Druhalith (The Season of Resilience)

Day 272

35 days since my arrival.

Surface activity had skyrocketed within the last few hours, I had hoped the enemy was simply dropping off supplies, but my assumption was proven wrong as they started to reinforce their location.

Thirty more of their armoured vehicles were dropped off and started moving out in different cardinal directions. Their sensor drones had already started to move closer to my tunnel network, and within a day or two they would discover it.

I refocused my mind, time was short, and I had explosives to create. The idea of crafting a purely biological explosive that could detonate in the vacuum of space presented a formidable challenge. Typical explosives relied on combustion, a process that required oxygen—a luxury I couldn’t count on in the vacuum.

That only made the problem more enticing. If I could engineer a reaction that didn’t rely on oxygen, I’d gain a new weapon in my arsenal. I needed an organic compound that would store vast amounts of energy in a stable form, only to release it in an instantaneous, violent reaction when triggered.

My mind drifted through countless combinations of enzymes, proteins, and bio-compounds

I began by isolating the gel compound I’d developed earlier—a dense, viscous material with a high-energy density that had served well in the heavy drone’s weaponry. It was potent and stable enough to transport safely, yet volatile when compressed and subjected to extreme force.

However, it still lacked the explosiveness I wanted. I would need something that could act as a detonator, a biological catalyst that could release the stored energy instantly and without the need for an oxidizer.

I turned to the idea of bio-volatility—a process where specific compounds would destabilize violently when exposed to certain enzymes or pressure changes.

I visualized an internal, dual-chamber structure, one chamber containing a highly reactive gel and the other a biological trigger substance. These chambers would be separated by a thin membrane.

To achieve this, I began synthesizing different configurations, creating enzymes and molecular chains that could serve as an initiator for the reaction. After several hours of experimenting with molecular blueprints, I settled on a reactive enzyme one that would act as a catalyst, causing the compounds to break down into smaller, highly energetic molecules that would release a rapid pulse of energy.

Next, I turned to designing the containment vessel an organic shell that would store these volatile compounds until the right moment. I visualized it as a spherical, self-contained pod, lined with layers of flexible yet durable bio-material to prevent premature detonation.

Once the components were ready, I assembled a prototype. The explosive pod sat in the centre of my slab. Its surface was smooth, almost featureless, save for faint ridges where the shell had fused during creation. Inside I knew it held a volatile mixture and the triggering enzyme, separated by a thin organic membrane, waiting for my signal to bring them together.

I had a burrower carry the explosive deeper into one of the newer tunnel expansions. For the first test, I activated a remote trigger. I watched through the burrower as the enzyme flooded the gel chamber, merging with the bio-gel and triggering an immediate reaction.

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The result was instantaneous a violent burst of energy with a blinding flash, The explosions released powerful pulses of energy, but without atmospheric pressure, the shockwaves dissipated quickly. When the light faded, I noticed that the pod had been completely obliterated, leaving nothing but scorch marks on the walls of the tunnel.

The power was impressive, but I’d only scratched the surface of what this explosive could become. The first test showed me it worked now, I needed to refine it.

My next objective was to increase the explosive force without compromising stability. I adjusted the ratio of gel to enzyme, concentrating the bio-gel to amplify the energy release. I also tweaked the enzyme to increase its reactivity, creating a catalyst that would trigger faster and with greater intensity.

I set up a new pod, modifying the containment structure to handle the increased load. This time, I added another layer to the shell, an absorbent layer that would hold any stray molecules in place, preventing the pod from detonating due to random molecular movement or accidental impact. Satisfied with the adjustments, I ordered a burrower to take it to the tunnel.

The enzyme poured into the gel, and within milliseconds, the pod detonated in a flash that was nearly double the intensity of the first test with minimal damage from shockwaves.

The next prototype was larger, its shell reinforced with additional layers of dense tissue to withstand the detonation’s force. The enzyme was more refined, reacting almost instantaneously upon contact with the gel.

Once again, I activated the trigger, watching intently. The enzyme flowed into the gel, and a blinding flash erupted within the containment chamber. Even in a vacuum, the explosion maintained its force, generating a powerful shockwave that rippled through the tunnel.

I reviewed the data—energy output, detonation speed, and force—and was pleased to see that the explosion had lost none of its power.

But I saw an opportunity to add versatility. I visualized a second variation, of a delayed fuse, allowing the pod to travel for several seconds before detonation. This would allow my suicide drones to strike deeper into enemy defences before detonating, maximizing the impact.

I developed an organic timer—a gland that would secrete a mild inhibitor enzyme into the pod until it was depleted. When the inhibitor ran out, the explosive enzyme would flood the bio-gel, triggering the detonation. I tested the mechanism, fine-tuning the inhibitor’s release to achieve consistent delays.

On the next test, I activated the pod and waited. Seconds ticked by as the enzyme slowly built up, held back by the inhibitor. Finally, the inhibitor ran dry, and the pod erupted in a controlled but powerful blast.

With the explosive methods tested and proven, I moved on to field simulations. I commanded a drone to collect numerous pods, instructing it to deploy them against simulated targets at various ranges and angles.

Each test validated my design further—the pods detonated with efficiency, tearing through reinforced slabs of stone and resin, and leaving craters in the ground.

Finally, I deployed the pods testing, them at different heights, and watching as they floated in zero-g before detonating. The explosions released powerful pulses of energy, but without atmospheric pressure, the shockwaves dissipated quickly. However, the impact remained substantial, creating concussive forces that would send nearby objects reeling.

Satisfied with the results, I took a moment to consider the potential applications. These explosive pods would be perfect for my suicide drones, breaching fortifications, or even launching from a distance to disable enemy ships if I could create some sort of missile. They were compact, versatile, and deadly—exactly the kind of weapon I wanted.

I sent my focus back up to the surface, ordering a few scouts to track down their vehicle locations. If I had to fight early, why not try on a few isolated targets, maybe I could capture a few prisoners if it seemed viable.

Within forty minutes one of the scouts had located one of the vehicles north of my position 3 km to one of the older tunnels the vehicle was just waiting, I was curious if these were autonomous or driven.

I ordered the scouts to observe their vehicles from a distance and report back if they saw anything disembark.