This is Chrysalis.

Part 13.

It was strange to observe how my army worked on its own,

orbiting the world of Zanviar,

some even hovering in its stratosphere.

To see how the sentient drones talked to each other,

orchestrated their movements, coordinated their approach vectors,

were conscientious of collateral damage.

So far, my main body had remained at the rear guard,

out of range of the battle itself,

while I waited for the rest of my forces to clear a path.

But that path was almost complete,

and it was time to initiate the second phase of my plan.

My refurbished thrusters engaged simultaneously,

accelerating the enormous mass of my 27 kilometer body.

My thrusters were all that I had repaired of myself,

while I could have easily upgraded the rest.

The resources required were better invested in constructing

four entirely new support ships,

with more sophisticated shield and energy weapons.

Even the factories contained in me were unnecessary.

Falling short of the second generation assembly lines

...