From: Dr. Margaret Tuere, CDC
[NSecA@ FtGGMeade..R&D_DBioP..TC2

To: Lt. Gen. Chris Iacolucci
DoD@Pent.NSec_Tac_..JH1

MESSAGE READS:

General Iacolucci:
        Our future depends on our ability to fight back against these creatures, and I trust the army to your capable hands. We cannot try to handle these mutants with kid gloves, because every day they get more and more dangerous. As yet another example of their damned adaptability, another subspecies has appeared, which we have dubbed Spyders.
        In basic design strategy, Spyders are the spiritual cousins to the Scout and Bolter classes, and fits very well into the idea of an integrated tactical structure, first purported by Dr. Chiang in his early reports on the Carbon Plague, and only reinforces my personal opinion that the Carbon Plague is no accident, but a conscious design implemented for a specific purpose. Since the best purpose of a CyberEvolved team would be assault and combat, I'm afraid that points right back to some ambitious Megacorp somewhere.
        Like the Bolter, each Spyder has had his entire nervous system hardwired with hexite, with MED transmissions expressed directly into the cognitive and reflexive centers of brain and spinal activity - the resulting increase in balance and response time is incredible; easily comparable to some of the more advanced versions of boosterware available today. Our test subject showed no fear of heights and was able to walk a tightrope as easily as we would a floormat. Later dissection of the subject's pons and cerebellum, which control balance and coordination, we discovered that it had been almost completely replaced with a hexite enhanced organ of unquantified ability. Upon removal from the subject, the organ liquesced before any meaningful data could be collected.
        Spyders seem to utilize a unique and fascinating corollary to Schwartz's effect, wherein a superconducting medium is suspended over a magnetized object similar to our mag-lev transit system. Instead of repelling like a normal positive-charge emission, the superconducting induction/emission units terminating in the tarsal and metatarsal areas of the hands and feet are carrying a powerful, and variable, negative charge which then attracts. Utilizing the unique charge-producing enclave of specialized cells located in the torso, the Spyder runs a powerful current through the superconductive medium of the tarsal termini, which under normal environmental conditions produces a tremendous amount of attractive force somewhere in the range of 45psi. This attractive force allows the Spyder to easily climb any surface he can make physical contact with. This is the most amazing application of traditional static cling that I have ever seen.
        Unlike the Scanner and Bolter classes, Spyders cannot emit electrical discharges in any way. The current in their hexite enhanced limbs is held in a closed system, which considering the superconductive nature of the induction units, allows for nearly continuous usage of their climbing abilities.
        The Spyder sub-class evidences extreme fluidity of motion and limberness, which is due in part to the layer of hexite sheathing their skeletal structure. It is a combination of a joint-surface coating, relubrication with near frictionless liquid hexite, and tendon/ligament augmentation resulting in a muscle and joint system of extreme efficiency. Their enhanced articulation allows Spyders to execute motion-intensive functions in a more precise and speedier fashion. Studies suggest that individuals sporting this trait may be immune to many arthritic conditions. Further study of captured specimens could result in a medical breakthrough in the treatment of arthritis and other joint-related diseases. The resulting hexite-reinforced supportive structure increases tendon/ligament stress tolerances enormously; our test subject survived a two story fall by landing on his feet and was still able to run a short distance before being shot by on-site security.
        Similar in nature to the aforementioned Bolters and Scout classes, the Spyder sub-class has several dozen meters of woven hexite wire spooled around the radius and ulna of the forearm like thread. But unlike either of the others, the Spyder's hexite line is not a single strand but instead a woven mesh similar in nature to a human muscle fiber bundle. At the end of the strand is a small mass of gelatinous hexite, held in suspension in a manner similar to the Tinman's limbs. By running an electrical charge through the strand, the Spyder projects it outward in a manner virtually identical to the Bolter, but where the Bolter has a fixed dart on the end of his bolts, the Spyder's liquid tip is elegantly suited to form a perfect seal upon impact with a solid surface. This creates a vacuum similar to a suction cup and is then used to swing or climb as desired.
        Releasing the hold is as simple for them as opening our hands are to us. Apparently to facilitate their ability to ascend quickly, the woven muscle-like hexite fiber can contract exactly like a human muscle bundle with a strength equivalent to the caster's body type.
        The Spyder launches his strands out of the base of his palms (remember that old comic book character Spiderman, Chris?). The dart shoots out at tremendous speeds, forced by the pressure of the suddenly stiffening wire. The Spyder, like the Bolter, can actually bend the wire in mid-course, like flying a remote, until it strikes a target. I really wish we had more data on this sub-class; the only one we were able to observe killed two technicians by garrote-like strangulation while suspended from the ceiling before the guards were able to stop him. In the melee, unfortunately, the Spyder was killed.
        More than any other class of CyberEvolved, this one worries me the most. First, they have the potential to very dangerous; imagine a Spyder taking up a life of crime. Second their very existence implies a level of thought and planning that goes way beyond a mere biotech accident. What else do they intend to unleash on us?

Spyder powers

Spyder Statistics

• Syder skill: Stranding (Ref)
• Special Skill Strand Throwing: This skill represents the Spyder's ability to throw a controlled hexite strandwire around obstacles to hit an object, inflicting damage as per Table # 2.
• Other Abilities: Wall walking, double jointed
• Impact Tolerance AR 6 vs. falling damage
• Reflexes (REF) +3 when desired
• Your skill starts at +1.

Notes

• Can launch one strand per round, up to 50m in length, bending the wireas desired around obstacles.
• May inflict damage up to and including the maximum allowed as per range.
• Hexite strands are designed to increase mobility, so the character may easily drag, drape, whip, hang, garrote with or swing from his strandwires.
• Strandwires are approximately ten times stronger than titanium of equal mass (SDP 40), and, if severed, regenerate at 10m per day.
• Must consume approximately 1% of his total Body weight per twelve hours, or his joints will lock in total paralysis, and strand-casting will become impossible.
• Move stat is at half value while wall-crawling', and may maintain a grip on a surface while supporting any weight the character may normally lift, but with full encumbrance penalties. Must use at least three limbs to wall-crawl.