KNIGHT program

The KNIGHT program is the first iteration of the KNIGHT supersoldier projects. The Project: Arthur, the KNIGHT program utilizes consenting adult volunteers selected from the other branches of the United Space Command. Recruits are drawn from both career military veterans and young soldiers who show considerable promise.
The physical augmentations of the Knight supersoldiers are significantly less extensive than those of the two preceding programs, although their standard-issue GEN2 Excaliber armor is more technologically advanced, and designed to compensate for this drawback. The Knights serve in Knight Operations, an independent branch of the USC Armed Forces created for the oversight of their operations.

History

The Knight program has its roots between 2695 and 2701, when OSI first had successful experiments with adding limited enhancements to select groups of special operators. After Luca Jacobs, Sarah Bekker, Edwin Neuburger, and Adam Barns were exposed to the deadly effects of an alien (Trek'on) artifact, OSI offered them the chance to become part of the program. With the dying Sarah's parents having already agreed on her behalf, OSI started the augmentations before they told the other three which appeared to be working. After considering their options, the rest of the group agreed to undergo the augmentations and join the new program.
At some point prior to the instatement of the KNIGHT program in 2695, elements within the Office of Space Intelligence's Section III authorized a prototypical phase without approval from High Command. This incarnation was intended to produce supersoldiers whose physical prowess rendered Excaliber armor redundant. However, only one of the ten volunteer test subjects survived the augmentation process. The survivor, Maria Austin, was driven mad by the experience and was folded into OSI. Despite the project's failure, Austin was considered the original Knight.

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Facilities and organization

The KNIGHT program is headquartered at a dedicated facility on Washington. Their augmentation procedures are conducted at the same facility. The compound is able to augment around a dozen or two knights at any given time. Their training is primarily conducted in a top-secret space station orbiting an unidentified dwarf planet.
The Knights serve in a dedicated branch of the USC known as Knight Operations, or "Knights", with a select few operatives operating within other chains of command, although some Knights serve in more covert roles within OSI.

Personnel

Knight personnel are commonly are identified by their surnames rather than rank like other service branches. Earlier subjects were identified by an alphanumeric designation. The Knights have shown a great deal of solidarity, especially impressive given the short time they have served together. Many of them have adopted colloquialisms, such as "Alpha Bravo" for "Alien Bastard". Psychologists assert that this camaraderie and cohesiveness helps distinguish the Knights, and the Knight branch as a whole, from the other USC branches.

Equipment

Excaliber armor

Just like their unaugmented TODT counterparts, the Knights are equipped with the Excaliber [GEN2], the second-generation version of the EXCALIBER Powered Assault Armor. Because of the Knight's extensive biological augmentations, the GEN2 armor boosts its wearer's reactions, speed, and strength to a greater degree than the TODTs.
An assortment of armor configurations are available for all new Knights per USC Regulation 2B-768, and Knights are capable of customizing their individual armor set with modular components from a wide range of special-purpose variants, based on their personal preferences, specialization and mission requirements. Selecting variants for purely cosmetic reasons is discouraged. It is strictly forbidden for Knights to attempt to repair or modify their armor; all armor maintenance is only to be performed by qualified Class-88 technicians in dedicated facilities. Unlike the generally red and black coloration of the TODT Excaliber armor, Knights armor comes in a profusion of distinct color patterns, with the members of specific teams often sporting a consistent coloration. However, any customization of the armor color must be in accordance to USC Equipment Code 40.15.77.

Augmentation procedures

Main Article: Knight Augmentation Program

The Knights undergo a series of procedures to enhance their physical capabilities and better usage of the Excaliber powered armor. The technology used in early projects necessitated that the candidates meet exceedingly strict genetic qualifications as well as the application of the enhancements, to avoid the catastrophic failure rates produced by the augmentation of subjects in the Lancelot Project. By the time of the initiation of the Knight program, the technology had advanced to the point that subjects could be augmented without major risk, although the improvements to the subject's strength and speed are not as extensive as initially foretold.

Active: 2695-2701
Branch: Knight Operations
Type: Special operations
Size: 150-200+

First class: 75

Second class: 75+