Constructing a Faster-Than-Light Megastructure

A blinding radiance flared, and a massive structure dropped out of faster-than-light travel, appearing within a star system. It was a cluster of Collectors sharing the same gravity ring.

The Collectors entering the star system immediately spread radar waves to scan the internal environment of their destination.

Wave after wave of radar signals spread at light speed. Within several hours, they completed their scan of the star system and relayed information on its celestial bodies back to the Collector cluster.

"A four-star system with eight planets, two of them gaseous planets..."

"The material abundance is far higher than expected. This star system was most likely formed by the merger of two binary-star systems, or of one single-star system and one triple-star system."

"The latter is more likely. The stars in a binary system would have too much mass, making them unsuitable for forming too many planets."

"Prioritize searching for satellites. These low-gravity bodies are easier to mine and yield resources quickly. We do not have much time to waste."

"A target has already been selected. It is roughly four light-minutes from our current position."

"Depart!"

The cluster leader issued the command, and the entire cluster traveled at light speed toward the destination four light-minutes away.

Unlike sublight travel, light-speed travel achieved through spacetime distortion did not produce length contraction. However much time passed outside also passed for the Collectors. Using the formula time (t) × velocity (V) = distance (s), they planned their travel distance in advance.

Four minutes later, the Collectors arrived in low orbit around a moon of a gas giant.

The cluster deployed a large number of flesh-like organisms and a fusion reactor onto the moon. The deployed Collectors used their flexibility to land on its surface, where they immediately began constructing a Hive. Using the fusion