The Prolo Bugs

*"In my three-million years of service i have seen thousands of inter-galatic cvilisations fall. It is a war of attrition in which no goverment can match us. However the Prololathium metamorphic infestis are our equal. For no enity of life has ever spilled as much Talon blood as those horrfic alious beings. In my personel belifs at the very end of time there will only be both Talon and Prololathium metamorphic infestis remaining. We see them as inpure alious, however they only see us as prey"*

**~ Supreme General. Legio Zandria VII,** *Supreme commander of the 3rd octant of the Universe.*

## **Overview:**

The **Prolo Bugs** or officially titled ***Prololathium metamorphic infestis*** are a Universal composite species of horrific, insectoid entities. They comprise an entire space-faring ecosystem comprised of innumerable different bioforms which are all variations on the same genetic theme.

The Prolo bugs are unlike any other intelligent species encountered by The Talon Empire. They are the ultimate predators; to them, all living things, from the lowliest insect to the most advanced starfaring civilisation, are mere prey. The Prolo Bug species is ultimately dedicated solely to its own survival, propagation and evolutionary advancement. The Prolo Bugs collectively form a monstrous superorganism that travels across the universe in their great Hives of biomechanical asteroid-like vessels, systematically consuming all other biomatter to enable their own rapid evolution and reproduction.

The Prolo Bugs are likened to a galactic swarm consuming everything in its path, feeding on entire worlds and leaving only dead husks in their wake. Their threat is such that an unprotected planet can be infested and stripped clean of all life in a matter of weeks. They are the only species in existence with the infamous threat class of B5. Meaning the Departementus alious of the Imperial Inquisition has deemed them an extraordinary danger to the empire with the inherited ability to destroy the Talon Empire itself.

## **Origin**:

The Prolo Bugs have terrorised and fed on the universe since the beginning of time, according to ancient talon archives. So long have they existed that it is impossible to point where they may have come from or even how they may have begun their existence.

There is a common belief among many civilizations both ancient and new that the Prolo Bugs are in fact a native species of the universe and thus being the oldest example of life to exist. Some are to go as far as to believe that the Prolo Bugs are the universes, natural predators, worshipping them as a powerful deity.

Talon archives further support the ancient origins of the ***Prololathium metamorphic infestis*** through battle reports dating back to the age of forgotten purity and the first eras of Talon civilization. Indicating that the Prolo Bugs are in fact the oldest enemy of the Talon Empire and have continued to rage war against them ever since.

Not much else is known of their origins, such knowledge is carefully guarded by the Talon Empire.

## The Hive:

The Prolo Bugs are a space-borne species, travelling through space in asteroids of the biomechanical matter often by the hundreds. These organic asteroids form a hive containing billions if not trillions of starving Prolo bugs seeking planets, moons and civilizations to crash into and infest before stripping it of all life.

A fully mobilised Prolo Bug Hive strikes shock, awe, and terror into even the most stalwart of defenders. What isn’t destroyed by the sheer impact of their biomechanical vessels is then consumed by the billions of carnivorous creatures that swam from their vessels. The ***Prololathium metamorphic infestis*** is a threat that will out-reproduce, out-number and out-consume all in its way.

## **Prolo Bug species:**

Through time the  ***Prololathium metamorphic infestis*** has evolved into millions of subspecies. Each subspecies manages to evolve to survive and adapt to whatever corner of the universe it preys on. Meaning Prolo Bugs offer a forever expanding array of strengths and weaknesses depending on the specific sub-species. However, regardless of sub-species the hierarchy system within Prolo Bug hives never changes, remaining true to its system regardless of what traits they may have inherited.

### Hive Master:

The hive master is a single organic being having complete psychic control over its hive. Communicating with its entire hive through psychically-reactive means it is able to organise and direct its hive at a staggering scale no matter the numbers. The Hive master is a sexless entity and sole producer of its numbers, reproducing asexually. Reproduction is conducted through the process of laying large egg-like sacs which once matured naturally explode into millions of Prolo Bug larvae which will then mature into adult prolo Bugs in a matter of hours.The Hive Master is the largest and most ferocious entity of the Hive. However, destroying may very well be the only way to truly defeat a Hive.

### Hive Royals:

Second, to the Hive master, a hive royal is a guardian to its master as well as a devastating weapon in battle. With a roar so powerful it is known to rupture unprotected eardrums and shatter reinforced glass, striking cold fear into its victims. Covered in organic armoured plating and standing at the height of tall bunkers this monster should be avoided. On the contrary, a Hive royal never strays far from its master.

### Destroyer

Not far from the size of royals, the destroyers live up to their title. Hulking masses of biomechanical armour plating and weaponry. Destroyers are living and breathing tankers, infamous for levelling entire fortresses and defensive lines. Remarkably destroyers can harness a variety of bio-weapons depending on the type of warrior which has evolved into it. Some destroyers who evolved from spitters may very well become organic artillery bugs, spitting large boulder-like balls of toxic sludge. While others may still have their wings, flying above buildings before dropping on top of them crushing them under sheer weight.

### Warriors

Warriors serve simple soldiers for their hive, the standard matured Prolo bug. They form the backbone of the hive and make up for 90% of the population. Unlike the other hierarchy, the Warriors are the most diverse class, with many different variants of the warrior each with its own strengths and uses.

* Spitter:
* brute
* Winged
* Warrior
* Tiger

### Underling

A result of poor fortune and harsh birth circumstances may lead to growth deformities. The underlings are a collection of poorly formed and defected Prolo bugs. Often miniature in size, however, they are not to be underestimated for they serve a purpose in the Hive. Infiltrating fortresses and travelling through small hard to get to areas, the Underling makes for the perfect spy and assassin.

In order for a Prolo bug to evolve into a higher form, it must successfully engage in cannibalistic behaviour against bugs of larger class. For example, for a Destroyer Prolo Bug to become a Hive Royal it must kill and eat other royals, changing its genetic makeup and evolving it into a Hive royal. This is the only known circumstance in which Prolo Bugs engage in cannibalism.

## **Sub-species:**

**The *Prololathium metamorphic infestis*** is split into billions of different sub-species which have evolved in their own ways to suit their environment and have the advantage over their prey. This will largely depend on which corner of the universe they travel in. As mentioned earlier there are billions of sub-species listed in the databases.

### **Most common/known sub-species:**

* **Alpha-Centauri**
* **Gamma-chameleon**
* **Delta-magnus**
* **Xenomatrix**
* **Zulu-zeitgeist**
* **Alpha-plagus**
* **Zero-yeti**
* **Broodling**

## **Combat behaviour:**

**The *Prololathium metamorphic infestis*** are not one for staggering strategy nor do they harness brilliant tacticians. The premises in which they fight or feed are rather simplistic. They rely solely on numbers, aggression and starvation to overpower their prey. Although this isnt bible to all hives, the average invasionary behaviour of a Prolo Bug hive can be divided in to stages.

1. **Sighted**: once a Hive has spotted a planet to fest on, the Hive Master will change it’s course towards the planet, allowing for its gravitational pull to violently deliver the hive onto the surface of the planet
2. **infestis** : The hive’s vessels explode, shooting billions of Prolo Bugs and their larvae onto the surface. The planet and its inhabitants are immediately overwhelmed as billions of Prolo Bugs infest and nest.
3. **Assault**: Once a secure nest has been established the Hive master can go to work, organising it’s hive to assault and destroy all populated strongpoints. Crippling any defence the planet may have.
4. **Feeding** and breeding: The planet has been brought to its knees, there is not more life. At this stage the Prolo Bugs rest, reproduce and prepare for their next voyage.
5. **Migration**: The Prolo Bugs begin to build their vessels again. Utilising all organic matter and biomechanical evolution. Once completed they will leave the now husk of a planet and find their next prey.