I Am The Swarm

The Solar Sail requires a long acceleration process.

However, the distance between Great Dawn Planet and Great Ursa Planet was so short that the Cat’s Ear Spaceship reached its destination before fully accelerating.

Luo Wen initially assumed the alien spacecraft was returning to its home planet. But as he observed its gradual repositioning, he realized he had miscalculated.

Why was it heading toward the Great Ursa Planet?

When Luo Wen’s avatar had previously docked a bio-ship at Great Ursa Planet, he left behind dozens of Brood Queens, which produced a large number of bio-ships. The meteorite strike had used only a fraction of them, and they were quickly replenished.

On Great Dawn Planet, bio-ship production was slow due to the need for secrecy, as the ships couldn’t leave to absorb radiation. On the Great Ursa Planet, such limitations didn’t exist.

Hidden within the asteroid belt, bio-ships there freely absorbed cosmic radiation to grow.

Over time, their numbers had increased significantly. The oldest of these bio-ships had grown to 20 meters or more, reaching Hawk-class status and outfitted with electromagnetic cannon components.

However, the distance between Great Dawn and Great Ursa made deploying these reinforcements difficult without detection. Luo Wen had planned to wait until Great Dawn’s bio-ships grew in sufficient numbers before engaging the alien spacecraft.

Self-delivery? No, more like walking into a trap.

No matter what it was called, Luo Wen felt a peculiar mix of surprise and delight. If they were so eager, he would ensure they received a proper welcome.

After a month of travel, the Cat’s Ear Spaceship finally reached the Great Ursa Planet, also known as T855.

The asteroid belt surrounding the planet was hostile to the Solar Sail. To avoid damage, the Cat’s Ear Spaceship navigated above the belt, settling into a suitable orbit. Most of the Solar Sail was retracted, leaving only a one-kilometer segment exposed to absorb solar energy.

“We’ll wait here. I’ve already sent our coordinates back with the last transmission. They won’t miss it,” Reggie announced.

“What’s next? Rotational hibernation for the crew?” Lute inquired.

“Yes. We’ve been out here for over eighty years and still don’t know when we’ll return. If we don’t conserve our lifespans, enjoying our wealth back home will be meaningless.”

“Pity our achievements have diminished somewhat.”

“Don’t dwell on it. We’ve already exceeded expectations with this mission. Everything else is just bonus.”

“True enough.”

“Do you have anything left to do? If not, I’ll put you in the first hibernation group.”

Lute hesitated. “There’s one thing that bothers me. If T853 has spacefaring organisms, could they have reached other planets before we arrived? For instance, this one—T855?”

“Ha, you could investigate it yourself. We’re free to act as we please.”

“I intend to. So leave me off the first hibernation list. If I find anything here, our achievements might grow further. I hope they exist—and aren’t too scarce.”

“Should Major Camis assist you?”

Before Lute could respond, a piercing alarm erupted.

“Celia, what’s happening?” Reggie demanded.

“Captain, there’s significant magnetic activity in the asteroid belt 2,000 kilometers below the ship,” Celia reported.

“What kind of activity?”

Several videos streamed to Reggie’s personal terminal. The footage showed faint blue arcs of electricity flickering in the darkness, resembling writhing tentacles. Switching to electromagnetic imaging revealed hundreds of dense magnetic fields converging on the Cat’s Ear Spaceship.

“Those are space creatures! They’re here!” Lute exclaimed. The irony of discussing them moments before the attack was not lost on him.

“They don’t look rare at all. Celia, activate the automated defense system and authorize firepower. Alert the escort squads to assist!” Reggie ordered.

“Acknowledged. Automated defense system activated. Targeting unidentified lifeforms. Preparing to fire.”

The Cat’s Ear Spaceship’s 300-meter-long hull bristled with turreted cannons on its underside. These weapons swiveled to aim, unleashing fiery red energy beams.

With a range of only 1,000 kilometers, these cannons were built more for decoration than function. Despite their impressive energy supply and firepower, their limited range and sparse numbers suggested the designers never anticipated their actual use.

Yet now, they faced a swarm of close-combat specialists.

The incoming magnetic lifeforms were Swarm space combat units—juveniles under 20 meters in length, unequipped with electromagnetic cannons but incredibly agile. After a brief acceleration period, they reached speeds of 10 kilometers per second, crossing the 2,000-kilometer gap in mere minutes.

Their tentacle-like appendages flexed and twisted, allowing for precise, multi-directional propulsion. Despite the ferocity of the cannon fire, only a few were hit, and fewer still were destroyed.

“Take them down! Don’t let them near the ship!” Reggie barked.

At first, he assumed these creatures were mere beasts, their smaller size making them seem manageable. After all, the decorative cannons were significantly more powerful than terrestrial artillery and should have sufficed to eliminate such “wildlife.”

What Reggie hadn’t accounted for was their extraordinary agility in zero-gravity conditions.

Though uncertain if these creatures could harm the spaceship’s reinforced hull, Reggie wasn’t keen to find out. A damaged ship would spell disaster, as survival in deep space without a functioning vessel was impossible.

Reality, however, seldom aligns with wishes.

Within minutes, the creatures reached the ship. Several juveniles latched onto the cannon barrels, tentacles writhing as blue electrical arcs danced across the metal. With increasing force, the barrels began to bend. Some cannons were wrenched entirely from their mounts.

Meanwhile, countless juveniles swarmed the Solar Sail, tearing through the delicate 0.0005-millimeter material with ease. Their frenzied movements quickly reduced the exposed section to shreds.

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