Tunnel Centipede

Classification: Subterranean Apex Predator
Threat Level: Extreme
Known Habitat: Lower caverns, geothermal tunnels, collapsed mining shafts

Overview:

The Tunnel Centipede is one of the most feared subterranean predators on Mars. Stretching over twenty meters in length, its armored segments are tough enough to deflect small arms fire, and its serrated mandibles can shear through reinforced plating. It navigates the narrow, crumbling tunnels with terrifying speed, using hundreds of hooked legs to anchor and propel itself with predatory precision.

Its preferred method of attack is ambush—lurking in darkness until seismic vibrations signal prey. Once engaged, it coils and strikes like a whip, often disabling targets before they can react.

Tactical Notes:

• Highly resistant to standard plasma and ballistic fire. Aim for soft tissue around the mouth or eyes.

• Avoid close quarters. These creatures can twist and strike with devastating force in tight spaces.

• Do not assume it’s alone—hatchlings and lesser variants may follow in its wake.

Field Note (Ash Merrin, after the Hollow Depths mission):

“It wasn’t the size that got to me. It was the silence. Something that big shouldn’t move like that. It didn’t hiss. It didn’t roar. It just came at us—like the dark itself had teeth.”