Spiders are compact, eight-legged engineering drones originally designed for spacecraft hull repair and maintenance in zero gravity. Controlled remotely or semi-autonomously, they can navigate tight spaces, climb surfaces, and carry payloads. Their versatility has led to creative battlefield applications, including sabotage and explosives delivery. In “The Spiders of Boston,” Connor Duffy repurposes two spiders to deploy stun grenades during a terrorist standoff. Spiders later play a larger role in interstellar exploration and unconventional warfare.
Appearances: No Marigolds in the Promised Land, The Spiders of Boston