TaranCloud
The Emperor
Posts: 14
(12/17/03 11:03 pm)
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Space Marines: Part 2
RECRUITMENT AND INITIATION
The various implants cause vital changes in a Marine's physique and mental state. Many of these changes are controlled by natural hormonal secretions and growth patterns. Implants may not prove effective, or may not become fully functional, if they are carried out once the recipient has reached certain stages of natural development. It is therefore inevitable that recruits must be reasonably young. Tissue compatibility is also essential, otherwise organs may fail to develop properly.
The third consideration is mental suitability. The catalepsean node, occulobe, and sus-an membrane will only develop to a useable condition under the stimulus of hypnotic-suggestion. A recruit must therefore be susceptible to this particular treatment.
These considerations mean that only a small proportion of people can become Space Marines. They must be male because zygotes are keyed to male hormones and tissue types, hence the need for tissue compatibility tests and psychological screening (for the purpose of this RPG and fairness we will allow female Space Marines. They have equal access to advancment and everything offered to male Marines). If these tests prove successful a candidate becomes a neophyte. With the completion of organ implantation and attendant chemical and hypnotic training, the subject becomes an initiate. An initiate receives training before joining the ranks as a full brother. A Marine usually joins the ranks between the ages of 16-18. Pressures during wartime may accelerate the process.
THE RISKS
Although the chapters are careful to select only the most suitable candidates, not all neophytes survive to become initiates. This is in part to the degeneration of knowledge amongst the individual chapters that makes screening procedures less effective than they were. Nor are operational methods entirely satisfactory in some cases. In many chapters implant surgery is heavily ritualized, and often accompanied by scarring, incantation, periods of prayer, and all sorts of mystical practices which compromise medical efficiency. For example, the Space Wolves, phase 17 implant is accompanied by the withdrawal of the initiate's canine teeth and their replacement with longer canines. The Chapter regards the additional surgery as part of the initiation ceremony.
If an implant fails to develop properly, it is likely that a Marine's metabolism become badly out of synchronization. He may fall into a catatonic state or suffer bouts of hyperactivity. In either event, he will probably die.
Those unfortunates that do not die almost invariably suffer mental degenerating into homicidal maniacs or gibbering idiots.
However, when a Chapter is at full strength these misfits may be put out of their misery. If the Chapter is short of Marines they are often allowed to live, and may be placed within their own special units. Those who display uncontrollably psychotic tendencies can be recruited into suicide assault squads, or as suicide bombers.
Some chapters deliberately foster such creatures, even going so far as to implant deformed zygotes into some initiates. This is very dangerous, and the practice is discouraged by Imperial edict. But old traditions die hard.
For the purpose of this RPG we will say that you made it through this stage just fine.
Implantation goes hand-in-hand with chemical treatment, psychological conditioning and subconscious hypnotherapy. All of these are essential if the Marine is to develop properly.
Chemical Treatment - Until his initiation, a Marine must submit to constant tests and examinations. The newly implanted organs must be monitored very carefully, imbalances corrected, and any sign of maldevelopment treated. This chemical treatment is reduced after completion of the irritation process, but it never ends. Marines undergo periodic treatment for the rest of their lives in order to maintain a stable metabolism. This is why their power armour suits contain monitoring equipment and drug dispensers.
Hypnotherapy - As the super-enhanced body grows, the recipient must learn how to use his new skills. Some of the implants, specifically the phase 6 and 10 implants, can only function once correct hypnotherapy has been administered. Hypnotherapy is not always as effective as chemical treatment, but it can have substantial results. If a Marine can be taught how to control his own metabolism, his dependence on drugs is lessened. The process is undertaken in a machine called a hypnomat. Marines are placed in a state of hypnosis and subjected to visual and aural images in order to awaken their minds to their unconscious metabolic processes.
Training - Physical training stimulates the implants and allows them to be tested for effectiveness.
Indoctrination - a Marine is more than a human with extraordinary powers. Marines have extraordinary minds as well! Just as their bodies receive 19 separate implants, so their minds are altered to release the latent powers within. These mental powers are, if anything, more extraordinary than even the physical powers described above. For example, a Marine can control his senses and nervous system to a remarkable degree, and can consequently endure pain that would kill an ordinary man. A Marine can also think and react at lightning speeds. Memory training is an important part of the indoctrination too. Some Marines develop photographic memories. Obviously, Marines vary in intelligence as do other men, and their individual mental abilities vary in degree.
+++ VOX-RECORDER EXTRACT START +++
Dr Outek - "Implantation of Phase 19 initiated."
Unidentified voice 1 - "Master-Apothecary Sir, our guests shall be arriving shortly."
Dr Outek - "Acknowledged. Fresh Black Carapace has been extracted from the culture-solution tanks and has been appropriately dissected by my assistant, Dr. Theodus, for implantation directly under subjects skin."
< SEGMENT UNREPAIRABLE >
Unidentified voice 2 - "Insertion of last Black Carapace strip directly under the skin of the front chest."
Dr Outek - "Good...Just before our guests arrive, i would like to say that i am glad to have had such a highly trained team of Apothecaries assist me in this great and adventurous endevour. The work of 5 generations is now finally complete."
Unidentified voice 1 - "Sir, Our guests have arrived."
Dr Outek - "My Emperor,"
The Emperor - "Dr Outek. Phase 19 is complete?"
Dr Outek - "Oh yes" ... "A pretty baby... very pretty indeed."
+++ VOX-RECORDER EXTRACT ENDS +++
"Okay Vikings, remember we don't want yesterday's incident to occur again. So loot then burn, loot THEN burn" - Viking Briefing
+4 Posts
My Warhammer 40K RPG, come join Edited by: TaranCloud at: 12/18/03 6:05 pm
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