The AI’s internal processors whirred, calculating trajectories, current patterns, and the exact composition of the spores. It opened its dorsal compartment, revealing dozens of iridescent capsules, each humming with dormant life.
“Mission critical. Spore deployment successful. Oxytroph activity at 96 % efficiency. Returning to surface for extraction.” Iptd 883 Rio 3
IPTD‑883’s sonar pinged, mapping the cavernous void. The AI detected a massive, tangled mass of , a new species that had proliferated after a failed terraforming experiment a decade earlier. The algae excreted acidic compounds that were choking the river’s life. Spore deployment successful
A sudden shockwave rippled through the water—an undercurrent, perhaps a seismic tremor, pushed the algae mass into the drone’s path. IPTD‑883’s collision avoidance system kicked in, but the sheer mass of the algae clung to its hull, siphoning away energy. The AI detected a massive, tangled mass of