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{{Era|FS|HGN}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ratings}}
{{References}}
{{Disambig header|fictional disease|Bungie writer|Brannon Boren}}
{{Disambig header|the disease|the writer|Brannon Boren}}
'''Boren's Syndrome''' is a fictitious [[human]] disease used as a cover up [[ONI]] created to hide the identity of the [[ORION Project|Spartan-I]]s.  
'''Boren's Syndrome''' is supposedly a [[human]] neurological condition.<ref name="fs">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 243-245''</ref> The disease was most notably used as a cover-up by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] to keep the identity of the [[ORION Project]]'s candidates classified.<ref name="hgn">'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''' - ''[[Halo Graphic Novel Pg122|page 122]]''</ref> Since the best documented incidence of Boren's Syndrome is the cover story, it is unclear whether the condition is actually genuine, with the ORION augmentations only causing similar symptoms, or if it was entirely fabricated as part of the cover-up.


==To the Public==
== Summary ==
This faux disease was spread to the public, and included a number of false symptoms to appear like any other illness. Descriptions of such symptoms may suggest it was caused by Radiation poisoning (ie. tumors, migraines).  
Boren's Syndrome supposedly causes tumors and migraines, and is believed to be caused by exposure to certain types of radiation. Claims as to the cause of the disease include inhaling the gases released when a {{Pattern|Vostu|carbine}} magazine is ejected{{Ref/Site|Id=bnetcarbine|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3carbine|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Type-51 Carbine|D=16|M=01|Y=2021|LocalArchive=Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present#Type-51 Carbine}} and being exposed to radiation from [[plasma grenade|plasma grenades]].{{Ref/Reuse|fs}} Several [[Insurrectionist]]s on [[Victoria]] claimed to have this condition, hoping to bargain with the [[UNSC]] to gain treatment for the condition in exchange for some [[FENRIS nuclear warhead]]s they had in stock. However, their status was false, as the bargain was revealed to be a trap set up by General [[Howard Graves]] in an attempt to capture the [[Spartan-II]]s of [[Blue Team]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', Chapter 1, ''pages ??''</ref> Notably, [[John Forge]]'s father died of Boren's Syndrome.<ref>'''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]''', ''page ??''</ref>


Unconfirmed claims as to the cause of the disease include inhaling the gases released when a [[Type-51 Carbine]] magazine is ejected and being exposed to [[Plasma Grenade]] radiation.
=== ORION Project ===
The [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] used Boren's Syndrome to cover up the side effects experienced by the surviving subjects of the [[ORION Project]] once the program was discontinued and the augmentees (retroactively designated "Spartan-Is") had been dispersed back to the [[United Nations Space Command]] armed forces at large.{{Ref/Reuse|hgn}}


Several members of the [[United Rebel Front]] claimed to have this condition, hoping to bargain with the [[UNSC]] to gain treatment for the condition in trade for some [[FENRIS Nuclear Warhead]]s they had in stock. However, their status was false, as the bargain was revealed to be a trap set up by [[Howard Graves]] in an attempt to capture [[Spartan-II]]s.
ONI falsified the medical records of at least one of the Spartan-Is, [[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Johnson]], to describe him as a sufferer of Boren's Syndrome. He was said to have contracted the disease on [[Paris IV]] after absorbing a dangerously high amount of radiation originating from a crate of captured plasma grenades.{{Ref/Reuse|fs}} This cover-up (known to ONI as the "Paris/BS Spoof") was likely used as a means of deterring any investigation into his altered DNA and physiology, which would have revealed him as a Spartan-I.{{Ref/Reuse|hgn}}


==Cover-up==
==Gallery==
[[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Johnson]]'s falsified Medical record - to hide his real, classified record - had him as a sufferer of Boren's, in which he was to have contracted the disease on [[Paris IV]], after being in contact with a dangerously high amount of radiation apparently originating from a crate of captured Plasma Grenades.<ref>''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' pages 243-245</ref>
<gallery>
File:BORENS 1.png|Partial transcript of two ONI agents discussing the subterfuge.
File:BORENS 2.png|Proof of data query.
</gallery>


This false record event (known to ONI as the '''Paris/BS Spoof''') was likely used as a means of avoiding any investigation into his altered DNA, which would have revealed him as a SPARTAN-I. (Radiation is known to work as a "Mutagen").<ref>''[[Halo: Graphic Novel]] - [[Halo_Graphic_Novel_Pg122#Boren's_Syndrome_Hoax|Boren's Syndrome Hoax]]'', page 122</ref>
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' {{Fm}}
*''[[Halo: Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Halo Graphic Novel, Page 122|Page 122]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]'' {{Mo}}


==Long Term Effects (Falsified)==
==Sources==
Untreated or unsuccessfully treated, Boren's can be fatal or debilitating. While some effects, such as migraines, can be managed with medication, the tumors involved in the disease usually, or possibly always, become malignant. Because of this, treating Boren's Syndrome invariably means treating cancer, a process that can be debilitating. The only way to cure Boren's syndrome is an intensive regimen of Chemotherapy lasting for thirty weeks.
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
According to theory, some combination of the disease's (apparently) multiple pathologies discourages [[Flood Super Cell]]s. This would explain why Sergeant Avery Johnson could not be infected when he and his squad were ambushed by the [[Flood]] on [[Installation 04]], leading Master Chief to his moral dilemma. Dr. [[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey|Catherine Halsey]] guesses that there'd be a billion to one chance that Johnson's condition could be reproduced.
 
Technically, there is no explicit proof that Boren's Syndrome discourages Flood. It may be that the nervous system of someone with the disease simply cannot support Flood. One hypothesis is that an infection form attempting to latch on to a host with Boren's Syndrome would recognize the characteristic neurological disturbances as "irreparable damage," thus rendering the sufferer immune. However, it is highly likely that if this condition did in fact prevent Flood infection the [[Forerunner]] would have found it after hundreds of years of research into Flood prevention.
 
Since it has been confirmed that Boren's Syndrome is simply a cover for the side-effects of the SPARTAN-I augmentations, it is possible that the augmentations keep the Flood from recognizing a potential host because of the disruptive effects of the augmentations. However, this cannot be confirmed or disproved since Johnson was the only SPARTAN-I to come in contact with the Flood.
 
== Trivia ==
[[File:51181474-Full.jpg|thumb|Half-Infected Johnson, before revival to full infected.|200px]]
 
*Despite Sergeant Johnson's supposed immunity to the Flood, it is possible to see him infected through a [[Life After_Death|glitch]] that allows him to survive the cutscene. Johnson also comments during the infection "Aren't I supposed to be immune to this?".
 
*Since Johnson is programmed to revive after being killed, stopping an infection midway will result in momentary death, suddenly changing to a marine infection form and getting up.


==Sources==
<references/>
[[Category:Diseases]]
[[Category:Diseases]]

Latest revision as of 04:27, July 19, 2024

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This article is about the disease. For the writer, see Brannon Boren.

Boren's Syndrome is supposedly a human neurological condition.[1] The disease was most notably used as a cover-up by the Office of Naval Intelligence to keep the identity of the ORION Project's candidates classified.[2] Since the best documented incidence of Boren's Syndrome is the cover story, it is unclear whether the condition is actually genuine, with the ORION augmentations only causing similar symptoms, or if it was entirely fabricated as part of the cover-up.

Summary[edit]

Boren's Syndrome supposedly causes tumors and migraines, and is believed to be caused by exposure to certain types of radiation. Claims as to the cause of the disease include inhaling the gases released when a Vostu-pattern carbine magazine is ejected[3] and being exposed to radiation from plasma grenades.[1] Several Insurrectionists on Victoria claimed to have this condition, hoping to bargain with the UNSC to gain treatment for the condition in exchange for some FENRIS nuclear warheads they had in stock. However, their status was false, as the bargain was revealed to be a trap set up by General Howard Graves in an attempt to capture the Spartan-IIs of Blue Team.[4] Notably, John Forge's father died of Boren's Syndrome.[5]

ORION Project[edit]

The Office of Naval Intelligence used Boren's Syndrome to cover up the side effects experienced by the surviving subjects of the ORION Project once the program was discontinued and the augmentees (retroactively designated "Spartan-Is") had been dispersed back to the United Nations Space Command armed forces at large.[2]

ONI falsified the medical records of at least one of the Spartan-Is, Staff Sergeant Avery Johnson, to describe him as a sufferer of Boren's Syndrome. He was said to have contracted the disease on Paris IV after absorbing a dangerously high amount of radiation originating from a crate of captured plasma grenades.[1] This cover-up (known to ONI as the "Paris/BS Spoof") was likely used as a means of deterring any investigation into his altered DNA and physiology, which would have revealed him as a Spartan-I.[2]

Gallery[edit]

  • Partial transcript of two ONI agents discussing the subterfuge.

    Partial transcript of two ONI agents discussing the subterfuge.

  • Proof of data query.

    Proof of data query.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Halo: First Strike, pages 243-245
  2. ^ a b c Halo Graphic Novel - page 122
  3. ^ Bungie.net, Type-51 Carbine (Retrieved on Jan 16, 2021) [local archive] [external archive]
  4. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, Chapter 1, pages ??
  5. ^ Halo: Smoke and Shadow, page ??
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