Chapter 144: The Will of the

Dragon Chant Command Center, the 8:00 AM review meeting was as noisy as a vegetable market.

"—So I said!" Wang Hao slapped the table, his spit almost splashing onto Chen Guang's face opposite him.

"Our 'bugs' can only guard the house now, this won't do! They need to be able to go out and 'sting' people!"

The projection screen was playing a complete record of last night's operation.

When the footage cut to the disguised camera on the roof of Warehouse No. 7, Li Yang pressed pause.

"This is our biggest mistake." Li Yang pointed at that thing.

"The opponent not only sent someone to meet, but also set up an observation post."

"And our 'insect' units? They were all focused on Zhang Mingyuan and the one who met him, the outer reconnaissance was completely blank."

Chen Guang pushed up his glasses: "'Hunting Bee's' hover time is only forty-five minutes. To ensure continuous monitoring of the target, we deployed six for rotation, with no spare capacity to cover the outer area."

"'Lurker' mechanical spiders' current movement speed is too slow, by the time they crawl to the roof, the person would have run away."

"So we need to upgrade!" Wang Hao slapped the table again, this time stopped by Zhao Gong's look.

Feng Yan sat in the main seat, fingers tapping lightly on the table: "Talk about specific ideas."

Wang Hao immediately got into the spirit, jumped up and ran to the whiteboard, grabbed a marker and started drawing — although his drawing skills were really hard to look at.

"First, the weapon system must be expanded!" He drew a crooked spider on the whiteboard.

"'Lurker' can only watch and listen now, at most throw a shock net. Too passive! Need to add offensive modules to it!"

He drew a small square next to the spider: "Like this — 'Adhesive Micro-Listening Jammer'!"

"Let the spider crawl to the enemy's car bottom, bag, clothes, stick to it!"

"Can listen continuously, and can emit interference signals when needed, making their communication equipment fail!"

He drew a few dots on the spider's legs: "Also micro-vibration sensors, stick to the wall, door, report to the police when someone passes by!"

"This thing has low cost and can be deployed in large quantities!"

Chen Guang nodded: "Technically feasible. We already have a prototype of the micro-listening module, interference function needs to redesign the RF circuit, but the difficulty is not high."

"Right!" Wang Hao turned to Li Yang triumphantly.

"Brother Li, you have to change the body structure, leave a few standard interface module cabins on the spider's back, so we can install whatever we want in the future, like Lego bricks!"

Li Yang stroked his chin and thought: "Modular design... can do. However, the weight will increase, and maneuverability may be affected."

"Then optimize the structure!" Wang Hao ran to the other side of the whiteboard and drew a more crooked dragonfly.

"Also 'Hunting Bee'! The 'Bee Sting' laser is only for blinding now, too gentle! We need something... with more presence!"

He drew an explosion symbol under the dragonfly's belly.

"Wait a minute, Haozi." Zhao Kaiyuan couldn't help but speak, "You don't want to put explosives on 'Hunting Bee', right? That would make it a suicide drone?"

"How could that be!" Wang Hao waved his hand. "I mean 'Firefly' micro light bomb!"

He marked next to the explosion symbol: "High-brightness flash + colored smoke marker!"

"Shoot it out, 'bang', flash blinding, smoke marking the position!"

"Non-lethal, but eye-catching enough! Let the enemy know 'you have been discovered', psychological deterrence full!"

The conference room was silent for a few seconds.

Feng Yan's mouth curled up slightly: "This idea is good. Continue."

Getting approval, Wang Hao got even more excited: "The most important thing is tactical upgrade!"

He wrote four big characters on the whiteboard: 【Swarm Will】.

"Now our 'insects' all rely on 'Torch Dragon' to command, 'Torch Dragon' says go east, they dare not go west." Wang Hao tapped the four characters with his pen.

"But what if 'Torch Dragon' is interfered with? What if communication is cut off? Wouldn't these 'bugs' become headless flies?"

He looked around at everyone: "So, let them learn to think for themselves — at least simple, local collaborative thinking."

Chen Guang's eyes lit up: "You mean... distributed autonomous collaboration?"

"Yes, yes, yes! That's it!" Wang Hao gestured.

"For example, three 'Hunting Bees' are patrolling in the air, suddenly lost contact with 'Torch Dragon'."

"But they know themselves, Task A is to monitor this area, Task B is to mark and track if an abnormality is found."

"Then even without central command, the three of them can discuss among themselves: you go left, I go right, it goes up, continue to complete the task!"

He got more excited as he spoke: "For example, a group of 'Lurkers' are searching for targets in a building."

After losing contact, they can allocate floors themselves, find the target and surround it, one blocks the door, one seals the window, one crawls into the ventilation pipe.

No need to wait for instructions, they can organize a siege themselves!"

Li Yang was attracted by this idea: "Like a real swarm... no queen bee to command, worker bees can also work collaboratively."

"That's what I mean!" Wang Hao threw the pen away.

"We have to implant some low-level AI into these 'bugs', let them handle simple situations themselves."

"'Torch Dragon' listens to 'Torch Dragon' when it's there, when 'Torch Dragon' is not there, they are a small team themselves!"

A low discussion broke out in the conference room.

Feng Yan looked at Chen Guang: "Can it be done technically?"

"Yes." Chen Guang had already opened his tablet and started calculating.

"But several problems need to be solved. First, the computing power and power consumption of the lightweight AI core;"

"Second, short-range communication protocols that resist interference, allowing 'insects' to 'talk' to each other;"

"Third, the preset behavioral rule library must be perfect enough to avoid them making wrong decisions."

"I'll think of a way for computing power!" Li Yang raised his hand.

"The new generation of micro-processors will arrive next month, the volume is reduced by thirty percent, performance is doubled, and power consumption is also reduced."

"Communication protocol is left to me." Chen Guang was already writing the code framework. "Based on frequency hopping and spread spectrum technology, design a micro-network protocol dedicated to communication between 'insect' units."

"Even if interfered with, minimum contact can be maintained."

Zhao Kaiyuan spoke: "What about energy? If these 'insects' are allowed to think for themselves and communicate with each other, power consumption will definitely increase. Current batteries can't hold up."

Wang Hao chuckled: "Doesn't that fall to you, Director Zhao? Micro high-density energy packs, get it going!"

Zhao Kaiyuan shook his head helplessly: "Already started R&D."

"A miniaturized version based on 'Xuanming' battery technology, energy density is three times higher than existing batteries, it's just the cost... a bit moving."

"Don't worry about the cost first, just make it!" Wang Hao rubbed his hands. "Also wireless charging network!"

"In the base, in key areas, lay out wireless charging points, when the 'bugs' are out of power, they fly over to charge themselves, and continue to work after charging — perfect!"

Feng Yan listened to the team's discussion, a satisfied smile on his face.

This is the most precious thing about Dragon Chant — never satisfied with the status quo, always thinking about how to become stronger.

"Good." He made the final decision. "For the next week, focus on attacking the 'Swarm Will' system."

"Wang Hao leads, Chen Guang, Li Yang, Zhao Kaiyuan cooperate. I want to see a prototype."

He paused: "In addition, in order to test the actual combat effect of the new system... three days later, organize a simulation confrontation."

Everyone looked up.

"Red side, Dragon Chant guard team plays the infiltration side, twelve people, equipped with standard exoskeletons and light weapons." Feng Yan said.

"Blue side, upgraded 'Insect Legion', quantity... you decide."

He looked at Wang Hao: "The rule is only one: Blue side must discover, track, and mark all Red side members without relying on 'Torch Dragon' central command at all."

"Red side must try to break through the blockade and reach the target point."

Wang Hao's eyes shone: "Brother Feng, you are going to let us play live-action CS with 'bugs'!"

"Pretty much." Feng Yan smiled. "But there are rewards and punishments for winning or losing. If Blue side wins, next month's research funding increases by twenty percent. If you lose..."

He didn't finish, but everyone understood.

"Must win!" Wang Hao jumped up. "Brother Hao will design the tactics himself!"

Three days later, southeast corner of Dragon Chant Research Institute, simulation confrontation field transformed from an abandoned factory area.

This place was originally an old machinery factory, the factory buildings were dilapidated, pipes were crisscrossed, and there were rusted equipment and stacked debris everywhere, the terrain was as complex as a maze.

This was the perfect place to test the urban environmental adaptability of the "Insect Legion".

At 9:00 AM, twelve Red side guard team members had entered the field, scattered in various parts of the factory area.

They were wearing simplified "Iron Wolf" exoskeletons, and what they held were training guns that fired dye bullets.

Each person's helmet was equipped with sensors, and being "hit" in vital areas would automatically be judged as "killed in action".

The Blue side command post was set up in a mobile command vehicle outside the factory area.

Wang Hao, Chen Guang, and Li Yang were squeezed into the narrow carriage, facing twelve split screens, showing real-time footage transmitted by "Insect" units.

"Each unit reports status." Wang Hao wore a headset, rarely serious for once.

【Hunting Bee 1 to 6, aerial patrol formation in position. Altitude 80 meters, coverage radius 300 meters.】

【Lurker 1 to 8, ground reconnaissance group has infiltrated Factory Area A, Area B.】

【Beetle reconnaissance group deployed, quantity 24, distributed in pipes, ventilation ducts, equipment cracks and other hidden locations.】

"Very good." Wang Hao rubbed his hands.

"Remember, from now on, 'Torch Dragon' is only responsible for data recording and victory/defeat judgment, not participating in command. All actions, rely on yourselves to discuss!"

【Understood.】 The synthesized electronic voice replied — this was the unified interface of the "Swarm Will" system.

Confrontation begins.

For the first five minutes, it was calm.

Red side members were very cautious, moving slowly, trying to avoid open areas.

At the sixth minute, second floor of Factory Area B, "Lurker 3's" vibration sensor captured abnormal footsteps.

【Area B2, east section of the corridor, human movement signal detected. Quantity: two.】 The mechanical spider shared the information with nearby units via the micro-network.

In the air, a "Hunting Bee" lowered its altitude, the camera turning toward the Area B factory building.

【Visual confirmation, two Red side personnel. Moving toward the stairwell.】

Information continued to spread. Three mechanical beetles nearby received instructions and began crawling toward the stairwell.

"They are going downstairs!" Wang Hao stared at the screen. "Ground group, block the first-floor exit!"

But after the instruction was issued, he reacted — now there is no central command, have to rely on the "insects" to judge for themselves.

However, the "Swarm's" reaction was faster than he expected.

Two "Lurkers" near the first-floor exit moved quickly to the shadows on both sides of the door, entering standby mode.

At the same time, two "Hunting Bees" in the air adjusted their positions, blocking the route of jumping down from the second-floor window.

The two Red side members clearly didn't realize they had been watched.

They cautiously went down to the first floor, pushed open the rusted iron door—

"Pop! Pop!"

Two slight explosions.

Two "Firefly" light bombs exploded at their feet, the blinding flash making them close their eyes subconsciously.

When they opened them again, their bodies were splashed with eye-catching fluorescent green dye.

【Target A7, A9, marking successful.】 System prompt.

"Beautiful!" Wang Hao clenched his fist.

But Red side was no pushover.

The remaining ten members immediately changed tactics, starting to consciously destroy the environment.

One member smashed several light bulbs hanging on the wall with a training gun, creating a dark area;

Another member found an old industrial fan, connected the power, and the huge noise interfered with the acoustic sensor's judgment;

Two others drilled into narrow pipes, where "Lurker" couldn't get in, and "Hunting Bee" couldn't see.

The "Swarm's" response began to show confusion.

【Pipeline area reconnaissance failed, requesting support.】

【Noise interference is severe, acoustic positioning accuracy dropped by 63%.】

【Dark area optical sensor effect is not good.】

In the command vehicle, Li Yang frowned: "Environmental adaptability is still not enough. Old Zhao is right, the real world is too dirty and messy."

Chen Guang stared at the data stream: "But they are adjusting themselves."

Indeed, the screen showed that the "Swarm" was re-allocating tasks.

Two "Hunting Bees" pulled up, using wide-angle lenses to monitor the entire factory area, providing a global view;

The remaining four lowered their altitude, using infrared thermal imaging to scan the dark areas;

Mechanical spiders began to bypass noise sources, flanking from the sides;

"Beetles" group gave up open areas, all drilling into cracks and pipes — although slow, but more hidden.

At the fifteenth minute, the "Swarm" captured the third target.

A Red side member tried to crawl into the central control room through a ventilation duct, but just as he poked his head out, he was discovered by a mechanical beetle waiting at the corner.

The beetle had no attack capability, but it immediately issued a warning.

Nearby "Lurkers" quickly gathered, blocking the pipeline exit.

"Hunting Bees" in the air fired "Firefly" light bombs, exploding outside the pipeline exit.

The member was stuck, unable to advance or retreat, and could only raise his hand to signal "surrender".

【Target A3, marking successful.】

When the confrontation reached the twenty-fifth minute, Red side had already "lost" five people.

And Blue side only "lost" two mechanical beetles (stepped on) and one "Hunting Bee" (hit a pigeon that flew up suddenly — pure accident).

The remaining seven Red side members began to assemble, preparing to break through by force.

They chose an open area on the west side of the factory area.

There were a large number of abandoned containers stacked there, the terrain was complex, but at least there was space to break out.

"They are going to fight for their lives." Li Yang stared at the screen.

Seven members rushed out of the cover in tactical formation, the training gun's firepower covering the fan-shaped area in front.

Two "Lurkers" trying to get close were hit by dye bullets and judged as "paralyzed".

But the "Swarm's" response again demonstrated the advantages of distributed intelligence.

In the air, three "Hunting Bees" no longer tried to get close, but pulled away, continuously tracking and marking from high altitude, providing real-time location information for other units.

On the ground, the remaining "Lurkers" no longer rushed hard, but used the terrain to flank.

They traveled through the gaps between containers, crawled through underground drainage ditches, and one even slid down a rope from a rusted gantry crane, landing directly behind the Red side formation.

At the same time, the "Swarm" launched a new tactic.

Four mechanical beetles carrying micro-jammers quietly crawled to the exoskeleton joints of the Red side members and adhered to them.

Although the jammer's power was small, it was enough to cause slight stuttering in the exoskeleton's assistance system — in high-speed movement, this was enough to disrupt the rhythm.

Red side's breakthrough began to become difficult.

At the thirty-eighth minute, two more members were marked.

At the forty-fifth minute, the remaining five were completely surrounded in a container yard.

Overhead were three "Hunting Bees", surrounded by six "Lurkers", and over a dozen mechanical beetles crawling in the gaps.

The Red side captain sighed and raised his hand: "We admit defeat."

Confrontation ends.

In the command vehicle, Wang Hao cheered and jumped up: "Won! Brother Hao's tactics are awesome!"

Chen Guang pushed up his glasses: "To be precise, it's the distributed decision-making algorithm of the 'Swarm Will' system that's awesome."

"Throughout the process, 'Torch Dragon's' central command intervention rate was zero."

Li Yang looked at the data report: "But energy consumption was forty percent higher than expected. Continuous high-intensity computing and communication put too much pressure on the battery."

"So we need your wireless charging network, Director Zhao!" Wang Hao patted Zhao Kaiyuan on the shoulder.

"Old Zhao, hurry up and get it going! In the future, when our 'bugs' go out to fight, if they get tired, they can find a charging pile to rest, just like shared bikes!"

Zhao Kaiyuan smiled helplessly: "Already testing. The first batch of five wireless charging piles will be deployed in key areas next week."

Feng Yan walked into the command vehicle at this time, with a smile on his face: "Performance is good. Especially the autonomous collaboration ability after losing central command, which exceeded my expectations."

He paused: "However, Haozi, your last sentence reminded me."

Wang Hao blinked: "Which sentence?"

"'Our bugs can only guard the house now, can they be released to sting people?'" Feng Yan repeated. "This confrontation proves that they do have this ability."

He looked at the abandoned factory area outside the window: "Since they can track their own people here, why can't they... track real enemies?"

The carriage fell silent.

Everyone understood what Feng Yan meant.

"But that's very risky." Li Yang said cautiously.

"'Insect' units, once they leave the scope of the research institute, are detached from 'Torch Dragon's' main control network and our real-time support. If they are captured, cracked..."

"That's why we need to continue upgrading, isn't it." Feng Yan said.

"Stronger concealment, longer battery life, more intelligent self-protection mechanisms — aren't these exactly what you are going to do next?"

He patted Wang Hao on the shoulder: "Haozi, didn't you complain that 'bugs' can only guard the house?"

"Give you a task: design a set of 'Insect' unit active reconnaissance/counter-attack tactical plans."

"The goal is to independently execute lurking, reconnaissance, and tracking missions for up to seventy-two hours in a completely unfamiliar environment."

Wang Hao's eyes widened: "Brother Feng, you are going to... 'Insect Special Agent Team'?"

"You can understand it that way." Feng Yan smiled.

"However, remember — this is just preliminary research, whether to really release them depends on what level you can achieve."

He walked out of the command vehicle, leaving three guys with shining eyes in the carriage.

Wang Hao rubbed his hands and had already started drawing sketches on his tablet:

"Active reconnaissance... need to add more sensors... also need a self-destruct mechanism, can't leak secrets if caught..."

Li Yang stroked his chin: "The body structure needs to be redesigned, to be lighter, stronger, and more adaptable to complex environments..."

"Maybe we can learn from the flexible joints of the 'Heavenly Clerk' mechanical arm?"

Chen Guang pulled up the code framework of "Swarm Will": "Need to enhance edge computing capability, let each unit independently handle more complex tasks."

"Also encrypted communication protocol, must be able to resist professional-level signal interception and cracking..."

The three people buried their heads in discussion, completely forgetting the time. ===== CHAPTER 145 =====