Project Epsilon

Project Epsilon was an ONI project that created "super soldiers" of a very high class. They were extremely capable at stealth, and on the battlefield. The troops of the project already had an education, due to the target age group, making their training somewhat easier than others.

Background
ONI created a rival to the Spartan II program, Epsilon. They captured male and female teenagers (Age 13-16) and put them into a training course. It was not anywhere near that of the Spartan-II program, but it was superior to even that of the ODST.

Epsilon was a project conceived and carried out by ONI in 2532. ONI offered limited information to the candidate, and gave them an option to join. If the candidate denied, ONI captured them, and put them into the program. A flash clone would be put in place.

Training
The Epsilon troopers were put through a training regime that focused mainly on stealth and logic, as well as physical training. After 2 and a half years of training, regardless of start age, the trainee would undergo the drug altering. The survival rate was about 96% Of the 350 trainees, 336 lived. The Epsilon troopers were able to use MJOLNIR armor, and did. Their training could not even compete with Spartan training, but was excellent, nonetheless. They could far out due ODST, and could come toe to toe with Spartan IIIs, and win.

The weapon training of Epsilon troops was very good. Individual troops got specific training for their chosen specialty. Troops got very individualized life fire training with all UNSC weapons, but got extra training for their chosen weapon. For example, a sniper would get more training on a sniper rifle, but also got training on all other UNSC systems.

Epsilon soldiers got vehicle training on most UNSC vehicles, including aircraft such as the Hornet. They were notable for being amazing pilots and drivers due to lots of vehicle training for their recon missions.

Equipment
Their equipment consisted of exclusive weaponry and armor, as well as all that available to other UNSC troops. They had access to special prototype, as well.

Armor
The Epsilon troops used the CQB variant of MJOLNIR MK VI, almost exclusively. It did have some upgrades and options that other units were not given access to. They had special armor coatings that increased stealth. The color was the color standard of MJOLNIR NAVSPECWAR, sage-olive green. Their visor was also replaced with a visor that used the same polarizing technology of the ODST helmet. The armor had multiple optional attachments. They included:
 * Replacing/removing the Combat Knife
 * Replacements include a Kukri, Axe, or Tomahawk.


 * Adding Ammo Pouches, at the risk of mobility (Dubbed Assault/Commando)
 * Changing detail color for combat recognition
 * Removing shoulder plates
 * Adding Up Armor, Helmet light and video package,
 * Adding personal emblem to shoulder piece
 * Changing color of shoulder plates

Weapons
The Epsilon troops used a variety of UNSC weapons. Their favorites were usually quiet, small weapons, but, later, when their use became more common on battles, and less in intel missions, their weapon variety changed, too. Their weapons included the M7S, BR55S Battle Rifle, BR55, MA5C Assault Rifle, SFS99D-S2 AM Sniper rifle, M6C/SOCOM,  M6C, and, rarely, a detached AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun, M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle, M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Medium Anti-Vehicle/Assault Weapon and Hard sound rifles.

AI Program
If a trainee survived their enhancement, they would get to have an AI select them. Because more AI units were present than troops, due to the deaths from augmentation, every trooper got an AI, and the last one was not just the last one left. They could not make AI units fast enough for all the Epsilon troops, though. They decided to use the Harvest method. Although this created some unstable AI units, it was the best method. The unlucky soldiers were offered a chance to get issued another AI, or to continue to fight without.

Neural Interface
With the AI units capable of controlling the soldier's interface, the interfaces installed in the Epsilon troops were far different than that of the Spartan Programs. They featured VISR technology, as it was available at the time. Also, it featured customizing options. As the operator would have different preferences than others, they were given interfaces that would allow them to customize it. They could chose the color, font, and style of their HUD, as well as chose different reticules for some weapons. Friendly-Hostile Recognition was used. The reticule followed the weapon, so a troop could effectively shoot a weapon out of the corner of his eye.