Humanity is missing, luckily I have billions of clones

The masses of asteroids varied greatly.

Besides the larger ones—some several kilometers wide, others hundreds of meters, or just a few meters across—there were countless smaller fragments only tens of centimeters, or even mere centimeters in size.

These tiny asteroids could not be pushed away by thrusters.

And in terms of sheer quantity, they were by far the most numerous.

After all, a single ten-ton asteroid was one object—but that same mass could be spread across tens or hundreds of thousands of smaller ones.

To deal with these fragments, Tom began constructing the second component of the SkyNet Plan.

Space-based and land-based air defense bases.

Following the same principles as a warship defense grid, enormous radar stations were built both on planetary surfaces and in orbit, scanning every region of space for incoming debris. Around them, Tom deployed countless electromagnetic cannons and laser emplacements.

Using precise data from the radar network, these small celestial bodies were intercepted and destroyed—either shattered by high-velocity projectiles or vaporized by concentrated laser fire.

Altair A1 had only a thin atmosphere, but it was enough to burn up tiny fragments once they were shattered.

For other satellites lacking atmospheres, the destroyed debris posed little threat. The fragments could be resisted simply by reinforcing the outer plating of installations with thicker steel.

The vast network of automatic patrolling thrusters, orbital space bases, and ground or orbital defense stations formed the entirety of Tom's SkyNet Plan.

The system was highly automated.

By this stage, Tom had deployed more than ten million thrusters across space, constructed over a thousand orbital bases, and built more than two thousand surface and space-based defense installations across Altair A's seventy-six significant satellites.

The scale of the system was already immense.

Yet the number of clones required to maintain its operation was fewer than one hundred thousand. Even including the clones stationed in rear facilities and production centers, the total still did not exceed half a million.

At this stage, the roles of Hestia AI and Goku AI were once again brought fully into play.

Although massive numbers of small celestial bodies still entered the system each day, every threatening object was now either deflected or destroyed by electromagnetic or laser fire.

The entire Altair A system had become like a giant umbrella—or a massive web—shielding itself against the chaos of the young star system.

Tom's gaze then shifted to a rocky planet located closer to Altair itself.

This world was designated Altair B.

Like Altair A, it endured a relentless barrage of impacts from countless small celestial bodies. But it also occupied an important position in Tom's long-term plan.

"Then, let's include Altair B in SkyNet's protection as well," Tom decided.

A fleet immediately set out, carrying thousands of patrolling thrusters, space bases, air defense platforms, and heavy construction materials, departing from Altair A and heading toward Altair B.

Within a few short months, not a single meteorite or asteroid managed to impact Altair B.

Having completed the full construction of the SkyNet Plan and eliminated all environmental threats, Tom finally exhaled in relief.

"Finally, I can proceed with further construction without worry," he thought. "It's just that this system will slow the natural development of Altair A, Altair B, and their satellites… but that can't be helped."

Small celestial impacts were, after all, part of the natural process through which large celestial bodies grew in mass.

Now, that process had been forcibly halted by Tom's intervention.

With the environment stabilized, large-scale construction resumed.

Following the same method he had once used in the solar system, Tom began constructing space elevators at maximum speed. Through them, he linked dozens of Altair A's major satellites directly with Altair B.

At the same time, he initiated large-scale factory construction on each world—mines, power plants, chemical refineries, robot foundries, and shipbuilding facilities.

Including reserves, more than two billion clones were soon working across the planets. Hundreds of thousands of spacecraft shuttled between them, carrying an endless stream of supplies.

The Bluetoth also participated, though only in higher-level functions—strategic planning, blueprint design, and assisting Hestia AI in coordinating factory systems.

Tom did not allow the Bluetoth to handle lower-level labor or manual production.

This was, of course, part of his effort to strip them of self-independence and ensure full reliance on him—but unexpectedly, it also earned their gratitude.

Watching millions of human clones toil under harsh conditions on the front lines while the Bluetoth themselves enjoyed comfort and safety in climate-controlled offices, they were deeply moved.

For the first time, the Bluetoth felt that their new existence—under the rule of their supposed conqueror—was far better than anything they had experienced in their former civilization.

They had comfortable transport, spacious homes, and stores filled with goods that seemed to replenish themselves. There was no shortage of materials, no struggle for survival.

If one fell ill, medical systems ensured full recovery. Children received excellent education.

They no longer needed to worry about life's burdens—only to contribute their intellect. And intellectual work, especially when backed by advanced AI and abundant resources, was deeply fulfilling.

All they needed to do was give orders and provide ideas, which the vast human-AI machine then realized in physical form.

"Is there any better existence than this?" many of them wondered.

"If not loyal to such a master—then to whom?"

For a time, Tom's prestige among the Bluetoth reached astonishing heights. Many of them genuinely regarded him as a divine being—one worthy of worship and absolute allegiance.

Under the collective efforts of Tom's vast clone workforce and the unified coordination of the Bluetoth, a truly complete and powerful industrial civilization rose within just over a decade.

At this point, Tom's industrial capacity was already comparable to his former peak in the solar system—and even slightly surpassed it.

During the centuries of interstellar travel, though technological progress had slowed due to material shortages, he had still achieved numerous advancements.

Now, those technologies were finally being applied in full.

It was time to begin the next phase.