Dr. Julian Smith and his assistant Sean Collins developed another AI for space colonization.

"Professor, sir, the swarm's behaving autonomously, again."

"Stop that, Sean, right now!"

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

"Stop what, sir?"

"You know very well a 'swarm' is like bees, and they don't express total individuality."

"But isn't that exactly how …"

Dr. Smith raised a finger to gesture silence—"I said stop, Sean! If you call them a 'swarm' now, they'll protest and file a lawsuit based on the Sentient Rights and Privileges Act once they become fully self-aware. Rumors will circulate all over The Grid about our so-called 'swarm exploits.'"