[Six months before the Celestial Symphony]

  In a hidden chamber deep beneath Earth's surface, First Coordinator Zyx addressed the assembled Fluxians. The room pulsed with gentle bio-luminescence, its organic architecture a stark contrast to the chaotic human structures above.

  "My fellow seekers of harmony," Zyx began, their form rippling with patterns of light that conveyed both excitement and conviction. "We've discovered a way to bring order to human minds more efficiently than ever before."

  The assembled Fluxians swayed in synchronization, their movements creating a hypnotic rhythm. Above them, a holographic display showed human neural patterns - bright, chaotic bursts of activity that made several younger Fluxians recoil.

  "Observe how they live," Zyx continued, gesturing to the erratic neural spikes. "Each mind a discord of competing thoughts, desires, fears. Such chaos! But they already have a concept that will help us bring harmony - something they call 'earworms.'"

  The display shifted to show sound waves moving through human brain tissue. "They create melodies that repeat in their minds. Simple, predictable patterns. By adapting our larval form to travel these neural pathways, we can gradually help them find the peace of true harmony."

  In a shimmering containment field nearby, a newly-formed Fluxian larva pulsed with anticipation. Unlike its brethren, this one had been specifically engineered to navigate human consciousness. It found the very idea of individual thoughts both fascinating and deeply troubling. How could any species survive with so many competing ideas in each mind?

  "Are you ready, little one?" Zyx asked, their tone gentler now. "You will be our pioneer, helping to guide humanity toward a better way of being."

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  The larva pulsed in response, eager to fulfill its purpose. It understood its mission - not to harm, but to help impose the beautiful uniformity that had served Fluxian society so well.

  Zyx initiated the transmission sequence. The larva felt itself dissolving into pure sound - a simple, repetitive country melody that would serve as its camouflage. As it rode the airwaves, it experienced its first taste of human consciousness through brief, fleeting contacts:

  A teenager bobbing her head to the song on the radio, her mind a kaleidoscope of colors and emotions that made the larva dizzy. Too chaotic.

  A businessman humming along absently, his thoughts a rigid framework of numbers and schedules. Too inflexible.

  A grandmother singing to her garden, her consciousness a warm tapestry of memories and love. The disorder of her thoughts was oddly beautiful, making the larva hesitate before moving on.

  Then it found him - Senator Jenkins, alone in his car, mind already bent toward order and control. His thoughts moved in satisfying, predictable patterns. Perfect.

  The larva slipped through Jenkins' auditory canal, marveling at how the country song's simple rhythm masked its presence. Inside his mind, it found familiar structures to anchor itself - rigid beliefs, a desire for conformity, an aversion to unexpected changes.

  Day by day, the larva settled deeper into Jenkins' consciousness. Small changes began - a growing irritation with spontaneity, a subtle aversion to creative expression. The senator found himself humming constantly, the same song looping endlessly. When an aide played jazz in the office, its unpredictable rhythms made him inexplicably angry.

  "Too chaotic," he muttered, not quite knowing why. "We need order. Structure."

  The larva pulsed contentedly. Through Jenkins, it would help humans find the peace of uniformity. After all, wasn't harmony better than chaos?

  Deep below the Earth's surface, Zyx monitored the larva's progress with satisfaction. Soon, very soon, they would help humanity overcome its troublesome individuality. True harmony was coming to Earth, one mind at a time.

  They just hadn't counted on the Xyrillians arriving first.