I Am The Swarm-Chapter 756: Transfer

“We can’t be careless. Perhaps the Swarm has some special delivery methods. However, after this stellar explosion, it should completely thwart the Swarm’s infiltration plans.”

It turned out that the Ji race’s detonation of the star was not only to eliminate the hostage leverage but also to clear out these infiltrating units of the Swarm.

Over the years, the Swarm had sent an unknown number of these infiltrating units to their side. These units were so small that the Interstellar Technological Confederation had no capability to search every inch of the galaxy and completely eradicate them.

Moreover, based on inferred data, these infiltrating units must possess an extremely powerful hibernation mechanism, allowing them to drift in the void for an astronomically exaggerated number of years. Although these tiny creatures moved very slowly, given enough time, who knew where they might disperse? Perhaps tens of thousands of years later, they could spread throughout the entire Confederation.

The thought of their habitats being undermined from below without people even realizing it, turning into Swarm territory, was truly terrifying.

Therefore, as the leading force of the Confederation, the Ji race had to devise a foolproof plan to permanently eliminate these potential threats once and for all.

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Thus, the plan to detonate the star emerged. Although initially opposed by many, it eventually gained approval due to its multiple benefits.

The powerful shockwave from the stellar explosion would hardly be attenuated in its initial phase. The star systems closest to the explosion point, which also had the highest probability of Swarm infiltration, would have everything except their stars—planets, moons, asteroids, meteor belts, etc.—destroyed by this powerful shockwave.

The Swarm units possibly settled on these celestial bodies would naturally be eradicated as well. As for those small infiltrating units still drifting in space, they would stand no chance against the shockwave from the stellar explosion.

However, the speed of the stellar shockwave wasn’t fast either. Before it arrived, the Swarm might deploy all their hidden forces on those planets to attack this Ji fleet.

But given their continued absence, it might indeed be as one advisor previously suggested—the time was too short, and they hadn’t managed to land yet. Or perhaps the time was too short, and they hadn’t developed much; their forces were far from being a match for this Ji fleet.

If the Swarm Empress were placed in the middle of the fleet, when the front half of the fleet entered the star gate, it would effectively halve the Ji fleet’s strength. If the Swarm attacked at this moment, the outcome would be uncertain.

“Placing the target at the front of the formation? Wouldn’t that be somewhat inappropriate?”

“What’s inappropriate? On the other side of the star gate is the Confederation’s heartland. Even if the Swarm attacks, we can destroy the star gate, and our remaining ships are sufficient to ensure our escape before the Swarm encircles us. Of course, this is just the worst-case scenario estimation.”

“It’s impossible. If the Swarm could really achieve such a feat, they would have ambushed us halfway; why wait until now?”

“Perhaps because their forces are too scattered. We just received news that the detection devices we deployed at LKDW377 detected suspected stealth units of the Swarm, with an unknown quantity.”

“This is something we overlooked. Even if the Swarm infiltrated all the surrounding star systems, gathering them together wouldn’t be easy.”

“In that case, there might be Swarm forces following us along the way, but due to insufficient strength, they haven’t made a move.”

“I disagree. Although the Swarm inherited the legacy of an unknown civilization, currently, their technological level doesn’t surpass ours and lags behind in most aspects. I think it’s absolutely impossible for them to follow us unnoticed.”

“I agree. If they had that capability, they would have destroyed the star gate directly, waited for their forces to gather, and then intercepted us. Wouldn’t that be better?”

“That makes sense.”

“Don’t overestimate the Swarm. However, to be safe, I still think it’s better to let the target pass through the star gate first.”

“But we have rats within our ranks. What if…?”

“You called them rats. Do you really hold them in such high regard? Do you think they’d dare to seize the Swarm Empress? Not to mention whether they can obtain the exact coordinates on the other side of the star gate, even if there are moles within the fleet, we aren’t without precautions. On the other side, Lumina has already assembled a team to meet us. Besides, it’s different over there. Even if the Swarm shows up, they can retreat back to their territory if they can’t win. But over there is our heartland. If they dare to show their faces, it’s tantamount to suicide.”

“Let’s hope so.”

After much discussion, the ship carrying the Swarm Empress was arranged at the front of the formation.

A few days later, the fleet had reached the star gate. Surging energy tides radiated outward, and the central ring of the star gate gradually began to change.

“The channel is connected, everything is normal, proceed!” After the mechanical announcement, the vanguard of a hundred ships entered first.

Just a few minutes later, the quantum communication device transmitted a message from the vanguard confirming their safety.

“Alright, the vanguard has contacted the reception team. Selina hasn’t issued any alerts. Let the target proceed!”

The ship carrying the Swarm Empress had long been prepared. Upon receiving the order, it inserted itself into the formation and headed towards the star gate. But just as it was about to enter the star gate, an unexpected incident occurred.

Part of the brilliant lights on the star gate suddenly went out and then lit up again instantly. This caused ripples in the central channel of the ring, making it unstable.

“What’s going on! Selina?” With the level of technology possessed by the Ji race and constant self-checks by artificial intelligence, basic mechanical failures were impossible. Let alone such a critical and coincidental timing. Something like this occurring definitely foreshadowed an impending event.

“Lost contact with area C36 of XM1209… Unknown authority intrusion… Warning, warning, system breached, system breached… Star gate coordinates altered…”

A series of mechanical sounds rang out, but the content of the announcements made many Ji commanders and advisors break out in a cold sweat.

“Quick, stop them!” one commander shouted.

“Contacting JZJ18982192798 warship… Contact failed, the other party has shut down all communication equipment… Attempting to take over JZJ18982192798 warship… ZN1568901 subroutine disabled, takeover failed… JZJ18982192798 warship out of control, suspected hijacking, notifying all units… Requesting further instructions…”

ZN1568901 was the onboard AI of the JZJ18982192798 warship. The Ji commanders and advisors felt their understanding being challenged—someone actually managed to achieve this level of sophistication.