I Am The Swarm

Chapter 157: Ignition

Once everything was ready, Empress Kerrigan issued the command, and the rocket launch countdown began.

Ten seconds later, amidst billowing smoke, the rocket—resembling a cluster grenade—spewed flames as it shot toward the sky.

The rocket steadily gained altitude. Its bundled secondary boosters, grouped in sets of four, detached from the main body once their fuel was depleted.

Perhaps due to the rocket’s overly unique design and significant air resistance, Luo Wen experienced violent vibrations while confined in the cargo bay at the rocket’s nose. The ride was exceedingly uncomfortable. Were it not for his resilient body, he might have been smashed to pulp within the cramped confines.

Fortunately, the rocket’s speed was commendable. After twenty minutes, utilizing a total of three sets of twelve secondary boosters, it successfully exited the atmosphere.

The rocket then employed another set of boosters to reach planetary orbit. The boosters shut down as the rocket was captured by the planet’s gravity.

This planet had two moons, both similar in size and mass. The yellow-white moon appeared larger than the red-white one due to its closer proximity. Luo Wen’s target this time was the yellow moon. After several failed attempts, the rat folk had calculated a precise and feasible landing trajectory through meticulous computations.

The rocket remained in orbit for more than ten hours, circling half the planet. Then, the boosters reignited, propelling the rocket onto a lunar-bound trajectory.

The next two days were uneventful. Luo Wen spent this time in idle stasis, sparing himself the misery of enduring the cramped space.

“Vitals of the test subject are normal, but signs of low activity suggest potential injuries from severe vibrations during atmospheric exit,” a uniformed female rat folk reported to Morgan while monitoring the instruments.

Empress Kerrigan had left shortly after the rocket exited the atmosphere. Now, Morgan, the director of the Imperial Space Re

But before Luo Wen could relax, Morgan added, “However, although the rocket’s propulsion system was destroyed, its initial speed was too high. With minimal resistance in space, it will exceed the escape velocity of the yellow moon after being captured, remaining in orbit for thirty-four minutes before being flung into deep space.”

Luo Wen became serious, understanding the gravity of Morgan’s statement.

“So, I need to control the insect form to detach from the rocket within this thirty-four-minute window?”

“Yes, Overlord.”

“What are your suggestions?”

“There are two options. First, after detaching from the rocket, the insect form’s speed will be 3.5 km/s. You’ll need to decelerate to and maintain a speed of 2 km/s to stay in orbit. Then, at the right moment, accelerate to 2.5 km/s to leave orbit and head for the yellow moon.”

“And the second option?”