I Am The Swarm

Luo Wen believed that species capable of surviving directly in space were exceedingly rare, even among advanced civilizations. The Swarm itself had only achieved such capabilities through relentless evolution and development.

The Swarm’s methods, however, were difficult for other civilizations to replicate.

Most civilizations, Luo Wen assumed, would inhabit environments similar to natural or terraformed habitable planets, such as Genesis Planet or Great Dawn Planet.

Even the Riken, Luo Wen theorized, likely hailed from a habitable planet. Their use of protective suits and filtration masks suggested a dependence on atmospheric respiration for internal circulation.

Although the atmospheric composition of such planets might vary, they invariably nurtured diverse life forms, each civilization adapting to its specific habitat.

If the Swarm were to clash with these civilizations, capturing their biological templates and deploying Brood Queens to their home planets could potentially produce low-cost local combat units. These units might effectively tie down enemy forces, gradually wearing them down and undermining their resources.

Would this strategy allow the Swarm to secure victory while preserving hidden strengths? Could it offer a decisive edge in interstellar conflict?

The feasibility of this plan, Luo Wen realized, would require practical testing. If the Riken lacked powerful allies, they would serve as ideal test subjects.

Caution, however, was paramount. The Swarm was still a sub-light-speed power, weak compared to civilizations operating at or beyond light speed. Provoking such entities would leave no room for escape.

Until certainty could be achieved, the Swarm would continue playing its current role.

But plans rarely go smoothly.

Luo Wen had intended to exhaust the escort squad’s ammunition and capture them alive as experimental material. Unfortunately, unforeseen events disrupted this strategy.

Whether it was a surge of valor, a sense of duty, or the mental backlash of despair, Hasmu unexpectedly regained his composure.

“Brothers,” Hasmu addressed his team, his voice steady, “it seems we’re not getting out of this one. Dragging this out any longer serves no purpose. We must get the message out. If we disappear without a trace, the Captain will send others to search for us. Without knowing what’s here, they might face the same fate as us.”

Glancing at the battered, dirt-covered soldiers around him, Hasmu’s grim expression was hidden beneath his dust-caked visor.

“Our escort team only numbers 500. We can’t afford to lose any more men. The Captain needs every remaining soldier if he’s going to avenge us!”

“What’s the plan, Captain?”

“Tell us what to do!”

“Death is no big deal.”

“That’s right. When I boarded this ship, I didn’t expect to come back alive!”

The hardened soldiers, recovering from their fear, displayed their unyielding resolve.

“Good. Then let’s take some interest on our way out.”

A blazing white light erupted within the cavern, its intense heat turning the walls into glass before a powerful shockwave shattered them.

The underground cavern collapsed, burying the attacking bugs in a devastating avalanche. Most were vaporized instantly.

The explosion was so intense that, even a kilometer underground, its tremors could be felt on the surface.

Aboard the Cat’s Ear Spaceship

The command bridge lit up with red warning lights, accompanied by piercing alarms.

An unkempt Reggie rushed out of his quarters.

“Celia, what now?” he barked, pulling on his captain’s uniform as he went.

“Captain, a fusion reaction was detected in the E5 sector of the third continent,” a mechanical female voice replied.

“Have we found the creature?” Reggie’s grogginess disappeared instantly, replaced by sharp alertness.

“Confirmation pending.”

“Which escort team is closest?”

“Hasmu’s team is operating in the area, approximately 500 meters from the blast site.”

A sinking feeling gripped Reggie’s heart.

Five hundred meters—surely within the blast radius. He demanded, “What was the estimated yield of the explosion?”

“Between 2,700 and 3,200 tons of TNT.”

“Damn it!” Reggie swore. At that yield, survival at such a distance was improbable.

“Contact Hasmu immediately!”

“Hasmu’s team is unresponsive.”

“When did we lose contact? Pull up their mission logs!”

“Hasmu’s team was tasked with exploring underground caverns in the E5 sector. The mission included 50 personnel, supported by three transport ships and one gunboat. Approximately 1 hour and 21 minutes ago, Hasmu requested reinforcements.”

“He requested reinforcements!? Why wasn’t I informed?”

“The request was classified as Level B and handled by Major Camis, the current duty officer.”

“Where is Major Camis now?”

“He is currently on the second level of the bridge.”

Reggie strode onto the bridge, spotting Major Camis from afar. The major’s grim expression confirmed the gravity of the situation.

“Major Camis, what’s going on?” Reggie demanded.

“The details are still unclear, Captain, but I fear the news isn’t good.” Camis met Reggie’s probing gaze. “You’ve been briefed on the basics?”

Reggie nodded.

Camis continued, “Hasmu’s team was assigned to investigate the area—a routine cavern search. They had successfully completed similar missions before, but this time, they encountered something unusual: a vertical shaft extending approximately 500 meters down.”

“Hasmu exercised caution, requesting reinforcements before proceeding. However, with other teams occupied, I instructed him to take the personnel from his transport ships and gunboat. The vessels were left under Celia’s control and placed on standby in orbit.”

“Shortly after descending, Hasmu’s team lost communication. This wasn’t unusual, given the interference within the caves and the depth they were exploring.”

“Then the explosion occurred. Based on its depth and yield, I suspect they detonated a tactical nuclear device. The explosion matches the specifications of the Engineer II tactical nukes they were equipped with.”

“What!? That was a fully staffed elite unit! What could have forced them to use a nuke?” Reggie exclaimed, his shock palpable.

“It must have been a formidable enemy. Unless faced with complete despair, they wouldn’t resort to such measures. A nuclear explosion in an underground cavern is catastrophic, especially without sufficient depth for protection. Survival would be nearly impossible,” Camis said with a heavy sigh.

“Whatever it was, it’s likely been destroyed along with the squad. I’ve dispatched two additional teams to investigate. Hopefully, they’ll recover some useful information.”

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