The Captain's smile turned predatory as the Lieutenant's question hung in the air. "Everything I've told you has been calculated for the greater good," he said, his ordinary face taking on an almost religious fervor. "Every lie, every manipulation, every sacrifice—all necessary steps toward evolution. You think small, Lieutenant. You think in terms of individual lives when I think in terms of species advancement."
Elena pressed her hands to her temples, her face crumpling. "My memories of the Guild... making bread with Sera in the morning shift... laughing with Marcus about his burnt soufflés..." Her voice broke. "Are any of them real?"
"Real enough," the Captain said dismissively. "Memory imprints work best when they have emotional resonance. Of course they feel authentic—that was the point."
