I Am The Swarm

Although the Yuntu Race had already noticed the Swarm’s Spider Combat Bugs and the fine threads they spun, they knew that the Swarm wouldn’t deploy something meaningless at such a critical moment. These small combat units, capable of surviving directly in the vacuum of space, were undoubtedly high-tech and served a unique purpose. However, with the battle already underway, they couldn’t afford to halt their advance simply because they didn’t understand the Spider Combat Bugs’ role.

The unmanned fighter drones continued their relentless charge, soon entering the web-like formations. It was at this moment that the purpose of the webs became clear.

The space-adapted Spider Combat Bugs, while resembling spiders in appearance, were fundamentally different in every other aspect. Their base template was derived from the magnetic structures of atmospheric organisms, lacking the complex internal organs and digestive systems typical of terrestrial creatures. Instead, they could store energy and utilize magnetic field-related abilities.

The threads they spun were no ordinary spider silk. They were magnetized, metal-rich strands, incredibly thin yet remarkably durable. These threads were also magnetic, capable of attracting and adhering to nearby metallic objects.

In reality, these threads had no inherent adhesive properties. Their “stickiness” was achieved by the Spider Combat Bugs switching the magnetic polarity of the threads, causing them to attract and bond with the magnetic fields of their targets. As long as the Spider Combat Bugs continued to supply energy, the “adhesive” strength of these threads was beyond imagination.

Once a thread latched onto an object, the Spider Combat Bug at the other end would first determine if the target was an enemy. If confirmed, it would use its magnetic field to propel itself toward the target at an astonishing speed.

As it approached, the Spider Combat Bug would sever the thread and, using its momentum and magnetic field, land gracefully on the target.

The Yuntu Race’s unmanned fighter drones had already been thoroughly analyzed by the Swarm’s intelligent entities, and the information, authorized by Luo Wen, was shared with all combat units in this battle.

The Spider Combat Bug climbed to a specific location on the drone, raised one of its specialized limbs, and stabbed into the target.

This special limb was the culmination of the Swarm’s material science, combining technology absorbed from the Botian’s Metal Planet, previous advancements, and biological engineering. Named the High-Molecular Spider Blade, this limb represented the pinnacle of the Swarm’s current material technology.

Against this blade, even the advanced materials of the Yuntu drones were inferior. The Spider Blade pierced through the drone’s hull with ease.

The Yuntu drone visibly stuttered but continued to fly stubbornly. However, the Spider Combat Bug then unleashed a burst of magnetic energy, sending a surge of current through the blade and into the drone’s internal systems, frying many of its delicate components.

The drone emitted black smoke, and its tail and wing thrusters flickered before shutting down completely. Losing all power, the drone continued forward on inertia alone.

A mature Swarm unit extended a tentacle, grabbed the now-helpless drone, and hurled it back the way it came. Although the drone’s internal systems were destroyed and its engines and controls disabled, the dark energy mine it carried still posed a risk of remote detonation. Thus, it remained dangerous and needed to be kept away from the Primordial Bodies.

The Spider Combat Bug did not leave the Yuntu drone. Instead, it quickly moved to the underside of the craft and pried open a metal panel.

Beneath the panel lay the uniquely shaped dark energy mine. Without hesitation, the Spider Combat Bug began disarming it.

The mature Swarm unit had hurled the drone back at high speed, but it was still far slower than the charging Primordial Bodies. If left unchecked, the Primordial Bodies would soon reach the drone.

If the Yuntu Race were to remotely detonate the mine at the right moment, the consequences would be disastrous. Therefore, the mines had to be either disarmed or detonated preemptively.

The Yuntu Race quickly realized the Swarm’s intentions, but the situation left them in an awkward position.

With the drone’s circuitry fried, some of its functions were compromised, preventing it from reporting its status. This forced the Yuntu Race to detonate all drones that had lost contact.

Explosions lit up the battlefield, slightly hindering the Primordial Bodies’ charge. While many Spider Combat Bugs were destroyed, several mature and larval Swarm units were also caught in the blasts, inflicting some losses on the Swarm.

However, the Yuntu Race didn’t fare much better. Many of their drones were also caught in the explosions, though most were lost due to systemic issues rather than direct hits.

The chaotic battlefield, filled with explosions and energy surges, created a highly disruptive environment. In such conditions, communication systems were frequently jammed, and units often lost contact temporarily.

But the Yuntu Race had detonated all drones that had lost contact, leading to the accidental destruction of some fully functional drones that simply couldn’t report their status in time.

The Yuntu Race had no choice. The Spider Combat Bugs worked too quickly and were far too familiar with the structure of their dark energy mines. Any delay would allow the mines to be disarmed.

In that case, not only would the drones and mines be lost, but the Spider Combat Bugs would also survive. Sacrificing some drones to ensure the destruction of both the mines and the Spider Combat Bugs was the better option.

Even if it meant sacrificing some innocent units, it was a price they were willing to pay.

However, the Yuntu Race miscalculated. The simultaneous detonation of numerous dark energy mines created a massive energy storm, causing even greater communication interference.

More innocent drones were caught in the blasts, triggering stronger energy surges. A chain reaction ensued, and the Yuntu Race ended up destroying more of their own drones than the Swarm had.

Yet, the Yuntu Race soon realized that this wasn’t a complete loss. Although many drones and dark energy mines had been detonated, they had also slowed the Primordial Bodies’ charge, giving their fleet time to unleash several volleys of fire.

In terms of ranged weaponry, the Yuntu Race’s energy systems had undergone a qualitative leap, making their firepower far superior to the Swarm’s. Their dark energy main cannons could inflict light damage on Primordial Bodies with a near miss, heavy damage with a direct hit, and outright destroy them with two hits. Each volley caused significant casualties among the Swarm’s forces.

In contrast, the Primordial Bodies’ energy cannons were less effective against the Yuntu fleet’s armor. Each volley destroyed only about a thousand Yuntu warships. At this rate, it would take an eternity to whittle down the Yuntu fleet of 50 million ships.