|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
The U-8 was a large, darkly colored, genetically engineered arthropod born out of research into Las Plagas. It was a hybrid creature comprised of the refined DNA of multiple organisms, specifically the DNA of shelled organisms, which was then infected with an unknown strain of Plaga. Size wise the U-8 was some tens of meters tall, and its pincer legs over three meters in length, which it used as a weapon in close combat. These pincer attacks were not especially quick, but they were powerful enough to pierce the armor of a tank.
Adding to its offensive power were several flying B.O.W.s resembling mosquitoes which resided in the part of U-8's abdomen originally intended for the maturation of eggs in an unaltered arthropod specimen. These flying B.O.W.s were not larval U-8s, but completely different creatures entirely and attacked by flying into and piercing their target.
The U-8 was also well equipped defensively, as It’s thick carapace had an unparalleled durability, and was shown to be resistant to a direct hit from RPGs in tests.
As a result in a close-quarter, one-on-one fight, the U-8 was an overwhelmingly powerful adversary, but when it had to combat more than one opponent at a time, its large size became somewhat of a liability.
Its considerable bulk made it difficult to transport to target locations. It also left it exposed to long-range attacks by multiple opponents though it could compensate for this weakness by using the flying B.O.W.s in much the same way an aircraft carrier uses jet fighters. The U-8's size was also a detriment because it meant that it required massive amounts of sustenance to maintain functionality. As such, U-8s were not suitable for long-term assignments. According to Tricell's business information, the U-8 was most effective as security for a facility or when used in attacks of limited time.
By far the biggest drawback suffered by the U-8 though was that due to it being designed to reach a large size very rapidly, it’s quick growth often bred exploitable imperfections in its carapace. These imperfections were limited to certain areas of the carapace, but a direct attack on this area would severely damage the U-8. To try to remedy this a newer model the U-8 prime was later devised by Tricell with a multi-layer carapace which granted it even greater durability. Another model featuring a lighter weight carapace in hopes of reducing resource usage was also conceived, but ultimately shelved when the loss of offensive and defensive ability was determined to be too great.[1]
Bibliography[]
- ?, ed (2010). BIOHAZARD 5 kaitaisinsho Revised Edition. Famitsu.