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((The Mon/Wen/Fri Double -- page 2 of 2))
"Social behavior?" said Emiliana.

"Angel ant colonies are unique in that they function using a true hive mind," said Gohvis. "Unlike other ants, which only operate according to pheromones and designated instincts to make it seem like they share one, singular intelligence, angel ants genuinely do. And that, I believe, is the real reason they are so resilient. As a unified colony, they are more intelligent than any other ant in the world."

Emiliana felt like she could finally understand the picture that Gohvis was painting here.

The Monster sat down on the floor, crossing enormous legs over one another. He was still about as tall as she was in her chair. "The jumper ants may be more aggressive, better at waging war, better at controlling territory, better at reproducing, but they still can't defeat the angel ants. Even by trying to take all of their food, they can't do it. The angel ant can survive for over a month on little more than a drop of water.

"They represent two very different evolutionary strategies. And personally, I believe that in the very long-term, the angel ant's method is superior. Humans could learn a thing or two from their example."

Emiliana waited for him to keep talking, but when nothing else was said, she finally voiced the conclusion that she had reached in her mind. "You want to create a hive mind for humanity..."

"Mm."

"But that... agh..." How many different ways were there to tell him how crazy that sounded? What was she even supposed to say to something like that?

"You are worried about free will," he said.

Was she? Yeah. She supposed she was. It took her a second to gather her thoughts, but he was right. That was exactly the root cause of her concern.