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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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It takes a considerable deal of time to transform a normal human into a [[Space Marine]]. They receive implants known as [[gene-seed]] which transform their bodies and give them superhuman abilities - making them capable of spitting acidic venom, absorbing the memories of the dead by eating their flesh, darkening their skin to protect it from radiation, and operating for long periods without sleep by switching off parts of their brains at a time.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}}
Recruits are subjected to psycho-indoctrination and conditioning, strengthening their resolve and honing them into dedicated and merciless warriors. Not all recruits survive the brutal training of course, and not all are accepted.{{Cite This}}
==Selection==
Recruits are chosen from the best warriors among humanity. Naturally this makes [[Death World|Death]] and [[Feral World]]s prized recruitment grounds, as such harsh and primal conditions produce the best warriors. However [[hive world]]s are considered the ideal source of potential recruits, the populace of the lower levels composed of some of the most murderous scum in the human [[Imperium]]. Whole gangs of hive scum are sometimes hunted down and captured for recruitment. Among the most valued traits in a recruit are aggression and psychotic-level killer instinct. More rarely, certain [[Civilized World]]s are also recruited from.{{Fn|4}}
Recruits must be fairly young, because implants often do not become fully functional if the recipient has reached a certain level of physical maturity. They must be male because the zygotes are keyed to male hormones and tissue types. Only a small percentage of people are compatible to receive the implants and hypno-suggestion 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 a [[neophyte]]. After the organ implantation process he becomes an [[initiate]].{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}}
Even once the organs are implanted they are generally inactive or useless without associated training and hypnotherapy and chemical treatment. Most recruits join the ranks as a [[brother]] between the age of 16-18 years.{{Cite This}}
==Implants==
[[Image:SMImplantsNew.jpg|thumb|right|Implant Stages{{Fn|2b}}]]
The 19-22 implanted organs are very complicated, and because several of them only work properly or at all in the presence of other implants, the removal, mutation or failure of one organ can affect the precise functioning of the others.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}} Because of this, and the fact that each Chapter's gene-seed belongs to that Chapter alone, different Chapters display different characteristics and use different sets of implants and methods of implantation.{{Cite This}}
Throughout the implantation process the Marine must undergo various forms of conditioning in order for the implanted organs to develop and become part of his physiology.
===Ossmodula===
'''Phase 2:''' A small, complex, tubular organ, the ossmodula secretes hormones that both affect the ossification of the skeleton and encourages the forming bone growths to absorb ceramic-based chemicals that are laced into the Marine's diet.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}} This drastically alters the way a Space Marine's bones grow and develop. Two years after this implant is first put in the subject's long bones will have increased in size and strength (along with most other bones), and the rib cage will have been fused into a solid mass of bulletproof, interlocking plates.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}}
===Biscopea===
'''Phase 3:''' This small, circular organ is inserted into the chest cavity and releases hormones that vastly increase muscle growth throughout the marine's body. It also serves to form the hormonal basis for many of the later implants.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}}
===Primaris Implants===
===Larraman's Organ===
'''Phase 5:''' A liver-shaped organ about the size of a golf-ball, this implant is placed within the chest cavity and connected to the circulatory system. It generates and controls 'Larraman cells' which are released into the blood stream if the recipient is wounded. They attach themselves to leucocytes in the blood and are carried to the site of the wound, where upon contact with air they form a near instant patch of scar tissue, sealing any wounds the Space Marine may suffer.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}}
===Catalepsean Node===
'''Phase 6:''' Implanted into the back of the brain, this pea-sized organ influences the circadian rhythms of sleep and the body's response to sleep deprivation. If deprived of sleep, the catalepsean node cuts in. The node allows a Marine to sleep and remain awake at the same time by switching off areas of his brain sequentially. This process cannot replace sleep entirely, but increases the Marines survivability by allowing perception of the environment while resting{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}}. This means that a Space Marine needs no more than 4 hours of sleep a day, and can potentially go for 2 weeks without any sleep at all.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}}
===Preomnor===
===Lyman's Ear===
'''Phase 11:''' Not only does this implant make a Space Marine immune from dizziness or motion sickness but also allows Space Marines to consciously filter out and enhance certain sounds. The Lyman's Ear completely replaces a Marine's original ear. It is externally indistinguishable from a normal human ear.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}}
===Sus-an Membrane===
===Neuroglottis===
'''Phase 15:''' This enhances a Space Marine's sense of taste to such a high degree that he can identify many common chemicals by taste alone. A Marine can even track down his target by taste.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}}
===Mucranoid===
'''Phase 16:''' This implant allows a Space Marine to sweat a substance that coats the skin and offers resistance to extreme heat and cold and can even provide some protection for the marine in a vacuum. This can only be activated by outside treatment, and is common when Space Marines are expected to be fighting in vacuum.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}}
===Betcher's Gland===
'''Phase 17:''' Consists of two identical glands, implanted either into the lower lip, alongside the salivary glands or into the hard palette. The gland works in a similar way to the poison gland of venomous reptiles by synthesizing and storing deadly poison, which the Marines themselves are immune to due to the gland's presence. This allows a Space Marine to spit a blinding contact poison. The poison is also corrosive and can even burn away strong metals given sufficient time.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}}
===Progenoids===
[[Image:Primaris Apothecary with Progenoid Gland in hand.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Primaris Apothecary with Progenoid Gland]]
'''Phase 18:''' There are two of these glands, one situated in the neck and the other within the chest cavity. These glands are vitally important and represent the future of the Chapter, as the only way new gene-seed can be produced is by reproducing it within the bodies of the Marines themselves. This is the implant's only purpose. The glands absorb genetic material from the other implanted organs. When they have matured each gland will have developed a single gene-seed corresponding to each of the zygotes which have been implanted into the Marine.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}}
These take time (5 years in the first case, 10 in the latter){{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}} to mature into gene-seed. The gene-seed can then be extracted and used to create more Space Marines.
*'''Indoctrination''' - 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.{{Cite This}}
After all of these implantations and alterations to the human body, there is a serious debate whether or not Space Marines are human. While they indubitably serve humanity, they are at least two meters tall, can breathe poison and eat through metal.{{Cite This}}
