Marine Creation Process

The path towards becoming an Imperial Marine, a renowned and formidable force of Transhuman warriors, is no easy feat, demanding an immense investment of time and effort from those who dare to embark upon it. The process of transforming ordinary humans into these elite warriors is a painstaking one, requiring the utilization of the Inheritance-Helix. Through the implementation of these biomechanical implants, their bodies undergo a profound metamorphosis, granting them extraordinary abilities that surpass the limits of mere mortals.

Once equipped with the Inheritance-Helix, and having fully integrated, an Imperial Marine possesses an unparalleled strength that allows them to effortlessly shatter the skulls of fearsome beasts with their bare hands. Their enhanced physiology goes beyond physical prowess, enabling them to devour the flesh of fallen adversaries and absorb their memories, delving into a realm of knowledge and experience reserved only for the deceased. Additionally, their skin is capable of undergoing radical transformation, darkening to shield them from the harmful effects of radiation, ensuring their survival in even the most hazardous environments. As if these astonishing attributes were not enough, Imperial Marines possess the uncanny ability to sustain themselves for extended periods without sleep. They achieve this remarkable feat by systematically deactivating specific regions of their brains, allowing them to operate with unwavering focus and endurance.

However, the path to attaining these exceptional abilities is arduous and demanding. Those who aspire to possess such abilities must endure years of intensive psycho-indoctrination and conditioning. Throughout this rigorous process, their determination is fortified, their resolve strengthened, and their skills honed to perfection. They are molded into relentless and unyielding warriors, dedicated to upholding the imperial cause with unwavering loyalty. Alas, not all who embark on this perilous journey emerge unscathed. The grueling training regimen weeds out the weak and unfit, separating the exceptional from the ordinary. As such only the most resilient and promising recruits are deemed worthy of becoming Imperial Marines, their ranks filled with individuals who have proven themselves capable of embracing the demands and sacrifices of the path they have chosen.

In the crucible of this rigorous training, the Transhuman warriors of the Imperial Marines are forged, embodying the pinnacle of superhuman potential. Their extraordinary abilities, earned through sacrifice and perseverance, elevate them to a status beyond that of ordinary mortals. They stand as living testaments to the lengths one must go in pursuit of greatness, a testament to the unyielding spirit and indomitable will of those who are willing to pay the price required to become the bulwark against humanities enemies.

## Selection

Recruits are typically chosen from the best warriors among humanity. Naturally this makes Death and Feral Worlds prized recruitment grounds, as such harsh and primal conditions produce the best warriors. However, Spire worlds are considered the ideal source of potential recruits; while the populace of the lower levels are often composed of some of the most murderous scum of the Steller Imperium, yet more importantly, the higher the population of a world, the higher the chance to find truly impressive individuals.

Whole gangs of Spire scum are oftentimes hunted down and captured for recruitment, although Legions typically prefer volunteers, as seen in the warriors of the IInd, VIth, and XIth. Among the most valued traits in a recruit are aggression and a certain psychotic-level of killer instinct. This reserve of will, an unteachable and uninheritable desire to win is what makes a great Imperial Marine, that is what makes an Angel of the Emperor out of a man. But much more rarely, certain civilized worlds are also recruited from, most namely a Legions Homeworld.

## Requirements

The ideal recruits must be fairly young (anywhere between prepubescent to 20 years of age is often ideal), because the Morphogenic Engine often cannot become fully functional if the recipient has reached a certain level of physical maturity often seen in the Mid to late 20's. The recruit must also be male because the Helix' zygotes are keyed to male hormones and genetic structure, owing to the fact that most of the Luminarchs are Male themselves. Though those Legions born of a female Luminarch are capable of accepting female recruits just as they would male ones.

And only a small percentage of these recruits are even compatible with the Helix and the hypno-suggestion necessary to turn them into Marines. Before the process of implantation begins the potential recruit receives tissue compatibility tests and psychological screening. If the testing proves successful the recruit becomes an Aspirant. After the organ implantation process begins he becomes a Novitiate. And when the Ater Interface is finally in place and the requisite training and hypnotherapy are complete, he becomes a full fledged Marine.

Even once some organs are fully grown they are generally inactive or useless without the needed associated training, hypnotherapy, and chemical treatment. Most recruits join the ranks of their Legions as a brother between the ages of 24-34 years.

## Morphogenic Organs

The Luminous Imperial Marines possess an astonishing array of 19 internally grown organs, glands, and bioengineered reconstructions derived from the miraculous Inheritance-Helix. These remarkable advancements, born from the collective brilliance of four Luminarchs, who aimed to emulate their own superhuman anatomical structures in their Marines and further enhance the already extraordinary abilities of the Angelus Marines, forging the legendary Luminous Marines of the modern era. With these enhancements, they become even more formidable instruments of the Emperor's justice, destined to combat the darkness and desolation that grips the galaxy.

The complexity of these 19 superhuman augmentations, organs, glands, and physical modifications is undeniably intricate, particularly during the initial stages. Several of these enhancements rely on the proper functioning and interdependence of other organs within the Marine's body. Thus, the removal, mutation, aberrant growth, or failure of a single organ can significantly impact the precise functionality and development of the others, necessitating meticulous care and maintenance during the process of Ascendancy.

Moreover, each Legion's Inheritance-Helix possesses its own unique gene-coding, resulting in distinct genetic characteristics and idiosyncrasies among different Legions. Consequently, various Legions employ different methods of implantation and Helix activation, tailoring the process to their specific genetic profiles. As the aspiring Marine undergoes the activation procedure, a series of conditioning regimens are employed to ensure optimal development and integration of the implanted organs, enabling them to seamlessly merge with the Marine's physiology.

This intensive conditioning process aims to synchronize the growth and adaptation of the newly implanted organs, fostering a harmonious fusion between the Marine and the enhancements bestowed upon them. Through dedication, training, and unwavering commitment, the burgeoning Marine's body gradually incorporates and embraces these remarkable advancements, enabling them to transcend the limits of mortal capabilities.

These additional implanted organs include:

> *Please bear in mind that there is a stark difference in time between when an organ begins growth, and when it would be officially matured, and even more to when the Helix is expected to have begun its growth. The list above is an informed guess held by the majority of Legion Apothecarions as to when an organ can be expected to have begun its growth. Though aberrations exist, they are not the norm and are not recorded as such.*
>
>

## Conditioning:

### Chemical Treatment

The journey of an Imperial Marine begins with a rigorous process of constant tests and examinations prior to initiation. Throughout this period, utmost care is taken to monitor the growth of their organs, correct any imbalances, and address any signs of malefic-development. The meticulous attention to detail continues even after the completion of the initial initiation processes. Although the intensity may decrease, the necessity for chemical treatment never ceases.

Marines undergo periodic quarter centennial treatments for the remainder of their lives to ensure the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of a stable metabolism. To facilitate this, their formidable power armor suits are equipped with monitoring equipment and drug dispensers, enabling seamless integration of this crucial aspect of their existence.

### Hypnotherapy

As the super-enhanced body of an Imperial Marine develops, the recipient must learn how to harness and control their newfound abilities. Certain organs, such as the enigmatic '*Somnian Node*' and '*Visionair*' organs, require the administration of precise hypnotherapy by skilled Apothecarions in order to achieve their full functionality. While hypnotherapy may not always yield results as potent as chemical treatment, it has been known to produce substantial effects in awakening and unlocking the dormant potential within the Marine.

If successful, the Marine can be taught to exert control over their own metabolism, thereby significantly reducing their dependence on drugs. This enlightening process takes place within a specially designed apparatus known as the Hypnosvat, where Marines are placed in a state of deep hypnosis and exposed to meticulously crafted visual and aural stimuli. Through this immersive experience, their minds are awakened to the intricate workings of their unconscious metabolic processes, empowering them to manipulate their bodily functions with greater mastery.

### Training

The development and stimulation of the Helix' Morphogenic Engine, as well as the efficacy of its ingrown organs, are intimately intertwined with the relentless physical training regimen undertaken by Imperial Marines. These warriors of unparalleled might subject themselves to arduous exercises and drills, pushing their bodies to the limits and beyond.

This rigorous training not only tests the effectiveness of the ingrown organs but also serves as a catalyst for the Morphogenic Engine's optimization. Through the crucible of intense physical exertion, the Marine's body and its extraordinary adaptations are honed to peak performance, ensuring the seamless integration of their enhanced capabilities into their combat prowess.

### Indoctrination

Just as the physical form of an Imperial Marine undergoes a profound metamorphosis as the Inheritance-Helix takes root and the Morphogenic Engine commences its transformative work, so too are their minds subject to profound alterations. These mental alterations are designed to unlock and unleash the latent abilities residing within the Marine. In fact, these mental powers are often considered even more extraordinary than the awe-inspiring physical enhancements previously described. For instance, a Marine gains the uncanny ability to exert meticulous control over their senses and nervous system, granting them the fortitude to endure levels of pain that would prove fatal to an ordinary individual. Moreover, their thoughts and reactions occur with such lightning speed that they border on the supernatural. Memory training constitutes a vital component of the indoctrination process, and some Marines develop astonishing photographic memories, capable of recalling intricate details with astonishing precision. It is important to note that the mental abilities of individual Marines vary, just as intelligence and aptitude differ among any group of individuals.

Upon the completion of these intricate developments and alterations to the human body, a profound question often engulfs the scholarly circles of the Imperium: Do the Luminous Imperial Marines retain their humanity? While their unwavering dedication to the service of humanity is indisputable, their immense stature, towering over mere mortals at heights reaching 8-9.5 Standard Terran feet (2.4-2.9 meters), and the equivalent amount of skeleto-muscular mass derived from the Helix' transformative influence, give rise to compelling debates. These formidable warriors possess the capacity to endure toxic environments, even breathing in poisons without succumbing, and can seemingly consume and manipulate metals with astonishing ease. Their existence blurs the line between human and something more, transcending the conventional limitations of their species.