Report A18 The Perils of Shadewater Miners

Shadewater (NanoTrasen) miners risked their lives from the dangers that Dreg-07 presented through its unstable cave systems and highly flammable atmosphere. However, other dangers would later become more prominent. One such danger was the megafauna which inhabited the planet’s cave systems.

Wolf Moles (Gutslugs)
Due to the distance between the planet and its star, the planet’s surface was well below freezing, however, underneath the surface, the large amount of highly radioactive materials generated enough heat for habitation. The environment inside the caves offered megafauna a place to live in. Being accustomed to reside in darkness and enclosed areas, many of these creatures evolved to live and hunt within the caves. Because of this, many of the predators inside cave systems became sensitive to vibrations to which some accompanied with a keen sense of smell.

Mining expeditions used manual hand-drills for excavation in the starting phase of Shadewater's (NanoTrasen) operation, this was due to the heavy amounts of radiation the valuable ore veins released, distorting surface-scanner devices. Early expeditions into the cave systems proved dangerous as miners found they were surrounded by groups of species of local wildlife, nicknamed as “Wolf Moles (Gutslugs)”, distinguished by being dog-sized, forming packs to hunt by burrowing in small holes and waiting for prey. Their sharp teeth and jaws are specialized to crush shells or scales, being strong enough to pierce through the voidsuits. Due to the Wolf Moles' (Gutslugs) ability to feel the slightest vibration nearby, the miners would unknowingly walk towards a pack lying in wait.