Terran Federation-Bugs conflict
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The Terran Federation-Bugs conflict, or The Bug War, was a fictional event in the novel and movie Starship Troopers.
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Movie Version
Provaction
While on patrol, the United Citizen Federation Fleet starship Rodger Young sighted an asteroid and just narrowly collided with it. The asteroid took out the Roger 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 in the city's destruction. Sky Marshall Dienes drew plans for an military offensive against the Bugs.
Battle of Klendathu
Days later, dozens of Fleet ships reached Battlestation Ticonderoga near 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, leading to the deaths of 308,563 soldiers. Bug plasma, which was believed to be "random and light", destroyed several starships.
Afterwards
Taking responsiblity 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 Bugs, 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 its finest unit, the "Roughnecks", to investigate. When they arrived, they found that all of the personnel, except for its commander, General Owen, were dead. Shortly afterwards, a massive Bug army arrived and attacked the fort. Even though a Fleet dropship arrived, several members of Roughnecks were killed, including its lieutenant, Jean Rasczak. Acting sergeant Johnny Rico was then promoted to the unit's commander.
Capture of the Brain
The Bug's assault on Planet P made military intelligence confirm that there probably is a "brain bug". The Mobile Infantry then sent a large invasion force to Planet P in order 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 decending to Planet P's surface, their escape pod crashed into a mountain, which was used 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 the Mobile Infantry.