My Children Swarm the Cosmos

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟒: 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 (4)

Lemegeton entered the dimensional passageway of Nemea. As the surrounding starlight became more distorted, it soon turned into countless straight beams of light pouring out in the direction of progress.

At the same moment, other ships also using the dimensional passageway became part of the beams of light, losing their distinguishable forms.

“Amazing technology. . . I hope we can use such technology someday too. . .”

“That will happen.”

While heading towards the solar system, the hub of all dimensional passageways, a signal came into Lemegeton’s electronics.

It was the voice of a machine.

━𝐃𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟓𝟎𝟎𝟕𝟕𝟑𝟗𝟏𝟗𝟏𝟎𝟏.

Hearing that voice, Ludwig became more vigilant.

“It seems like something has infiltrated the Lemegeton. . . Should I have the Cresecters patrol the ship?”

“No need for that. This is a guidance message from the dimensional passageway.”

“A natural phenomenon. . .?”

“There are several possibilities.”

Kreion deduced that the Lemegeton had safely received support from the dimensional passageway.

“If this Lemegeton we’re on is a ship officially registered by the Darwin Foundation, this would be an extremely natural occurrence.”

“. . .Would other possibilities be unnatural occurrences. . .?”

“When we succeeded in escaping to Nemea’s cabinet orbit, the enemy ships all stopped chasing us at once.”

“They gave up chasing us, intimidated by the might of the Cresecters. . .”

“No. The enemy ships only launched fighters, without attempting any shelling. They let us go.”

Ludwig sent a wave of curiosity.

“If we had escaped in the direction of complete outer space instead of towards Nemea’s dimensional passageway, we would have been driven into a corner by now, unable to avoid a frontal battle.”

“. . .”

Unable to keep up with Kreion’s speed of thought, Ludwig just focused on his voice.

“The Lemegeton is a biomechanical spacecraft containing bioweapons. And it’s also the Foundation’s prototype assault ship for testing armaments. It’s hard to believe such a dangerous ship was registered in the dimensional passageway before it was even completed.”

“Then what is it. . .? Why they gave up chasing us. . . And why we can use the human dimensional passageway. . .”

“The Darwin Foundation is conscious of society’s eyes. They cannot engage us in combat where there are many watching eyes, so they let us go. The chimeraz project is a secret.

“Ah. . .”

“However, we’re already headed towards the solar system, the heart of humanity. Since the Foundation doesn’t want to stop us by force now, they’ll just let us go for the moment and come after us later to dispose of us.”

After deducing that much, Kreion adds one last line.

“In order to let us go smoothly. . . The Foundation hurriedly registered the Lemegeton. And the fact that they could register this dangerous Lemegeton in the dimensional passageway in less than an hour means the Darwin Foundation has some kind of relationship with the New Ark Corporation. A very deep relationship at that. . .”

Ludwig finally understands the implication.

“Perhaps in the future, our opponent may end up being more than just the Darwin Foundation. . .”

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

Lemegeton arrived in the solar system after traveling through a gravity highway created by the dimensional passageway of Nemea for 17 hours.

The solar system, which is the crossroads of all dimensional passageways, has seven dimensional passageways. They are orbiting the sun in different directions.

Kreion’s destination was an area of space that was sparsely populated with matter and celestial bodies, and therefore isolated from humans. And less matter and celestial bodies mean it is a cold area.

So Lemegeton used the dimensional passageway orbiting 7.5 times between Uranus and Neptune. That dimensional passageway was connected to the Slav planet nation with a population of 5.1 billion.

17 hours passed from Nemea to the solar system, and 29 hours passed from the solar system to Slav.

Slav is a cold and large planet that has a long winter season because of the distance from its parent star. Even so, terraforming has been completed, so there is a vast sea with floating glaciers, and the average temperature ranges from -5 degrees Celsius at the equator to -62 degrees Celsius at the polar regions.

“Humans are creatures that build their nests like insects in any environment. . . I think there’s something we can learn from that. . .”

“The place we are going to is a colder space.”

Kreion thought about stopping by Slav for a while to acquire necessary resources, but soon gave up. It was because the appearance of Lemegeton was too different from that of humans and because he thought that this nation called Slav would have their hands in it.

‘𝘐𝘧 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘸𝘪𝘯 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘈𝘳𝘬 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. . . 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘕𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘢 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘭𝘢𝘷.’

There was no one chasing Lemegeton on the way. That meant that the enemies already had a rough idea of their location.

‘𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.’

The dimensional passageway of this star system is only one that leads to the solar system. So Lemegeton began to accelerate again with its own power.

Going further away from the area of Slav that lacked resources and energy. Leaving Slav behind, they moved into an increasingly dark and cold space. Ironically, the number of stars visible around them increased to the point where it became mind-boggling.

Like that, they traveled for 26 more hours.

Where did all those numerous stars go?

A pitch-black area unfolded as if a supermassive black hole had swept away all light. The starlight around them was gone, and the only celestial body emitting light was the dim red dwarf star that was faintly glowing ahead of them, like a devil’s eyeball in the darkness.

“Master. . . This is a dark nebula where dense dust and gas absorb visible light. . . And that red dwarf star has an unstable surface, so it is erupting sunspots right now. . .”

“It’s the worst environment for humans. Those frequent sunspot eruptions pour out harmful radiation and protons to the surrounding planets, and they also interfere with the communication of electronic devices.”

“Our race’s superior means of communication and strong bodies will endure it. . .”

“That’s right. Besides, the dark nebula that has engulfed this star system induces Cosminyctophobia in most humans.”

“Yes. . . Indeed. . . I can’t see anything except the faint outlines of the parent star and planets. . . It feels like we’re lost in a void, like a dead universe in the distant future. . .”

“We need to find the land to deploy the first colony. Send out the Crescent Herd.”

Hundreds of Crescent Herd from Lemegeton all came out and began to directly observe this star system. According to the information registered in Lemegeton, this place had a dark nebula and a red dwarf star, and that was all.

No human would come to this dark nebula in a faraway place, leaving the better resources and environment scattered throughout the universe.

Lemegeton waited for about 2 hours while slowly approaching the red dwarf star.

Ludwig, who finished a light survey, reported.

“The surrounding celestial bodies have an abundance of heavy elements left from past explosions, and there were 14 orbiting bodies. . .”

“What are the environments of each celestial body like?”

“They were more diverse than I thought. . . There are magma planets, volcanic planets, rocky planets, wasteland planets, gas planets, and ice dwarf planets. . . There’s no type that’s missing. . .”

It was a much better environment than expected.

“Excellent.”

“This dark nebula and star system were an area like a gift to us. . . I recommend the rocky planet in the 4th orbit as the land to deploy the first colony. . .”

Ludwig’s transmitted wave contained the image of the 4th planet. Kreion carefully observed the surface of the 4th planet drawn in his head.

It was a planet slightly larger and with stronger gravity than what humans pursued. Thanks to the strong gravity, it had an atmosphere that had been held onto for a long time, even in front of the eruption of sunspots.

It was quite close to the red dwarf star and it had an atmosphere, so the average temperature would be around -40 degrees Celsius.

However, there was one thing that Kreion found regrettable.

“It’s a planet with no rotation. Then it won’t have a magnetic field and will be directly exposed to the nearby sunspot eruptions.”

“That’s an advantage, rather. . .”

“An advantage, because it can deter intruders?”

“That too, but. . .”

A strong will was transmitted from Ludwig.

“We need to become a race that can survive without the protection of a magnetic field. . . Chimeraz, like humans have shown, must conquer extreme environments in order to reign over the galaxy in the future. . .”

Kreion couldn’t help but be impressed by Ludwig’s such will. It was because he realized that his own thoughts until a few seconds ago were wrong.

“My thinking was shortsighted.”

“Ah. . . I didn’t mean it that way. . .”

“You’re right. We will become strong enough to conquer any environment in the universe. That is also the path that chimeraz must take. It was a truly great opinion. Ludwig.”

“I don’t know what to do with Master’s praise. . .”

Ludwig covered his face with the blade-like branches growing from his back and tightly shut his eyes.

Kreion enjoyed his bashful appearance for a moment and then gave an order.

“Lemegeton. Move to the 4th planet.”

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

A location where the heat and sunspot eruptions of the red dwarf star could be received obliquely. The rotation had stopped, so there was always a red sky with a red star that was as beautiful as the evening glow.

𝘒𝘶𝘶𝘶𝘶𝘶𝘶𝘶𝘶𝘶𝘶𝘶𝘶!!!

Lemegeton landed on the frozen surface. It was an environment with a vast plain and occasional low hills.

Kreion and Ludwig walked.

They didn’t have to use waves that consumed mental power. This planet had air, so they could talk in spoken words.

“Nitrogen 66%, oxygen 25%, carbon dioxide 4%, and the rest is an atmosphere including helium and hydrogen. . .”

“We should use oxygen as an energy source.”

“If the oxygen decreases and carbon dioxide increases, this cold environment will improve, too. . .”

“Let’s drop the oxygen down to 5%, and then use the heat of the red dwarf star and the radioactive elements of the surrounding celestial bodies.”

“It’s a truly perfect plan. . .”

𝘡𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘳. . .

When Lemegeton opened its large mouth, a completed provisional colony was revealed inside.

‘𝘋𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘺.’

Xenotera poured out from the provisional colony like a waterfall of black tar and began to devour the surrounding land. And tendrils stretched out like blood vessels above the Xenotera and dug deep into the ground in one spot.

𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬, 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬, 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬!!

The tendrils that went into the ground absorbed inorganic matter containing heavy elements and converted them into usable organic matter resources. Numerous organs like exhaust pipes grew from some tendrils and sucked in oxygen to be used in the combustion reaction.

The heart of the colony was formed underground, and the exoskeleton rose above the ground to protect the expanding flesh.

“How big of a colony are you planning to make. . .?”

“For now, it’s enough to be about the same size as my mother. I’ll increase it later, depending on the size of the colony site.”

The colony that adapted to an environment with strong gravity had a large lower body. And a large mouth was made at the top to absorb more oxygen.

If Kreion’s previous colony was shaped like an upside-down mushroom, this time it completely resembled the mother test subject.

𝘚𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘩, 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘩, 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘩, 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘩. . .!

The completed colony poured out a large amount of Xenotera from the discharge port at the bottom and spread its tendrils in all directions on the ground. The tendrils that stretched to an appropriate distance formed various egg sacs with the resources supplied from the colony.

An egg sac of Hounz wrapped in its tail, a small pile of Fly’s egg sacs, Kabana’s eggs packed in a hard titanium exoskeleton, Cust’s pupae that rose in the form of an ovipositor, and a cluster of Tritula’s eggs covered in sticky Xenotera like spider webs were made one after another, forming a single colony site.

Among them, a new structure rose in a location far away from the colony.

A structure shaped like a long mushroom or an elephant’s trunk revealed a hole toward the sky. Its height was similar to that of the colony.

“What is that. . .?”

“It’s the nest of the Cresecter. It will shoot adult Cresecter into orbit through the beak of the nest from inside.”

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be more efficient to just float the nest in orbit. . .?”

“Right now, we don’t have a good means to supply resources to a nest floating in orbit. And the nest of the Cresecter can also be used as an anti-aircraft weapon by having the Cresecter self-destruct.”

If the enemies came, whether they were performing an orbital bombardment or an orbital drop, they would definitely appear in that red sky.

In that sense, a ceiling to protect their heads was also necessary.

“I’ll show you your place. Follow me.”

“Yes. . . ”

Kreion came to the front of the colony with Ludwig.

𝘡𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘬!

The vertical mouth at the bottom of the colony revealed the inside. The two went inside and checked out the internal scenery of the colony.

“This is a style I learned from my kin before I became the ruler of chimeraz.”

“Ah. . . That place is Master’s. . .”

Ludwig looked up.

The floor and walls were paved with sleek black minerals. Gloworms were attached to pillars placed at regular intervals, dimly illuminating the interior.

And there was a darkly shining throne there.

Kreion walked ahead and sat on the throne.

Ludwig, who saw that, came to the bottom of the throne and lowered his head.

“My true ruler. . .”

“That’s not your place. Come next to me.”

“How can I dare. . . I can’t stand at the same height as Master. . .”

“You will become the leader of leaders. Your current position is a place for those ranked 3rd and below.”

“Then I’ll be ranked 2nd. . .?”

“Yes.”

Ludwig tried hard to hide his ecstasy and awe, and came up next to Kreion’s throne.

“I will make you the leader of the escort and survey herd.”

“Survey herd. . . I think it’s very important to explore the resources of this dark nebula and. . . detect the humans’ attack in advance. . .”

“The leader of the survey herd will follow me by default, but he will also follow you by command. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Understood. . .”

“Then you name it. The name of the leader ranked 3rd.”

“First, I need to see the appearance. . .”

𝘡𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘬!

At that moment, the door of the colony split open vertically.

𝘛𝘪𝘤𝘬. 𝘛𝘪𝘤𝘬, 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬, 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬, 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬, 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬. 𝘛𝘪𝘤𝘬, 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬, 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬, 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬, 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬, 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬.

The lifeform that entered the colony at that time was like the eyeball of an alien walking on tentacles.

“Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssss.”

A voice that sounded like the voices of an old man and a boy overlapped echoed from inside the large eyeball. Its vocal organ was inside the eyeball.

“Is that the leader individual of the survey herd. . .?”

“I made it for now because I didn’t have time to teach it language. What do you think?”

“Kreum, shaaaaaaa? Suiiiiiiiiiiinis.”

“I’ll teach it language. . .”

“What’s the name?”

Ludwig thought of it right away when he saw its appearance.

“Nazar. . . I think it’s good to call it that. . .”

“Good. Nazar.”

Kreion informed Nazar.

“You are Nazar, the leader of the Nazar herd, the Nazar ranked 3rd in the collective consciousness. I will give you 331 Crescent Herd’s Cresecter and one Lemegeton.”

“. . . !”

Nazar’s pupil shook.

It hadn’t learned language yet, so it didn’t answer, but it sent a unique, strong wave toward Kreion, emphasizing its loyalty.

The wave was so strong that it reached even Ludwig.

“It’s a great seed. . .”

“And Ludwig. I’ll say it again, Nazar is below you. Teach it well.”

“Yes. . . I understand. . .”

𝘚𝘪𝘻𝘻𝘭𝘦! 𝘚𝘪𝘻𝘻𝘭𝘦, 𝘴𝘪𝘻𝘻𝘭𝘦, 𝘴𝘪𝘻𝘻𝘭𝘦!!!

A drastic change occurred in Nazar’s round, black pupil. Something like fibers or blood vessels in the iris flowed like light flowing along optical fibers. It became a flashing glare, and at the same time, Nazar’s eyes turned purple.

The color of those eyes was the same as Kreion’s eyes.

“Nazar. From now on, you become the eyes of chimeraz.”