Biological augmentation: Difference between revisions

The Forerunner bit is rather trivial and up to interpretation, particularly if we assume that by "physical evolution" she means physical evolution and not surgical augmentation.
(The Forerunner bit is rather trivial and up to interpretation, particularly if we assume that by "physical evolution" she means physical evolution and not surgical augmentation.)
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The SPARTAN-II augmentations included many previously-untested procedures, among them synthetic bone grafts, hormonal supplements, retinal surgery, intramuscular protein injections and major alteration of the subject's nervous system. While the SPARTAN-II augmentations would make the soldier significantly stronger and faster than an ORION operative, this came with a price: out of 75 candidates, only 33 survived the augmentation procedures, with the rest either killed or maimed for life. However, the Spartans who did survive became the most effective soldiers to be ever fielded by humanity, with superhuman strength, reflexes and stamina as well as virtually unbreakable bones. To complement their biological augmentation, the SPARTAN-IIs were given state-of-the-art [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]] which interfaces with the wearer's nervous system and greatly boosts their strength and speed. When paired with a [[smart AI]] through a [[Spartan neural interface|specialized neural implant]], a Spartan's tactical awareness and reaction time are improved even further.<ref name="journal"/>
The SPARTAN-II augmentations included many previously-untested procedures, among them synthetic bone grafts, hormonal supplements, retinal surgery, intramuscular protein injections and major alteration of the subject's nervous system. While the SPARTAN-II augmentations would make the soldier significantly stronger and faster than an ORION operative, this came with a price: out of 75 candidates, only 33 survived the augmentation procedures, with the rest either killed or maimed for life. However, the Spartans who did survive became the most effective soldiers to be ever fielded by humanity, with superhuman strength, reflexes and stamina as well as virtually unbreakable bones. To complement their biological augmentation, the SPARTAN-IIs were given state-of-the-art [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]] which interfaces with the wearer's nervous system and greatly boosts their strength and speed. When paired with a [[smart AI]] through a [[Spartan neural interface|specialized neural implant]], a Spartan's tactical awareness and reaction time are improved even further.<ref name="journal"/>
According to the [[Librarian]], a ''[[geas]]'' she planted in the human genome 100,000 years earlier motivated humans to begin developing the Spartans' performance-enhancing technologies.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]''</ref> There are certain passing similarities between some of the Spartans' augmentations and the [[Forerunner mutation|Forerunners' mutations]], particularly those of the [[Warrior-Servant]] [[rate]]; namely the physical and neural enhancement present in both.


===SPARTAN-III===
===SPARTAN-III===
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===SPARTAN-IV===
===SPARTAN-IV===
{{Main|SPARTAN-IV Augmentation Program}}
{{Main|SPARTAN-IV Augmentation Program}}
The [[SPARTAN-IV program]] was the first supersoldier project after ORION to use volunteering adult subjects, something that had been discarded in the previous programs due to the technological and psychological challenges involved. Their augmentations incorporate versions of many of the procedures used in the preceding programs and add several new enhancements as well, including a number of improvements to the subject's internal organs.<ref name="HI2">'''[[Halo: Initiation]]''', ''Issue #2''</ref>
The [[SPARTAN-IV program]] was the first supersoldier project after ORION to use volunteering adult subjects, something that had been discarded in the previous programs due to the technological and psychological challenges involved. Because of the candidates' age, however, the muscular and neurological alterations are not as extensive as those used in the previous two programs, although the SPARTAN-IVs' [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|GEN2]] [[MJOLNIR armor]] compensates for this.<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> The SPARTAN-IVs' augmentations also include several new enhancements, including a number of improvements to the subject's internal organs.<ref name="HI2">'''[[Halo: Initiation]]''', ''Issue #2''</ref>
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}
==Other examples==
==Other examples==
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As a crude replication of the technologies used to forge the Spartans, human [[Insurrectionist]]s use "[[rumbledrug]]s" which degenerate the user's body but grant them superhuman abilities for a short time, potentially giving them a fighting chance against Spartans.<ref name="midlothian"/>
As a crude replication of the technologies used to forge the Spartans, human [[Insurrectionist]]s use "[[rumbledrug]]s" which degenerate the user's body but grant them superhuman abilities for a short time, potentially giving them a fighting chance against Spartans.<ref name="midlothian"/>
==Trivia==
There are passing similarities between some of the Spartans' augmentations and the [[Forerunner mutation|Forerunners' mutations]], particularly those of the [[Warrior-Servant]] [[rate]]; namely the physiological and neural enhancement present in both.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==