Fleet Intelligence Detailed Anatomical Analysis
 

     Scientific classifications refer to the species as Pentarchs or, more formally as Radial Bio-Mechanical Entities (RBM-5), reflecting their fivefold radial symmetry.

     They stand on five clawed legs, each approximately a half metre long. These pincer-like claws are strong and hard enough to allow horizontal and inverted locomotion, even on durasteel surfaces.

     From this metre diameter base structure rises a thirty centimetre thick petiole, approximately ten centimetres long, atop which sets a dome shaped "head" approximately sixty to eighty centimetres tall.

     This head has attached five metre-long, spindly arms tipped by five articulated claws. The arms are attached nearer to the petiole. Near the top of the dome are five compound eyes. Leg, arm, and eye are all on vertical planes with each other, rendering the labelling of a "front" irrelevant. They seem to have no blind spots or preferred direction of movement and attack.

     Breathing is accomplished by five openings around the junction of the head and petiole. Internal analysis suggests the presence of five lungs and cardiac structures. The nervous system appears to be decentralised, with large clusters of neuronic tissue clustered at the base of each of the joints, working together as a distributed brain.

     The legs and arms do not have ball-and-socket joints but rather peg-in-socket joints sealed by flexible chitin, which allow for a wide range of movement despite the rigid shell. This has been noted to be a vulnerability in hand-to-hand combat.

     Centred between the legs, facing down, is a mouth with five jaws, and five retractible mandibles. Each mandible is capable of injecting a powerful neurotoxin venom. Exposure to this venom is nearly universally fatal. One confirmed case of survival following full envenomation remains insufficiently studied. Preliminary investigations intimated enhanced neural abilities. The subject showed a mild, range-dependent connection to the Hive mind and possible pre-cognition. 

     Their exteriors are covered in a chitin based exoskeleton, up to two centimetres thick. This exoskeleton appears to be very efficient at dissipating the heat from both energy weapons and projectile weapons.

     It is important to note that the above description applies to the female of the species. The males are approximately 20-25% the size of the females, less than thirty centimetres in overall height, and are completely parasitic to the point that they possess no known digestive tract. The males appear to compose less than one percent of the overall population, and bond for life with their chosen mates. The females that have mates are referred to as "royalty" in the vernacular of poor translations. "Princesses" are the lowest rank that have mates, and control a body of 125 drones.

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Sociological Observations

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     In 5552csd, a low-profile probe (5552-234) was sent deep into Arachnid territory. Intelligence was gathered for 23 days before the probe was discovered and destroyed. Much was learned, but much remains unknown.

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     The central nest planet that was investigated is remarkably similar to Earth in both climate and composition. Much of their civilisation is underground in a complex of caverns and tunnels with 1257 noted surface mounds for ingress and egress. The surface of the planet is mostly natural, with flora and fauna appearing to be mostly untouched. A detailed study of the evolutionary biology was impossible, but the variety seems to rival that of Earth.

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     The sizes of the entrance nodes varies from 50-500 metres in height. The largest appear to be solely for ship release after underground construction. 2 frigates and a cruiser were observed launching from these complexes during the brief observation window, indicating an impressive build rate.

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     Scientific complexes were noted with 12 Queen-level colonies (15625 drones) operating under mid-sized mounds, presumably for the release of experiments. These colonies are relatively isolated from the rest of the population indicating a desire for protection. Security considerations appear minimal within a unified Hive structure.

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     At what appeared to be the central node of the entire complex was the "Royal Chamber". Combining hints given from previous discussions with their diplomatic groups and observational data, it appears that there has never been a written language for this species. All knowledge and history is available to all through the Hive mind. There is an Empress-level group (1953125 drones) whose sole purpose seems to be memory and history retention. They are apparently pampered, seldom moving more than a few metres from their resting places.

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     A distributed, living memory structure introduces significant complications for diplomatic engagement, particularly where historical perception is influenced by emotional continuity.

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CFS Bonaventure Incident and Subsequent Intelligence

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     In 5562csd, dreadnought CFS Bonaventure salvage mission (5562-1967) suffered a failure of intelligence. An Arachnid espionage team was undetected when Bracken Platoon of the 21st Service Battalion was dispatched. The ensuing battle for control had an extreme casualty rate. The resulting victory resulted in a live Arachnid and an intact spy ship for Fleet Intelligence study. CPO1 Xander, Son of Peter, survived a direct bite and evaded further study. It is hypothesised that he developed a mild precognition and thus managed to preemptively counter all legal arguments for detention and examination.

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     Interrogation of the Arachnid prisoner through the captured translation equipment on the spy ship revealed a paradigm shifting piece of intelligence: Humanity is the third intelligent species encountered by the Arachnid civilisation. The other two attempted to exterminate the Arachnids. The first was very nearly successful until a war production strategy was developed on the home world. The final result was the total annihilation of the attackers. The second encounter was much shorter, and the resultant extinction took less time.

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     Humanity is a compatible match in strength, technology, and capabilities to the Arachnids. Their underlying strategy is and always will be total victory and extermination. There can be no peace under current circumstances.

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