I Am The Swarm

The new generation of spore-based fungal carpet bio-ships has been subdivided by size.

Ships under 10 meters in length are classified as “Flying Ant-class” small fighters.

Those between 10 and 20 meters are termed “Wasp-class” large fighters.

Ships ranging from 20 to 50 meters are known as “Hawk-class” small warships.

Ships from 50 to 100 meters are designated “Falcon-class” medium warships.

Those measuring 100 to 200 meters are labeled “Golden Eagle-class” large warships.

Any ship exceeding 200 meters is uniformly referred to as a “Dragon-class” colossal warship.

These bio-ships resemble octopi in general structure, each equipped with over a dozen tentacle-like appendages. Although fewer in number than natural atmospheric organisms, these appendages are significantly strengthened individually.

Thus, compared to their original atmospheric counterparts, these ships possess substantially superior offensive and defensive capabilities.

The rationale behind such meticulous classification, despite the lack of standardized dimensions, lies in the nature of these bio-ships: they are identical upon hatching.

Each bio-ship originates from an egg approximately half a meter tall, with hatchlings initially measuring only half a meter in length. Once hatched, they are systematically exposed to sunlight.

Lacking a digestive system, they derive energy solely through sustained exposure to sunlight, radiation, and lightning. This biological design enables them to grow and develop as they absorb energy.

Initially, they function as Flying Ant-class or Wasp-class fighters, but as they mature, they progress through the Hawk-class and Falcon-class stages. If they avoid destruction in combat, they eventually evolve into Dragon-class colossal warships.

Their increasing size allows for greater energy storage, enabling the incorporation of additional modules.

For instance, based on the power systems of atmospheric organisms, the Swarm’s intelligent entities devised a series of electromagnetic principles. Luo Wen, leveraging these principles, developed biological electromagnetic cannons.

The cannon barrels, crafted using fungal carpet templates, employ the soft cartilage structures of atmospheric organisms. When electrified to create a magnetic field, these structures generate powerful attraction forces, interacting to form a confinement field.

Luo Wen first integrated genes from deep-sea metallic snails into this module. These genes enable the extraction of minerals from ore, forming metallic projectiles.

These projectiles are magnetized within the field, transforming into ferromagnetic materials.

Luo Wen then harnessed the magnetic field’s pulling force to propel the projectiles. As the projectile is drawn toward the magnetic field, the generating cartilage structure temporarily deactivates. This cessation eliminates the magnetic pull, preventing the projectile from sticking to the field.

Meanwhile, the path ahead of the projectile is lined with numerous magnetic rings. The combined effects of inertia and magnetic pull accelerate the projectile to terrifying speeds, endowing it with immense kinetic energy and destructive power.

The greater the number of magnetic rings, the faster the projectile, and the more devastating its impact. Consequently, the cannon’s minimum viable size exceeds ten meters.

Given the massive energy demands during activation, electromagnetic cannon modules cannot be installed on fighter-class bio-ships, either due to size limitations or energy reserves.

When Wasp-class fighters evolve into Hawk-class warships, they are supplied with a fungal strain seed at nearby bases.

This strain contains all the data required to develop the electromagnetic cannon module. Since both bio-ships and the cannons originate from fungal carpet templates, their shared lineage facilitates seamless integration. ŖᴀƝôꞖЕＳ

Once integrated, the bio-ship “grows” an electromagnetic cannon from its underbelly. Moreover, this cannon matures alongside the bio-ship, eliminating the need for replacements.

Due to the regenerative properties endowed by the fungal carpet templates, bio-ships are highly resilient. Unless completely destroyed or rendered inactive, they can regenerate lost parts, including electromagnetic cannons, given sufficient energy.

Even if an electromagnetic cannon is entirely destroyed, the bio-ship can regrow it as long as it survives.

Fighter-class bio-ships are swift and capable of penetrating planetary atmospheres for aerial combat.

While they can operate in space, the extended engagement ranges of space combat and limited energy reserves necessitate deployment via carrier platforms.

These ships rely on speed to approach targets, using their tentacles for melee combat. Primarily tasked with eliminating small aerial units, they also disrupt and ambush larger enemy units or, in some cases, strike ground targets.

Warship-class bio-ships, larger than fighters, possess long-range attack capabilities to support allied forces. They can also engage in melee combat, with their larger tentacles providing enhanced attack strength.

In addition to these combat-focused bio-ships, the Swarm operates transport ships classified as Egret-class, Swan-class, and Albatross-class, in small, medium, and large sizes. These are tasked with transporting supplies and ground troops for rapid aerial deployment.

Despite the Swarm’s expansion into space, ground forces remain indispensable. Their relatively low cost and ability to swiftly clear ground-based anti-air units and other targets make them invaluable.

These advancements reflect contributions from Luo Wen, as well as ideas synthesized by the Blades and adjutants. Luo Wen’s expansive perspective, unmatched by the native inhabitants of the Genesis Planet, played a pivotal role. Having been educated on the various types of civilizations, they conceptualized numerous hypothetical adversaries and derived strategic tactics.

Luo Wen supported these developments, seeing the Swarm as an extension of his will. He viewed the Swarm as more than beasts, deeming meaningless slaughter unnecessary.

Having evolved beyond the days of playing in the mud with ants and dinosaurs, Luo Wen recognized the Swarm’s multiple energy acquisition methods. Of these, hunting for bio-energy is the least efficient.

Thus, once a target’s genetic material is harvested, further killing is deemed unnecessary.

However, Luo Wen harbored no illusions that others share his perspective. His past exposure to relentless information overload taught him the brutal reality of the “dark forest” law in the cosmos.

For instance, when confronting less intelligent species like ants, dinosaurs, atmospheric organisms, or even moderately intelligent but technologically inferior civilizations like the Ratfolk, he may refrain from slaughter but ensured he had absolute control to prevent potential threats. He will corral, manage, and dominate them to neutralize risk.

Conversely, when facing forces comparable to or stronger than the Swarm, only two options remain: war or flight.

For equally matched opponents, ideological divergence demands the annihilation or suppression of the other, reducing their strength to a subordinate level for eventual control.

As for superior forces, the Swarm’s subjugation of the Ratfolk offers a stark reminder—Luo Wen has no intention of becoming someone else’s Ratfolk civilization.

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