Editing Project ASTER

{{Status|Canon}}

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}}

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"/>

|11% of subjects could face retinal rejection and detachment causing permanent blindness.<ref name ="reach"/><ref name ="halsey1"/>

|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"/>

|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"/>

|2% of subjects acquire elephantiasis. Suppressed sexual drive.<ref name ="reach"/><ref name ="halsey1"/>

|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>

|5% of test subjects experience a fatal cardiac volume increase.<ref name ="reach"/><ref name ="halsey1"/>

|12% of subjects can contract Parkinson's Disease and Fletcher's Syndrome.<ref name ="reach"/><ref name ="halsey1"/>

[[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>

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}}  

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>  

During [[Operation: FIRST STRIKE]], John-117 fought a Jiralhanae in close-quarters combat and successfully killed it through the use of Brazilian [[martial arts|Jiu-Jitsu]] and a grenade, despite being physically over-powered by it. Additionally, [[Linda-058]] shot the pilots out of two [[Banshee]] fliers as she was hanging from a titanium cable that was attached to her arm and leg.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike The Definitive Edition''', ''page 374, 385 - 386''</ref>{{Ref/Note|The exact conditions of the shots that Linda took on those two Banshee pilots are unclear.

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>