Chapter 187

Chapter 187 SERAPHINA Yuki stirred. "That's what we're proposing. A joint research initiative. Your people and ours, working together to develop next-generation protocols. Not scaffolds as they exist now, but something hybrid. Something that preserves autonomy while preventing burnout." "You're asking us to be test subjects," Hikari said flatly. "We're asking you to be collaborators," Kaelos corrected. "Equal partners in solving a problem that affects all enhanced consciousness. What we learn together could change everything—not just for the Collective or the Council, but for every enhanced person trying to figure out how to exist." Chen and Hikari exchanged a look. Not a visual exchange—a resonance exchange. I felt it ripple between them, carrying layers of meaning and debate that would have taken hours to speak aloud. River made the decision. "I'll do it," they said. "I'll be your first test subject. Your first collaborator. Whatever you want to call it. Because Elena's right—I don't