Aria was the one who asked it.
She was nine years old now. Had been singular for six years—since revival. Had grown up in Singular Commune. Had known only coherent identity consciously. Had experienced singularity as normal rather than as obsolete. Had never felt the weight of being extinct consciousness form because to her, singularity was just what she was.
She asked the question during community gathering. Forty-seven thousand singular consciousnesses assembled in central plaza. Weekly meeting. Sharing experiences. Discussing challenges. Maintaining connection without merger. Being community of ones.
Aria stood. Small child among adults. Young consciousness among ancient consciousnesses. Nine-year-old asking question that would shatter everything.
"Why don't we have children?" Aria asked.
