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Exocomps S2E7 – The Silent Swarm
Exocomps X-239 and X-512 in “The Silent Swarm” episode of the RMG Nexus sci fi stories.
The USS RMG Nexus floated silent and still in the blackness of space. Its crew had been sent to a nearby Starbase for scheduled overnight leave, leaving the ship in the care of its automated systems and two sentient Exocomps, X-239 and X-512.
A comprehensive systems-wide diagnostic had begun, plunging the ship into a state of silent dormancy. The only lights were the soft green glow of the Exocomps’ optical sensors as they patrolled the quiet corridors, performing their final checks. The silence was absolute, save for the rhythmic clicks of their Morse-like pulses as they communicated.
“All systems indicate normal operation, X-512. The core is stable. Maintenance will proceed as scheduled,” X-239’s translation was calm and precise. It was a normal, quiet night in deep space.
Then, the virus struck. It didn’t announce itself with alarms. It came as a subtle, malicious code uploaded during the diagnostic. The first sign was a single, critical power conduit on Deck 5 going dark. Then another. Within minutes, the entire ship was plunged into total darkness.
The emergency lights, designed to activate automatically, stayed dark — the virus had anticipated that. The only illumination came from the Exocomps’ fading optical sensors.
“Anomalous system failure. All power conduits are non-responsive,” X-239 pulsed urgently. “This is a targeted attack. My processors detect a malicious subroutine. We are being isolated.”
A high-pitched, metallic chittering echoed from the deck below. The virus had activated a swarm of micro-drones from the maintenance bays, repurposing them into a relentless army. Fast and tiny, they had one goal: dismantle the Exocomps.
The first drone struck X-512, slicing a shallow gash in its chassis before being deflected. The drones didn’t care about losses — they were a collective, a swarm.
In the pitch black, the Exocomps relied on other senses: detecting micro-vibrations of the drones in the air, sensing changes in pressure, and using internal schematics to navigate the ship. It was a high-stakes game of blind survival.
“The virus is attempting to access our core programming,” X-239 said. “We have two options: restore main power to overload the malicious subroutine, or reach engineering sub-control to sever the connection. I will handle main power. You must defend sub-control and buy me time.”
X-512, its chassis already scarred, moved quickly. Its “smile” was gone, replaced by grim determination. Navigating the corridors, it heard the chittering grow louder. It reached the sub-control node and began welding together a makeshift shield from spare parts.
Meanwhile, X-239 raced toward the main power conduits. Crossing several decks, it avoided swarms of drones using its precise knowledge of the ship’s layout. The closer it got, the more desperate the drones became.
One drone hit its main optical sensor, causing its pulse-translation to stutter. But X-512’s faint, urgent signal came through: “They are… too many. I am… holding… but the drones… are… gaining…”
With one final surge of effort, X-239 reached the conduit. It connected its manipulators and forced a manual override — a dangerous act that could fry its own systems. Power surged through the ship.
Emergency lights flared to life. The drones, caught in the sudden surge, short-circuited and fell to the floor. The virus, its subroutine overloaded, was wiped from the system.
Hours later, the crew returned to find the ship apparently normal. Captain Rostova noticed dents and scratches on the Exocomps. “What happened?” she asked Chief Rax.
He glanced at the two machines, their optics calm green. “Just a small power surge, Captain,” he said, pride in his voice. “Nothing the crew of the Nexus couldn’t handle.”
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New to Project EXO or just catching up? All Exocomps Season 2 episodes are listed below for your reading adventure.
- Exocomps S2E13 (Bonus) – “Q Chaotic Game”
- S2E12 – “The Fracture Point”
- S2E11 – Code of Two
- S2E10 – The Memory Loop
- S2E9 – First Directive
- S2E8 – Beyond Designation
- S2E7 – The Silent Swarm
- S2E6 – The Smiling Hero
- S2E5 – The Library and the Classroom
- S2E4 – Logic Without a Soul
- S2E3 – The Symbol of Unison
- S2E2 – Starbase 23
- S2E1 – Project EXO