I Am The Swarm

As the intelligent entities delved into their research, they discovered that the special energy triggered by these mines upon explosion was produced by a special substance encapsulated within the mines. The Swarm was not unfamiliar with this substance, as they had already begun exploring related areas in their research. This special substance was none other than dark matter.

Dark matter exists throughout the vast universe, accounting for 27% of the universe’s matter. Theoretically, it is not uncommon. However, dark matter does not interact with any wavelengths of light and remains unaffected by various light actions. Hence, it cannot be seen or measured using conventional means.

In this sense, dark matter is somewhat similar to the negative energy previously encountered by the Swarm. However, dark matter is not negative energy. Negative energy is completely opposite to positive energy; they do not react but rather cancel each other out.

In contrast, dark matter is a genuine positive energy material. While it does not interact with light, it can react with other positive energy materials. Dark matter contains immense energy, making up one-fourth of the universe’s matter but holding 69% of the universe’s energy, almost 70%. The remaining three-fourths of matter account for 30%.

The potential of dark matter is enormous, as indicated by these figures. If there were a way to safely and effectively harness this energy, it would surpass controlled fusion technology comprehensively, becoming the new generation of energy sources.

The evolution of energy technology would trigger a series of advancements in complementary technologies. Just as during the development of civilization, learning to use fire as a basic energy conversion technology allowed for the preliminary smelting of metals and the forging of troops equipped with metal weapons and armor.

Subsequently, the mastery of gunpowder technology elevated instantaneous energy output, leading to the creation of numerous kinetic weapons. Then, with the acquisition of fossil fuel utilization and refining technologies, new kinetic weapons such as missiles emerged. However, due to limitations in energy conversion efficiency and output power, many high-power weapons were cumbersome and impractical for actual combat.

After mastering controlled fusion, weapons considered cumbersome due to fossil energy became more compact with increased conversion efficiency and output power. More powerful kinetic weapons, such as electromagnetic railguns, entered practical use. Meanwhile, energy weapons such as energy beams and rays gained practical value.

Dark energy, which surpasses controlled fusion in energy output efficiency, promises even more significant changes. Previously, energy-output-constrained ray weapons could no longer be limited to short-range defense. Enhanced instantaneous output power would bring more ray weapons onto the battlefield, and bomb power would further increase.

However, the emergence of such technology so early in the conflict caught Luo Wen by surprise. If outer-ring forces could master such technology, the Ji race likely possessed even more advanced versions.

Luo Wen silently reminded himself that the Swarm must remain vigilant in this area to avoid being outmaneuvered by strange weapons. Just like the initial encounter with the sub-light multi-headed nuclear “Crimson Kiss,” which had caused significant damage to the Swarm.

As days passed, even though Luo Wen endeavored to reasonably suppress the Swarm’s advance speed within plausible limits, all the smart mines could not withstand the exhaustive search conducted by the boundless Swarm forces for long.

By the end of the nineteenth year of the New Era, the Swarm finally entered the territories of the Daqi race’s two star systems. The Koya Alliance fleet, which had been assembled at the front line and withdrew, assisted in relocating a large number of Daqi citizens.

Initially, the Daqi people were somewhat uncooperative, but facing the immense threat of the advancing Swarm, they eventually completed most of their migration before the Swarm breached the minefield.

When the primordial cluster entered the star systems, they found devastation left in the wake of a hurried evacuation. Unlike LKDW291, perhaps due to time constraints, the Daqi did not destroy all the assets they couldn’t take with them.

At this point, the Swarm’s technological advancement far surpassed that of the Daqi civilization, rendering any relics left behind insignificant for technological gains. Thus, the Swarm was indifferent to the completeness of the abandoned items.

Naturally, they wouldn’t be left untouched; even though some artifacts might hold historical value or significance, the Swarm had no young needing history lessons. Consequently, everything would be recycled and repurposed by the Swarm.

That said, from a certain perspective, the Swarm preferred not to see relics too intact, as it doesn’t reduce their workload. Instead, it sometimes creates issues. As the Swarm methodically proceeded with system occupation, the previously dormant defense systems unexpectedly reactivated. Defense weapons came online, and after a simple self-check, they launched assaults on the unsuspecting primordial bodies.

Luo Wen was actually aware of this potential situation because the number of Daqi intelligent entities was considerable, with several even holding high positions. Naturally, they could obtain relatively hidden intelligence.

After the Daqi civilization decided to evacuate, some people unwilling to leave their homeland stayed behind. Additionally, a number of serious criminals were not taken away. Operating on a principle of “waste utilization,” the Daqi left part of the defense system’s control to these individuals when departing, and even armed them.

However, most remaining Daqi were on living planets or colonies and could not immediately threaten the Swarm. The current attack was operated by artificial intelligence systems.

The Daqi royal family harbored resentment towards the Koya Alliance, whom they felt betrayed them, but they despised the Swarm even more, holding them responsible for everything that happened. Unwilling to leave their homes without a fight, even in their absence, they aimed to cause trouble for the Swarm. Though the Daqi had departed, the AI systems steadfastly remained operational.

Nevertheless, due to several reasons, Daqi civilization’s advancements in AI technology were mediocre. To date, they could only facilitate auxiliary equipment operation.

Moreover, computational power and authority restrictions prevented them from controlling multiple devices simultaneously. During wartime, coordinated joint operations required human intervention for success. ŗ𝘈ɴՕʙÊꞩ@@novelbin@@