Project ASTER

When selected, candidates for the SPARTAN-II project had already been judged to represent the paragon as yet achieved by natural evolution. Even so, they were then subjected to a battery of enhancements to further enhance their physical and mental attributes.

Procedures

Admiral Ysionris Jeromi of the research station Hopeful documented the following experimental procedures on Bonobo Chimpanzees. These operations were later performed on the Spartan soldiers:

1. Carbide ceramic ossification: advanced material grafting onto skeletal structure to make bones virtually unbreakable. Recommended coverage not to exceed 3 percent total bone mass because of significant white blood cell necrosis. Specific risk for pre- and near-post pubescent adolescents: skeletal growth spurts may cause irreparable bone pulverization.

2. Muscular enhancement injections: protein complex is injected intramuscularly to increase tissue density and decrease lactase recovery time. Risk: 5 percent of test subjects experience a fatal cardiac volume increase.

3. Catalytic thyroid implant: platinum pellet containing human growth hormone catalyst is implanted in the thyroid to boost growth of skeletal and muscle tissues. Risk: rare instances of elephantiasis. Suppressed sexual drive.

4. Occipital capillary reversal: submergence and boosted blood vessel flow beneath the rods and cones of subject’s retina. Produces a marked visual perception increase. Risk: retinal rejection and detachment. Permanent blindness.

5. Superconducting fabrication of neural dendrites: alteration of bioelectrical nerve transduction to shielded electronic transduction. Three hundred percent increase in subject’s reflexes. Anecdotal evidence of marked increase in intelligence, memory, and creativity. Risk: significant instances of Parkinson’s disease and Fletcher’s syndrome.

Success Rate

Despite their superior natural attributes only 33 SPARTAN-IIs, less than half, assimilated the upgrades without complications. More than ten survived but unable to perform combat duties, and some thirty died.

The augmentations applied to the SPARTAN-IIIs were based on more refined versions of those received by the SPARTAN-IIs.

Results

Those whose bodies successfully accepted the modifications benefited from a number of unexpected side effects caused by the synergy of the augmentations. A few months after the procedures these were as follows:

• Running speeds exceeding 55 km/h. SPARTAN-087 was noted for even greater speeds.
• Lifting three times their body weight due to increased muscle density.
• Unaided night vision.
• Reaction times of 20 milliseconds, or faster during combat.
• Unprecedented teamwork resembling "telepathy".
• No physiological or mental instabilities.

As the SPARTAN-IIs adjusted to their new found abilities, they frequently exceeded these benchmarks. Note that this was without the aid of the MJOLNIR armor.