Project VIKING

Project VIKING was a short-lived program begun by the Valhallan Defence Forces with the goal of creating biochemically augmented supersoldiers in preparation for an expected conflict with the. First started in early 2555, a group of approximately 32 suitable volunteers were selected from the Jaeger Regiment and were put through the process of augmentation. Ultimately, while meeting expectations, the project's funding was pulled as it became clear the UNSC had no intent of waging war against the Valhallans. The project's subjects were then placed back into their original units, notably excelling.

History
After the Human-Covenant War, the Federal Commonwealth of Valhalla began to fear that the UNSC may begin to try and expand outside of the Orion Arm, including a possible invasion of Valhallan territories. Learning of the program sometime in 2554, the government began to put pressure onto the military to develop a counter to the new Spartans. Initially, they experimented with various forms of, however, these proved fruitless.

In early 2555, Project VIKING, modeled after the UNSC's, was presented to an accepted by the military brass and the government. Volunteers were then discretely recruited from the Jaeger Regiment. The volunteers went through processes to prepare their bodies for the eventual augmentations, which they would receive in June of that year.

With only one casualty from the augmentations, many higher-ups became hopeful of the augmentations, although they were minimal compared to the Spartans. Talks began with several defence contractors and corporations for the development of a new armor system similar to MJOLNIR, but these never came to fruition.

By September of 2555, the government decided that a UNSC invasion of Valhalla was unlikely given the current state of the post-war galaxy, and this resolve was only strengthened by successful meetings with UEG ambassadors. By the end of that month, the Project was cancelled and its test subjects reassigned to their previous units.

Despite the Valhallan government rarely ever mentioning the project, the "Vikings" soon became a legend among members of the Defence Forces. As most of the test subjects continued serving in the VDF, they continued to be incredibly useful assets.

Augmentations
While minimal, the VIKING augmentations nonetheless gave the subjects a significant edge in combat. Augmentations include:
 * Enhanced vision
 * Improved hearing
 * Increased lung capacity
 * Improved balance
 * Greater muscle density
 * Amplified pain tolerance