Editing Project ASTER

{{title|Project: ASTER}}

{{Status|Canon}}

 

'''Project: ASTER'''<ref name="sfm">''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]'', p. 83</ref> was the codename for the series of biochemical and biomechanical [[Biological augmentation|augmentation procedures]] applied to [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-II conscripts]] at the onset of puberty. The project was implemented by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s [[Section Three]] under the supervision of [[Dr. Catherine Halsey]].{{Ref/Reuse|sfm}}

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 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 (2009 edition)]]''', ''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 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 the 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/Reuse|hal jour}}

From 2511 until the augmentation of the SPARTAN-IIs in 2525, research continued refining and improving the chemicals to reduce the 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/Reuse|halsey1}} [[Admiral]] [[Ysionris Jeromi]] conducted experimental procedures on [[List of animals|bonobo chimpanzees]] at the request of his former student in an attempt to 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 on the mental instabilities that could occur.{{Ref/Reuse|halsey1}}

 

The augmentation procedures themselves took place aboard [[Medical Facility Endurance]] in orbit over [[Reach]] and began on [[2525#March|March 9, 2525]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=HFoR6|HFoR|Chapter=6}}

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 using chemicals alone.

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> In addition, the ASTER augmentation routine also replaced a number of organs.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=67}}

|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 increase in visual perception.<ref name ="reach"/>

|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 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"/>

|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 [sic] recovery time.{{Ref/Note|In ''Halo: The Fall of Reach'', Nylund states that the muscular enhancement injections decrease ''lactase'' recovery time. Lactase is a 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 name ="reach"/><ref name ="halsey1"/><ref name="pariah">'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''' '''Pariah''' ''page 34''</ref>

[[File:S-II's awaiting augmentation.png|thumb|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 anaesthetic 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>

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 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/Reuse|pariah2}}<ref name="pariah3">'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''' '''Pariah''' ''page 39''</ref>

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/Reuse|pariah2}}{{Ref/Reuse|pariah3}}

The carbide ceramic ossification is performed last due to the aforementioned complications with post-grafting bone growth. This comprises 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 stabilising and therapeutic procedures are performed.{{Ref/Reuse|pariah2}}{{Ref/Reuse|onyx}}

Once the augmentation procedures are finished, the subject begins a long recovery process. The healing process takes anywhere from weeks to months, depending 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>  

[[File:S-II Augmentation - Negative Side-effects.png|thumb|300px|[[SPARTAN-013]] experiencing the negative side-effects of augmentation, resulting in his death.]]

Although the subject is in a state of unconsciousness during the procedure, they 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/Reuse|pariah}}{{Ref/Reuse|ghost}} 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 make the subject feel like their entire body is on fire, mixed with the feeling of "plated glass shattering" and being worked in the subject's body.{{Ref/Reuse|pariah}} The superconducting fibrification of neural dendrites is said to feel like fire burning along the subject's spinal nerves.{{Ref/Reuse|onyx}}

The side effects of completing the augmentations vary, as the subject's brain relearns how to move their 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>  

[[File:Scanned After Augmentations.jpg|thumb|300px|John-117, age 14, awake after his augmentation procedures.]]

Only a few months after augmentation procedures, the SPARTAN-IIs were capable of running at speeds exceeding 55&nbsp;km/h or 34.2&nbsp;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&nbsp;km/h or 38.5&nbsp;mph.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 168''</ref> [[John-117]] has been noted to have run at around 105&nbsp;km/h or 65.2&nbsp;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>{{Ref/Note|It's unclear whether or not John ran at this speed under the use of his own power or through the use of MJOLNIR armor. Seeing as MJOLNIR has never been directly shown to automatically increase the sprint speed of a Spartan without the assistance of an [[Sprint|outside source]]. It's possible that a highly sophisticated AI, such as [[Cortana]], acted as a surrogate sprint module and allowed John's MJOLNIR to amplify his sprint speed for a short period of time.}}

The SPARTAN-IIs were capable of lifting at least three times their body weight without the aid of their [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]]{{Ref/Note|It is unknown as to what muscle groups were focused in this particular outlook. Had this been in the discipline of a bicep curl, a 3x coefficient would be considerably superhuman, and more aligned with their subsequent feats of physical strength in the excerpt.}} 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/Reuse|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. Examples of this include [[Kurt-051]]'s ribs being broken by a Hunter's shield strike,<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 360''</ref> [[Otto-031]] breaking his ankle upon falling from a great height,<ref>'''Halo: Evolution''', ''page 144''</ref> and [[Douglas-042]]'s left shoulder being broken by [[Atriox]].<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[The Signal]]''</ref>

Their reaction time, while impossible to chart accurately, was estimated to be twenty milliseconds.{{Ref/Reuse|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/Reuse|for71}} These reflexes allowed Spartans to successfully dodge gunfire on certain occasions.{{Ref/Reuse|for71}}<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 257'' (2001 edition)</ref> SPARTAN-IIs are also known for their sharp eyesight, their occipital capillary reversal allowing them to virtually see in the dark.{{Ref/Reuse|for71}}

When wearing MJOLNIR armor, a Spartan's strength is boosted significantly. During the [[Battle of the Rubble]] in [[2535]], [[Adriana-111]], while clad in [[Mark IV]] armor, used her enhanced strength to lift a 1077 kilogram (2370&nbsp;lb){{Ref/Note|This is the GVWR, or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, of the [[M274 Mongoose]] seen in Halo 3.}} Mongoose by the handle bars and ram several Grunts with it. She followed up her maneuver by using the Mongoose as an improvised hammer, smashing three Grunts into the ground, pulverizing them into "explosions of purple blood", until the ATV's "..wheels had all bounced off, the chassis warped, and finally snapped".<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 320''</ref> During the [[Battle of Trove]], 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.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Escape (Halo Wars level)|Escape]]''</ref>  

A MJOLNIR-clad [[Cal-141]] was capable of blocking a [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]]'s [[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]] swing with a single hand, dodging multiple swings from the Brute, using her enhanced strength to jump to great heights, and wounding the Chieftain with a few punches and kicks; she was furthermore capable of pulling an occupied ODST drop pod out of thick mud and throwing it dozens of meters.<ref>'''[[Halo Legends]]''' '''[[The Babysitter]]'''</ref> As he was trying to delete [[Gamma Station|Gamma Station's]] navigation data during the [[Fall of Reach]], a MJOLNIR clad John-117 physically stalemated a [[Sangheili]] in a zero-g grapple and wrestled it for control over a plasma pistol; he successfully killed it by striking it in the face with his elbow and shooting it with the plasma pistol.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach The Definitive Edition''', ''pages 365 - 367''</ref>{{Ref/Note|The rank of the aforementioned Sangheili is not known. However, page 365 of the Definitive Edition of Halo: the Fall of Reach seems to imply that the Elite was a Minor or a Ranger by likening the color of its armor to the hull plating of Covenant ships.}} During the [[Battle of Installation 04]], a 41 year old MJOLNIR armored John-117 flipped a [[Warthog]] and later broke the skull of a [[Sangheili]] soldier with his fist, after it was weakened by a grenade.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood The Definitive Edition''', ''page 203 - 204, 350''</ref>  

 

While trying to secure the [[space elevator]] in [[Havana]] during the [[Battle for Earth]], Fred-104 clad in MJOLNIR [[Mark VI]], fought and killed a Jiralhanae warrior in close quarters combat with a well placed strike to the Jiralhanae's neck and the entire magazine from his rifle.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 208''</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, after Linda-058 bruised its mid-section with her sniper rifle. 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.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 359 - 361''</ref>  

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" (191&nbsp;cm) 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/Reuse|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 and had some scars from the procedures to reverse the augmentations.<ref>''[[Halo: Nightfall]]''</ref>

{{Ref/Notes}}

File: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, age 14, readies himself to undergo the augmentation procedures

File:HTFOR DeadSpartan.jpg|A Spartan-II candidate who died during augmentations.

File:HFoR AS 495lbs john bench press.png|A 14 year old John-117 benching 495&nbsp;lbs. after augmentations.

**''[[Spartan Ops]]'' {{Im}}

*''[[Halo Mythos]]'' {{Mo}}

*''[[Halo: Retribution]]'' {{Mo}}

*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'' {{Mo}}

{{Ref/Sources}}