Editing Phazon

Around this same time, Space Pirates discovered Phazon and began [[Phazon Mines|mining operations]] of [[Phazon Vein Omikron|high-yield sites]] and experimention with its biomutagenic properties. Samus first encounters Space Pirates using Phazon in this way on the [[Frigate Orpheon|Frigate ''Orpheon'']], where mutations of native [[Parasite]]s resulted in [[Parasite Queen]]s. Initial experiments were made on [[Tallon Metroid]]s in the [[Glacier One]] outpost in [[Phendrana Drifts]], which the Space Pirates planned to use as weapons and power sources. Tests yielded such results as [[Hunter Metroid]]s and [[Fission Metroid]]s. Later experiments, such as [[Project Titan]], which focused on the mutation and animation of inanimate objects,<ref>{{cite|Research on Tallon IV is expanding into new areas. Pending stabilization of the Thardus venture, we will expand Inanimation research to include other native Tallon IV materials.|Scan Data|Metroid Prime}}</ref> resulted in the specimen [[Thardus]] before it was completely shut down.<ref>{{cite|Project Titan is suspended indefinitely. Security breaches resulting in massive casualties have occurred. Access is strictly prohibited until further notice.|Scan Data|Metroid Prime}}</ref> [[Project Helix]], which aimed to mutate Space Pirate DNA with Phazon,<ref>{{cite|Confidence is high regarding Phazon applications. We know enough about Phazon now to begin combining it with Space Pirate DNA. The code name for this venture will be 'Project Helix'. Preliminary studies indicate that Phazon infusion could produce radical new Pirate genomes. Benevolent mutation levels are high in current test subjects. Phazon madness is a concern, but refinements in the infusion process should reduce or neutralize the odds of mental degeneration.|[[Pirate Data]] "Phazon Infusion"|Metroid Prime}}</ref> finally succeeded when the [[Phazon Strain Vertigo]] was discovered by [[Research Team Sclera]] and several specimens, including [[Elite Pirate]]s, a [[Phazon Elite]], and the [[Omega Pirate]], survived to maturity.<ref>{{cite|Initial Project Helix experiments with Space Pirate embryos were disastrous. The Phazon-infusion process degenerated brain tissue even as it augmented muscle mass. None of what we have termed 'Elite Pirates' lived to maturity; the few that survived their infanthood suffered severe psychotic breakdowns as juveniles, killing anything within their zone of perception. Research team Sclera made a recent breakthrough, in which parasite studies with a Phazon strain code-named 'Vertigo' were highly successful. Since then, we have fused Vertigo Phazon with Space Pirate DNA with great success. The latest batch of Elite Pirates have reached maturity successfully and are ready for field testing and training.|[[Pirate Data]] "Elite Pirates"|Metroid Prime}}</ref>