I Am The Swarm-Chapter 557: Secrets

“Prevent the Ji Race from obtaining it. If the goal is achieved and sharing is possible, then we can discuss it. If not, we can negotiate.”

“Agreed. We can’t let a hypothetical prize derail us.”

“Fine. However, unless we all suffer a crushing defeat, the Ji Race probably won’t intervene directly.”

“That will test our acting skills. Take the Ketou Race, for example. They looked like they were in dire straits, but they didn’t actually lose much. And because their fleet was dispersed, they won’t be able to participate in the war for at least a few years.”

“Exactly. Inspiration comes from reality. The Ketou Race provided excellent material for us this time.”

“Ahem, but let’s not all copy this move. If it becomes a joke, it’ll be hard to clean up the mess.”

“True. We can discuss our strategies beforehand and see if there are any overlaps. Then we can give each other feedback and fill in the gaps.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“I think you’re all being a bit too optimistic. I’m worried the Swarm might be wiped out prematurely. The Rashudia Race, while not impressive in our eyes, is still a bit too much for the current Swarm. Add in those mid- and outer-ring civilizations—though they’re not much either—they have the numbers to make a difference.”

“No need to worry. The Swarm seems calm and composed, as if they have a plan. This is also a good opportunity to see if the Swarm has any hidden cards up their sleeve.”

“They definitely have some. After all, they inherited the legacy of a higher civilization.”

“How do you know they aren’t a higher civilization themselves?”

“Hmph, higher civilizations wouldn’t bother playing this little upgrade game with us.”

“Well, in that case, I’m actually a bit worried about the Swarm.”

“What do you mean? You’re worried they won’t survive this?”

“No, not that. I’m worried they might run away.”

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“Oh? Where could they go? Even if we gave them a fifty-year head start, we’d eventually catch up.”

“You don’t understand. We know too little about the Swarm. So far, all we’ve destroyed on the frontlines are their biological weapons. In the decades since the war began, we haven’t captured—or even seen—a single true member of the Swarm. They’re hiding somewhere, silently manipulating everything.”

“Just like us?”

“Haha, now that you mention it, it does seem similar. But all we manipulate are those ships. What’s the problem with that? As long as they’re still in this star system, we’ll find them eventually.”

“And what if they leave this star system and go somewhere we can’t find?”

“That’s impossible…” The mysterious attendee suddenly paused, as if struck by a thought.

“Got it? The higher civilization the Swarm inherited might even surpass the Ji Race. If the Ji Race can build Star Gates, who’s to say the Swarm doesn’t have something similar? If they really pull it off…”

“Exactly. The Swarm’s biological weapons are countless, but we don’t even know how many true Swarm members there are. If they manage to create something like a Star Gate and sneak away, we might not even notice.”

“Star Gates require massive amounts of energy and are quite large. If the Swarm really has them, they wouldn’t be easy to hide.”

“Hmph, if the Swarm really has Star Gates, have you ever seen what a biotech Star Gate looks like? In every star system they occupy, there are massive structures thousands of kilometers long orbiting the stars. Current intelligence suggests they’re old-fashioned giant electromagnetic launchers, but who knows what they really are? They might very well be the Swarm’s Star Gates.”

“You make a good point, but those structures, while large, are still far smaller than a Star Gate. Even if they are Star Gates, the energy required to activate them is unimaginable. Based on our surveillance, the energy levels they operate at are nowhere near what a Star Gate would require.”

“I think it’s unlikely the Swarm has Star Gates. While I don’t know exactly what they’ve inherited, it seems like their legacy has a gradual unlocking process.”

“Exactly. I think so too. If you look at the Swarm’s combat unit upgrades and technological advancements, it supports this idea. Starting with the Riken Race, who used energy cannons, the Swarm soon developed energy cannons. Then the Troi Race showcased warp drives, and the Swarm followed suit. Now, with the Yuntu Race using dark energy power systems and weapons, the Swarm has developed similar equipment.”

“Could it be that the Swarm’s opponents’ technological level helps them unlock corresponding technologies from their inheritance?”

“If that’s the case, then should we even make an appearance? Should the Ji Race?”

“If what you’re saying is true, then the Swarm is far too powerful. Unless we can completely annihilate them in our first encounter, wouldn’t we just become stepping stones for them?”

“Hmph, that’s just paranoia. Unlocking technology also depends on the level of the civilization they inherited. If it doesn’t reach our level, what can they possibly unlock?”

“How is it paranoia? Think about it. Given your race’s current state, if you were given all of the Ji Race’s technology, how long would it take you to digest it and put it into practice? When the Swarm encountered the Yuntu Race, they were still using controlled fusion systems. Yet, just a few years later, they fielded a force based on dark energy systems. This capability, though I hate to admit it, is terrifying.”

At this point, everyone fell silent. What the Swarm had inherited was initially thought to be a clue to immortality, but as they learned more, its terrifying potential became increasingly apparent. They kept raising their estimates, but reality always mocked their conservatism.

“Don’t scare yourselves. I don’t believe they can take a leap in technology, implement it, and re-equip their forces in just a few years. This is likely just a bluff, a game of deception meant to make us paranoid.”

“Haha, a civilization that can glimpse immortality can’t be overestimated. Besides, I’m not afraid or worried. On the contrary, I’m even more interested in the Swarm now. Perhaps obtaining that legacy could help us break free from the Ji Race more easily.”

“Exactly. A small, unknown race from the backwaters obtained it and soared to greatness. With our scale, maybe the Ji Race wouldn’t even be a threat.”

Their eyes gleamed with ambition and desire, but they also grew wary of their companions. Wealth stirs greed, and the Swarm’s treasure was far more than mere wealth. It represented power, honor, and the potential to attain everything they had ever coveted.

But at the same time, another question arose in their minds: If the race that left this legacy was so powerful, what caused their extinction? Or perhaps…