infinite Campaign: Get to Know Jega, a ‘Spartan Killer’ – IGN First|D=9|M=11|Y=2021}}