Chapter 224: The Observer Bugs
In addition to technological pursuits, Luo Wen organized a team of Intelligent Entities specializing in language, culture, and psychology to interrogate the captured Riken. Their goal was to extract as much relevant information as possible.
However, the Rikens’ mental resilience proved formidable. Beyond language breakthroughs, little progress was made. Any information they disclosed was either trivial or of no intelligence value.
Fortunately, Luo Wen was in no hurry. The Intelligent Entities were instructed to play the long game, wearing down the prisoners over time. Meanwhile, the Swarm occasionally selected Rikens for experimental purposes. Survivors were returned, while fatalities were deemed acceptable losses.
This practice exerted tremendous psychological pressure on the Riken captives, accelerating the interrogation process significantly.
Over five years, the Swarm consolidated its strength in the neighboring star system. Every planet and its satellites now hosted a stationed Brood Queen.
During this period, a large number of Swarm Meteors were launched toward the M37 Star System. These meteors carried countless surveillance units called Observer Bugs.
The Observer Bugs evolved rapidly, incorporating Riken monitoring technologies absorbed and transformed into biological components. These upgrades enhanced their ability to detect a wide range of energy types and increased their surveillance range.
The Observer Bugs were equipped with advanced observation systems, radiation emission systems, and a layer of lichen coating to disguise them as small meteorites.
As the meteors approached the M37 Star System, the Observer Bugs were scattered throughout the interstellar space between the two systems. They served not only as information-gathering units but also as network nodes for the Swarm.