While the clones focused intently on their respective projects, I directed my full attention to the etheric plane, fixating on the barrier that separated me from its deeper mysteries. It loomed before me like an unyielding wall, vast and inscrutable, its nature both tantalizing and maddeningly elusive.
Wave after wave of mental attacks crashed against its surface, probing for any sign of weakness. Each effort was met with the same outcome—silence. The barrier stood unchanged, neither yielding nor reacting. Its resilience was absolute, as though it existed outside the influence of force or manipulation.
I circled it endlessly, scrutinizing every aspect for the faintest imperfection. My mind worked tirelessly, a predator stalking an unrelenting prey. Simultaneously, I extended my awareness to the chaotic storm surrounding me, drawing upon its volatile energy. The storm churned violently, its power fluctuating unpredictably, but even its fury failed to disturb the barrier. It remained inert, an inscrutable sentinel guarding the secrets beyond.
Time became meaningless as I continued my efforts, unbroken by failure. Each setback only fuelled my determination, my resolve hardening with every failed attempt. The barrier’s defiance was a challenge I could not ignore. Yet, even as I focused on this monumental task, I maintained my link to the physical realm, reviewing reports and guiding the swarm’s progress. After yet another failed attempt to glean any insight from the barrier, I shifted my focus fully to reviewing the reports.
The enemy had established a base at a cautious distance, securing their position with sentry turrets strategically placed to fortify their perimeter. My intelligence sub-mind had been tracking their movements relentlessly, scanning for any potential vulnerabilities.
Unfortunately, no immediate opportunities to breach their defences presented themselves. Their careful positioning and advanced surveillance systems kept their perimeter secure, forcing my swarm to adapt. To compensate, the sub-mind extended its surveillance range, dispatching scouts to probe further into the surrounding area for weaknesses or exploitable resources.
Initially, the scouts reported little significance beyond the 25-kilometre mark. The terrain remained unremarkable, and the enemy’s patrols were both sporadic and disciplined. This routine changed dramatically when the architects reinforcing the upper levels of the tunnels made a startling discovery: small, spherical devices embedded within the walls.
Their placement was deliberate, concealed enough to avoid casual detection but positioned with precision to serve some unknown purpose. The discovery sent an immediate alarm through the swarm, triggering an all-encompassing alert.
Every drone within the network was mobilized to scour the tunnels, hunting for additional devices and potential threats.
As the search intensified, more of these spheres were uncovered, scattered deep within the tunnel systems. The situation escalated when several camouflaged mechanical drones were found actively traversing the tunnels.
These intruders were swiftly neutralized and transported for analysis. The spheres, meanwhile, were secured in isolated chambers far from vital infrastructure to prevent any potential damage or surveillance leaks. The breach underscored a critical need to overhaul internal security measures. The war sub-mind, alongside my clones, immediately pivoted their focus, prioritizing the design of enhanced defence systems and drone variants capable of countering future infiltrations.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
The clones were already working on various projects to strengthen the swarm’s capabilities. Among these was the development of a disposable armour system tailored for assault and heavy drone variants. This system aimed to maximize a drone’s battlefield longevity, allowing it to shed damaged armour layers and continue functioning effectively.
Research into scout and sniper drone variants had been temporarily paused to prioritize these critical designs. Simultaneously, the gel-based weapon project showed promise, with breakthroughs in creating an acidic substitute for standard munitions. This weapon held potential as a primary armament, offering adaptability for a range of scenarios.
On the other hand, more experimental designs, such as superheated plasma weapons, continued to face significant challenges. The instability of plasma remained a persistent obstacle, rendering it an impractical solution for the moment.
One of the more intriguing advancements was the development of specialized bone darts. These projectiles were launched using gas-propulsion glands that generated and compressed gases within a biological chamber. Upon release, the expanding gas propelled the dart with exceptional speed and precision. To conserve resources, the system sealed itself immediately after firing, preserving the internal atmosphere for subsequent shots.
Additionally, a larger quadrupedal drone variant was in the works. Its modular design offered flexibility, allowing it to be outfitted with various weapon platforms tailored to different combat scenarios. This innovation represented a significant step forward in versatility and battlefield adaptability.
However, not all projects progressed smoothly. Efforts to develop a missile system for long-range combat had stalled due to speed limitations, rendering the project temporarily unfeasible. Instead, resources were redirected toward enhancing suicide drones for space-combat adaptation. These redesigned units were intended to deliver acidic payloads capable of breaching ship hulls or deploying highly destructive explosive charges.
Meanwhile, the intelligence sub-mind had concluded its first round of testing on the remaining captives, focusing on the integration of evolving parasites designed to transmit intelligence through the etheric plane.
The results of the parasite tests were mixed but provided valuable insights. Captive 3 yielded the most promising outcome, successfully transmitting data through the etheric plane in short, intermittent bursts. This marked a critical breakthrough, as it demonstrated the parasite’s potential to establish a functional, if inconsistent, link for intelligence sharing. However, the process remained unreliable, with transmission range and stability requiring significant refinement to achieve practical application.
Captive 2, on the other hand, suffered complete brain death shortly after integration. The incompatibility between the host’s neural structure and the parasite’s evolving capabilities resulted in catastrophic failure. This outcome highlighted the risks inherent in the process, emphasizing the need for more precise calibration to minimize rejection and maximize utility.
Captive 1 showed some initial promise, managing to transmit fragmented bursts of data before undergoing a mental collapse. This collapse appeared to stem from the host’s inability to adapt to the parasite’s integration, leading to a cascade of neural failures. While the result was less than ideal, it provided critical data on the thresholds of mental resilience required for successful implementation.
These findings underscored the importance of identifying suitable hosts and refining the parasites to achieve seamless integration with minimal risk to the host. Attempts to salvage Captives 1 and 2 through corrective measures proved futile, leaving no choice but to recycle them. Their memories and biological data were preserved for future analysis, ensuring that their losses were not in vain.
With several projects nearing completion and no immediate crises requiring my attention, I found myself with more spare time than expected. In the absence of pressing matters, I decided to immerse myself in the last audio logs while trying to scour my memories for anything feasible these were few moments I wish I paid attention to the mars colonization race between the major powers.