The Collective is a colonial, hyperorganism civilization formed entirely from continuous neural nodes biologically linked through a distributed neural network across superclusters. In 5/9/2060, Tuspecan scientists were surveying the Far-West Sector after they detected signs of structured electrical signals and thermal radiation from a few hundred, closely clustered spiral galaxies, believing that they were signs of Jyastyrivium or its related compounds. After closer inspection, biologists discovered an enormous cosmic network of nerve cells and tissues, spanning roughly 10mly, which was growing rapidly, reaching over 230mly in just a few days after its discovery. The Collective also seems to be fully conscious and extremely intelligent, as it has neural nodes across superclusters, maximizing its computational efficiency. It expands by releasing microscopic biological propagules which travel through interstellar space, and attach to asteroids, planets and interstellar material. Then the propagules consume nearby matter and convert it into neural cells, conductive tissues, and supporting biological structures, as newly formed tissues extend filaments toward neighbouring colonies, establishing connections with the wider neural network. Once connected, the new structures become functional components of the Collective, increasing its processing capacity and territorial reach. Newly integrated regions produce more propagules, accelerating colonization across galaxies and superclusters.
Tuspec and Khardat are supposed to be here in the Far west, but I'm too lazy to include them, so... https://stellarandgalacticnations.miraheze.org/wiki/The_Collective
