Project: Arthur
Project: Arthur is the codename for a series of biochemical and biomechanical augmentation procedures applied to KNIGHT conscripts at the onset of basic training completion. The project is implemented by the Office of Space Intelligence's Section Three under the supervision of Dr. Leslie Andrews.
Historical Overview
Not to be confused in the dates, Project: Arthur was originally created during the high point of the Second Nuclear War, but due to failure after failure after failure in the augmentation process with nearly all candidacies being killed or heavily disabled the project was shelved indefinably until a safer process cause be implemented. After nearly two centuries of no progress towards a safer augmentation process, OSI was about to officially cancel Project: Arthur and move all related personnel to other duty stations. During this process, Doctor Leslie Andrews was put in charge pending a six month review of Arthur before shut down. It was in this time, on the 29th of April 2693, that the Project: Arthur's supersoldier augmentation processes started to show signs of success in simulation runs and was finally ready for live trials.
Live Trials (2694 - 2695)
[coming soon]Augmentations
Chemical augmentations work on a molecular level by targeting molecules within the body and then altering them to begin a growth process of targeted tissues. Although the chemicals work on a molecular level, they do not work on a genetic level, as targeted mutagenesis is impossible using chemicals alone.
The process of augmenting the KNIGHTs is divided into two parts, surgical procedures and injection procedures. Surgeries are highly risky, intensive, and require special medical talent. Their safety and effects varies substantially from subject to subject, with the benefits and risks varying with the surgeon, the surgical conditions, and the state of the patient. Chemical augmentations have their own risks dependent upon the subject's genetic background and how they adjust to the alteration of cells and molecules and to a more physical point, tissue growth. KNIGHTs also undergo extensive gene therapy.
| 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. |
| Muscular/skeletal engineering series | The Knight candidate undergoes treatment to induce growth in skeletal and muscular tissues. Larissa Peterson commented that her bones were "lengthened" and her muscles "stretched". The bones are then reinforced with skeletal fullerene lattices, regarded as "tougher than steel", which makes them virtually unbreakable and allows survival in harder impacts. 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. The subject's ligaments are reconstructed during the procedures. Muscles are subjected to induced growth and injected with a material that allows them to work harder without breaking the Knight's skeleton. Subjects also undergo muscle grafting. The augmentations also give them an enhanced muscle memory, which makes observing and learning combat techniques much easier. |
| Neurological series | The nervous system is "super-myelinated" to increase the production of myelin sheaths and, therefore, the subject's reaction time. The nervous system is subject to various element treatments, including an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) responses and the rebuilding of neuroendocrine cells. |
| Organ implantation | Aside from the brain, virtually all other organs in the body are either modified in some manner or replaced. Several organs are biofabricated, including the lungs. The lungs implanted into the Knights are biofabricated and lined with a STONEWELL pulmonary surfactant; a polymer that enhances oxygen intake and allows the subject to process airborne toxins or foreign gas mixtures. The pancreas is replaced by an apparently unnamed, vat-grown organ. The Knights also undergo treatments to prevent organ rejection. Corneal implants are provided, improving the subject's eyesight and night vision. |
| 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. The blood composition is modified to allow for faster clotting and immunity to most toxins. Knights are also subjected to K5.2 hemoescutcheon, and implanted with circulatory shunts and intelli-fibrin acclimation, likely aiding in the healing of wounds. Intestinal bacteria are altered to enable the digestive system to absorb more nutrients from food. An intestinal bioreactor is also implanted, and the subject is given a gut microbiota refresh. |
| Gene therapy | Knights undergo an extensive gene therapy, which involves the lengthening of the telomeres and increasing the effectiveness of chondrocytes. |
| Other | Subjects are implanted with a handful of tiny, durable biomonitoring implants, one of which is installed near the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae, designed to aid medical teams remotely monitor the Knight's health and performance. Subjects are also implanted with electronic locators to allow the United Space Command to track each Knight. |
| Endcap augmentation | The Knight is subjected to hormone-regulation therapies and their BioProfile is archived. |
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