The Arachnids (Pentarchs)
The Arachnids
Common designation for a non-human, non-Hybrid intelligence first encountered in 5503 CSD. The term “Arachnid” originates from early survivor accounts and bears little resemblance to the species’ actual morphology.
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Scientific classifications commonly refer to the species as Pentarchs, reflecting their fivefold radial symmetry.
The organism exhibits strict radial symmetry, standing on five clawed, armoured legs arranged evenly around a central body. No identifiable forward orientation has been observed. Movement is fluid and multi-directional, including vertical and inverted traversal across hardened surfaces.
A raised central mass supports a secondary structure from which five elongated, dexterous arms extend. Sensory organs appear distributed, with no clear blind angles. Direct observation of visual systems remains limited.
A centralised feeding structure is located beneath the body, between the legs. Engagements at close range confirm the presence of multiple penetrating mandibles capable of venom delivery. Exposure is typically fatal.
The exterior is protected by a dense chitin-based exoskeleton. Field reports indicate high resistance to both energy-based and kinetic weaponry, with armour effectiveness significantly reducing the impact of standard infantry weapons.
Observations of internal structure remain incomplete.
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Further anatomical analysis derived from captured specimens is available in restricted records.
Contents
The Hive Mind
Very little is known with certainty regarding the Arachnid society. What is known with certainty revolves around the Hive mind of the creatures. This goes well beyond what is observed in Terrestrial insects or other communal animals found to be native on other worlds in the Confederation. All Arachnids appear to be connected to all others constantly, regardless of distance. This communication also appears to be instantaneous.
As a result of such instantaneous mental communication, there is no spoken Arachnid language that has been witnessed. This, of course, has led to extreme difficulties in communication. Since Humanity is unable to access the Hive mind, communication is necessarily dependent upon the Arachnids understanding and mimicking Confederate Standard. Their scientist caste seems to have constructed biomechanics devices that allow the upper tiers of their society to translate their thought into verbal or written equivalents. Terminology used reflects these imperfect translations.
There has been speculation and some experimentation attempting to relate this connection to slipspace with little success. Hypotheses have also been forwarded tying this Hive mind to the extraordinary empathy exhibited by more sensitive Hybrids. Neither the Confederation Science Directorate nor Fleet Intelligence have any currently acknowledged research along those lines.
The Rule of Five
The entire Arachnid society appears to work on an exponential base five hierarchy. The lowest level of this hierarchy is the drone. Confederation experience is limited to the Warrior caste of drone. Speculation be Fleet Intelligence has other classes such as scientist and construction.
Groups of five appear to operate as one, completing each others' actions, acting as a hand. There are five of these groups which work as a body, and five of those groups under a Princess. This Princess, controlling 125 drones, is the lowest level of Arachnid to have a male attached to her.
Above her is a Queen who operates 125 Princesses. Communications have indicated that negotiations were with an Empress who controls 125 Queens. It is assumed that there is at least one level of hierarchy above her, which would lead to a minimum population of just over two hundred forty-four million. The population estimates increase exponentially depending upon the number of undiscovered layers of hierarchy. Confederation Science Directorate's best current estimate is approximately 3.8 trillion Arachnids. The thought of one more layer above that is truly terrifying.
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Technology and Weaponry
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The Confederation Science Directorate has had few opportunities to examine Arachnid ships and equipment. Arachnid strategy seems to include fighting to the death, and initiating a self destruct to avoid intact capture of ships, technology, or personnel. Intact capture and examination has been rare.
The Arachnids use a bio-mechanical base for all of their technology, from personal armour to their entire ships. Living tissue as armour improves ship resilience by allowing the chitin armour to heal and rebuild, often rapidly and visibly.
Ship computers appear to be a combination of digital, silicon elements and Arachnid neural tissue. There have been reports that this allows the ships to have a low-level connection to the Hive mind, increasing command and control efficiency.
Individual warriors normally carry two or three kinetic projectile weapons. Simple and effective, these handguns can cause internal injuries without piercing armour. When a shot does pierce armour, or find unarmored flesh, the damage is severe.
Warships are equipped with auto-pulsed lasers similar in frequency and power to the standard Confederation lasers. Late in the war, a new weapon was fitted to capital-class warships: a charged particle beam. Colloquially known as a particle energy weapon, or a PEW, this weapon causes an immediate overload of the target vessel's shields. This then sets up a feedback loop in the ship's power systems, resulting in a fusion generator overload and devastating explosion. A single shot has been observed to tear a heavy cruiser in half and completely disable a dreadnought.