Swarm

**Swarm (❤️❤️👾)** is the sixth episode of Season 3, and the overall thirty-second episode of LOVE DEATH + ROBOTS.

Symbols:

1. Heart
2. Heart
3. Alien monster

## Synopsis

Two human scientists study the secrets of an ancient alien entity — but soon learn the horrible price of survival in a hostile universe.

## Plot

Dr. Afriel is invited inside a strange alien nest, known collectively as Swarm. There, he meets Dr. Galina Mirny, who has been living here. She explains that this huge swarm is divided into numerous different sub-species, including 15 unique symbiotic aliens living among the hundreds of specialized castes native to the swarm.

Various strains of nutrient-rich fungi appear to be the hive’s main food source. Using a giant Tunneller, the pair make their way inside the heart of the nest. There, the pair marvel at this genetic wonder; an incredible feat of automated ingenuity.

After being shown around, Dr. Afriel admits why he’s really there. He intends to exploit the nest and use this to try and sort out the rapid growth of human expansion. The Nest though has been there for millions of years, self-sustaining all this time. Humanity has been around for a blink of an eye, but Afriel’s arrogance sees him wanting to retrieve an egg so humanity can create their own nest.

Although these creatures are not living beings, it’s still an ethical dilemma. Mirny agrees to help but things take a turn for the worst when Afriel is attacked by the Warriors from the heart of the Nest. After being badly beaten, he’s taken to the recently created Intelligence caste of the Swarm, which has invaded Mirny's brain to learn all about humanity, and Afriel's plot.

Apparently the Swarm have been well-equipped to deal with humanity’s threat and as such, Afriel is offered a choice. Either remain a living intelligent being or there will be ugly events in the future. “I accept your challenge.” Afriel replies, determined to prove the Swarm wrong and show that humanity are not the parasites the Queen believes they are.

## Cast

* Rosario Dawson at the Internet Movie Database voices Dr. Galina Mirny
* Jason Winston George at the Internet Movie Database voices Afriel
* Fred Tatasciore at the Internet Movie Database voices Springtail & Investor

## Trivia

* There are some differences between this animated adaptation and Bruce Sterling's original short story:
	+ Afriel's first name is Simon, but this is never revealed in the animation. Additionally, he is described in the short story to have shoulder-length reddish-blond hair and arrives at the hive fully dressed.
	+ In the short story, it is stated that there is no concept of property in the hive, and that the warriors have attacked and killed previous scientists who had tried to claim a space for themselves and their equipment. However, Afriel and Mirny successfully create a sleeping-chamber for themselves by altering the Swarm's behavior with synthetic pheromones.
	+ Afriel is motivated in part by the threat posed by a hostile faction of humanity, the Mechanists, and hopes to use his findings to oppose them.
	+ In the short story, Afriel has not obtained an egg by the time Mirny is absorbed by Swarm.
	+ Swarm elaborates that the hive preserves species that would otherwise have gone extinct by incorporating them as parasites and symbiotes.