Bug War

The Terran Federation–Bugs conflict is a war that features in Starship Troopers.

History

The Terran Federation–Bugs conflict, or the Bug War, is a fictional event in the novel Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein, as well as the film Starship Troopers, based loosely on the novel, the film's sequels, and the related TV series Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles. It is an interstellar conflict between humanity and the extraterrestrial race known as the Bugs (also sometimes referred to as Arachnids, although this is a misnomer, as the aliens are not related to Earth arachnids). In these later media, it is referred to as the SICON–Bugs War (SICON being a unified world government).

Book version

Template:Sect-stub "The historians can't seem to settle whether to call this one "The Third Space War" (or the fourth), or whether "The First Interstellar War" fits it better. We just call it "The Bug War." Everything up to then and still later were "incidents," "patrols" or "police actions." However, you are just as dead if you buy the farm in an "incident" as you are if you buy it in a declared war..." - Juan Rico

The war essentially begins when the Pseudo-Arachnids launch an attack against Buenos Aires and destroy it. The first Terran operation of the war was "Operation Bughouse", a direct assault on the Pseudo-Arachnid homeworld of Klendathu. The operation fails, and many Mobile Infantry, including Sky Marshall Diennes himself, are killed in the fight. Many platoons such as "Willie's Wildcats" are reduced to few soldiers, and are forced to disband. Many other small time assaults are made, against the Pseudo-Arachnids, and their humanoid allies, the Skinnies. Eventually, the Skinnies join forces with the Terran Federation and begin providing invaluable intelligence. This research results in new weapons against the Bugs, such as a heavy nerve gas tailored to their species which can be dropped down a bug-hole to exterminate all who come in contact with it within their tunnels.

The second large scale Terran operation is "Operation Royalty", the task of which was to capture any Brain castes and possibly Queen castes on Planet P that were found. A large diversion of Workers almost ruined the Operation, but it was eventually a success, with six captured Brain Bugs, and no Queens.

Movie version

Provocation

In the film it is suggested that the unauthorized colonization of Mormon extremists beyond the Arachnid Quarantine Zone was the catalyst of Arachnid aggression. While on patrol, the United Citizen Federation (the film's version of the Terran Federation) Fleet starship Rodger Young sighted an asteroid and just narrowly collided with it. The asteroid took out the Rodger Young's communications tower, making the crew unable to give the Federation an advance warning. The asteroid continued toward Earth and vaporized Buenos Aires, killing over eight million people.

Minutes later, in Geneva, the Federal Council unanimously voted to destroy the Arachnids, which were responsible for the city's destruction. Sky Marshal Dienes drew plans for a counterattack against the Arachnids.

Battle of Klendathu

Days later, dozens of Fleet ships reached Battlestation Ticonderoga near the Bug home-world, Klendathu. Shortly afterwards, the ships began landing massive amounts of troops to the planet's surface, under the idea that the Bugs were not intelligent. However, this misconception proved to be disastrous. The Bugs turned out to be much smarter and well-organized, leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Bug plasma fire, which was mistakenly anticipated as "random and light", destroyed several starships.

Afterwards

Taking responsibility for the slaughter, Dienes resigned as Sky Marshal. His successor, Tehat Meru, outlined a new strategy, which was to understand the Bugs in order to fight the Bugs. Federal scientists were amazed at the intelligent military actions of the Arachnids, leading them to theorize that there was a central intelligence to the Bug social structure.

Rescue on Planet P

Three days later, Fleet received a distress call from an outpost on Planet P. The Mobile Infantry sent "Rasczak's Roughnecks", to investigate. When they arrived, they found that all of the personnel, except for their commander, General Owen, were dead. Shortly afterwards, a massive Bug army arrived and attacked the fort. Owen was killed by a crashing hopper. Even though a Fleet dropship arrived, several members of Roughnecks were killed, including its lieutenant, Jean Rasczak. Acting sergeant Juan Rico was then promoted to the unit's commander.

Capture of the Brain Bug

It turned out that military intelligence had suspected that a brain bug was on Planet P, and had sent the Roughnecks into a trap. The well-planned ambush confirmed the presence of a "Brain Bug." The Mobile Infantry then sent a large invasion force to Planet P to capture it.

Meanwhile in orbit, the Rodger Young was hit by bug plasma and was split in two. Two flight team members, Zander Barcalow and Carmen Ibanez, escaped before the ship was destroyed. While descending to Planet P's surface, their escape pod crashed into a mountain, which was being used as a Bug stronghold.

The two humans were then taken to the Brain Bug. Barcalow was killed; however, Ibanez was rescued by the Roughnecks. The Brain Bug was then captured by private Zim of the Mobile Infantry (Rico's boot camp instructor, having been busted to private so he could be reassigned to a combat unit).

TV Version

• Pluto: SICON (the TV show's version of the Terran/United Citizen Federation) first battles the Bugs on Pluto. Razak's Roughnecks learn to trust and rely on one another. SICON discovers that the Bugs aren't native to Pluto but come from elsewhere. Warriors, Cliffmites, Tankers, Hoppers, Plasma Bugs, and the Transport Bug (a living starship) are introduced.
• Hydora: The Roughnecks battle across the oceanic world of Hydora, encountering two new breeds of Bug (Ripplers/Kamikaze Ripplers and Water Tigers), and discover the existence of Brain Bugs. Rico and Brutto bond after a near-disaster. Carl uses his mental powers to destroy the Brain Bug, but suffers mental damage. Brain Bugs, Charioteers, Ripplers, Mother Ripplers, and Water Tigers also make their first appearances.
• Tophet: The Roughnecks land on the methane-atmosphered desert world of Tophet, discovering an indigenous race which they dub "Skinnies." At first believed to be friendly, the Skinnies are revealed to be allied with the Bugs (though not by choice). Carl and Brutto bond after being captured and then escaping from a Skinnie. The first of the Cybernetic Humanoid Assault Systems ("CHAS") is assigned to the Roughnecks. He/it is at first received with hostility but is eventually regarded as a true Roughneck; "Chas" ultimately sacrifices "himself" to save the other Roughnecks (the CHAS units are deemed cost-ineffective, and replacements are not forthcoming). It is discovered that the Skinnies are being controlled by mind-enslaving Bugs. Carl is mentally shattered during the event and is quickly spirited away by Intel. The Bugs (Control and otherwise) are driven off, with one Transport Bug destroyed in the process. Control Bugs, Blister/Blaster Bugs, and Skinnies are shown.
• Tesca: In the wake of the Tophet Campaign, the Skinnies are now allies with SICON, but need to sign up as SICON recruits because they lack Faster-Than-Light drives. Colonel T'Phai, the leader of the Skinnies (and the one indirectly responsible for Carl's loss), is assigned to the Roughnecks, which leads to hostility, though he is eventually accepted by the squad. Rico suffers from a horrific wound given by a Spider Bug while his friends desperately keep him alive. Spider Bugs, Pit Worms/Tanker Worms, Nurse Spiders, and Minions are introduced as part of the swarms' masses as well as the Arachnid ability to use DNA from other creatures as a basis for a new form of Bug depending on the DNA used. This amalgamation of DNA to create new Bugs was later realized when Lt. Barcalow becomes a Human/Arachnid hybrid.
• Zephyr: The Roughnecks land on an ice asteroid in order to recover a toxin deadly to the Bugs when they discover that the asteroid is really a giant Bug itself, and fight to survive with limited oxygen and ammunition. Lt. Barcalow becomes infected by Bugs and becomes the first "infiltrator." Rico is promoted to Corporal. Firefries and Ice Slugs, are introduced.
• Klendathu: The Roughnecks assault the Bugs' homeworld of Klendathu and are given a chance to destroy the Queen Bug. Sergeant Brutto is paralyzed, therefore making Rico the acting Sergeant. Lt. Barcalow's infection gets significantly worse, and he aligns himself with the Bugs. During the final assault, Rico decides to let the Queen live and save his friend Carl, who was recently brought back into action. Queens, Royal Centurions, Royal Guard, Infiltrator Bugs, Rhino Bugs, Nurses, and Workers are all introduced.
• Trackers: Trackers contains only a single episode which bridges the gap between the Klendathu and Homefront Campaign. In this episode, All SICON forces attempt to destroy the Queen Bug before she reaches Earth. The mission is seemingly successful, but Carl Jenkins senses that the Arachnids are back on Earth after they return home, setting up the Homefront campaign. Four unaired episodes are included on the DVD as bonus features, none of which have a specific setting while each shows flashback clips of previously aired campaigns.
• Homefront: The Bugs attack Earth, forcing the Roughnecks to fight on their home turf. Lt. Razak is killed and Rico is promoted to Lieutenant after convincing General Redwing not to split up the unit. Brutto's son, Max, joins the Roughnecks; T'Phai promises Brutto that he will look after him. This season (and the series) was not completed because the studio ran out of funds.

Appearances

• Starship Troopers:

This article is a stub. You can help Multiversal Omnipedia by expanding it.