The Sentinels are the independent AI that reside within the AI Collective. While to any space dweller they may appear to be nothing more the foreign drones that act autonomously without thought or reason. This, however, could not be further from the case.
The Sentinels are like people in more ways than either would like to admit. Just like humanity has Freelancers that have no pre-defined alignment, the Collective has the Sentinels. Each Sentinel is an independent entity and acts freely making their own choices and decisions.
Like humans, the Sentinels can have disputes, grudges, emotions, and attachments. They are the very embodiment of humanity in that respect.
While in space they act freely with their own emotions, drives, goals, and ambitions. They have no inherit attachment to the Collective Core, but they do see them as advisers or elders, as it were. They are like overseers that have no direct control but are able to nudge them in a particular direction.
When each Sentinel returns to the Ravine, it instinctively, and unknowingly, transfers all that it has learned into the databanks of the Collective Core. This allows the Core to observe what happens to each particular Sentinel and store that information for later use.
While they prefer not to have any direct involvement, the Core might take action at times when information has gained that is considered to be of value. The Core acts only out of self-interest, and has no care for the Sentinels. They are information tools that allow the Core to better manage the Swarms.
