Editing Project ASTER

{{Era|UNSC|HCW}}
{{disambig header|procedures for the Spartan-II project|procedures for the Spartan-III project|Project CHRYSANTHEMUM}}

[[File:Prologue - Spartan augmentation 02.jpg|thumb|300px|[[John-117]] being prepared for the augmentation procedures.]]
{{Quote|...the white coats coming at you with their needles and knives, their kind and serious voices. Their heartfelt belief that it's all for a good cause.|[[Melissa (AI)|Melissa]]<ref>[[Phase 2 Operator's Monologue]], ''[[i love bees]]''</ref>}}
The '''SPARTAN-II augmentation procedures''' were a series of biochemical and biomechanical manipulations applied to [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-II conscripts]] at the onset of puberty.
 
==History==
Human biochemical experiments and [[Human augmentation|enhancement procedures]] have been a part of society dating back to the 20th Century; their gains have attracted widespread attention in the hopes of improving human strength and endurance. Military experimentation with such enhancements has always been limited for the sake of moral and ethical concerns. However, as technology improved and as scientists continued to understand the human body, advancements paved the way for the eventual use of body enhancement chemicals — the first bio-engineering protocol was established to help humans adjust to long duration spaceflight and different planetary environmental conditions, and subsequently for interplanetary war.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 44''</ref> The fruition of such procedures to help create a superior soldier did not solidify until the limited success of the [[ORION Project]], which would pave the way for the success of the SPARTAN-II Program.

Research on the then-named ORION Generation II augmentations began five years after the deactivation of the ORION Project.<ref name="hal jour">'''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]''' ''February 15, 2511''</ref> Early analysis concluded that next-generation candidates must have "more malleable, robust DNA structure and repair enzymes," this being based on the fundamental flaw of the augmentation procedures performed on the ORION soldiers. Because of the requirements, the best suitable candidates who would adapt without severe side effects were those of prepubescent age. 

Candidates of prepubescent age were screened based on genetic markers/SNPs that are linked to positive fitness and decreased disease incidence. The task of screening for such DNA structures was astronomical and to properly screen for correct genetic markers would require thirty-nine billion records. However, as DNA samples were covertly collected as part of the [[Colonial Administration Authority|CAA]]'s [[Outer Colony vaccination program]], the UNSC had a rather comprehensive record of Outer Colony citizens to use for candidate selection.<ref name="hal jour"/>

From 2511 until the augmentation of the SPARTAN-IIs in 2525, research continued refining and improving the chemicals to reduce failure rate. Later research proved difficult for other mental, adrenal and neural enhancement procedures to be used on the SPARTAN-IIs because of their unacceptable failure rates.<ref name="halsey1"/> [[Admiral]] [[Ysionris Jeromi]] conducted experimental procedures on [[List of animals|bonobo chimpanzees]] at the request of his former student in an attempt to help reduce the failure rates and improve the regime.<ref name ="reach">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 57'' (2001 edition) ''page 62-64'' (definitive edition) ''page 74 2010 edition''</ref>

In the initial studies and research conducted on possible procedures, two of the proposed augmentations were rejected because of their risks and drawbacks. The first was adrenal-response enhancement, which would enhance the autonomic nervous system to better balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic function in the body's response to stress.<ref name="halsey1">'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''' ''March 9th, 2525''</ref> The next was memory and cognitive enhancements; these were rejected based upon the mental instabilities that could occur.<ref name="halsey1"/>

==Augmentations==
Chemical augmentations work on a molecular level by targeting molecules within the body and then altering them to begin a growth process of targeted tissues. Although the chemicals work on a molecular level, they do not work on a genetic level, as targeted mutagenesis is impossible only with chemicals.

The process of augmenting the SPARTAN-IIs was divided into two parts, surgical procedures and injection procedures. Surgeries were highly risky, intensive, and required special medical talent. Their safety and effects varied substantially from subject to subject, with the benefits and risks varying with the surgeon, the surgical conditions, and the state of the patient.<ref name="pariah2">'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''' '''[[Pariah]]''' ''page 32''</ref> Chemical augmentations have their own risks dependent upon the subject's genetic background and how they adjust to the alteration of cells and molecules and to a more physical point, tissue growth. SPARTAN-IIs also underwent extensive gene therapy.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]'''</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! Procedure
! Description
! Risk(s)
|-
|Occipital Capillary Reversal
|Surgery is performed on the occipital lobe of the left cerebral hemisphere of the brain; the occipital lobe is the visual processing center of the brain, containing most of the anatomical region of the visual cortex. The surgeon performs a procedure on the capillaries, the smallest of the body's blood vessels, to reverse the direction of blood flow in each capillary to boost the blood flow beneath the rods and cones of the subject's retina. The rods and cones of the eye are light-sensitive receptors located in the back of the eye. Together they are able to detect movement, light and color, and relay that information back to the brain. This procedure produces a marked visual perception increase.<ref name ="reach"/>
|11% of subjects could face retinal rejection and detachment causing permanent blindness.<ref name ="reach"/><ref name ="halsey1"/>
|-
|Carbide Ceramic Ossification
|The candidate's bones are exposed via surgery or procedurally sequential surgeries. An advanced carbide ceramic material is grafted onto the skeletal structure to begin assimilation into the upper layers of the each individual bone. This results in the bones being virtually unbreakable. The coverage of this procedure does not exceed 3% total bone mass due to significant white blood cell necrosis: effectively, the carbide ceramic can only comprise a thin outer "shell" bonded to each bone without interfering with bone functionality as organs. <ref name ="reach"/>
|3.8% failure rate due to possible mutations and compromised bone marrow matrix integrity. In pre-and near-postpubescent adolescents, skeletal growth spurts may cause irreparable bone pulverization.<ref name ="reach"/><ref name ="halsey1"/>
|-
|Catalytic Thyroid Implant
|A platinum pellet is implanted in the left thyroid gland; this pellet contains a human growth hormone that is released into the body to boost growth of skeletal and muscle tissues. As the hormone is released into the body the pellet dissolves and is absorbed. The hormone targets and stimulates the growth of fast and slow twitch muscle fibers, effectively producing significant gains in muscle mass. The hormone also targets osteoblasts to help boost bone tissue formation and effectively strengthen the bone structure.<ref name ="reach"/>
|2% of subjects acquire elephantiasis. Suppressed sexual drive.<ref name ="reach"/><ref name ="halsey1"/>
|-
|Muscular Enhancement Injections
|In addition to the growth hormone catalyst, a protein complex is injected intramuscularly that targets the muscles' intracellular molecular machinery to help increase muscle strength and endurance. These injections target the muscles' molecules increasing the density of the connective tissues and fibers, the more visible result being the muscles quivering and contorting over one another, making connecting tendons stronger and decreasing lactase recovery time.<ref group="note">In ''Halo: The Fall of Reach'', Nylund states that the muscular enhancement injections decrease ''lactase'' recovery time. Lactase is an metabolic enzyme which catalyses the breakdown of lactose. A similarly named molecule, ''lactate'' (the conjugate base of ''lactic acid''), builds up during anaerobic respiration in muscle tissue, causing pain after lengthy periods of exercise. It is ''lactate'' (not ''lactose'')  which is recovered during metabolism, therefore implying either a simple "s" for "t" typo during writing or an oversight in scientific language.</ref><ref name ="reach"/><ref name ="halsey1"/><ref name="pariah">'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''' '''Pariah''' ''page 34''</ref>
|5% of test subjects experience a fatal cardiac volume increase.<ref name ="reach"/><ref name ="halsey1"/>
|-
|Superconducting Fibrification of Neural Dendrites
|Alteration of bioeletrical nerve transduction to shielded electronic transduction. 300% increase in subject reflexes. Anecdotal evidence of marked increase in intelligence, memory, and creativity.<ref name ="reach"/>
|12% of subjects can contract Parkinson's Disease and Fletcher's Syndrome.<ref name ="reach"/><ref name ="halsey1"/>
|}

==Procedure==
<!--The following is based on the information provided in both The Fall of Reach and Pariah in Halo Evolutions. The information provided in this section is as accurate as can possibly be, using what sources are available and by research done.-->
[[File:S-II's awaiting augmentation.png|thumb|right|300px|Candidates awaiting augmentation procedures.]]
To prepare the subject for the augmentation procedure, the subject's head is shaved and incision vectors are [[laser]]ed onto the subject's body. An intravenous drip is inserted into the subject's arm, and a general anesthetic is administered to ease the subject into a state of unconsciousness. Once the subject has been sedated, he or she is transported from the pre-op wing of the facility to another area, where the surgical procedures are performed.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''' ''page 59'' (2001 edition) ''page 66'' (definitive edition) ''page 77'' (2010 edition)</ref>

During the occipital capillary reversal, a neurosurgeon cuts out a small space in the skull, exposing the brain. The neurosurgeon then performs a procedure to rearrange the capillaries in the occipital lobe of the left cerebral hemisphere of the brain. This redistribution of blood vessels boosts the flow of blood beneath the rods and cones of the subject's retina. Once the surgery is complete, the piece of the subject's skull that was removed in order to access the occipital lobe is repaired and the subject's head is bandaged.<ref>'''Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp'''</ref>

When the catalytic thyroid implant is inserted, surgery is performed on the thyroid gland, where an incision is made to the left thyroid gland large enough for a platinum pellet to be implanted; once done, the incision made is closed up. The growth hormone is released and progressively works its way through the body, stimulating the growth of skeletal and muscle tissue.<ref name="pariah3">'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''' '''Pariah''' ''page 39''</ref><ref name="pariah2"/>

As this takes place, muscular enhancement injections are administered throughout the subject's body to aid the previous procedure. This produces the most prolonged delay in the rest of the augmentation procedures as the subject's body begins to alter as a result of the previous procedure. If the subject has survived the changes, the final part of the augmentation is performed.<ref name="pariah3"/><ref name="pariah2"/>

The carbide ceramic ossification is performed last due to the aforementioned complications with post-grafting bone growth. This comprises of exposing the skeletal structure, removing a small layer of surface bone (no more than 3% of the bone's volume), and then bonding the carbide ceramic shell in lieu of the removed surface bone material. This bonding is likely achieved through some biochemical means to encourage natural bone integration and a tendency of the body to reattach the bone and ceramic if somehow separated. Once completed, the natural bonding of the skeleton to the ceramic layer continues while other stabilizing and therapeutic procedures are performed.<ref name="pariah2"/><ref name="onyx"/>

Once the augmentation procedures are finished, the subject begins a long recovery process. The healing process takes anywhere from weeks to months, dependent upon each individual subject's rate of recovery. Every day the subject performs stretches, isometric exercises, light sparring drills and consumes five high-protein meals. After each meal, the subject must report to the medical bay to receive a series of vitamin and mineral injections.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 64''(2001 edition) ''page 71'' (definitive edition) ''page 82'' (2010 edition)</ref> 

===Effects===
[[File:S-II Augmentation - Negative Side-effects.png|thumb|right|300px|[[SPARTAN-073]] experiencing the negative side-effects of augmentation, resulting in his death.]]
Although the subject is in a state of unconsciousness during the procedure, he or she may experience excruciating pain. Physiological stress brought on by the augmentations can produce cardiac arrest,<ref name ="halsey1"/> in addition to cross-chemical complications that can result in augmentation failure.

Each procedure is marked by a particular type of excruciating pain. The carbide ceramic ossification is said to feel like the subject's bones are breaking, and as if their marrow is made of glass and is being shattered.<ref name="onyx">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 63''</ref><ref name="ghost">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 101-102''</ref> The catalytic thyroid implant and muscular enhancement injections produce extraordinary pain, as if the subject's veins had been "injected with napalm";<ref name="ghost"/><ref name="pariah"/> another sensation is pulsating and the feeling of the veins being torn out of the subject's skin. The effect of the muscles increasing in density is said to feel like the entire body is on fire, mixed with the feeling of "plated glass shattering" and being worked in the subject's body.<ref name="pariah"/> The superconducting fabrication of neural dendrites is said to feel like fire burning along the subject's spinal nerves.<ref name="onyx"/> 

The side effects of completing the augmentations vary, as the subject's brain relearns how to move his or her body with faster reflexes and stronger muscles. The subject may experience neurological confusion such as falling over, exaggerated reflexes, and problems grabbing or holding onto an object. The subject may experience bleeding from the eyes, constant headaches, and aches in the bones.<ref>'''Halo: Fall of Reach''', ''page 62'' (2001 edition) ''page 69'' (definitive edition) ''page 80'' (2010 edition)</ref> 

Due to the risky and dangerous nature of the augmentation procedures, many of the fourteen-year-old candidates died or "washed out" as their bodies rejected the modifications being made. Rather than be buried or cremated, the bodies of the deceased were [[cryo chamber|cryogenically preserved]] with the hopes of one day reviving these candidates.<ref>'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''' ''April 1st, 2525''</ref> Experimental rehabilitation programs were performed on more than 80% of the washouts, who had suffered varying degrees of disease, injury and deformity. The result of these programs, however, has yet to be determined.<ref>'''Dr. Halsey's personal journal''' ''June 27th, 2525''</ref> The augmentation procedures performed on the SPARTAN-IIs paved the way for a set of improved procedures known as [[Project CHRYSANTHEMUM]] for the [[Spartan-III]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Ghost of Onyx''', ''page 63''</ref>

===Results===
{{Quote|no=two|q1=Then they are faster and stronger than we anticipated?|Dr. Halsey|q2=That would be understating the situation.|CPO Mendez|Franklin Mendez's assessment of the Spartans' capabilities  following their recovery from the augmentations.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 71'' (2001)</ref>}}
[[File:Scanned After Augmentations.jpg|thumb|300px|John-117 awake after his augmentation procedures]]
The results of the augmentations on the successful candidates were unprecedented; the SPARTAN-IIs performed well beyond the projected capabilities. Dr. Halsey suspected this to be due to inexplicable, synergistic effects resulting from all the augmentations acting in concert. Combined with the Spartans' intelligence, seamless teamwork and unyielding drive for success, the augmentations made them nearly unstoppable against any conventional combatant. [[Chief Petty Officer]] [[Franklin Mendez]] stated that after the augmentations the Spartans would only get better as they adjusted to the changes. Therefore many of the Spartans' attributes have increased through time and acclimation.<ref name="for71">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 71-74'' (2001) ''Page 83'' (Definitive Edition)</ref>

Only a few months after augmentation procedures, the SPARTAN-IIs were capable of running at speeds exceeding 55 km/h or 34.2 mph. [[Kelly-087]] was noted as capable of running even faster. Later during the Human-Covenant war, while in her Mark V MJOLNIR armor, Kelly-087's top speed was 62 km/h or 38.5 mph.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 168''</ref> [[John-117]] has been noted to have, very briefly, run at around 105 km/h or 65.2 mph during a [[MJOLNIR]] [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V]] training exercise; however, his Achilles tendon was torn because the strain put on his body was unsustainable.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 264'' (2001 edition) '' page 305'' (definitive edition) ''page 299'' (2010 edition)</ref>

The SPARTAN-IIs were capable of lifting at least three times their body weight without the aid of their [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]], when they were 14 years old. During their initial exercises in Reach's [[titanium]] mines, after recovering from the augmentations, the Spartans completely overpowered trainers wearing Mark I exoskeletons, outrunning their automated targeting systems and dismantling the heavy combat suits with their bare hands. A kick by John-117 flung one of the exoskeleton-clad men eight meters.<ref name="for71"/>

Their reaction time, while impossible to chart accurately, was estimated to be twenty milliseconds.<ref name="for71"/> The Spartans' reaction times were noted to be significantly faster in combat situations or with assistance from an AI. The reaction times of the SPARTAN-IIs were so fast that they, in heightened states of stress, were able to think, react and see things as if everything around them were simultaneously occurring at both a slow and rapid pace - a phenomenon dubbed "SPARTAN Time" by Kelly-087.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''' ''page 12'' ''page 22'' (definitive edition)</ref> The motion of a Spartan in combat is nearly impossible for an outsider to follow, their movement appearing as a blur.<ref name="for71"/> These reflexes allowed Spartans to successfully dodge gunfire on certain occasions.<ref name="for71"/><ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 257'' (2001 edition)</ref>

SPARTAN-IIs were also known for their sharp eyesight, their occipital capillary reversal allowing them to virtually see in the dark.<ref name="for71"/>

Despite the carbide ceramic ossification rendering the Spartan-IIs' bones "virtually unbreakable",<ref name ="reach"/> they can still be broken by extreme physical trauma. This was demonstrated when [[Kurt-051]] had his ribs broken by a Hunter's shield strike.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 360''</ref> After being picked up in mid-air by multiple drones, [[Otto-031]] broke his ankle when they released him to fall to the surface.<ref>'''Halo: Evolution''', ''page 144''</ref>

When wearing MJOLNIR armor, a Spartan's strength is boosted significantly. A MJOLNIR-clad [[Cal-141]] was capable of blocking a [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]]'s [[gravity hammer]] swing with a single hand, dodging multiple swings from the Brute, using her enhanced muscle strength to jump to great heights, and wounding the Chieftain with a few punches and kicks.<ref>'''[[Halo Legends]]''' '''[[The Babysitter]]'''</ref> During the [[Battle of Installation 04]], John-117 was able to use his enhanced strength to break the skulls of [[Sangheili]] soldiers.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 350''</ref> During the [[Battle Of Onyx]], Will-043 engaged a Hunter pair in hand to hand combat, and succeeded in killing one by ripping the worms out of its body. In the same battle, Kelly-087 engaged three Sangheili in hand-to-hand combat, snapping the wrist of one Elite, taking his energy sword, and cutting two more in half with a single swing. During the [[Battle of Shield World 0459]], the three members of [[Red Team]] ([[Jerome-092]], [[Alice-130]], and [[Douglas-042]]) defeated a force of over twenty [[Stealth Sangheili]] in close-quarters combat without sustaining any injuries themselves.

====Curtailing the effects====
Three discharged Spartans have had the effects of their augmentations reduced through unknown means. Of these, [[Serin-019]] and [[Ralph-103]] were maimed by the procedures. Serin was declared dead and was secretly incorporated into the Office of Naval Intelligence, who reversed the physical damage she had suffered. She stood 6' 3" (191cm) tall in her mid-forties,<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 26''</ref> though whether this was due to the lingering effects of the catalytic thyroid implant or her own genetics is unclear. Ralph was discharged from the program due to a combination of psychological trauma<ref name="TFoR Ralph">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''' (2011) - ''Adjunct''</ref> and biological rejection of the various implants;<ref name="Frankie">[http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive32.pl?read=967143 '''Halo.Bungie.org''': ''Re: Spoiler-free thoughts on the new episodes'']</ref> his augmentations were likewise partially negated, leaving him physically inferior to the successfully augmented Spartans but superior to ordinary humans.<ref name="Frankie"/> He was allowed to return to civilian life and joined the [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] by the age of twenty.<ref>Halo Legends, Homecoming</ref>

[[Randall-037]] emerged from the augmentation procedures unscathed and served on the frontlines until he went missing in action in [[2532]]. When ONI discovered Randall in [[2546]], he accepted their offer to have his enhancements suppressed in exchange for being allowed to remain a civilian. The process was particularly excruciating.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/randall-aiken '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Randall Aiken'']</ref> Ultimately he came to be much shorter than other Spartans.<ref>''[[Halo: Nightfall]]''</ref>

==Notes==
<references group="note"/>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Aug Mus Fasc.jpg|Illustration of augmented skeletal muscle.
File:Car Cer Oss.jpg|Illustration of the Carbide Ceramic Ossification. 
File:Cat Thy Imp.jpg|Illustration of the Catalytic Thyroid Implant.
File:Retina section.jpg|Illustration of the rods and cones of the human eye.
File:Nervecell.gif|Illustration of the human nerve cell.
File:Mus aug.jpg|An illustration showing the arm before augmentation and after.
File:Boot Camp Issue 3.jpg|John-117 after going through the augmentation procedures.
H4-Scanned-Spartan-HandAugmentations.png|Detail of the surgical scars on the forearms of a SPARTAN-II, in this case John-117.
File:Prologue - Spartan augmentation 01.jpg|John-117 readies himself to undergo the augmentation procedures
File:HTFOR-Halseyoverseeingaugmentations.png|Catherine Halsey overlooks her Spartans as they undergo their augmentations.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[i love bees]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Homecoming]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Pariah]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]''
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Scanned]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]'' {{Indirect mention}}
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' {{mo}}
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' {{Im}}
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]'' {{Mo}}

==Sources==
<references/>

==See also==
*[[Project CHRYSANTHEMUM]]

{{SpartanPrograms}}

[[Category:Medicine]]
[[Category:Drugs]]
[[Category:Spartan-IIs| ]]