Spider Aliens

[cjv]

I was thinking the other day about the similarity (in purpose) of the spider aliens invading earth, and the aliens from the miniseries V. Both were sent here to get resources (including food).

In the V miniseries, there was a group of the aliens that were resisting the directive from the inside (weren't they called the 5th tower or something). Makes me wonder if there might be a similar resistance movement in the spider aliens? After all, in Rai and the Freedom Force, Spylocke was a spider alien who fought with the humans (and even befriended some of them to a degree).

Would such a resistance movement work with the spider aliens? Would it be a worthwhile story to pursue?

Chris

[greg]

Nice idea... there could be a few tie-ins to existing Valiant stories...

For example, the problem of locating the Spider Alien homeworld...

Could it be that the homeworld can't be located because (most of) the Spider Aliens
themselves don't know where it is? (That is, the info was lost through the generations...
or it is only given to high-ranking officials.)

Do they not know (or keep secret) where the homeworld is because they fear being betrayed by their own (again)?

Did betrayers already betray the Spider Aliens at some point in the past?
(Causing the homeworld to become a secret... or even destroyed?)

Was X-O armor used in previous betrayal(s) in the distant past?
Is there a fighting anti-establishment group still using X-O armor somewhere?
(Are they using the seeds of earlier armors? Are they running out of seeds?)

[Draco]

I like the question and some of the possible answers and further questions.

[siren3-4]

The aliens from V liked to eat small white mice . . .

[cjv]

Were spider aliens (other than Spylocke) ever shown to eat other aniamsl than humans? I can't recall...

chris

[cjv]

With that many aliens, it seems likely that there might be some that would question what they were doing on earth...unlesss

1) there is some sort of hive-mind mentality (where the worker drones can't really "think").

2) obedience has been genetically bred (or selected for) in their population, so they don't question orders (although they do see very quick to betray each other, even those in higher up positions, so this seems unlikely).

3) the fear or punishment/reprisal is so strong, it keeps them all in line - although again, they seem quick to betray each other, and now that I think about it, I recall a few times when an individual alien took matters into his own hands, defying superiors.

So it seems entirely possible that there could be a resistance movement...possibly just aimed at the concept that eating sentient beings is repugnant?

Chris

[magnusr]

Were spider aliens (other than Spylocke) ever shown to eat other aniamsl than humans? I can't recall...

chris

Other spider aliens when starved.

/Magnus

[ManofTheAtom]

I was thinking the other day about the similarity (in purpose) of the spider aliens invading earth, and the aliens from the miniseries V. Both were sent here to get resources (including food).

In the V miniseries, there was a group of the aliens that were resisting the directive from the inside (weren't they called the 5th tower or something). Makes me wonder if there might be a similar resistance movement in the spider aliens? After all, in Rai and the Freedom Force, Spylocke was a spider alien who fought with the humans (and even befriended some of them to a degree).

Would such a resistance movement work with the spider aliens? Would it be a worthwhile story to pursue?

Chris

Fourth Column

V

Spylocke worked against the aliens because he was protecting the Earth's plant life, so yeah, it is possible that there could be a resistence movement within the aliens' race that wants to keep the others from harming the sacred trees.

[cjv]

But IIRC, Spylocke considered Rai something of a friend...so ifother spider aliens came along and tried to kill him, Spylocke might have a problem with that.

Also, if Cylons can overcome their programming to befriend a human, surely a spider alien can decide attacking earth is wrong.

Of course, he probably would have to be VERY secretive, because otherwise the other spider aliens would just eat him.

In fact, maybe that's why there is no resistance movement. If any alien has doubts, he is too scared to admit them to anyone.

Chris

[ManofTheAtom]

But IIRC, Spylocke considered Rai something of a friend...so ifother spider aliens came along and tried to kill him, Spylocke might have a problem with that.

Also, if Cylons can overcome their programming to befriend a human, surely a spider alien can decide attacking earth is wrong.

Of course, he probably would have to be VERY secretive, because otherwise the other spider aliens would just eat him.

In fact, maybe that's why there is no resistance movement. If any alien has doubts, he is too scared to admit them to anyone.

Chris

I think that Spylocke's initial motivation was to save the plants, but he then came to consider Takao a friend, yeah.

If spider alien hierarchy works the same as with spiders from Earth, which species of spider would be most likely to be in the resistence?

[superman-prime]

I think obediance is so absolute, that they would have to be seperated from the rest, I E spylocke to begin to get their own individuality.

[greg]

If spider alien hierarchy works the same as with spiders from Earth, which species of spider would be most likely to be in the resistence?

The one we call "Granddaddy Longlegs"... it eats other spiders.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pholcidae

[xodacia81]

The aliens from V liked to eat small white mice . . .

As opposed to little yellow rats with the power of Thor?

[ManofTheAtom]

If spider alien hierarchy works the same as with spiders from Earth, which species of spider would be most likely to be in the resistence?

The one we call "Granddaddy Longlegs"... it eats other spiders.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pholcidae

Well, if that were the case then wouldn't they be less likely to fear any reprisals?

Sounds more like the longlegs spider would be the ruler of the race, not the one that resists their regime.

[greg]

If spider alien hierarchy works the same as with spiders from Earth, which species of spider would be most likely to be in the resistence?

The one we call "Granddaddy Longlegs"... it eats other spiders.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pholcidae

Well, if that were the case then wouldn't they be less likely to fear any reprisals?

Sounds more like the longlegs spider would be the ruler of the race, not the one that resists their regime.

I don't know... it reminds me of the kingsnake. It eats other snakes,
but besides the name, I don't think it is actually considered the "ruler".
The "ruler" would probably be cobra, python, anaconda, mamba, etc.

[ManofTheAtom]

If spider alien hierarchy works the same as with spiders from Earth, which species of spider would be most likely to be in the resistence?

The one we call "Granddaddy Longlegs"... it eats other spiders.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pholcidae

Well, if that were the case then wouldn't they be less likely to fear any reprisals?

Sounds more like the longlegs spider would be the ruler of the race, not the one that resists their regime.

I don't know... it reminds me of the kingsnake. It eats other snakes,
but besides the name, I don't think it is actually considered the "ruler".
The "ruler" would probably be cobra, python, anaconda, mamba, etc.

The resistence spiders should be, be definition, weaker than those in power and not make other spiders afraid of them.

I'd suggest the black widow spiders as the resistence as they gain power after they kill their prey... of course, a spider alien would need to be really stupid to mate with a black widow spider in the first place, heh

[xodacia81]

Things that make you go hmmm

[greg]

If spider alien hierarchy works the same as with spiders from Earth, which species of spider would be most likely to be in the resistence?

The one we call "Granddaddy Longlegs"... it eats other spiders.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pholcidae

Well, if that were the case then wouldn't they be less likely to fear any reprisals?

Sounds more like the longlegs spider would be the ruler of the race, not the one that resists their regime.

I don't know... it reminds me of the kingsnake. It eats other snakes,
but besides the name, I don't think it is actually considered the "ruler".
The "ruler" would probably be cobra, python, anaconda, mamba, etc.

The resistence spiders should be, be definition, weaker than those in power and not make other spiders afraid of them.

Since they're more sentient than spiders, we probably should compare them to human resistence movements.

They're likely to be weaker from a physical standpoint, but also likely to be more intelligent.

[ManofTheAtom]

If spider alien hierarchy works the same as with spiders from Earth, which species of spider would be most likely to be in the resistence?

The one we call "Granddaddy Longlegs"... it eats other spiders.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pholcidae

Well, if that were the case then wouldn't they be less likely to fear any reprisals?

Sounds more like the longlegs spider would be the ruler of the race, not the one that resists their regime.

I don't know... it reminds me of the kingsnake. It eats other snakes,
but besides the name, I don't think it is actually considered the "ruler".
The "ruler" would probably be cobra, python, anaconda, mamba, etc.

The resistence spiders should be, be definition, weaker than those in power and not make other spiders afraid of them.

Since they're more sentient than spiders, we probably should compare them to human resistence movements.

They're likely to be weaker from a physical standpoint, but also likely to be more intelligent.

Sure.

[cjv]

But IIRC, Spylocke considered Rai something of a friend...so ifother spider aliens came along and tried to kill him, Spylocke might have a problem with that.

Also, if Cylons can overcome their programming to befriend a human, surely a spider alien can decide attacking earth is wrong.

Of course, he probably would have to be VERY secretive, because otherwise the other spider aliens would just eat him.

In fact, maybe that's why there is no resistance movement. If any alien has doubts, he is too scared to admit them to anyone.

Chris

I think that Spylocke's initial motivation was to save the plants, but he then came to consider Takao a friend, yeah.

If spider alien hierarchy works the same as with spiders from Earth, which species of spider would be most likely to be in the resistence?

There is no "spider hierarchy" with spiders on earth. For the most party, they are solitary.


edit - I see, you just meant which species are "stronger" than others, right?


Chris

[ManofTheAtom]

But IIRC, Spylocke considered Rai something of a friend...so ifother spider aliens came along and tried to kill him, Spylocke might have a problem with that.

Also, if Cylons can overcome their programming to befriend a human, surely a spider alien can decide attacking earth is wrong.

Of course, he probably would have to be VERY secretive, because otherwise the other spider aliens would just eat him.

In fact, maybe that's why there is no resistance movement. If any alien has doubts, he is too scared to admit them to anyone.

Chris

I think that Spylocke's initial motivation was to save the plants, but he then came to consider Takao a friend, yeah.

If spider alien hierarchy works the same as with spiders from Earth, which species of spider would be most likely to be in the resistence?

There is no "spider hierarchy" with spiders on earth. For the most party, they are solitary.

Chris

Maybe hierarchy was the wrong word.

I'm thinking more of which spider is stronger than the other. Like would a black widow spider fear a tarantula or vice versa? Would the common house hold spider, with its vast numbers from a single egg, be enough to scare away a bigger spider?

If there were a hierarchy, what would it look like? Which spiders would be in charge, which ones would be the drones, etc?

[cjv]

Quick point of order - you are comparing apples and oranges.

The spider aliens are (presumably) all one species.

Spiders on earth are not.

A more valid question would be something like in an ant next, or beehive, which "class" of animals might be a potential rebel?

Chris

[cjv]

In additional, you have to remember that the spider aliens are, in fact, NOT spiders. They are from a different planet, and are called "spider aliens" because of some superficial similarities. Trying to equate their society and culture with the plethora of spider species on our planet is really meaningless. For all we know, biologically they could be more similar to birds, or sharks, or goats. They society may be more similar to ants or bees, or even some human societies.

Chris

[cjv]

If spider alien hierarchy works the same as with spiders from Earth, which species of spider would be most likely to be in the resistence?

The one we call "Granddaddy Longlegs"... it eats other spiders.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pholcidae

Well, if that were the case then wouldn't they be less likely to fear any reprisals?

Sounds more like the longlegs spider would be the ruler of the race, not the one that resists their regime.

I don't know... it reminds me of the kingsnake. It eats other snakes,
but besides the name, I don't think it is actually considered the "ruler".
The "ruler" would probably be cobra, python, anaconda, mamba, etc.

The resistence spiders should be, be definition, weaker than those in power and not make other spiders afraid of them.

Since they're more sentient than spiders, we probably should compare them to human resistence movements.

They're likely to be weaker from a physical standpoint, but also likely to be more intelligent.

I don't know if I would classify "resistance movements" in general as comprised of more intelligent individuals. Less likely to accept the status quo, yes. More likely to speak out (or act out) their ownviewpoint, yes. But not necesarilly more "intelligent".

Chris

[cjv]

IMO, resistance can come from two directions: any individual our group that feels it is being treated unfairly by the powers that be, OR any individual or group that has some moral, ethical, or intellectual objection to the actions of the powers that be. Both of these arelikely to initiate a resistance movement. So you have to look at their culture and society - what class of spider alien, or what caste within the system is likely to feel short changed, or which group might feel that the actions by the leaders are simply wrong.

I wonder if they have any sort of "librarian" caste, keepers of knowledge, or something like that? They might be more likely to have some objections. Or that janitor caste.

But of course, if their entire society has been oriented on protecting plants, preserving the spider-alien way of life, it may be difficult to find anyone who would break out of that mold.

Chris