I Am The Swarm

The damage caused by a scattered and disorganized force naturally could not compare to that of a disciplined and coordinated effort. However, under time constraints, the Daqi race had no means to rapidly upgrade or replace their artificial intelligence systems.

The Koya Alliance as a whole also lacked significant expertise in this area, leaving them unable to provide support to the Daqi. Still, as the saying goes, “three heads are better than one.” During their brainstorming session, one member suggested seeking help from the Ji.

Why did everyone fear artificial intelligence and restrict its development in the first place? It was precisely because the Ji, a race that had advanced far in the field of AI, loomed over them. Everyone worried that if a conflict ever broke out with the Ji, they would lose the AI battle, their warships would be remotely commandeered, and they would inexplicably lose the war.

Although such a scenario was almost impossible, caution dictated preparedness for worst-case scenarios. This mindset originally spread from the older factions in the Inner Circle, and later, the newer members, impressed by their predecessors’ wisdom, followed suit. Over time, this concept became widespread and widely accepted.

Despite this, the achievements and dominance of the Ji in artificial intelligence were universally acknowledged. When the suggestion was made, it seemed feasible after some deliberation, and a formal request was sent to the Ji.

While the Ji had not yet explicitly taken a stance regarding the Swarm, their military movements revealed their position. Moreover, the current situation would not have reached this point without the Ji’s involvement from the outset.

Thus, the Ji quickly approved the Koya Alliance’s request for assistance without even convening a meeting of the Council of Elders. Through the Quantum Communication System, an artificial intelligence system was transmitted to Daqi civilization and, upon receiving the necessary authorizations, promptly assumed control over all Daqi AI systems.

The overwhelming capabilities demonstrated by the Ji’s AI left the onlookers gasping. They finally understood why the veteran factions of the Inner Circle had chosen to limit their own AI development. No matter how advanced technology becomes, critical tasks must always involve human participation.

Although this approach sacrifices some efficiency, it offers much greater stability and security.

Due to the peculiar spatial bubble effect of warp propulsion, safe distances must be maintained between units during marches to prevent interference. This inevitably caused the scale of interstellar marches to span immense distances in both space and time.

For example, the journey between two relatively close star systems, approximately five light-years apart, could take just over a year. However, if the army’s size was too large, it could result in the vanguard arriving at their destination while the rear units were still waiting to depart. Such a situation had previously occurred in the Sandstorm System.

Fortunately, in the case of the Daqi, the Swarm forces had been delayed while clearing mines outside the system. While a small portion of the Swarm was still en route, the majority had already assembled outside the star systems.

The assembled Primordial Clusters were divided into over a hundred units, each containing more than ten thousand Primordial entities. These units began sequentially advancing into Daqi 101 and Daqi 102.

The Daqi civilization had operated within these two star systems for a considerable time. While their warships had already evacuated, the static defensive systems they left behind were not to be underestimated. Orbital cannons, space turrets, ground-based artillery, and satellite fortresses formed a formidable firepower network. The system surrounding their home star was especially fortified, resembling an impenetrable iron fortress.

When the vanguard units entered the star system, the Daqi defensive systems remained in a dormant state. There were no signs of energy buildup or signal fluctuations, making it seem as if the Daqi had indeed abandoned the systems without destroying them in time.

Seeing this, the Swarm forces followed their usual procedures. The units dispersed to prioritize locating surveillance equipment, leaving the task of handling the abandoned “junk” to the follow-up forces.

However, as the Primordial Units approached or passed by these defensive installations without any precaution, the systems suddenly activated. Diagnostics began running, energy levels surged, and weapon emplacements rotated and locked onto their targets.

The Swarm reacted with astonishing speed. Luo Wen had long anticipated this trap but had feigned ignorance to conceal his trump cards.

The moment energy fluctuations were detected, the Primordial bodies adjusted their responses. Their agility, far surpassing that of mechanical units, allowed them to quickly change direction. At the same time, their propulsion modules ramped up output power, spreading the units further apart while simultaneously rushing toward the defensive weapons.

The Swarm’s lightning-fast reactions stunned the observing factions. However, the Ji artificial intelligence, devoid of emotion, was unfazed. Its immense computational power enabled it to respond just as swiftly.

The defensive weapons initiated crossfire, unleashing a dense web of firepower to suppress the advance of the Primordial Units. In response, the units decreased energy output to their propulsion modules and redirected it to their weapons systems. Electromagnetic railguns began charging, their fire-control systems and rear biological brains connected to the Swarm Network, providing remote computational support.

Occasionally, defensive weapons or Primordial bodies were struck. The Ji AI controlled the Daqi weapons, adjusting their formations. Some satellite fortresses moved to the forefront, activating repulsion fields to block the electromagnetic projectiles.

The Swarm quickly adapted. Internal adjustments were made to the structure of the Primordial Units, reorganizing their electromagnetic railguns. Soon, beams of energy shot out from the cannon barrels. In space, the originally one-sided streams of radiant fire turned into an intricate exchange of beams and projectiles, a spectacularly beautiful display.@@novelbin@@

Yet beneath this beauty lay the grim reality of rapidly disappearing combat units.

The battle reached a stalemate. However, the Daqi defensive line lacked reinforcements, while the Swarm continually received waves of support arriving from all directions. The Swarm’s firepower gradually began to suppress the Daqi positions, and at this rate, the fall of the Daqi defensive line was only a matter of time.

Nonetheless, the Daqi had not left these defensive installations with the intention of holding the line indefinitely. Their primary goal was to inflict as much attrition as possible on the Swarm’s forces and to vent their frustration. Recognizing the situation, the Ji AI quickly made tactical adjustments. ℟ãℕo͍ΒĘꞩ

The AI began allocating firepower more strategically. By calculating the movements of the Primordial Units, it identified larger targets and sealed off all possible escape routes, creating inescapable kill zones for precision strikes.

This strategy further reduced the firepower pressure on the Daqi defensive line. However, it also significantly increased Swarm casualties. If this continued, the Daqi line would be eliminated more swiftly, but at the cost of higher Swarm losses.

With the Daqi firepower slightly diminished, some of the Primordial Units redirected energy back to their propulsion modules. Using cover from their comrades, they charged directly toward the Daqi defensive line.

The Ji AI quickly discerned the Swarm’s intent. Armed with detailed combat data from all Swarm encounters, it understood the Swarm’s strategy.

It abandoned its focused attacks on the larger Primordial bodies and instead redirected firepower to intercept these charging suicide squads.