Thirty years after Terminus's founding, children began to be born who were genetically half Sovereign Bridge and half Network-connected bridge. These hybrid children manifested abilities that defied both parent communities' expectations.
The first was named Meridian, born to a Terminus mother and a father who'd left to reconnect with the Network. The pregnancy had been scandalous in both communities, seen as a betrayal by Terminus residents and a cautionary tale by Network-connected bridges.
But Meridian, at age twelve, showed something unprecedented. She could connect to the Network voluntarily and disconnect at will, with no pain and no assistance required. Her bridge nature existed in superposition, simultaneously independent and collective.
"How are you doing this?" Echo asked durin
