Chapter 547: Recall
Through relentless effort and numerous victories, the Swarm had successfully transformed its image in the eyes of the Interstellar Technological Confederation from that of mindless beasts to cunning hunters.
Therefore, when the Swarm suddenly and inexplicably retreated, both the Yuntu and the Ketuo’s first reaction was to suspect some kind of hidden scheme.
The Swarm’s stealth technology was unparalleled, and it was entirely possible that a massive trap lay in wait somewhere, luring them in. However, what puzzled the Yuntu and the Ketuo was that the Swarm’s actions didn’t seem like a typical lure. Normally, wouldn’t the Swarm first engage in a battle, then appear evenly matched, followed by a staged retreat and a chaotic escape? That would make the bait seem more enticing, tempting the enemy to take the risk.
But what was happening now? Over 300 million Swarm units, fully equipped and in peak condition, had retreated without any preamble. The bait was certainly tempting, but the sheer strength of the Swarm made it less like a delicious sashimi and more like a live shark. Before taking a bite, one had to carefully assess their own strength.
After careful consideration, the risks seemed too high. If this were their own fight, they might have taken the gamble. But since this was purely a favor for others, it was better to play it safe.
The Yuntu emerged as the biggest winners of this encounter. A fleet they had thought was lost, numbering over two million ships, had been saved. The Ketuo also gained something, having completed their assigned mission and earned a favor from the Yuntu, though the actual value of that favor was hard to quantify.
The Swarm, on the other hand, seemed to be the only loser. They had let go of some of their prey, and their bait hadn’t worked as intended, resulting in a loss of potential gains.
However, given how suspicious the situation was, both races remained cautious. In many species’ media, there were often plots involving parasites or similar threats. While such ideas might seem fantastical, they couldn’t be ignored. The Swarm, as a civilization that had fully invested in biotechnology, was entirely capable of creating such bizarre and dangerous things.
Thus, the two million Yuntu who had been rescued were immediately placed into forced hibernation and transported away before they could even savor their narrow escape.