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Project CHRYSANTHEMUM: Difference between revisions
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The genetic requirements for the Spartan-III candidates were loosened from the exceedingly strict criteria of the SPARTAN-II program,<ref name="goo63"/> although the range of compatible individuals still remained incredibly narrow, with any aberrations from the required genetic set geometrically increasing the failure rate.<ref name="goo82">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 82-83''</ref><ref name="goo67">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 67-68, 70''</ref> [[Colonel James Ackerson]], the mastermind of the SPARTAN-III program, requested to have mandatory genetic screening put in place in the [[Outer Colonies]] in order to find more genetic matches for his program, but the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] leadership felt this would only provoke the colonists for further [[Insurrection|aggression]] against the UNSC.<ref name="goo82"/> As a result of the more lenient selection criteria, the Spartan-III candidate pool was less physically and psychologically consistent, with a higher likelihood of behavioral problems;<ref name="goo63"/> many of the Spartan-III candidates were more lively and predisposed for aggression than their forebears.<ref name="goo67"/> | The genetic requirements for the Spartan-III candidates were loosened from the exceedingly strict criteria of the SPARTAN-II program,<ref name="goo63"/> although the range of compatible individuals still remained incredibly narrow, with any aberrations from the required genetic set geometrically increasing the failure rate.<ref name="goo82">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 82-83''</ref><ref name="goo67">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 67-68, 70''</ref> [[Colonel James Ackerson]], the mastermind of the SPARTAN-III program, requested to have mandatory genetic screening put in place in the [[Outer Colonies]] in order to find more genetic matches for his program, but the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] leadership felt this would only provoke the colonists for further [[Insurrection|aggression]] against the UNSC.<ref name="goo82"/> As a result of the more lenient selection criteria, the Spartan-III candidate pool was less physically and psychologically consistent, with a higher likelihood of behavioral problems;<ref name="goo63"/> many of the Spartan-III candidates were more lively and predisposed for aggression than their forebears.<ref name="goo67"/> | ||
While the CHRYSANTHEMUM augmentations still had to be administered at the onset of puberty as the bodies of either prepubescents or adults would reject the chemicals, Colonel Ackerson's age restriction protocol for the SPARTAN-III program was considerably looser than that of the Spartan-IIs.<ref name="goo82"/><ref name="goo98"/> The Spartan-III candidates' ages upon induction typically ranged from four to six years old,<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 362''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 16''</ref> with the nominal ages of some of them (such as [[Carter-A259]]) exhibiting more extreme deviation from the standard age range.<ref>[http:// | While the CHRYSANTHEMUM augmentations still had to be administered at the onset of puberty as the bodies of either prepubescents or adults would reject the chemicals, Colonel Ackerson's age restriction protocol for the SPARTAN-III program was considerably looser than that of the Spartan-IIs.<ref name="goo82"/><ref name="goo98"/> The Spartan-III candidates' ages upon induction typically ranged from four to six years old,<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 362''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 16''</ref> with the nominal ages of some of them (such as [[Carter-A259]]) exhibiting more extreme deviation from the standard age range.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=personnel&cid=24526 '''Bungie.net''': ''Carter-A259 Personnel Profile'']</ref> | ||
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==Augmentations== | ==Augmentations== | ||
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[[File:Spartan-G059 killing Elites.png|thumb|200px|left|Spartan-G059 killing two Sangheili Commanders.]] | [[File:Spartan-G059 killing Elites.png|thumb|200px|left|Spartan-G059 killing two Sangheili Commanders.]] | ||
[[Mark-G313]] was noted as being the best sharpshooter of his detail, which at the time consisted of [[Team Saber]] and [[Fred-104]],<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 108''</ref> who was the second-best sniper among the Spartan-IIs.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike - The Definitive Edition''', ''page 194''</ref> Moreover, during [[Operation: JOVIAN WHISTLE]], Mark eliminated a [[Jiralhanae]] warrior by paralyzing it with a precise blade strike to it's spine, leading Fred-104 to deem Mark's skills exceptional, even by Spartan standards.<ref name="LL1">'''Halo: Last Light''', ''pages 152-154''(Google Play edition) ''page 173''(Print Edition)</ref> Soon after, Mark eliminated numerous Jiralhanae warriors in close-quarters combat, with nothing but his combat knife.<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''pages 180, 193''</ref> Mark then continued his attack on the enemy by killing three Jiralhanae warriors before any of them even realized what was happening. He also killed a dozen enemies in six seconds with the help of [[Ash-G099]].<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 213, 216''</ref> In [[2558]], [[SPARTAN-G059]] engaged [[Avu Med 'Telcam]] and two other [[Sangheili Commander | [[Mark-G313]] was noted as being the best sharpshooter of his detail, which at the time consisted of [[Team Saber]] and [[Fred-104]],<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 108''</ref> who was the second-best sniper among the Spartan-IIs.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike - The Definitive Edition''', ''page 194''</ref> Moreover, during [[Operation: JOVIAN WHISTLE]], Mark eliminated a [[Jiralhanae]] warrior by paralyzing it with a precise blade strike to it's spine, leading Fred-104 to deem Mark's skills exceptional, even by Spartan standards.<ref name="LL1">'''Halo: Last Light''', ''pages 152-154''(Google Play edition) ''page 173''(Print Edition)</ref> Soon after, Mark eliminated numerous Jiralhanae warriors in close-quarters combat, with nothing but his combat knife.<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''pages 180, 193''</ref> Mark then continued his attack on the enemy by killing three Jiralhanae warriors before any of them even realized what was happening. He also killed a dozen enemies in six seconds with the help of [[Ash-G099]].<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 213, 216''</ref> In [[2558]], [[SPARTAN-G059]] engaged [[Avu Med 'Telcam]] and two other [[Sangheili Commander]]s in close quarters combat. She eliminated the two Sangheili with minimal effort and proceeded to finish off 'Telcam with three kicks, a punch, and a shot from an [[M6H Magnum]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''', ''[[Knight Takes Bishop]]''</ref> | ||
While [[Veta Lopis]] and her [[Ferret|Ferret Team]] were on [[Neos Atlantis]], Mark-G313 dodged a knife strike from the corner of his eye and proceeded to pick up [[Spencer Hume]] - a 309 lbs(140 kg) man - and use him as a human shield to block knife strikes from [[Ota Gallo]]. When Hume began to resist, Mark accidentally killed him by dealing a soft punch to the his chest. Later on, Mark moved so quickly that a [[Dark Moon Enterprises]] agent shot himself in the feet when Mark "abruptly" forced his rifle downwards. Additionally, [[Ash-G099]] killed a Dark Moon Enterprises operative with three "rabbit" punches to the man's skull.<ref>'''Halo: Fractures''', ''A Necessary Truth''</ref> | While [[Veta Lopis]] and her [[Ferret|Ferret Team]] were on [[Neos Atlantis]], Mark-G313 dodged a knife strike from the corner of his eye and proceeded to pick up [[Spencer Hume]] - a 309 lbs(140 kg) man - and use him as a human shield to block knife strikes from [[Ota Gallo]]. When Hume began to resist, Mark accidentally killed him by dealing a soft punch to the his chest. Later on, Mark moved so quickly that a [[Dark Moon Enterprises]] agent shot himself in the feet when Mark "abruptly" forced his rifle downwards. Additionally, [[Ash-G099]] killed a Dark Moon Enterprises operative with three "rabbit" punches to the man's skull.<ref>'''Halo: Fractures''', ''A Necessary Truth''</ref> | ||
The Spartan-IIIs' augmentations allow them to remain conscious and even function effectively while exposed to the vacuum of space for up to a minute. However, the Spartans still suffer from the negative effects of exposure to space and require medical treatment directly after to recover.<ref>'''[[Halo: Fractures]]''', "[[Lessons Learned]]", ''page 5''</ref> While on board a spacecraft, [[Kevin-A282]] walked through the forces of rapid decompression while carrying Captain [[Darren Leone]] to safety. Later on, Kevin shot the rifle out of the hands of [[Ryan Larsson]] from a quarter mile away and successfully jogged to his location before Ryan could recover.<ref>'''Halo: Fractures''', ''Breaking Strain''</ref> | The Spartan-IIIs' augmentations allow them to remain conscious and even function effectively while exposed to the vacuum of space for up to a minute. However, the Spartans still suffer from the negative effects of exposure to space and require medical treatment directly after to recover.<ref>'''[[Halo: Fractures]]''', "[[Lessons Learned]]", ''page 5''</ref> While on board a spacecraft, [[Kevin-A282]] walked through the forces of rapid decompression while carrying Captain [[Darren Leone]] to safety. Later on, Kevin shot the rifle out of the hands of [[Ryan Larsson]] from a quarter mile away and successfully jogged to his location before Ryan could recover.<ref>'''Halo: Fractures''', ''Breaking Strain''</ref> | ||
While most Spartan-IIIs were issued with [[Semi-Powered Infiltration armor]] as opposed to [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|Mjolnir]] for budgetary reasons, a small number of Spartan-III candidates—called "cat 2s" by [[Kurt Ambrose]]—were set apart from the general population of the program by Ambrose and [[Franklin Mendez]] on the basis of possessing exceptional skill and performance either in general or in specific fields.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/kat-b320 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Kat-B320'']</ref><ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/carter-a259 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Carter-A259'']</ref><ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/emile-a239 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Emile-A239'']</ref> These Spartans were removed from the program's mainline companies, given Mjolnir armor and assigned to separate special forces units.<ref name="comm">[http:// | While most Spartan-IIIs were issued with [[Semi-Powered Infiltration armor]] as opposed to [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|Mjolnir]] for budgetary reasons, a small number of Spartan-III candidates—called "cat 2s" by [[Kurt Ambrose]]—were set apart from the general population of the program by Ambrose and [[Franklin Mendez]] on the basis of possessing exceptional skill and performance either in general or in specific fields.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/kat-b320 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Kat-B320'']</ref><ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/carter-a259 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Carter-A259'']</ref><ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/emile-a239 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Emile-A239'']</ref> These Spartans were removed from the program's mainline companies, given Mjolnir armor and assigned to separate special forces units.<ref name="comm">[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=personnel&cid=24040 '''Bungie.net''': ''Communique from Kurt to Mendez'']</ref> Kurt regarded the "cat 2" Spartan-IIIs as being on par with the Spartan-IIs in regard to sheer natural ability, though he would also later assess [[Gamma Company]] on the whole as being comprised of the "finest Spartans ever".<ref name="goo98"/> Additionally, [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]] noted how [[SPARTAN-B312]]'s "hyper-lethal" rating was shared by only one other Spartan,<ref group="note">The notion that the label "hyper-lethal" applies only to two Spartans is somewhat questionable, given that the information sheet for Spartans in ''[[Halo: Ground Command]]'' also states that ''"each Spartan is a hyper-lethal special forces operative"''.</ref> and remarked that [[Jun-A266]]'s skills as a sniper were "unmatched".<ref name="aswr">'''[[Halo: Reach ViDoc: A Spartan Will Rise]]'''</ref> Spartan-B312 was also noted to have singlehandedly broken [[Insurrectionist]] organizations and made entire militia groups disappear.<ref>[https://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=personnel '''Bungie.net''': ''Spartan-B312 Personnel Profile'']</ref> | ||
As they were attempting to escape the [[Olympic Tower]] on Reach, [[Jun-A266]], [[Emile-A239]], and [[Carter-A259]], all wearing Mjolnir armor, ran towards a fallout bunker at around 36 mph to 43 mph (58 kph to 69 kph).<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''New Alexandria''</ref><ref group="note">During the last cutscene of the level "New Alexandria", Kat mentions that the fallout bunker in the building is 96 meters from their current location. Jun, Emile, and Carter cross this distance in approximately 5 to 6 seconds. This would mean that they ran anywhere between 36 mph to 43 mph (58 kph to 69 kph)</ref> While making his last stand on [[Reach]], SPARTAN-B312, likewise wearing Mjolnir armor, knocked out a [[Sangheili General]] with a single elbow strike and shot him twice in the head as he was struggling to get up. He then continued to make his final effort by dealing single strikes to multiple [[Sangheili Ultra | As they were attempting to escape the [[Olympic Tower]] on Reach, [[Jun-A266]], [[Emile-A239]], and [[Carter-A259]], all wearing Mjolnir armor, ran towards a fallout bunker at around 36 mph to 43 mph (58 kph to 69 kph).<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''New Alexandria''</ref><ref group="note">During the last cutscene of the level "New Alexandria", Kat mentions that the fallout bunker in the building is 96 meters from their current location. Jun, Emile, and Carter cross this distance in approximately 5 to 6 seconds. This would mean that they ran anywhere between 36 mph to 43 mph (58 kph to 69 kph)</ref> While making his last stand on [[Reach]], SPARTAN-B312, likewise wearing Mjolnir armor, knocked out a [[Sangheili General]] with a single elbow strike and shot him twice in the head as he was struggling to get up. He then continued to make his final effort by dealing single strikes to multiple [[Sangheili Ultra]]s and [[Sangheili Zealot]]s causing them to forcefully stagger backwards, before being subdued himself.<ref name="Lonewolf">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''Lone Wolf''</ref> | ||
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{{Quote|no=four|q1=And if you don't get your injections, you... what? Start hearing voices? Go berserk?|[[Veta Lopis]]|q2=Something like that. Except we don't always hear voices.|[[Ash-G099]]|q3=Or see flying dinosaurs. That only happens sometimes.|[[Mark-G313]]|q4=But we can usually... read thoughts. I kind of like that, especially when there are civilians around, thinking about sex and stuff.|[[Olivia-G291]]|Exchange between [[Special Inspector]] Veta Lopis and the three Gamma Company Spartans of [[Blue Team]] regarding the latter's augmentations in a joking manner<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 136'' (Google Play edition)</ref>}} | {{Quote|no=four|q1=And if you don't get your injections, you... what? Start hearing voices? Go berserk?|[[Veta Lopis]]|q2=Something like that. Except we don't always hear voices.|[[Ash-G099]]|q3=Or see flying dinosaurs. That only happens sometimes.|[[Mark-G313]]|q4=But we can usually... read thoughts. I kind of like that, especially when there are civilians around, thinking about sex and stuff.|[[Olivia-G291]]|Exchange between [[Special Inspector]] Veta Lopis and the three Gamma Company Spartans of [[Blue Team]] regarding the latter's augmentations in a joking manner<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 136'' (Google Play edition)</ref>}} | ||
The mutagen 009762-OO, administered only to the Spartans of Gamma Company, makes the Spartans more resistant to pain and injury, with stress or pain only increasing their physical prowess. The Gammas are almost completely immune to shock, allowing them to endure injuries and physical pain beyond Spartans of any other generation; for example, [[Dante-G188]] was able to function for some time after a number of Needler rounds had blown his chest open, initially not even realizing his grave injuries.<ref name="goo dante">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 309''</ref> As a side effect, the drug suppresses higher brain functions over time; without the regularly administered counteragents, cyclodexione-4 and miso-olanzapine (the cocktails containing which are colloquially known among the Gamma Company Spartans as "Smoothers"),<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 123'' (Google Play edition)</ref> the Spartan will lose their strategic judgment and become more prone to impulsive, instinct-driven behavior.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 340''</ref> This may also occur in combat under extreme pain and stress; after both of her legs were broken, [[Olivia-G291]] engaged and destroyed an [[Aggressor Sentinel]] with her bare hands by forcing it to the ground and smashing it repeatedly with a "rock as large as her torso" in an uncontrolled berserk rage.<ref name="hll114">'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 114''</ref><ref group="note"> Assuming the rock was made from limestone, which was mentioned to be present in the cave on page 114 of ''Halo: Last Light'', the rock potentially could have weighed anywhere from 1,400lbs to 11,200lbs (approx. 630 to 5000 kilograms) depending on the relative size of Olivia's torso and the gravity on [[Gao]]. [http://www.delawarequarries.com/landscape/boulders/boulderwt.html Link to boulder weight scale.]</ref> [[Fred-104]] noted that she could easily have indiscriminately attacked both allies and enemies in this state, and in order to immediately return her to normal, Fred was forced to strike her in the head with the butt of his rifle. The blow had enough force to knock off her helmet and was just enough to snap her out of this state.<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''pages 102-104'' (Google Play edition)</ref> It should be noted that life-threatening—or, indeed, even fatal—injuries do not invariably result in uncontrollable aggression, as demonstrated by the example of Dante-G188, who calmly limped into safety before saluting [[Kurt Ambrose|Lieutenant Commander Ambrose]] and informing the commander that he had been "nicked".<ref name="goo dante"/> Rather, Olivia's case is suggested to have been the result of her using her immense pain to compound her strength and rage to the point she could no longer control herself.<ref name="hll114"/> | The mutagen 009762-OO, administered only to the Spartans of Gamma Company, makes the Spartans more resistant to pain and injury, with stress or pain only increasing their physical prowess. The Gammas are almost completely immune to shock, allowing them to endure injuries and physical pain beyond Spartans of any other generation; for example, [[Dante-G188]] was able to function for some time after a number of Needler rounds had blown his chest open, initially not even realizing his grave injuries.<ref name="goo dante">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 309''</ref> As a side effect, the drug suppresses higher brain functions over time; without the regularly administered counteragents, cyclodexione-4 and miso-olanzapine (the cocktails containing which are colloquially known among the Gamma Company Spartans as "Smoothers"),<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 123'' (Google Play edition)</ref> the Spartan will lose their strategic judgment and become more prone to impulsive, instinct-driven behavior.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 340''</ref> This may also occur in combat under extreme pain and stress; after both of her legs were broken, [[Olivia-G291]] engaged and destroyed an [[Aggressor Sentinel]] with her bare hands by forcing it to the ground and smashing it repeatedly with a "rock as large as her torso" in an uncontrolled berserk rage.<ref name="hll114">'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 114''</ref><ref group="note">Assuming the rock was made from limestone, which was mentioned to be present in the cave on page 114 of ''Halo: Last Light'', the rock potentially could have weighed anywhere from 1,400lbs to 11,200lbs (approx. 630 to 5000 kilograms) depending on the relative size of Olivia's torso and the gravity on [[Gao]]. [http://www.delawarequarries.com/landscape/boulders/boulderwt.html Link to boulder weight scale.]</ref> [[Fred-104]] noted that she could easily have indiscriminately attacked both allies and enemies in this state, and in order to immediately return her to normal, Fred was forced to strike her in the head with the butt of his rifle. The blow had enough force to knock off her helmet and was just enough to snap her out of this state.<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''pages 102-104'' (Google Play edition)</ref> It should be noted that life-threatening—or, indeed, even fatal—injuries do not invariably result in uncontrollable aggression, as demonstrated by the example of Dante-G188, who calmly limped into safety before saluting [[Kurt Ambrose|Lieutenant Commander Ambrose]] and informing the commander that he had been "nicked".<ref name="goo dante"/> Rather, Olivia's case is suggested to have been the result of her using her immense pain to compound her strength and rage to the point she could no longer control herself.<ref name="hll114"/> | ||
There are several different types of "Smoother". The most common type used during combat operations is administered via a hypodermic injection and lasts approximately twelve hours, after which its effectiveness begins to steadily decrease. Several factors such as stress and fatigue can precipitate the mental unraveling process.<ref name="ll145">'''Halo: Last Light''', ''pages 145-146'' (Google Play edition)</ref> The first symptoms, appearing within several hours after the Smoothers' effect wears off, include nervousness and irritability,<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 182'' (Google Play edition)</ref><ref name="ll214">'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 214-215'' (Google Play edition)</ref> eventually followed by paranoia, fits of temper and physical outbursts.<ref name="ll145"/> After well over a day without a Smoother injection,<ref name="ll214"/> [[Mark-G313]] began having difficulties distinguishing friend from foe in the middle of a firefight, holding a combat knife to [[Nguyen|a Marine sergeant]]'s throat before being successfully convinced by Fred-104 that the Marine was an ally rather than an enemy infiltrator.<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 247'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Another, significantly more expensive type of Smoother is a subcutaneous insert with a longer-lasting effect. While they can only be changed out in a medical facility, they also cannot be lost or destroyed during a mission like the more commonly used kind.<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 249'' (Google Play edition)</ref> | There are several different types of "Smoother". The most common type used during combat operations is administered via a hypodermic injection and lasts approximately twelve hours, after which its effectiveness begins to steadily decrease. Several factors such as stress and fatigue can precipitate the mental unraveling process.<ref name="ll145">'''Halo: Last Light''', ''pages 145-146'' (Google Play edition)</ref> The first symptoms, appearing within several hours after the Smoothers' effect wears off, include nervousness and irritability,<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 182'' (Google Play edition)</ref><ref name="ll214">'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 214-215'' (Google Play edition)</ref> eventually followed by paranoia, fits of temper and physical outbursts.<ref name="ll145"/> After well over a day without a Smoother injection,<ref name="ll214"/> [[Mark-G313]] began having difficulties distinguishing friend from foe in the middle of a firefight, holding a combat knife to [[Nguyen|a Marine sergeant]]'s throat before being successfully convinced by Fred-104 that the Marine was an ally rather than an enemy infiltrator.<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 247'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Another, significantly more expensive type of Smoother is a subcutaneous insert with a longer-lasting effect. While they can only be changed out in a medical facility, they also cannot be lost or destroyed during a mission like the more commonly used kind.<ref>'''Halo: Last Light''', ''page 249'' (Google Play edition)</ref> | ||