I Am The Swarm

“But we can’t let fear of a so-called stellar bomb stop us from seizing this opportunity. If we can capture a real Swarm unit this time, it could provide us with invaluable information.”

“Exactly. The Swarm is a treasure trove. We shouldn’t avoid exploring it just because there might be traps.”

“The Swarm’s treasures aren’t something we can easily covet. In my opinion, it’s better to prioritize self-preservation.”

“True. Even if there are treasures, we need to be alive and qualified to enjoy them.” This representative’s words were blunt, but they resonated with many.

However, not everyone could resist the temptation. Most felt that with such a treasure within reach, they should at least try. Giving up without even attempting seemed like a waste.

The debate continued, with everyone voicing their opinions.

“According to the supercomputer’s calculations, if we continue to steadily deplete their forces, in a little over a year, we can reduce the Swarm’s numbers to below 50 million. That’s a safe enough number for us to deploy some remotely controlled warships and wipe them out.” Finally, someone proposed a balanced approach. While it would take more time, it seemed to offer the best of both worlds.

“This way, we avoid danger while still having a chance to uncover the treasure. Perfect!”

“Like using robots to probe for traps?”

The idea of staying safe while still having a shot at the treasure gained widespread approval. But soon, new concerns arose.

“If we don’t send anyone in, how can we capture a real Swarm unit, even if they’re there? Delicate tasks like capturing require more than just warships.”

“We’ll need not only unmanned warships and drones but also intelligent robots.”

“That’s doable. While we might not match the Ji Race in robotics, we’re certainly ahead of the Swarm.”

“True. Although scientific theories are universal, I can’t imagine what a biological civilization’s version of artificial intelligence would look like.”

“The Swarm must have something akin to AI. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have enough population to operate all those combat units.”

“I think they cultivate biological entities and rely on nature to imbue them with souls. Then they control those souls—they’re evil overlords.” This comment came from a mid-ring civilization representative, dripping with edgy, almost chuunibyou energy, reminiscent of the Rashudia and Daibo civilizations’ eccentricities.

The channel fell silent for a moment, stunned by the dramatic declaration. After a pause, someone else spoke up: “Judging by the coordination of the Swarm units, they don’t seem like mindless drones. The Swarm must have some unique insights into controlling them, even to the point of sending them to their deaths without resistance.”

“That might be part of the Swarm’s treasure.”

“Exactly. Without some unique capabilities, how could a civilization less than a millennium old grow to this level?”

“There’s a chance here, a real chance.” Some representatives’ eyes gleamed with ambition. Sometimes, technological breakthroughs don’t require detailed data—just a glimpse can spark revolutionary ideas.

While some civilizations had grown complacent, many still strived for progress, eager to advance.

“Alright, everyone, let’s prepare. Unmanned warships, drones, and intelligent robots—the more, the better. We can even retrofit more during this time.” Due to certain restrictions, most civilizations limited the number of remotely controlled devices they produced.

“Maybe we’ll need unmanned mechs too. Humanoid machines are more flexible in situations like this. In fortresses, some massive doors might be too much for smaller robots to handle.” Another representative chimed in.

Throughout the Interstellar Technological Confederation, civilizations of all levels—from the powerful Ji Race and inner-ring civilizations to the weaker mid and outer-ring civilizations—had constructed numerous fortresses to protect key personnel and facilities.

These structures typically featured robust defense systems, with massive, nearly impenetrable doors being a critical component.

They didn’t know if the Swarm had similar structures, but it was likely. If they did, there would be scenarios where warships and drones couldn’t reach, and smaller robots would be insufficient. In such cases, remotely controlled mechs could prove effective.

The professionals in the command channel quickly grasped this and turned their attention to the Daibo Civilization. Most civilizations had left in a hurry, and even if they had similar mechs back home, their frontline ships didn’t carry them.

Thus, the task fell to the Daibo. Their mechs, though heavily damaged in battles with the Swarm, had been preserved in significant numbers after they realized something was amiss and took corrective measures.

Even some of the damaged mechs—missing arms or heads—could be repaired quickly with spare parts available on the battlefield. Engineers could fix them in no time.

However, the Daibo mechs lacked remote control capabilities. Conradus, the Confederation’s overall commander, personally approached the Daibo commander about this.

The Daibo commander thought for a moment and felt it was manageable. The mechs already had auxiliary AI that could control them in critical moments. With some upgrades, remote control could be implemented.

While their frontline personnel couldn’t handle this, the Daibo homeworld had plenty of experts who could get it done in a few days.

Nodding, he responded to Conradus: “No problem.”

Conradus, satisfied with the answer, nodded in return. “Does anyone else have ideas? Please speak freely. If we can uncover something, it won’t just benefit us individually—it could greatly aid our future operations.”

“I think the most important thing now is to prevent the Swarm from escaping.” Someone immediately raised a concern.

“True. Even a three-year-old could see the current situation. Unless the Swarm commander is even more clueless than a child, they must be planning an escape if they’re not planning to blow up the star.”