"Another bughunt?" Topic

If the Colonial Marines have never seen "the" Aliens at the start of the movie, what were they referring to when they dismised their mission as "a bug hunt"?

Rogue colonists, insurgents, guerrillas, pirates?

Much brain power has been expended on this matter since 1986.

I can only assume that the USCM have encountered another form of extraterrestial life, hostile and apparently insectoid, in the past.

I also assume, from the tone of the comment, that these were a far less redoubtable adversary than the aliens which would, within the span of an hour, cause considerable difficulties to the speaker and his comrades.

But you knew that part.

Other Aliens species – we have had this thread few times. There are other references to non-humans – 'It don't matter when it's Arcturan'

As best we can tell, Cameron had no intention of 'colouring in' the background fluff to what his Marines were saying – they just said cool things. In this case, they were men that had previously fought against Alien creatures, and by their looks of contempt when they said it, they were not much of a threat.

Pat

Remember one of the drop ships has the motto "We endanger species" with an eagle wearing a big pair of boots, they have fought ET's before just not Aliens™.

Some also take "bug hunt" to be the updated version of "wild goose chase". The Marines are used to getting called in to hunt a "horrible beast" sighted on some backwater colony only to waste a lot of effort for nothing. Canonically the USCM's main opponent was human insurgents whose hit and run tactics can be likened to a cockroaches reaction to light.

The logo mentioned above also also read "Bug Stompers" so it's like Raptor said, they probably had to deal with minor critter ifnestations before.

In the old Leading Edge Aliens RPG, there was mention of the Arcturians (lower primate analogs that live underground in hives like ants with one single queen) and Tartarus harvesters (giant armored killer moles). The Colonial Marines Technical Manual mentioned a race called the Bebop who seem to have their own technology. But there was no description of them.

I always thought it was due to putting down little rebellions by backwood colonist. Bugs was just another word used by infantrymen to describe a lesser foe. Think of some terms used by US infantry in Korea or Nam, or British troops used for Victorian foes. Just read some Kipling for example. Always easier to shot someone you don't think as human.

They were responding to the reply "xenomorph", so they must have referred to some sort of alien – just wondering if there was any specific species.

Thanks for all the replies.

I don't think Bug or Arcturan had any connection to alien lifeforms at all. I think Cameron was trying to insert his own bit of slang to his verse.

Arcturan simply referred to women on a particular colony… (Arcturas)

Bug Hunt as opposed to a straight up fight, again I don't think it had anything to do with aliens.

Hudson: Is this gonna be a standup fight, sir, or another bughunt?
Gorman: All we know is that there's still no contact with the colony, and that a xenomorph may be involved.
Frost: Excuse me sir, a-a what?
Gorman: A xenomorph.
Hicks: It's a bughunt.

Arcturan simply referred to women on a particular colony… (Arcturas)

I don't think so

Frost: Hey, I sure wouldn't mind getting some more of that Arcturian poontang! Remember that time?
Spunkmeyer: Yeah, Frost, but the one that you had was a male!
Frost: It doesn't matter when it's Arcturian, baby!

I think it (Arcturian) does refer to human colonists. I suppose it could refer to some sort of food creature, but the simple fact that they said "poontang" is pretty solid evidence.

Anyway. I also think "bug hunt" refers to various extermination jobs the Marines have had to undertake before. Minor (or possibly major) critters, unlike the Xenos.

But like the Arcturians, we don't have much to go on apart from the dialog and the "We Endanger Species" art.

Oh come on, they all think Riply is crazy when she's talking about the Aliens and they question the word xenomorph?? If they were well trained marines who regularly went out on alien 'bug' squashing missions that term would have been in their vocabulary. Not only that, no one at the company station openly believed her except those who had access to classified company files.

As for the male female reference, again chalk that up to banter… Like teasing a buddy about a 'dog' he picked up I a bar… No doubt earthers teased about colonists all the time.

I see no evidence there were known aliens in this verse beyond the aliens and those few who knew their secret.