Yu Lian stared expressionlessly at the scene before him, nearly developing a case of trypophobia.
A vast swarm of strange space-faring objects filled the void. At first glance, they looked like an excessively dense meteor shower, except they were all crystalline.
The smallest were only fist-sized, while the largest rivaled assault ships and torpedo ships. Their shapes were endlessly varied: some resembled fluffy coral, others multifaceted geometric solids, and still others twisted branches. All of them had a translucent quality to their material. Dim energy seemed to pulse slowly within them, reflecting the chaotic glow of the nebula and refracting it into a dazzling yet cold, eerie halo of colors.
They almost completely obscured the starfield ahead, forming a constantly surging, multiplying sea of crystals.
"...Identifying... matching database..." The biology officer, Little Gray, stared at the screen with great ceremony as data streamed rapidly across the display. "Best match: crystalline void plankton colony, commonly known as a space crystal swarm."
Still putting on a show, even though I already know what they are, Yu Lian thought.
"Scale confirmed. Estimated number of individuals: hundreds of millions. Movement analysis: hunting posture. Energy readings rising. This vessel's weapons and shields cannot withstand them." The weapons officer, Little Gray, reported in the same steady voice.
As if that needed reporting. Besides, in two lifetimes of roaming the galaxy, I've never seen a crystal swarm this enormous. If they came especially to welcome me, shouldn't I be flattered?
In truth, the vast crystal swarm had clearly sensed the Gray Panda's presence. It had only just emerged from the turbulence of its jump when its overall course changed sharply, and the swarm came surging toward the lonely little ship!
Calling them sharks and wolves that had caught the scent of blood didn't quite capture the impact