Living Rock 523
Intara Direct Action
Caldari State
58
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Posted - 2016.02.06 02:12:00 -
[37] - Quote
I think we can look to reality for a lore explanation.
**assuming cloning tech is pretty much the same in EVE**
The governments/corporations pour massive amounts of resources into the integration of existing clone technology into surface combat. Hopes were high, everything looked good on paper, and the first squads were put into combat. While initial results could be seen as somewhat successful, they were far short of the optimistic predictions made prior to launch of the program.
However, the results were sufficient to justify continued funding, and once again a wave of optimism swept over the program. The following years of the program slowly became less and less productive. While great advancements were made in individual technologies and theories, the overall product was severely under performing, and the decision was made to begin scaling back, and eventually eliminating the program.
In addition to subpar results, and far more disturbing, was the effects of the technology on the mercenaries. The negative effects of clone technology on the mind had been known and successfully minimized when cloning was originally introduced to capsuleers. However, it was slowly discovered that when applied to surface combat over extended periods of time the technology inflicted massive amounts of damage on the brain. It was later theorized that the close quarters nature of the combat, combine with the trauma of constant violent death before respawn slowly raised baseline neurotransmitter levels in individual mercs to the point of "disolving" parts of the brain.
The results were horrifying. Mercs became increasingly aggressive and unreasonable. Many became utterly obsessed with battle, they lived to fight, and many of those who left their families and towns never returned. Others suffered severe mental degradation with results including psychosis, depression, parkinsons, dementia and anxiety to name a few. All symptoms manifested themselves violently in the behavior of the cloned mercenaries. The corporations, fearing the consequences of releasing the damaged mercs back into the civilian population, had no other choice but to throw these soldiers back into battle until a proper solution could be found.
These issues aside, the program did eventually prove somewhat successful. Taking advantage of the very reclusive nature of the programs creators as well as the high levels of freedom given to the soldiers, they formed individual units and began seeking contracts from capsuleers, independent of the program. While many units were racially mixed, old scores and vendettas arose, with some of the most vicious fighting in recorded history flaring up as Amarr fighting groups renewed their holy crusade against the Minmatar. Minmatar units quickly formed, and while not as organized or disciplined as the Amarr, they were near unshakable in battle, and were known to rush head long into any battle, any time, anywhere, and fight to the last man.
But things were getting out of hand. Entire systems of HiSec were burning husks. Planets were over run with swarms of cloned mercenaries, little more than massive packs of rabid dogs, sitting on piles of military equipment, endlessly adding to the piles and waiting for a fight.
Just as the first reports of the worsening effects started coming in, the decision was made to bring the project to an end. In a move that is still a fiercely debated topic today, the mercs were simply informed the project would be ending and all support would be cut eventually, but no date was given. The reaction was immediate, and ugly. HiSec became a burning cauldron of fire and death. The corporations overseeing the project were forced to pull back as they lost control, and the great fleets of warships were called in to seal off entire sections of Tranquility to prevent the spread of combat. Unfortunately this decision was not quick in coming, and untold numbers of mercs disappeared into space. A great many others simply terminated their life, biomassed themselves, entire units in some cases. Some in protest, some in fear of life outside of combat. Many simply continued to fight, no longer having any concern for the happenings beyond what they begrudgingly referred to as "the red line".
Time passed. The fleets stood guard above and watched planets burn. While small amounts of research continued, it was decided to permanently end the program, and erase all evidence. Including the soldiers.
On the morning of (the EVE equivalent of) May 30th, the sky fell. The fleets in orbit opened fire against the remaining groups of cloned mercenaries on planet. After 3 straight weeks of bombardment, the guns fell silent. As they did so, the corporate leaders of tranquility were sitting down to discuss the viability of a new program, using a new system. Practical application was still far over the horizon, but the project was green lit. A lead Caldari scientist was quoted as saying "dear god I hope we don't make the same mistakes".... |