Klendathu
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In the fictional universe of the novel and movie Starship Troopers, Klendathu is the homeworld of the Arachnids.
While Klendathu's terrain is never described in the Robert A. Heinlein novel, the movie presents Klendathu as an arid desert world (along with every other planet save Earth). In the movie, Klendathu is shown as dark blue with two moons around it. In the film, there are no structures visible (perhaps to add to the portrayal of the Bugs as mindless brain-eaters); however in the book it is made apparent that there is a capital city somewhere on the planet.
Immediately following the Bugs' attack on Earth, leveling Buenos Aires, the Terran Federation attacks Klendathu. The attack is codenamed "Operation Bughouse." Heinlein makes clear in the novel that the attack on Klendathu is undertaken despite pacifist agitation on terra. "B.A. really stirred up the civilians and inspired loud screams to bring all our forces home, from everywhere--orbit them around the planet practically shoulder to shoulder and interdict the space Terra occupies." Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers, G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1959. In the both the novel and the film, the attack on Klendathu is unsuccessful,leading Juan Rico to call it "Operation Madhouse." Casualties are high and the assault needs to be abandoned. The film refers to a general retreat after three hours, however in the novel Heinlein clearly states "eighteen hours".
Heinlein makes two things clear about all of this. First, the important structures on Klendathu are subterranean. Second, the Mobile Infantry never come close to securing either the topside or the underground tunnels of the planet. However, the universe of the novel differs from that of the feature film, Starship Troopers. After the assault on Planet P in the novel, the final chapter recounts the drop room scene on the transport ship Rodger Young as Johnny Rico, having become a lieutenant, prepares his "Roughnecks" for the climactic assault on Klendathu with the aid of his father, who has become Sergeant Rico. As Heinlein describes the scene, "Each year we gain a little. You have to keep a sense of proportion....'this time...we take it away from them'." Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers, G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1959.
The "netnews" reporter's quote (from the film) probably sums it up:
- "It's an ugly planet; a bug planet. A planet hostile to life as we know it."
This statement is proved to be true, as right after the reporter says it, a Bug quickly attacks him, and slices him in two, all while being filmed by the camera-man.
