I Am The Swarm

The Riken had deployed a dozen small satellites in stationary orbit around the Great Dawn Planet, establishing a rudimentary communication network.

A leading researcher tapped a few commands on the portable computer strapped to his left arm, opening a communication link to the Cat’s Ear Spaceship.

“Captain, the atmosphere of Planet T853 contains numerous toxins that we cannot withstand. Exposure to the air for more than five minutes without protection would be fatal. However, we should be capable of terraforming the environment. Given a few centuries, it might become suitable for the Riken to inhabit.”

“Lute, you know I don’t care about that. Just tell me something I’d find interesting,” Captain Reggie replied, watching the main screen on the ship’s bridge.

“Fine, Reggie, you’re always so impatient.” Dr. Lute, who had been a close friend of Captain Reggie for many years before this mission, spoke casually. “At the target area, we detected significant radiation remnants, confirming this is indeed the site of a nuclear explosion.”

“But I have no idea what caused this nuclear detonation or what it was targeting. I need your authorization to use the Hive Drone System for further investigation.”

“Celia, grant Dr. Lute permission to use the Hive Drone System.”

“Understood, Captain,” the mechanical female voice replied.

“Lute, I look forward to your good news.”

Dr. Lute nodded as the image disappeared from the screen, and Captain Reggie gazed out at the Great Dawn Planet in contemplation.

On the planet’s surface, the turret-mounted ship opened a top hatch, releasing drones about 30 centimeters in size. Over thirty drones emerged before the hatch was sealed again.

The drones circled above the ship for a moment before dispersing in all directions.

These drones were equipped with a variety of detection systems and advanced imaging capabilities. They conducted low-altitude, grid-like searches for any anomalies, flying just 50 meters above the ground. Dr. Lute meticulously reviewed the data transmitted by the drones, ruling out abnormalities one by one.

“Celia, filter the drone footage for all non-natural anomalies,” Dr. Lute instructed. The number of anomalies flagged by the drones was overwhelming due to this being their first visit to an alien world. Everything seemed abnormal to the drone systems.

The drones, with their basic artificial intelligence, lacked the sophistication to differentiate these anomalies, leaving Dr. Lute swamped. He had no choice but to turn to the advanced AI for assistance.

“Permission granted. Beginning analysis of drone footage,” the mechanical voice spoke through the communicator in Dr. Lute’s helmet, taking over the tedious task.

Although Celia was not a true artificial intelligence, it was an advanced AI with highly complex calculations. However, it could only filter out the most obviously irrelevant footage, forwarding uncertain findings to Dr. Lute for further review.

The area had long since been scoured by the Swarm. Even the carbonized remains of the Terror Wolves, reduced to ashes by nuclear flames, had been thoroughly collected and disposed of. The only remains left behind were the corpses of native Feral Direwolves.

As expected, the drones soon captured multiple images of what appeared to be carbonized biological material. These were flagged by Celia’s initial filter and forwarded to Dr. Lute’s terminal.

“Excellent, Celia. Instruct the drones to collect these carbonized samples. Oh, heavens, there’s a nearly intact skull here! That’ll make our work significantly easier. Have the drones prioritize retrieving it.”

“Understood, Dr. Lute.”

Several drones returned, bringing back carbonized samples. A short while later, a drone finally delivered the skull Dr. Lute had been eager to examine.

The skull had been flung a considerable distance by the explosion, delaying its retrieval. Though the left side was shattered and much was missing, it remained largely intact. ℟ἈΝǑＢʧ

Examining the half-meter-long skull, Dr. Lute sighed, “What a massive creature this must have been.”

He called over an assistant to scan the skull’s structure and reconstruct its original appearance.

“Doctor, our portable equipment cannot analyze the DNA of these carbonized samples. That will require processing aboard the ship. However, the skull scan is complete, and we’ve attempted to reconstruct its external features,” reported his young female assistant, transferring the reconstructed image to Dr. Lute’s terminal.

“Hmm, a ferocious-looking face. Not something to mess with lightly. Celia, use the low-orbit satellites to search the planet for creatures resembling this one.”

“Dr. Lute, you do not have authorization to access the low-orbit satellites,” the mechanical voice replied.

“Then request authorization from your captain!” Dr. Lute snapped, frustrated by the rigid protocols of the intelligent AI.

“Dr. Lute, your request has been approved. Beginning the search. Please wait.”

“Dr. Lute, the search found an 85% similarity match.” A video showing a pack of Feral Direwolves resting on a plain appeared on Dr. Lute’s terminal.

“These must be them. Wow, there are quite a few of them,” Dr. Lute remarked. Since the Riken lacked prior data on the Great Dawn Planet’s fauna, the reconstructed image wouldn’t perfectly match the original. Still, an 80% similarity was enough for confirmation.

“Satellite data indicates that these creatures are spread across 325 locations on this continent, with a total population exceeding 500,000.”

“That many? What do they eat?” Dr. Lute was stunned. The sheer size of the Direwolves and their carnivorous dentition suggested a significant food requirement.

The AI promptly responded, “Based on calculations, these creatures are likely a food source for others. Probability: 79%.” A picture of a Bull Demon appeared on Dr. Lute’s display.

“Oh, what an intriguing species. If we could breed them on our homeworld, they’d surely sell for a high price. But plant resources are incredibly scarce on the homeworld.”

Dr. Lute quickly realized the economic potential of the Bull Demons. Millennia of industrial pollution had devastated the Riken homeworld’s environment. From birth, his diet had consisted almost entirely of synthetic meat, with rare occasions of real meat being a luxury.

“You’re right, Lute. These creatures are indeed valuable, but unfortunately, our homeworld no longer has any grasslands to sustain them,” Captain Reggie’s voice suddenly interjected through Dr. Lute’s communicator.

“Hey, Reggie, eavesdropping is a bad habit,” Dr. Lute quipped.

“I’m merely monitoring the progress of your work. It’s my duty as the captain and mission leader,” Captain Reggie replied flatly, showing no reaction to Dr. Lute’s jab.

Dr. Lute shrugged. Having known Reggie for years, he understood the captain’s personality. Continuing the topic would strain their friendship and only frustrate him further. “I need your authorization to command the security team—just the group accompanying me.”

“What do you plan to do?” Captain Reggie asked, puzzled.

“I need them to capture a few native creatures and bring them back to the ship for detailed analysis.”

“All right, but be careful.”

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