Space-time rippled and distorted as a strange and mysterious passageway opened up.

As the enormous spacecraft flew along inside, its numerous systems operated, producing a humming sound like that of countless bees. In fact, if one looked closely, it was possible to see a network of defenses surrounding the craft that actually resembled a beehive. Anyone who wanted to reach the ship itself would have to navigate through the complex beehive structure.

And of course, ordinary individuals would find that impossible.

The spatial ‘beehive’ was filled with all sorts of powerful morphlings, who could swarm forth in a sea of fury to overwhelm any intruder. They were virtually invincible by sheer force of numbers alone.

Such was the might of a fragment of the Cruiser of Civilization equipped with vivicreation systems.

Perhaps this was the true origin of morphlings, or perhaps the future world had developed science and technology based on the Cruiser of Civilization. It was hard to say.

The spacecraft was crewed by a small group of warriors who were standing ramrod straight,...