I Am The Swarm

For Elder Humes, the existence of a Swarm Empress was only mildly surprising. The importance of the treaty itself was debatable—it was both significant and procedural. Ultimately, it served as an opportunity for the Ji to gather more information about the Swarm.

It made sense that such a vast organization as the Swarm would have a supreme leader or governing body to manage its operations. What caught Humes slightly off guard was the fact that this supreme leader was female.

This revelation reminded him of early speculations about the Swarm’s societal structure—matriarchy, eusocial evolution, and so on. These thoughts brought a wry smile to his face, and he couldn’t help but shake his head in amusement.

“Elder Humes, may I ask what amusing thought has crossed your mind?” came a voice nearby. It was aged yet firm, speaking in the Ji language with impeccable clarity.

“I was merely recalling some happy memories, Lord Morgan,” Humes replied, glancing at the speaker.

Though Morgan seemed poised to press further, Humes deftly changed the topic. “Technology always has two sides. It’s been a long time since I’ve traveled this far. How long must we wait before we meet your Empress?”

Morgan, who held the title of Adjutant to the Empress, had been chosen to greet Elder Humes due to the significance of the meeting. Given Humes’ status as a Ji Elder, it was only fitting for someone of equivalent rank and stature to welcome him.

After their introductions, Humes noted that Morgan also bore the title of Empress’ Mentor, a position whose exact responsibilities within the Swarm hierarchy were unclear. Still, Morgan’s role in leading the delegation made it evident that he wielded significant authority.

The trek to the underground palace proved taxing for Humes. The Ji delegation had to abandon their craft at the entrance, continuing the journey on foot through lengthy corridors. While Morgan strode effortlessly without breaking a sweat—seemingly capable of walking another ten kilometers—Humes found himself struggling to keep pace.

This wasn’t an intentional power play but an oversight. Having spent so much time connected to the Swarm Network, Morgan rarely ventured out in person. Though his current bio-form appeared aged, it was a freshly engineered body with exceptional capabilities, rendering physical exertion trivial for him. Unfortunately, he had underestimated the toll on a genuinely aging Ji Elder.

Morgan clapped his hands, and the surrounding bioluminescent plants receded into the walls, which split open to reveal several large openings. From these emerged a group of insectoid creatures resembling flat carts. These carrier bugs, once employed in the Swarm’s ancient war with the Yellow Earth Ants, had since been enhanced by Luo Wen to serve as efficient transport beasts.

Though comical in their smaller forms, the scaled-up versions appeared monstrous. The Ji guards accompanying Humes tensed, immediately assuming defensive positions in alarm.

Humes, however, remained calm, a testament to his experience. He knew that provoking the Swarm was not in their interest, especially when relations were amicable. Raising a hand, he signaled his guards to stand down and followed Morgan’s lead, climbing atop one of the creatures.

To Humes’ surprise, the carrier bug’s back was smooth and warm, almost like polished jade. Sitting atop it was unexpectedly comfortable.

“Your Excellency, your civilization’s biotechnological achievements are truly remarkable. There is much the Ji could learn from you,” Humes remarked to Morgan.

“Not at all, not at all,” Morgan replied, clearly pleased but still maintaining a modest tone.

However, due to cultural differences, Humes failed to detect the subtle humility in Morgan’s words. Instead, he nodded earnestly and added, “For instance, these carrier bugs and the octopus-like creatures that guided our fleet—they are excellent examples of biological weaponry.”

Morgan paused briefly before realizing the misunderstanding Elder Humes had. Rather than correcting it, he leaned into the moment, replying, “You flatter us. While these creatures might seem like bio-weapons to you, to us, they are family—one of our own.”

As he spoke, Morgan patted the massive insect beneath him, which responded with a series of guttural chirps, almost as if it understood and was acknowledging his words.

In the intricate dance of diplomacy, even minor details can reveal a civilization’s secrets. Luo Wen often relied on such subtleties to infer useful insights about others. Similarly, Morgan’s seemingly casual remarks were a deliberate test.

“Family? One of our own?” Humes frowned, glancing down at the intimidating insect beneath him, then at Morgan’s humanoid form. No matter how he tried, he couldn’t reconcile the two as being of the same kind.

Yet, the universe was vast, and its diversity infinite. Civilizations and species came in countless shapes and forms, and it wouldn’t do to limit one’s thinking to familiar paradigms.

Could they truly be the same? Humes wondered. Was Morgan’s statement an offhand remark, or a calculated ploy to mislead?

As he mulled over the question, his peripheral vision caught the faint smirk tugging at Morgan’s lips.

The passageway was long, but the carrier bugs were swift. Before long, the group reached a massive cavern. Inside stood a vast number of intelligent Swarm members, far exceeding the quantities seen in any previous interactions.

At the head of the cavern sat a female Swarm figure. Though she wore no elaborate attire, her sheer presence radiated an overwhelming authority. It was as if a spotlight shone directly on her in the dim cavern, commanding all attention.

This could only be the Swarm Empress.

Following a round of formal introductions, Humes learned the name of the Empress was Sarah.

The Swarm, long known for its efficient operations, kept things brisk. After the initial pleasantries, they quickly transitioned into the formalities of the meeting.

“Your Majesty Sarah,” Humes began, his tone respectful and formal, “on behalf of the many members of the Interstellar Technological Confederation, we welcome your noble race to our fold.”

Since most of the treaty’s details had already been finalized, the meeting was primarily ceremonial. The agreement was swiftly signed, and Humes formally extended the Confederation’s welcome to the Swarm.

Following the treaty signing, the Swarm hosted a welcome banquet for the Ji delegation. True to the Swarm’s unique style, the banquet included performances like insect battles.

In the center of the cavern, giant armored beetles clashed with ferocious intensity, their mandibles snapping and limbs colliding in a display of raw power.

Humes watched the spectacle with an analytical eye, mentally evaluating the beetles’ combat potential and possible tactical applications.

Meanwhile, he casually turned to Sarah and asked, “Your Majesty, I have a question. Might you be willing to enlighten me?”

Sarah’s demeanor remained calm and composed, though internally she prepared herself. Here it comes, she thought. Maintaining her commanding, aloof presence, she replied, “Ask away.”

“Your Majesty,” Humes said, choosing his words carefully as his expression grew serious, “where does the Swarm truly come from?”

The question was as sharp as it was direct, cutting straight to the heart of one of the Swarm’s most guarded secrets. Sarah had anticipated such inquiries, thanks to the Overlord’s foresight.

Internally, Sarah couldn’t help but offer silent praise to Luo Wen for his uncanny ability to predict these developments. She imagined that he was watching the proceedings even now. Whether or not he could hear her thoughts, she mentally expressed her admiration. Best to butter him up just in case.

Maintaining her authoritative air, Sarah prepared to deliver the carefully crafted response that Luo Wen had devised in anticipation of such inquiries.

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