I Am The Swarm

Most of the issues were manageable and within normal bounds. However, the biggest problem lay in the Swarm’s strongest asset: the Swarm Network.

While the other functions of the Swarm Network were acceptable due to their high level of concealment, the cross-stellar communication feature, despite being equally covert, could potentially reveal flaws in certain scenarios.

For instance, the Swarm’s external communication systems were extremely outdated. Fortunately, after absorbing a wave of technology from the Cat’s Ear Spaceship, the Swarm managed to barely catch up technologically.

However, the Swarm’s communication infrastructure was exceedingly sparse. Large-scale interstellar information transmitters, which occupied vast areas, were deliberately avoided during initial construction to reduce visible artificial structures in space and to deceive the common Ratfolk populace. As a result, such facilities were never built.

Over time, as they were deemed unnecessary, the matter was forgotten. However, the absence of these massive transmitters was a glaring characteristic. If an advanced civilization were secretly observing the Swarm, they would surely notice that the Swarm lacked these devices, yet their interstellar operations remained unaffected.

This was a glaring vulnerability. Now, all Luo Wen could do was try to remedy past oversights and hope his concerns were merely unwarranted fears. Even if advanced civilizations were observing them, he hoped they would overlook these anomalies from the Swarm.

Yes, the Swarm was still too weak. While they could manipulate civilizations of similar technological levels, they remained powerless against those of higher orders.

The Swarm was no longer just Luo Wen alone. With numerous dependents under its banner, he bore responsibility for the entire Swarm. The Swarm must grow stronger.

But becoming stronger wasn’t just about words. Whether through mechanical pathways or biological routes, a comprehensive theoretical foundation was essential. Thus, the Swarm needed more researchers. Fortunately, the Swarm was establishing a second Intelligent Entity production base, which promised a significant boost in production speed soon.

“Dr. Balt, how is that big creature coming along?” General Masai asked during a routine captain’s meeting.

These past days had been peaceful, and the source of their initial arrival here had already been located.

Numerous new bases and factories had sprung up, both consolidating occupied territories and replenishing losses.

The next step was to methodically eliminate the Swarm threat.

Although the biological team led by Dr. Balt had temporarily shelved their research on Swarm-eradication viruses due to the creature, the Riken felt they had already mastered methods to counter the Swarm. Recent operations had proven highly successful, with the military convinced that viruses weren’t necessary and that exterminating the Swarm was only a matter of time.

Under such circumstances, routine captain’s meetings lacked substantive discussions. However, it wouldn’t do to convene just for greetings and adjournment. After all, these were serious, formal meetings.

Thus, General Masai shifted the topic to prolong the discussion.

Fortunately, the nuclear-breathing creature was a rare phenomenon. Everyone was curious, and their inquisitive eyes bore into Dr. Balt through the video screens.

Although this was a captain’s meeting, experts from other fields often participated as consultants. Dr. Balt, used to such situations, cleared his throat and spoke without suspense-building theatrics.

“Research time has been too short, so no significant breakthroughs yet.” Truthfully, there was nothing worth hyping.

Godzilla emitted intense radiation, and without protective measures, the Riken couldn’t even approach its corpse. Thus, a specialized, highly shielded laboratory was constructed for Godzilla. Transporting and calibrating scientific equipment from the warship to the planet consumed considerable time, leaving Dr. Balt’s team with little to show in such a short period.

The captains understood this, so they didn’t press further. After all, General Masai’s inquiry was a mere meeting filler.

“However, we’ve made some astonishing discoveries in other areas,” Dr. Balt continued, piquing everyone’s interest.

Amid the captains’ inquiries, he elaborated: “The creature itself yielded no results, but the plants brought back from its lair surprised us.”

Drinking some water, he resumed: “Specifically, the fruit of those plants. Since some instruments hadn’t arrived yet, a small team began studying the fruit during their downtime, feeding it to Riri Beasts.”

The Riken fleet maintained dedicated logistics and transportation ships, two of which simulated Riken ecosystems to house experimental creatures like Riri Beasts. These animals shared a 95% genetic similarity with the Riken, making them ideal for drug trials.

“A few days later, the Riri Beasts exhibited various radiation sickness symptoms.”

The captains raised mental question marks. Was this the so-called astonishing discovery? It seemed trivial—plants growing in the high-radiation lair would naturally carry radioactive substances. Developing radiation sickness was expected, and severe cases might even result in instant death. ŖÂΝＯʙЕṨ

However, trusting that Dr. Balt wouldn’t speak frivolously, they curbed their skepticism and listened further.

“When the instruments finally arrived, the team didn’t study the creature but continued researching the fruit and the Riri Beasts. They uncovered something shocking: although the Riri Beasts contracted radiation sickness, their bodies grew younger. To be precise, their cell division count increased.”

Seeing some captains puzzled, Dr. Balt explained: “All known organisms, including the Riken, follow a pattern of cell division throughout growth. After a certain stage, aging and death occur. This corresponds to the cell division count and cycle. Their product determines an organism’s theoretical lifespan. For instance, Riken cells divide approximately every six years, with a maximum of 55 divisions, giving a theoretical lifespan of 330 years.”

As the captains nodded, he continued: “Similarly, Riri Beasts have a two-year division cycle and divide 25 times, theoretically living 50 years. Of course, external factors mean actual lifespans often fall short—for example, the Riken average is around 310 years.”

“To extend lifespan, you either prolong the cell division cycle or increase division count. The former risks fundamentally altering our biology, potentially making us a different species. Increasing the division count is comparatively feasible but remains a challenge. Despite millennia of research, we’ve made no breakthroughs.”

“Yet, now things have changed. Eating this fruit increased the Riri Beasts’ cell division count by five, extending their theoretical lifespan by one-fifth.” Dr. Balt gestured at the screen displaying the fruit from the creature’s lair. “This is the first substance we’ve found capable of increasing cell division counts. In other words, it’s medicinal.”

“And if refined, its effects might become even stronger.” After a pause, he added, “Though it does have some minor flaws.”

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!