The Swarm was the collective name given to a species of insectoid alien creatures that attacked and hunted in enormous swarms. Dubbed "space locusts" by the United States Colonial Marine Corps, The Swarm was either indigenous or endemic to the farming world of LV-KR 115, where they attacked a Weyland-Yutani Corporation agricultural operation.
Characteristics[]
A species of insect, The Swarm traveled in enormous numbers, and were omnivorous. As such, they devoured both plant life and animal matter, and possessed a voracious appetite. The Swarm were unable to digest artificial materials such as metals, however. They were invulnerable to conventional weapons; fire, electrical conductivity, and deadly pesticides were the only viable methods of containment. Individual members of The Swarm measured 15 centimetres in length; despite their small size, The Swarm could cover several kilometers at full strength.
History[]
The Swarm was native to the fertile world of LV-KR 115, though it was ultimately unknown whether they were indigenous or had simply established themselves there. For centuries, The Swarm had a somewhat symbiotic relationship with the planet's ecology, stripping its grasslands until they were depleted and hibernating for decades until they regrew.
However, the Weyland-Yutani Corporation introduced self-replenishing crops, giving The Swarm no reason to hibernate; multiplying at a geometric rate and smothering the planet, The Swarm devoured the crews of two Model 868 "Ceres" Harvester Units. A United States Colonial Marine Corps unit investigated when the harvesters deviated from their work patterns, and were subsequently attacked and consumed by the swarm. In an attempt to contain the situation, Weyland-Yutani bombed LV-KR 115 with pesticides, ultimately rendering it uninhabitable.
Despite these measures, however, The Swarm spread into space, and could be found on various other farming worlds by 2183. Due to their insect nature and boundless capacity for destruction, The Swarm were nicknamed "space locusts" by the USCM.
In 2186, a detachment of The Swarm attacked the mining outpost Gorham's Colony on the planet KOI-2650.01 in the Far Spinward Colonies, surrounding the last two active homesteads. The ensuing incident saw involvement from the United Nations Interstellar Settlement Corps' Great Mother Mission.
Appearances[]
- Reaper
- Alien: The Roleplaying Game (mentioned only)
- Building Better Worlds