I Am The Swarm

At the moment, the displayed footage didn’t reveal what kind of weapons the opposing side might have. Surrounded by a glowing energy field, it was impossible to discern whether it was a mechanical construct or a biological entity.

“Overlord, based on the data extracted from the footage, our calculations suggest that the target is heading toward the Neighboring Star System. At its observed cruising speed, it would take approximately five years to reach the outskirts of the Great Valley Planet. And that is assuming the ship doesn’t accelerate. Currently, we have no information on the target’s maximum speed, so we can’t estimate its fastest arrival time to the Neighboring Star System,” reported an intelligent entity specializing in stellar observation.

As the leader of a 200-person research team, he was adept at deducing various data points from celestial angles and positions.

Luo Wen nodded, signaling the others to continue.

“Overlord, the alien vessel in the footage lacks a visible exhaust trail, making it impossible to determine the propulsion technology behind it. Perhaps their engine technology surpasses our current understanding,” said Covi.

Luo Wen recalled Covi as one of the first to integrate into the Swarm Network. In life, he had been the chief engineer for the first-generation rocket engines of the Rat Folk. After becoming an intelligent entity, he now led research in related fields. His conclusion reflected the consensus of his propulsion research group. The situation appeared increasingly unfavorable.

“Overlord, our analysis indicates that the unknown civilization likely detected the energy burst from Godzilla’s breath on the Great Dawn Planet. Such abnormal energy emissions would be highly conspicuous to advanced observational instruments,” Morgan interjected.

He paused before continuing, “Our Swarm’s technological capabilities in this area were previously underdeveloped, with limited observational range. That’s why we didn’t detect similar energy bursts on the Great Dawn Planet before.”

“As a living organism, Godzilla must have used such a thermonuclear breath attack before. However, we can’t determine how long ago it happened or which specific emission the unknown civilization detected, prompting them to send a ship for investigation,” Morgan added, glancing at Luo Wen. “It’s possible they observed an energy burst from centuries ago, and after a prolonged journey, have only now arrived. Alternatively, they may have detected it while passing by and decided to investigate.”

After Morgan spoke, a discussion erupted among the intelligent entities, with group leaders taking turns to voice their opinions.

“But this theory is contradictory. Technology cannot reach advanced levels with severe imbalances in development,” one intelligent entity argued.

“Indeed, if a civilization can observe such energy bursts from vast distances, its technological level must be extraordinary. Moreover, given their travel speed, it’s unlikely they are merely passing by. At such speeds, interstellar travel must have specific goals, as their technology wouldn’t allow for aimless wandering,” another entity concurred.

“How is that impossible? Have you forgotten about our Swarm Meteors? They use random trajectories,” a different entity countered.

“Our Swarm is an exception. Sociologically and economically, only a civilization with a supreme will like ours can afford to waste resources so extravagantly,” another entity retorted.

“Are you accusing the Overlord of wastefulness?”

“You’re twisting my words! That’s not what I meant!”

“Then what did you mean?”

Luo Wen recognized the two entities, who had frequently clashed even before becoming intelligent entities. Now, their arguments often teetered on the edge of escalation. Sensing the rising tension, Luo Wen intervened. With a thought, he assigned one to an aphid and the other to a worker ant, putting them to work harvesting and licking sugar. The menial tasks were designed to foster camaraderie and resolve their differences.

The lesson was effective. Other intelligent entities with similar disputes suddenly found common ground, the atmosphere shifting into a camaraderie of shared purpose. Even the two quarrelsome entities, once returned to the meeting room, were visibly changed, united in mutual understanding and refraining from mentioning the incident.

“Overlord,” one of them began, “there’s merit to Tumani’s argument. A highly developed civilization would naturally consolidate resources to drive progress. Such an approach demands unified ideology. If the opposing side is an advanced civilization, there’s a significant chance their ideology aligns with our Swarm.”

“Agreed, Overlord,” Tumani echoed. “The brief observation period doesn’t confirm their observed speed as their maximum. If they are an advanced civilization using special means to traverse vast distances, then the data we have could be entirely misleading.”

“That scenario seems unlikely. If their technology allows spatial traversal, they should have come to investigate long ago. However, we can’t rule out the possibility that their technology only recently achieved a breakthrough,” an entity remarked.

“My group also believes the probability of them being an advanced civilization is low. If their technology were that advanced, they would only need to send a reconnaissance unit instead of deploying such a massive vessel.”

“Perhaps this is their reconnaissance ship? A creation of some giant biological civilization?”

“Though unlikely, we cannot discount the possibility.”

“But if they could traverse space directly, why not jump straight into the Neighboring Star System instead of stopping in the void?”

“Maybe solar system environments are unsuitable, with too many obstacles. We don’t understand the principles of spatial traversal, so there could be unknown limitations.”

“Then why are they so far away? At its current speed, the ship will take five years to enter the Neighboring Star System.”

“That’s a valid question. Could it be another limitation?”

“At this point, we can’t confirm that they are an advanced civilization. It might be something entirely different. Let’s not get sidetracked.”

“I can’t shake the feeling that their ship embodies contradictions,” someone mused.

“Same here.”

“To accelerate a ship several kilometers long to a tenth of the speed of light would require extraordinary technology. But their vessel emits an intense glow, indicating severe energy leakage. Advanced technology shouldn’t exhibit such inefficiencies.”

“Exactly.”

“Agreed. I felt something was off before as well.”

“Yes, advanced civilizations shouldn’t waste energy this way. They should harness every ounce efficiently.”

One entity’s observation quickly gained widespread agreement.

“But this is all speculation. We don’t know what technology at that level truly looks like. It could be a work in progress, an experimental model.”

“Why would they send an experimental model here?”

And so, the intelligent entities delved further into a whirlwind of hypotheses.

[T/N: 200 chapters, I never thought I would get this far when in started translating this novel. It’s definitely been a journey lol. What are your thoughts so far? Are you guys enjoying the novel or?]

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