EPT![[image loading]](http://images.wikia.com/starcraft/images/b/bd/Reaper_SC2_DevGame2.jpg)
The Reapers originated initially as a by-product of psychopaths and serial killers who failed to be assimilated by the neural resocialization process like MREP into standard marines. Before the advent of the Reaper Corps, these men were deemed too dangerous to be given substantial projectile weapons. They were often put into SCV suits and sent off on suicide scouting missions or relegated into roles where their psychotic fits of rage would not cause severe harm to allies.
+ Show Spoiler +
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/9mk3P.jpg)
creds to Emil Erlandsson The Reaper Corps was founded by a genius Dominion scientist by the name of Johnathan Ibiks, who saw potential in these hardened psychopathic criminals. He was granted the research grant by the government to make the best use of their aggression and proclivity to reckless actions. First, Dr. Ibiks designed masks for these reapers that not only provide oxygen in foreign environment, but also provide a constant stream of vapourous neurotransmitter that is similar to stimpack. This neurotransmitter amplifies reaper's aggression into a near primal state of mind of "kill-or-be-killed" mentality. Due to this obsession with killing found on these experimental candidates, they were aptly named "Reapers."
Then Dr. Ibiks went on to fit the Reaper candidates with jet propulsion suit system and were given various type of weapons to see how they faired in efficacy within battlefield scenario. The twin-jet propulsion suit system uses liquified nitrogen-oxide derivative as fuel. When released into the atmosphere, the compressed nitrogen turns into high volumes of gas as thrust, whereas the oxygen component amplifies the propulsion through a series of controlled ignition. This projection force is so great that made the Reapers famed for their maximum velocity that rivaled hellions. Also this same propulsion force is used for reapers to scale tall cliffsides within multiple jet-bursts with sufficient training.
![[image loading]](http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100927095256/starcraft/images/4/42/JetPack_SC2_Icon1.jpg)
"Jump to high ground in case of danger" - Reaper Training Manual 2nd ed. by J. Ibiks
Speaking of training, these jet packs are notoriously difficult to use. The Reaper training procedures takes six to eight months before their deployment onto the field compared to three months of basic training for Marines. Without proper training, reapers can't even move in the direction they desire without crashing into obstacles or losing their balance and plummeting to the earth due to the jet pack.
Due to this difficulty in use of the jet packs, Dr. Ibiks determined from his experiments that P-38 Scythe Gauss pistols were much better alternatives to standard C-14 Automated Gauss Rifle. The standard issue of C-14 had too much of recoil force on the Reaper candidates, and often resulted in the loss of balance on the test subjects. Since reapers had no stable ground to reduce the kickback on the weapon, the accuracy of the C-14 on them were abysmal to say the least. The flamethrower was also considered on the reaper, but the mass of fuel required for both the jet pack system and the flamer was quite considerable for it to be feasible. They would be slower and more vulnerable to enemy projectiles. Hence they were given the P-38 "Scythe" Gauss pistols due to their low kickbacks and portability. Despite its low recoil, when the reaper fires his weapon, it still generates a significant lurching motion, which can be somewhat corrected with training.
![[image loading]](http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110810020617/starcraft/images/d/dd/D8Charge_SC2_Rend1.jpg)
The reapers are also fitted with D-8 (deuterium-8) demolition charges that were designed for sabotage of key enemy infrastructure. Judging from the name of the weapon, D-8 charge may be a small nuclear fusion charge that generates high amount of thermal energy and harmful radioactive waves. Although the gameplay suggests instantaneous explosions, these charges have long time before detonation, and are not commonly used against units.
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/7/72/Combat_Drugs.png)
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/3/32/Scanner_sweep.png)
More recently, some underground sources report that the new batch of reapers have been equipped with med-pack derived from zerg regeneration hormones that accelerates cellular renewal. Although unverified, another source suggests that reapers have been given radar system that allows them to see above cliffsides in order to avoid unfavourable engagements if necessary. Whether this system would be effective in preventing engagement is questionable due to the aggressive nature of the reapers.
Reapers are said to serve 24 month in active force after training, and then granted their freedom. From the first batch of reapers from the five years of the Reaper Corp's founding, none has survived more than 6 months in duty. The second batch has faired better with a handful of veteran reapers managing to survive for 23 months in combat duty. Any reapers that manages to survive the one year mark are called among the force as the "Death Heads," but even these resilient soldiers have yet to live more than 23 months. It is not clear whether the Dominion would honour the 24-month service period, there are unconfirmed stories that Death Heads who approach the end of their service are either sent on impossible suicide missions so that their killing talents die with them, and not fall into enemy hands.
![[image loading]](http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20071115104805/starcraft/images/3/3b/Reaper_SC2_Art2.jpg)
"We're all gonna die anyways sometimes, *psychotic laughter* might as well send some to their death a little early!" - Death Head who went by the name of "Leadhead"
