Name: The Myriad
Victory type: Expansion

Theme: Ambush-based, swarm insects with stealth characteristics.
Gameplay: 

Faction-Specific Trait:

Instead of simply colonizing a planet, they allow another race to colonize for them, then ambush from beneath the surface. If The Myriad arrive to at a habitable planet first, they are capable of conquering the planet after the arrival of another species, hijacking all in-progress constructions and population points for that system including ships. They can choose to strike whenever they choose or lay dormant and just observe the enemy system.

Other Features:

- Infested planets are not detectable and are displayed as ready for colonization by other factions.

- Units can be hidden on moons to counter expected retaliation by enemy factions upon ambushing.

- Ships are difficult to damage due to them being composed of many smaller and maneuverable components

Description: 

Capable of laying dormant for long periods of time underground, these resilient swarming insects ambush planet inhabitants from beneath the surface. Feared by colonists across the galaxy, their shear numbers can easily overwhelm a small to medium sized settlement. With highly toxic saliva, the insects tear through metal and flesh with ease. Their tactics seem incredibly complex, as if driven by the will of a single intelligent entity. They are difficult to eradicate for their presence on a planet can largely be undetectable. Some swarms inhabit moons to later invade unsuspecting colonies below. Their space-fairing fleets are like the swarms themselves, difficult to engage due to their lack of a single solid hull. Instead, they are made of many detachable and highly maneuverable components.