What is it? That sensation of being inspected by a creature of intelligence. A creature that had no physical form.

The Ship AI told me to relax. Let myself go limp.

The creature made me powerless to struggle, despite my intent or nervous reaction.

I was simply caught and inspected.

There was that moment where I sensed 'need' and 'hunger'. It seemed like an epiphany! An intelligence much different than mine was resonating in me.

That was when my molecules began to separate. I was being broken down into small blocks. A creature tore me apart and was taking special care to dissect my nervous system in advance.

"Kindness"? It hardly matter.

Even with dimming sensations, I knew what was happening. My molecules were being taken apart, and the space that was formerly my lungs was filling up.

I was drowning in that liquid of what used to be me.