It tore off the cocoon membrane, sealing it off, a couple of burrowers grabbed pieces of the membrane, feeding them back into the fabricator to be recycled.

As it stood before me, its four arms flexing in unison, I saw not just a drone, but a harbinger of what was to come. I could already envision a swarm of these warriors sweeping through the caves, slipping in and out of the shadows.

I leaned in, assessing every detail as it stood there. The drone’s four arms extended symmetrically from its torso, each muscular yet lean, each designed for optimal use in both offence and manoeuvrability.

I inspected the bone blades, feeling a small surge of satisfaction as I watched them retract and extend with a smooth, silent motion. The blades were layered with tiny, jagged barbs that would catch and rip through even the toughest material with ease.

Its gel launcher was next. I took my time inspecting for any flaws, tracing each part of the process, from the gel sac’s pressurization to the narrow channel that funnelled it through the arm.

Satisfied, I watched as the drone’s internal gel sac filled and primed, ready to fire. I gave out a quick order to fire at the back of my workshop at the designated targets of stone slabs.

The drone turned and took aim within milliseconds of release, each shot flew by, hitting each slab. Each shard embedded with satisfying precision into the stone.

With a thought, I ordered it to change the firing mode to scattershot, and within seconds it was firing scatter shots at each slab.

With the projectile systems functional, I turned to the drone’s propulsion. The bio-jets embedded along its back and hips had to be balanced perfectly.

I gave it a test command, watching as each jet fired in sequence, lifting the drone slightly off the ground before setting it back down in a controlled fall.

I leaned closer, issuing a series of test commands to ensure every system functioned as intended. Its eyes flickered, multi-spectrum vision adjusting to various light levels.

I tapped into the drone’s visual feed for a moment, letting myself see through its eyes—a disorienting view of the world, vibrant raw and alive.

My vision snapped back. This one was ready. I felt a pulse of excitement at the thought of the next stages, the scout, sniper, and the heavy.

Grabbing the next tablet, it was time for the scout. With a more refined scout already working on the surface, I thought of making it more robust to work with the other drones on the battlefield.

The Scout Drone needed finesse—speed, agility, and sensory superiority. I stripped it down to the lightest materials, focusing on fluid movement in zero-g.

Each of its four limbs was elongated and tapered, with clawed digits for gripping and climbing along cave walls or rock formations.

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Bio jets along its hips, shoulders, and back allowed it to drift soundlessly, adapting to the dark, cramped terrain with ease.

This drone’s most vital weapon was its array of multi-spectrum eyes, offering a full 360-degree view, supplemented by vibration sensors that could pick up even the faintest movement through solid rock.

I embedded a small, rapid-fire gel launcher in its upper arms, with shots that could pepper a target from mid-range without compromising its manoeuvrability.

Finally, to expand its field of vision, I equipped it with a mini-hive along its spine, capable of birthing insect-like scout drones that could fan out to map areas and detect hostiles.

The scout wasn’t built for drawn-out combat, but for precise hit-and-run tactics, alerting the other drones to any unseen dangers lurking nearby.

With a thought, I activated the fabricator, letting the squelched and churned, refining of organic synthesis fill the chamber

The fabricator worked quickly, reshaping the biomass. The drone’s four elongated arms and lean torso emerged from the membrane like a predator slowly slipping free of its cocoon.

With a wet tearing sound, it broke through the membrane and stepped forward, its limbs stretching, joints clicking into place with smooth, fluid motions.

I approached, noting the streamlined design of its limbs. Its muscles rippled as it shifted, flexing its clawed digits. Each claw was sharp, capable of gripping even the tiniest rock ledge with ease.

I ran my fingers over its lightweight exoskeleton—thin enough to keep it agile, yet resilient enough to shield against minor impacts.

Issuing a mental command, I ordered it to move around. The bio-jets along its shoulders and hips hissed softly, lifting it effortlessly off the ground.

The scout drifted forward in a weightless glide, adjusting its bio jets with calculated precision. Its movement was nearly soundless, a ghost in motion, and I felt a spark of satisfaction.

I turned my attention to the drone’s gel launcher, I instructed it to test-fire on the makeshift line of stone slabs.

The drone’s arms extended, each launcher primed. It released a rapid burst, each shard embedding with satisfying precision into the stone, a soft crackling echoing as the shards hardened upon impact.

I nodded approvingly—speed without sacrificing lethality. With another command, it switched to scatter mode, spraying the area with a wider spread, perfect for covering its escape.

Now came the true test—its sensory system. I leaned in, examining the small vibration sensors embedded along its legs and lower torso. They pulsed in tandem with the drone’s steady hum, calibrated to detect even the smallest disruptions in the ground or air.

I issued an order for the drone to engage sensory sweep, linking briefly with its visual and sensory feed.

A flood of data surged into my mind walls, pulsing with faint energy signatures, the subtle shifts of air currents. Through its eyes, the dimly lit room became vivid, every detail sharper and more pronounced. The scout’s 360-degree vision showed every angle, every corner.

I inspected the mini-hive along its spine, gently prying open the protective plates to reveal the chambers within. These tiny hives held insect-like scout drones, fragile yet invaluable.

With a thought, I commanded the drone to release one.

A soft hum, and then a small insect-like creature, delicate yet intricately detailed, emerged and took flight, wings beating in a near-silent rhythm. It drifted through the room, its sensory organs relaying back a layered view of the environment. I could see it slipping into narrow cracks, mapping passages a full-sized drone couldn’t navigate.

Satisfied, I sealed the hive, noting the ease with which the drone recalled its small scouts. This one was ready.

Stepping back, I observed the scout in full—a living reconnaissance unit, I could already imagine it sweeping through the cave systems, marking threats.

As it stood there quietly, I mentally gave it an order to bring me a tablet and go and stand next to the assault, it moved quickly and brought a tablet before going to stand next to the assault drone.

I gave an order throughout the hive connection to start mass production of assault drones and scout drones and to triple creation of bio-fabricators’s the time for war was soon approaching.