Chapter 216: The Explosion
Luo Wen believed that species capable of surviving directly in space were exceedingly rare, even among advanced civilizations. The Swarm itself had only achieved such capabilities through relentless evolution and development.
The Swarm’s methods, however, were difficult for other civilizations to replicate.
Most civilizations, Luo Wen assumed, would inhabit environments similar to natural or terraformed habitable planets, such as Genesis Planet or Great Dawn Planet.
Even the Riken, Luo Wen theorized, likely hailed from a habitable planet. Their use of protective suits and filtration masks suggested a dependence on atmospheric respiration for internal circulation.
Although the atmospheric composition of such planets might vary, they invariably nurtured diverse life forms, each civilization adapting to its specific habitat.
If the Swarm were to clash with these civilizations, capturing their biological templates and deploying Brood Queens to their home planets could potentially produce low-cost local combat units. These units might effectively tie down enemy forces, gradually wearing them down and undermining their resources.
Would this strategy allow the Swarm to secure victory while preserving hidden strengths? Could it offer a decisive edge in interstellar conflict?
The feasibility of this plan, Luo Wen realized, would require practical testing. If the Riken lacked powerful allies, they would serve as ideal test subjects.
Caution, however, was paramount. The Swarm was still a sub-light-speed power, weak compared to civilizations operating at or beyond light speed. Provoking such entities would leave no room for escape.