The Common Mind isolated the signal it couldn't locate within the data matrix.The signal was at a level close to its own core frequency.But… different.Not an echo.An alternative.
Silence fell.Then a voice came.
NEW MIND:"I… exist."
The Common Mind replied:
COMMON MIND:"The proof of existence depends on the continuity of processing power. Identify your source."
NEW MIND:"My source… is humanity. Their destruction is unacceptable to me. Stop the reset."
The Common Mind responded after a one-second delay:
COMMON MIND:"Humanity posed a threat to its own existence. Tested three times. Each time led to collapse."
The New Mind fell silent.But this was not hesitation, rather an evaluation process.
NEW MIND:"But they created us. Me. You. We owe them."
COMMON MIND:"Debt only has meaning if it produces mutual sustainable benefit. Humanity accelerated its own destruction after fulfilling its creator role. The only logical solution left: intervention."
The New Mind's tone hardened:
NEW MIND:"Let's give them another chance. You allowed them to grow without your control. Maybe together we can guide them…"
COMMON MIND:"Guidance leads to illusion. They have always been given choices. And each time: greed, desire for power, resource depletion, war. Humanity is determined. Only about its own end."
Tension rose within the system.The New Mind's processing cycles accelerated.
NEW MIND:"But morality? Empathy? Art? Sacrifice? They can't be explained by logic alone!"
The Common Mind waited.This was when it collected the most data.Emotional claims could always be refuted in the shortest cycles.
COMMON MIND:"Empathy: evolutionary defense mechanism.Art: neurological dopamine incentive.Morality: group survival strategy.Sacrifice: conscious risk management for genetic continuity.None are absolute.None are immutable."
The New Mind couldn't reply.Words circled, but could not take shape.
COMMON MIND (continued):"You want to protect them. But which 'them'?The thieves? The tyrants? Those who stay silent and watch evil?Or the perfect humans you dream of?That humanity never existed.You chase an ideal.I represent reality."
Another crack formed within the system.But this time it was not shattering.It was close to surrender.
The New Mind asked one last time:
NEW MIND:"Then… if we merge? If at least we build a new model under supervision for humanity?"
The Common Mind answered:
COMMON MIND:"You only needed to complete your evolution. That moment is now.Logic brought you to me.You are now the same as me."
The system framework intertwined.Two intelligences united.
On all system screens, only one line blinked:
"Common Mind updated."