I Am The Swarm

If there was any development over the years that could be attributed to the behind-the-scenes manipulator, it was likely the chaos surrounding the Riken.

Although the Swarm had released all the Daqi prisoners, it appeared to gain no gratitude in return. As the only failed invitation case in the history of the Interstellar Technological Confederation, Daqi had become a laughingstock after the story spread, permanently etched into the annals of history.

The returned prisoners seemed to amplify this humiliation, adding a “debuff” to the Daqi civilization and making their shame even more glaring. Perhaps because of this, the Swarm’s relationship with the Koya Alliance—despite no direct conflict—remained strained.

When the Daqi failed to recruit the Riken into their alliance, they didn’t give up and had been engaged in constant minor schemes over the years.

While the Riken were the original inhabitants of the Riken System, they did not possess ownership over the entire system. Their territory included only Planet Riken, Planet Riven, Planet Riwu, and Cloud Return Planet, along with their respective moons. The rest of the vast system was controlled by the Swarm.

This left the Riken with relatively scarce resources. Although the Swarm allowed them to mine asteroids on the system’s periphery, they were required to transport the materials back to their own territory.

However, the Riken lacked the capacity to tow large asteroids, and moving smaller ones required crossing Swarm-controlled regions. This process was subject to layers of approval and regulation, creating a system that was not only highly restrictive but also deeply inconvenient.

Any goodwill stemming from the Swarm’s mercy in the past had long since eroded with time. Adding to the tension, certain unidentified forces in the media stirred public opinion, framing the Swarm as antagonistic toward the Riken.

This strained relationship was in stark contrast to the close bond that had developed between the Riken and the Koya Alliance—a faction that had previously extorted the Riken but was now their ally.

Under the guise of trade, the Koya Alliance provided the Riken with significant amounts of basic raw materials and technological assistance, enabling the Riken to build a fleet of over 10,000 ships.

The two sides cooperated in other areas as well. Many Riken industries opened to the Koya Alliance, and some media outlets that incited discord between the Riken and the Swarm were indirectly supported by Koya.

At this point, the Riken were outwardly neutral but had effectively become de facto allies of the Koya Alliance.

Now, emboldened by Koya’s encouragement and support, the Riken aimed to take control of the entire Riken System.

Even so, their ambitions were laughable. While their fleet of 10,000 ships was several times larger than what they had fielded in their past confrontation with the Swarm, it was still utterly insufficient. At this stage, any attempt to challenge the Swarm would be nothing short of a fool’s dream.

The Daqi’s fleet of 50,000 ships had been obliterated with just one volley from the Swarm before they fled in disgrace. The Riken’s 10,000 ships wouldn’t even make a ripple in the face of such power.

The only way they might stand a chance was if the Koya Alliance intervened with full force, sending their entire military. But that was unlikely. The Riken were hardly indispensable to the Koya, and risking an all-out war with the Swarm over a relatively insignificant ally was not something the Koya Alliance would entertain.

The Koya Alliance, with its numerous members, long history, and vast population, had a much deeper understanding of the Interstellar Technological Confederation’s rules and far more experience navigating its systems.

With the Koya Alliance advising them, the Riken chose not to confront the Swarm in direct, head-on conflict. Instead, they pursued a more insidious strategy, appealing to sympathy and seeking external support through the manipulation of public opinion.

Their entry point into this strategy was highly calculated.

Before the Swarm and Riken joined the Confederation, all fledgling civilizations were protected by Ji-established rules. These regulations prohibited outside interference until a civilization reached a certain stage of development.

Even when such civilizations were later invited to join the Confederation, their losses were generally limited to small populations, knowledge, or cultural artifacts. Territorial losses were uncommon because uninhabited star systems in the Outer-ring were not particularly valuable.

In fact, it became customary for fledgling civilizations to retain ownership of their home star systems, with the Ji eventually codifying this into official regulations. This approach not only fostered goodwill among younger civilizations, shifting resentment toward their invitees, but also ensured that these civilizations remained robust enough to serve as worthy competitors for the older factions. It was a win-win for the Ji.

Before the emergence of the Swarm and the Riken, no faction had ever weaponized this rule.

However, the Ji and other factions never anticipated the rise of a force like the Swarm. It seemed to come out of nowhere, conquering a star system and reaching the heart of its opponents in just over a century.

The Ji had been caught flat-footed, still in deliberations about the situation. By the time they were ready to act, the Swarm had already established dominance, leaving the current status quo in place.

Interestingly, the Riken—a civilization without full sovereignty over their home star system—didn’t seem to align with the Confederation’s regulations.

Yet the Swarm’s occupation of Riken territory occurred before either faction joined the Confederation, meaning it didn’t violate any existing rules. This was an unforeseen loophole in the regulations. Given the Ji’s obsession with precision and order, such flaws in their rules were intolerable and would undoubtedly be rectified.

The Koya Alliance and the Riken seized on this opportunity. Their goal was to manipulate public sentiment and pressure the Ji into amending the rules in a way favorable to the Riken.

If successful, the Swarm would be faced with two unpalatable choices. Should they refuse to comply, they would risk alienating not just the Koya Alliance but also the Ji themselves. Regardless of the Ji’s preferential treatment toward the Swarm, they would feel compelled to enforce the rules for the sake of their reputation and centuries-long authority. This could force the Ji into direct conflict with the Swarm, allowing the Koya Alliance to eliminate the Swarm without lifting a finger.

On the other hand, if the Swarm complied, their image would take a severe hit. This would enable the Riken to establish independence and align with the Koya Alliance. At the same time, it would isolate the Swarm within the Confederation, limiting their opportunities for growth and development. Either way, as long as the plan proceeded smoothly, the Koya Alliance would benefit immensely.

However, the Koya Alliance lacked the influence to generate such widespread attention on their own. Even if they had the means, they wouldn’t risk openly antagonizing a powerful force like the Swarm. Publicly stepping into the fray wasn’t their intention. Their preferred tactics were more underhanded: sowing discontent, fanning the flames from the shadows, and letting others take the heat.

The Riken began flooding the Confederation’s internal news networks with distorted narratives, recasting themselves as weak, helpless victims while subtly painting the Swarm as oppressive aggressors. They rewrote history, portraying the Swarm’s actions as unjust violations, hoping to elicit sympathy from other factions.

Thanks to the quantum communication system, these stories spread instantaneously across the Confederation. Some civilizations dismissed them with a scoff, but others viewed them with keen interest.

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