Editing Project ORCHID

{{Era|Post}}

[[File:HI-SpartanIV-Augmentations-Panels.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Sarah Palmer|Spartan Sarah Palmer]] undergoing her augmentation procedures.]]

The '''SPARTAN-IV Augmentation Program''' is the formal name for the biochemical and surgical [[Human augmentation|augmentation procedures]] performed on the [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IV supersoldiers]].<ref name="packet">'''[[Halo 4 Limited Edition]]''', ''[[Infinity Briefing Packet]]''</ref>

Like [[SPARTAN-II augmentation procedures|the augmentations]] performed for the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] and the [[Project CHRYSANTHEMUM|improved procedures]] utilized in the subsequent [[SPARTAN-III program]], the SPARTAN-IVs underwent a series of procedures to enhance their physical capabilities. Unlike the Spartan-III augmentations, which were almost entirely based upon chemical injections, the SPARTAN-IV augmentations combine chemicals and surgical procedures like those pioneered by [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]] in the SPARTAN-II program. The technology used in the two preceding SPARTAN programs necessitated that the candidates meet exceedingly strict genetic qualifications as well as the application of the enhancements on preteens, to avoid the catastrophic failure rates produced by the augmentation of adult subjects in the [[ORION Project]].<ref>'''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'''</ref> By the time of the initiation of the SPARTAN-IV program, the technology had advanced to the point that many of the previously dangerous procedures could be performed on adults seemingly without major risk.<ref name="HI2">'''Halo: Initiation''', ''Issue #2''</ref>

While the enhancements have not been described in detail, they incorporate technologies originating from the prior [[SPARTAN programs]] as well as completely new additions.<ref name="HI2"/> However, because the SPARTAN-IVs are designed to rely more heavily on their GEN2 MJOLNIR armor, their performance-enhancing physical augmentations are less extensive than those of their predecessors;<ref name="frankie">[http://members.shaw.ca/laird2/temp/derp/interview.mp3 '''Frank O'Connor interview during San Diego Comic-Con 2012''' (1:15 - 2:10)]</ref> for example, the neural augmentation utilized in the previous programs, which provided the SPARTAN-IIs and SPARTAN-IIIs their superhuman reaction times, is absent.<ref group="note">When describing her augmentations in ''Halo: Initiation'', Sarah Palmer mentions neither enhancements to her nervous system nor a marked decrease in her reaction time while listing several procedures with far less immediately conspicuous effects. One may infer that this particular enhancement, despite its improvements between the SPARTAN-II and SPARTAN-III programs, still cannot be safely applied on adults, due to its history of having the highest risk out of all other augmentations given to the SPARTAN-IIs and SPARTAN-IIIs. Since the original MJOLNIR armor would kill a human with an unaugmented reaction time, one may infer that this deficiency has been overcome in the MJOLNIR GEN2 armor; still, Spartan Gabriel Thorne notes in [[Gabriel Thorne's journal|his journal entry]] that the augmentations are in part so he "could survive using the armor", implying that GEN2 is still not completely safe for baseline humans.</ref>

! Nature

|Skeletal

|Bones are infused with a substance which makes them virtually unbreakable, allowing survival in harder impacts<ref name="HI2"/><ref group="note">This enhancement is likely derived from the carbide ceramic ossification catalyst drug given to the SPARTAN-IIIs.</ref>

|Muscular

|Muscles are injected with a material that allows them to work harder without breaking the Spartan's skeleton<ref name="HI2"/><ref group="note">This enhancement may have been derived from the fibroid muscular protein complex drug given to the SPARTAN-IIIs, although given Frank O'Connor's {{Plain|[http://members.shaw.ca/laird2/temp/derp/interview.mp3 statement]}} about the inferiority of the SPARTAN-IVs' "mechanical" augmentations, it is likely to be less effective than the chemical given to the two previous Spartan generations, or has less potent effects due to the SPARTAN-IVs' adult physiques, much like some of the augmentations in the ORION Project. Aside from Frank O'Connor's statement, it can be inferred that the material grafted onto the subjects muscles' allows them to work three times harder, due to a Spartan IV being able to "outrun a horse". The average human can run at about 10 to 12 mph, which would imply that a IVs' speed would have to have been increased by about three times.</ref>

|Corneal

|Corneal implants are provided to improve night vision<ref name="HI2"/><ref group="note">This enhancement is likely derived from the retina-inversion stabilizer drug given to the SPARTAN-IIIs.</ref>

|Pulmonary

|Lungs are lined with a polymer that enhances [[oxygen]] intake and allows the subject to process toxins or foreign gas mixtures<ref name="HI2"/>

|Intestinal

|Intestinal bacteria are altered to enable the digestive system to absorb more nutrients out of food<ref name="HI2"/>

|Pancreatic

|Pancreas is replaced by a completely new, vat-grown organ<ref name="HI2"/>

|Cardiac

|Heart is implanted with a synthetic weave which significantly increases its capacity to pump [[blood]]<ref name="HI2"/>

|Cardiovascular

|Blood is altered to allow for faster clotting<ref name="HI2"/>

A series of additional augmentations were included in the earliest, prototypical phase of the program. These enhancements would have made the Spartans significantly stronger and more resistant to injury, the goal being that they could operate without MJOLNIR armor. However, these procedures proved to have an unacceptable casualty rate, killing or crippling nine of the ten initial candidates; the sole survivor, [[Ilsa Zane]], was rendered mentally unstable. Demonstrating the effectiveness of these experimental enhancements, Zane was able to engage a MJOLNIR-armored Sarah Palmer in hand-to-hand combat without the use of any protective equipment, and survived Palmer violently driving her head into a metal bulkhead face-first, as well as her subsequent prolonged exposure to the vacuum of space.<ref name="HI3">'''Halo: Initiation''', ''Issue #3''</ref>

The SPARTAN-IV augmentation procedures take three weeks to perform,<ref name="HI2"/> with recovery and subsequent training usually lasting several months.<ref name="packet"/> It took about two days for the Spartans to relearn how to walk again following their augmentations; additionally, significant disorientation was in evidence during their initial training exercises.<ref name="HI2"/>

The synthetic cardiac weave allegedly allows a SPARTAN-IV to "outrun a horse"; this would imply speeds of up to, or over, {{convert|50|km/h|mph|sp=us}}.<ref group="note">This would imply that the substance coated on the IVs' muscular system increases their strength by a factor of three.</ref> The enhancements performed on the lungs potentially allow a SPARTAN-IV to breathe [[methane]] for around an hour.<ref name="HI2"/>

However, the decision to augment adults as opposed to preteens comes at the cost of performance: the SPARTAN-IVs' physical augmentations are not as effective as those of the preceding generations. To compensate for this shortcoming, the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|GEN2 MJOLNIR armor]] worn by the SPARTAN-IVs is designed to multiply the wearer's strength and speed significantly more than the first-generation MJOLNIR. At least in theory, this makes a SPARTAN-IV clad in GEN2 armor equal to a GEN1-wearing SPARTAN-IIs in terms of strength and speed, but leaves the SPARTAN-IVs at a considerable disadvantage in comparison to their predecessors when out of armor.<ref name="frankie"/>

SPARTAN-IVs must follow a rigid set of guidelines to maintain their physical fitness and health. These include undergoing regular medical examinations, including physiological scans, reviews and treatment before and after each mission. A SPARTAN-IV is expected to perform at optimum capacity with a minimum of two-and-one-half hours of sleep per a 48-hour cycle; for [[cryo-chamber|cryosleep]], standard UNSC practices apply. They are also instructed to follow standard UNSC [[physical training]] practices. Due to their augmented physiques, however, they are provided their own, custom-built gym equipment. Official meals are specifically prepared to meet the caloric, nutritional and medicinal needs of each individual Spartan. These personal needs are measured based on activity data recorded by the Spartan's individual physiometer. Ancillary medications may be provided to ensure the Spartan's well-being and to reduce risk of potential implant rejections.<ref name="packet"/>

Training performance of the initial SPARTAN-IV batch in [[2553]] was decidedly underwhelming, something that was acknowledged by their recruiter, [[SPARTAN-III]] supersoldier [[Jun-A266]]. Part of this may be attributed to their still-ongoing acclimatization to their enhancements, as well as the group not having worked together before, although all of them did possess a military background. The majority of the first batch of SPARTAN-IVs were incapacitated by their baseline human [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] training opponents, and their lack of coordination resulted in SPARTAN-IV program head, [[Commander]] [[Musa-096]], personally chastising them about the importance of teamwork<ref name="HI2"/> (a lesson the SPARTAN-IIs learned in their first days of [[SPARTAN-II training|training]] at the age of six).<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 42-43'' (2001 edition)</ref> The SPARTAN-IVs' post-augmentation performance also stands in stark contrast to the SPARTAN-IIs, whose teamwork and resourcefulness could be described in nigh-mystical terms, with their trainers forced to wear special protective equipment only to prevent the Spartans from accidentally killing them.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 71'' (2001 edition)</ref> However, several SPARTAN-IVs of this group later distinguished themselves in live combat during the [[New Colonial Alliance]]'s attempted takeover of {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.<ref name="HI3">'''Halo: Initiation''', ''Issue #3''</ref>

Later combat performance also shows marked improvement to the training sessions of the initial group. Spartan [[Gabriel Thorne]] was able to fight five Sangheili in close-quarters combat and successfully kill them, before being subdued by two other Sangheili during the [[Second Battle of Requiem]].<ref>'''Spartan Ops''' — ''[[Scattered|S1E6 Scattered]]''</ref> Thorne also took on a battle-seasoned [[Sangheili]], [[Gek 'Lhar]], in hand-to-hand combat and had the upper hand for a majority of the brawl, before having a boulder smashed on his chest and unprotected head, dazing him.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''' — ''[[Expendable|S1E8 Expendable]]''</ref><ref>[[:File:Thorne getting a boulder smashed in his face.png|Image showing Thorne also getting hit in the face as well as chest.]]</ref> Later on during the Requiem campaign, Spartan [[Paul DeMarco]] was able to defeat multiple Sangheili and a Promethean Knight in close-quarters combat.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''' — ''[[Key|S1E9 Key]]''</ref> Many other Spartan teams have also displayed equally or more impressive feats of prowess, particularly in the Requiem theater.

**''[[Infinity Briefing Packet]]'' {{First mentioned}}

 

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