Project ORCHID
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
- "We're not exactly like those artificial gods from the earlier generations. More like demigods. And I'll be damned if that usually isn't good enough."
- — Edward Buck[1]
Project ORCHID[2] is the codename for the SPARTAN-IV Augmentation Program,[3] a set of biochemical and surgical augmentation procedures performed on the Spartan-IV supersoldiers. Because of practical necessities arising from the SPARTAN-IV program's return to the ORION Project's recruitment protocols—namely, the use of adults as candidates—as well as advances in technology, the fourth-generation augmentation set differs considerably from the procedures used in the SPARTAN-II and SPARTAN-III programs. While the SPARTAN-IV augmentations enhance the subjects' strength and speed, the improvements in these areas are not as extensive as in the two preceding programs[4] and their technological underpinnings are considerably different.[5] However, the SPARTAN-IV augmentation series also introduces many specialized procedures not applied to the previous spartan generations,[6][5] and the second generation of Mjolnir armor, standard issue to all Spartan-IVs, is able to effectively bridge the physiological gap between them and the earlier generations due to its superior physical enhancement.[4] Like the augmentation procedures of the preceding SPARTAN programs, Project ORCHID is sponsored by the Office of Naval Intelligence's Section Three.[2]
Background[edit]
- "When I say walking gods, I mean the Spartan-IIs. Like the old Greek Titans in the way that they live among us but are literally head and shoulders better in every way. And they’re just about as hard to kill. The fact we lost so many of them during the Covenant War tells you something about how horrific that conflict was. The soldiers in the SPARTAN-III program were more like your standard gods of myth and legend, the Titans' kids. Hermes and Apollo and Aphrodite and such. If the Spartan-IIs are more powerful than you can imagine, Spartan-IIIs are probably just inside your limits. The Spartan-IVs—my new designation—are like demigods then, the offspring of the real gods. Think Hercules. We can pass for regular people most of the time—something folks would generally have a hard time mistaking the earlier generations for—but inside, we're far more than that."
- — Spartan Edward Buck, comparing the augmentations of the Spartan-IVs to the previous Spartan generations[7]
Like their forebears, the Spartan-IVs undergo a series of chemical and surgical procedures to enhance their physical capabilities. However, few of the procedures are directly derived from either the augmentations of the Spartan-IIIs or those of the Spartan-IIs, instead employing different methodologies to the same ends. For example, the carbide ceramic ossification used for skeletal reinforcement in the SPARTAN-II and SPARTAN-III programs has been replaced by the implantation of skeletal fullerene lattices, and the subjects' eyesight is now enhanced through the use of implants rather than the previously used retinal capillary inversion.[5]
The procedures 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.[8] The augmentation techniques used in the SPARTAN-IV program can be performed safely on adults and without stringent genetic requirements; as a result, Spartan-IVs can be recruited based on their skills and abilities, rather than their genetic qualifications.[9]
Augmentations[edit]
The augmentations for the SPARTAN-IV program feature a number of new procedures not used in the preceding programs.[6] Due to the subjects' bodies no longer being in developing stages as well as their lack of genetic requirements, the process must be carefully custom-tailored for each individual.[6][10]
| Procedure | Description |
|---|---|
| Torpet datacluster installation | The subject is given a specialized neural implant—taking the form of a torpet datacluster—capable of interfacing with an artificial intelligence. The neural interface controller extends from the dataport at the base of the skull to the midbrain.[5] |
| Muscular/skeletal engineering series | The Spartan candidate undergoes treatment to induce growth in skeletal and muscular tissues. Edward Buck commented that his bones were "lengthened" and his muscles "stretched". The bones are then reinforced with skeletal fullerene lattices,[5] regarded as "tougher than steel", which makes them virtually unbreakable and allows survival in harder impacts.[6] The joints are also reinforced or replaced. The reinforcement is necessary as without it, simple actions such as jumping would result in the bones disintegrating due to the strain from the strengthened muscles.[11] The subject's ligaments are reconstructed during the procedures.[5]
Muscles are subjected to induced growth and injected with a material that allows them to work harder without breaking the Spartan's skeleton. Subjects also undergo muscle grafting.[6][5] The augmentations also give them an enhanced muscle memory, which makes observing and learning combat techniques much easier.[12] |
| Neurological series | The nervous system is "super-myelinated" to increase the production of myelin sheaths and,[5] therefore, the subject's reaction time.[11] The nervous system is subject to various element treatments, including an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) responses and the rebuilding of neuroendocrine cells.[5] |
| Organ implantation | Aside from the brain, virtually all other organs in the body are either modified in some manner or replaced.[11] Several organs are biofabricated, including the lungs.[5] The lungs implanted into the Spartans are biofabricated and lined with a STONEWELL pulmonary surfactant;[5] a polymer that enhances oxygen intake and allows the subject to process airborne toxins or foreign gas mixtures.[6] The pancreas is replaced by an apparently unnamed, vat-grown organ.[6] The Spartans also undergo treatments to prevent organ rejection.[5]
Corneal implants are provided,[5] improving the subject's eyesight and night vision.[6][10] |
| Circulatory and metabolic improvement | Subjects undergo numerous circulatory improvements. The heart is implanted with a synthetic, polythread weave which significantly increases its capacity to pump blood.[6][5] The blood composition is modified to allow for faster clotting and immunity to most toxins.[6] [11] Spartans are also subjected to K5.2 hemoescutcheon, and implanted with circulatory shunts and intelli-fibrin acclimation, likely aiding in the healing of wounds.[5]
Intestinal bacteria are altered to enable the digestive system to absorb more nutrients from food.[6] An intestinal bioreactor is also implanted, and the subject is given a gut microbiota refresh.[5] |
| Gene therapy | Spartans undergo an extensive gene therapy, which involves the lengthening of the telomeres and increasing the effectiveness of chondrocytes.[5] |
| Other | Subjects are implanted with a handful of tiny, durable biomonitoring implants,[6] one of which is installed near the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae,[5] designed to aid medical teams remotely monitor the Spartan's health and performance.[6][11] Subjects are also implanted with electronic locators to allow the United Nations Space Command to track each Spartan.[13] |
| Endcap augmentation | The Spartan is subjected to hormone-regulation therapies and their bioprofile is archived.[5] |
Experimental phase[edit]
- "The original plan was to create Spartans with no armor. They'd have unbreakable bones, and be capable of feats of strength normally possible only with armor. But even for Spartans, the cost of augmentation was too high…"
- — Jun-A266[14]
A series of additional augmentations were included in the earliest, prototypical phase of the SPARTAN-IV program. Unapproved by the UNSC Navy's committee that regulated other matters relating to the SPARTAN-IV program, this experimental phase of the augmentation program was conducted entirely by the Office of Naval Intelligence. 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 unacceptably high casualty rate, killing or crippling nine of the ten initial candidates; the sole survivor, Ilsa Zane, was rendered mentally unstable and