The first rescue ship reached collective vessel Harmony-Prime with ninety-three minutes to spare before self-destruction. What they found aboard defied every expectation we'd had about the enemy's final plans.
"Selene," came Vesper's voice through the communication crystals, strained but amazed, "you need to hear this. The collective isn't trying to destroy themselves to avoid individual consciousness."
"Explain."
"They're trying to destroy themselves because they've already started experiencing it, and the transition is... overwhelming."
I felt my understanding of the situation flip completely. "They're not afraid of becoming individuals?"
"They're terrified of the pain that comes with it. Imagine spending your entire existence in perfect harmony, never experiencing loneliness, confu
