22  DECEMBER 2011

   THE ARACHNID SOCIETY

The Arachnids are an alien society with a social structure much like that of Earth's own "Army Ant" or "Marabunta" (Genus: African Dorylus) and like that of Army Ants, a single Colony may be made up from hundreds of thousands of their kindred. When food supplies become short, Army Ants leave their ant hill, in marching columns consisting of numbers that can reach up to 50,000,000 strong, in search of a new food source.  In this quest, the long columns of army ants will fiercely defend against anything they encounter, savagely killing small or immobilized animals that they encounter and eating their flesh. Fortunately, the column only moves about 65 feet an hour and is to slow to pose a menace to Humans, who when warned, can simply move out of the path of their total destruction.  On the other hand, Alien Arachnids, or "Bugs" as they are commonly called, do much the same thing, however, this is where the similarity ends. 

Whereas, despite their massive numbers, Earthly army ants are very small, with "march columns" measuring only about 20 meters wide, an adult Alien Pseudo-Arachnid (Warrior Bug)" can grow to a height of over 8 feet tall, measure over 10 feet long and can move at a ground speed of 35 miles per hour.  Unencumbered by terrain features, coupled with their size and numbering in the hundreds of thousands, the width of their path of total destruction can easily be measured in miles.  Even though the Arachnid Colony contains various  sub-species, each with their own specific purpose, it is the Warrior Bugs that are the most numerous and destructive of the species and pose the greatest threat to any living organism they come upon. Regardless of type, all Alien Bugs are have but one specific purpose and that is to work for the good of the Colony as a whole. There is no sense of self involved, which makes them vastly different from all other species, to include Humans on Earth as well as other extraterrestrials that are known to exist within our galaxy. Collectively, they consider all non-Bug creatures to be a threat to their own survival and that of the Hive, which must be expeditiously neutralized or eliminated. Given their destructive nature, and their propensity to multiply in vast numbers, (an Arachnid Queen can lay 120,000 eggs a month) it is believed that the Arachnids Hordes have devoured all of the natural resources on their own Home World of Klendathu, and are now actively seeking out other planets, within our galaxy, to inhabit and dominate.  As witnessed on military operations, by our own Federation Forces on Pluto and Planet "P" in past years, it is clear that the Bug Species has a singular purposeful mission wherein the flawless and uncomplicated survival instincts of an entire species have been honed for the purposes of conquest, domination and the eradication of their foe wherever and whenever a battle is joined.  In many ways, this makes the Arachnids not much different than Humans, but rather merely far more dedicated and committed in the execution of their tasks.   

ARACHNIDS IN BATTLE

In battle, the Arachnids are keenly aware that if they fail in their mission their species is doomed, an outcome that is totally unacceptable. With this mindset, Arachnids in battle are unpredictable, purposeful and always very efficient. Nothing is left to chance.  Never straying from their singular collective purpose, they plan every encounter, not with the analytical mind of a tactical strategist but rather with one sole purpose and that is to brutally and mercilessly kill all other forms of organic life in their path. The odds of a Warrior Bug responding to any form of diplomacy is absolutely nil as the Arachnid "mindset" is that when they are on the move nothing remain alive in their wake.  Their primary attack "formation" is the "swarm", which consists of hundreds of thousands of Warrior Bugs supported by other Arachnid Hive-species.  Once a threat to the Hive has been identified, the Warrior Bugs attack en masse, moving rapidly forward, as it not instinctive in their nature to move in any other direction, and all life forms being viewed as nothing more than a force to be eradicated into extinction.  

THE FATE OF HUMANKIND

SICON is now convinced that the fate of Humankind demands that the Arachnid's be hunted down and destroyed. Wherever they are and no matter how long it takes, this galactic pestilence must be eradicated once and for all.  There are a number of different species of Arachnids, some known and some still not yet identified, but of them all one poses the greatest threat.  

                    Warrior Bugs                                                   Blaster Bugs                                                 Hooper Bugs                                                    Firefries         

There are many types of Arachnids, however, a few of the most common are listed herein. By far the most prolific of all Pseudo-Arachnid in a Hive, Warriors Bugs are four-legged creatures, about two to three meters long when fully grown, and serve as mass attack infantry.  They are very agile and can attain a ground movement speeds of about 35 mph. These Bugs utilize a powerful pincer-like mandible that is capable of crushing rock, metal and severing limbs as a means of attack. They also have  two upper forelegs or "side mandibles" which they use to pierce their victims. Using only their natural body weapons, they are almost impossible to defeat in close combat. Even with the loss of a limb, these resolute Arachnids can still fight at 85% efficiency. Tenaciously vicious fighters, they generally fighting in small groups, however, they also have been known to "swarm" and then overrun their foe with their sheer weight of numbers.

Another close cousin of the Warrior species is the Blaster Bug, which is a four-legged Arachnid that uses a deadly Bio-Acid stream as their main offensive weapon, the likes of which can easily penetrate (eat through) most protective armor and metallic structures in a matter of seconds. Blaster Bugs are about the same size as Warrior Bugs, possessing the same agility and ground speed ability.  They also attack in small groups but have been known to "swarm" or even augment a Warrior Bugs group during an attack. Though not as aggressive nor as numerous as it's warrior cousins, these Arachnids  are none the less a very real danger and should be engaged with ranged weapons whenever possible.  Another close relative, with similar abilities, is the Blister Bug.

Hopper Bugs loosely resemble a giant wasp in many ways and are about four to five meters long. They are colored a vivid green and have chitinous jagged wings with razor sharp forward edges that can effortlessly decapitate a foe during one of its deadly "swooping" attacks or they can pierce a foe with a stinger located in their abdomen. During a swooping attack, they have been known to scoop up a foe in their massive jaws and then to carry the unfortunate victim to a relatively safe area where it is devoured alive! 

The Firefrie signifies a new evolution in plasma bugs. They are a light weight species, resembling  scorpions that are capable of direct firing stream of volatile chemicals that ignite with oxygen and can easily consume troopers and warmachines alike. Being relatively small, that are very quick, agile and  can leap enormous distances,  making them a deadly foe to face on the battlefield. Fortunately, they reproduce much slower and therefore their numbers are very limited, however, Federation Forces can expect to encounter this Arachnid species in the near future.  

FIGHTING THE BUGS

Successfully eliminating the galaxy of the "Bug Hordes" will be no easy task and the cost will be very high indeed.  This, however, is expected.  The most effective means to accomplishing this task is in ground combat operations, wherein the Arachnid Queens and Brain Bugs can be sought out and neutralized deep in their subterranean refuge. Bombs and rockets alone cannot efficiently accomplish this critical mission. Mankind's paramount weapon is the Mobile Infantry, the elite fighting force of the Terran Federation.    

MOBILE INFANTRY CAP SQUADS                                                                                            LIGHT MOBILE INFANTRY SQUADS 

The bulk of these forces consist of the highly trained and superlatively equipped CAP troopers of the the Mobile Infantry.  Equipped with Power Suites, as well as an arsenal of weapons at their their disposal, they are tough enough to have a measurable amount of protection in the event they are forced  to fight the Bugs in close (hand-to-hand) combat.  Usually employing well coordinated attacks, in conjunction with aerial and ranged support assets, they will be relied upon to rid Mankind of the greatest threat to its survival Earth has ever known.  Each CAP Squad consist 8 members, all but two of which armed with the M56A2 Morita Assault Rifle. The remaining two members of the CAP Squad are armed with a special weapon, such as a Vulcan  Rotary Cannon (6D6), an M111 Portable Flamer (Template Weapon) or a Hellfire Missile Launcher. Support systems, such as tracked combat vehicles (TCV's), Walkers, Marauder Squads ( 2 or 3 troopers in special self-supporting tactical armored suits) and independent heavy weapons teams, though not indigenous to the CAP Squads, may also be allocated for specific missions as determined by Higher Command.

Light Mobile Infantry units, who pride themselves are their esprit de corps, form but a small portion of the ground combat forces of the Mobile Infantry, and can be compared to their US Marine or Army Rangers counterparts in the 21st century. Unlike CAP troops, Light Troops wear no Power Suits, which makes them very vulnerable in close-combat, especially with deadly Warrior Bugs. Like the CAP squads, Light Mobile Infantry Squads consist 10 members, all but two of which armed with the M56A2 Morita Assault Rifle. The remaining two members of the LMI Squad are armed with a special weapon, such as a Vulcan  Rotary Cannon (6D6), an M111 Portable Flamer (Template Weapon) or a Hellfire Missile Launcher. Support assets, such as those available to CAP forces, may be allocated to these troops as determined by Higher Command.

IMPORTANT NOTE

In Bug Wars (a Starship Troopers miniature game) there are no restrictions on the type or race of "Allied" Squads  that a player can field  provided they are all of the same classification (Human, Space Marine, Imperial Guard, etc) and that they are organized (CAP or LMI) and armed as indicated above. Figures armed with different weapons then indicated will still have the capabilities of those weapon systems mentioned above, regardless of design, nomenclature or appearance of the models armament. 

NEW RELEASES FROM DEFIANCE GAMES AND "ALIEN WARS"

Needs some Marines for your force to fight the BUGS?  Defiant Games has just come out with  a number of plastic box sets of 28mm figures that are very suitable for "Bug Wars" or their new miniature wargame  "Alien Wars".    The USMC INFANTRY box set  is the Core Force for a new game called "Alien War" and there will be several other box set releases in 2012, including USMC in Hardsuits (Power Armor), Female Marines, and Heavy Weapons Marines among others.  Each box set, which comes with 12 spruces paced with sufficient bits to make 2 Marines, also  comes with stats and 25mm round slot bases. They also have BUGS that will be available soon.   The company is located in Charlestown, MA (USA) and the box sets cost $ 29.95 plus $ 5.95 world wide shipping. They take PayPal as well as Visa, Mastercard, Discover, etc.  The BIG Pluses here are that the company is located in the Good Ole US of A and the figures look like they will blend in well with the old Starship Trooper miniatures as well as the Imperial Marines from Gameswork Shop. Looks like a win-win situation for folks needing figures for 28mm Sci-Fi gaming whatever Human versus Bugs game you decide to do. Check them out at www.defiancegames.com

More info on Alien Wars can be found on Defiance Games Comm Chatter site with Howard Whitehouse. Click on the button link  

JOIN THE FIGHT NOW ! 

Links for more information

  http://www.starshiptroopers.net/

http://misterhook.tripod.com/roughnecks/guide.htm