Arkanian-Offshoot program

The Arkanian-Offshoot Program is a series of genetic experimentation and cloning operations designed to reintroduce the long-extinct Arkaninan species back into the galaxy. It is the brainchild of Sith'Ari Con Semper, who currently oversees the program on behalf of House Arkoh.

Origins of the Program

Con Semper dreamed of reviving the Arkanian-Sith culutre, and reintroducing the long-extinct Arkanian species back into the Galaxy. To prepare for the program, he needed more genetic material. After isolating the own portions of Arkanian DNA, he lacked not only a complete genome from which to clone individuals, but also the genetic diversity needed to sustain generations of a growing population. Semper began to scour the galaxy in search of the other living offshoots and collecting samples of their blood. Many were sickly, or only had faint traces of their Arkanian heritage in their DNA. After years of searching, Semper was finally able to piece together a complete Arkanian genome assembled from the fragments he collected. This genome provided a foundation which was able to be augmented with other fragments to produce other Arkanian genomes to provide the needed diversity. Semper's collection, while growing, was still insufficient for repopulation by immediate cloning. Once establishing a sophisticated laboratory underneath the Arkoh Palace in the Hassaria System, Semper devised a three-phase program.

Outline of the Program

Phase I

Phase I of the Program consisted of using Semper's collection of Arkanian DNA to genetically modify already existing mature, humanoid specimens. All participants were volunteers, ranging from the destitute to the adventurous. House Arkoh has done much to dispel the rumor that becoming an Arkanian-offshoot is the single way to get ahead in the Hassaria system, but the persisting notion was a significant factor in recruiting. The procedure itself was carried out in Semper's medical facilities underneath the Arkoh Palace, using a technique called the Semper Procedure developed exclusively for this operation by Semper and Paul Luz. The technique is derived from the Metamorphosis Plague, and uses a synthetic virus implanted with the constructed Arkanian genetic material. This synthetic virus (known as AV0790) attacks the cells of the patients and injects an enzyme with breaks down the cells original nucleus and nearly simultaneously injects its own new nucleus into the cell. The inoculated cells then replicate by normal cell mitosis until the tissues they form begin to resemble Arkanian tissue. Varying the concentration of the AV0790 serum given to the patients affects the speed of the transformation. Early trials supported the hypothesis that a slower procedure carries a higher risk of failure, but lowers the risk of pain and other medical complications. Likewise, a higher dosage results in a quicker and more reliable transformation, but also carries with it higher risks of complications and pain. At the end of the procedure the participants were genetically Arkanian, with only traces of their former genomes remaining, depending on the dosages they were given. Willing participants from Phase I were selected for participation in Legacy, the first Offshoot Colony on Arkania.

The techniques developed in Phase I of the Program also has other surprising medical applications. One of the developers, Zuguruk'Ari Paul Luz was suffering from a difficult strain of the [Metamorphosis Plague]] in Year 17, and was admitted to the medical facilities beneath the Arkoh Palace. Doctors there determined that because the strain that had infected Luz was slower moving, both tissues (his own Baragwin tissue and the newly-forming Mirialan tissue) were combating the other with immune and autoimmune responses. Because neither the virus nor his body could get an edge, his systems were rapidly dissolving as his entire body was under attack. In a rash move, Con Semper instructed the doctors to inject Luz with a potent and fast-acting strain of AV0790, AV0790B.6, which was able to overwhelm the two opposing immune systems and restabalized him. The result was such that when Luz recovered he was an off-shoot, 3/4 Mirialan, and 1/4 Arkanian, and a blood relation of Con Semper. It is thought that with only minor adjustment this procedure could be used to help combat the Metamorphosis Plague.

Phase II

The initiation of Phase II of the Program was marked by the transition from genetic modification of willing participants to the cloning of more genetically-pure Offshoots. Most of the medical facilities under the Palace previously used for Phase I were converted to cloning laboratories, and additional Phase II locations were constructed aboard the remote Eren Research Installation. Because of the limited diversity in the Arkanian genomes preserved by Semper and his researchers, Phase II employs a mixed technique of developing clones based on the complee genomes, and use of the Semper Procedure on donated humanoid embryos which are nurtured much as clones would be. Accelerated growth techniques are kept to a minimum to extend the lifespans of the Phase II subjects and provide them with as normal a life as possible. This prolongs the maturation process and thus the project itself, but Semper insisted it was best for the long-term goals of the Project.

Once the Offshoot clones are born, they are raised by Phase I families and those who have adopted the Arkanian way of life in the Hassaria system, or are sent to Arkoh-supported boarding schools and temples elsewhere in the Galaxy. They are instructed in the Arkanian history and culture as well as the Federation history, and each will be allowed to join on of thee Trade Federation's many industries, or to serve the House in one of many different capacities.

Phase III

Phase III has yet to be initiated, but by design cannot happen in a controlled laboratory setting. This Phase consists of a generation of naturally born Offshoots and pure-blooded Arkanians by parents who were themselves subjects of Phases I and II. With only sight genetic modifications as the Arkanian genomes become more robust subsequent generations will prove increasingly more pure, and the Arkanian species will be reintroduced into the Galaxy again.