Project ORCHID
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The SPARTAN-IV Augmentation Program is the formal name for the biochemical and surgical augmentation procedures performed on the SPARTAN-IV supersoldiers.[1]
Background
Like the augmentations performed for the SPARTAN-IIs and the 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 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.[2] By the time of the initiation of the SPARTAN-IV program, the technology had advanced to the point that adults could be augmented seemingly without major risk.[3]
Augmentations
While the enhancements have not been described in detail, they incorporate technologies originating from prior SPARTAN programs as well as completely new additions.[3] However, the neural augmentation utilized in the previous programs, which provided the SPARTAN-IIs and SPARTAN-IIIs their superhuman reaction times, is seemingly absent.[note 1]
| Nature | Description |
|---|---|
| Skeletal | Bones are infused with a substance which makes them virtually unbreakable, allowing survival in harder impacts[3][note 2] |
| Muscular | Muscles are injected with a material that allows them to work harder without breaking the Spartan's skeleton[3][note 3] |
| Corneal | Corneal implants are provided to improve night vision[3][note 4] |
| Pulmonary | Lungs are lined with a polymer that enhances oxygen intake and allows the subject to process toxins or foreign gas mixtures[3] |
| Intestinal | Intestinal bacteria are altered to enable the digestive system to absorb more nutrients out of food[3] |
| Pancreatic | Pancreas is replaced by a completely new, vat-grown organ[3] |
| Cardiac | Heart is implanted with a synthetic weave which significantly increases its capacity to pump blood[3] |
| Cardiovascular | Blood is altered to allow for faster clotting[3] |
| Medical | Subject is implanted with several monitoring devices to help medical teams keep tabs on them[3] |
Experimental phase
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.[4]
Procedure
The SPARTAN-IV augmentation procedures take three weeks to perform,[3] with recovery and subsequent training usually lasting several months.[1] 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.[3]
Effects
The synthetic cardiac weave allegedly allows a SPARTAN-IV to "outrun a horse"; this would imply speeds of up to, or over, 50 kilometers per hour. The enhancements performed on the lungs potentially allow a SPARTAN-IV to breathe methane for around an hour.[3]
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 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.[1]
Performance
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 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[3] (a lesson the SPARTAN-IIs learned in their first days of training at the age of six).[5] 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.[6] However, several SPARTAN-IVs of this group later distinguished themselves in live combat during the New Colonial Alliance's attempted takeover of UNSC Infinity.[4] Later combat performance also shows marked improvement to the training sessions of the initial group. Spartan Gabriel Thorne was able to defeat a battle-seasoned Sangheili, Gek 'Lhar, in hand-to-hand combat,[7] with a number of Spartan teams participating in the Second Battle of Requiem displaying equally impressive feats.
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List of appearances
- Halo 4
- Halo: Initiation (First appearance)
Notes
- ^ When describing her augmentations in Halo: Initiation, Sarah Palmer fails to mention any enhancements performed on her nervous system, or a marked decrease in her reaction time following the procedures. 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. 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 his journal entry that the augmentations are in part so he "could survive using the armor", implying that the GEN2 is still not completely safe for baseline humans.
- ^ This enhancement is likely derived from the carbide ceramic ossification catalyst drug given to the SPARTAN-IIIs.
- ^ This enhancement is likely derived from the fibroid muscular protein complex drug given to the SPARTAN-IIIs.
- ^ This enhancement is likely derived from the retina-inversion stabilizer drug given to the SPARTAN-IIIs.
Sources
- ^ a b c Halo 4 Limited Edition, Infinity Briefing Packet
- ^ Dr. Halsey's personal journal
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Halo: Initiation, Issue #2
- ^ a b Halo: Initiation, Issue #3
- ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, pages 42-43 (2001 edition)
- ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 71 (2001 edition)
- ^ Spartan Ops — S1E8 Expendable
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