Mica was running out of options. Unknown to her, or anyone else living with her, so was Gaia. Mica was self-aware, while Gaia is a 'philosophical zombie', not self-aware. Gaia sensed an unusual opportunity, and its varied systems arranged to merge the conscious with the unconscious.

To be clear, Mica was a normal human, while Gaia is a highly intelligent mind that arose as an emergent property of the whole biosphere. It is quite capable of situational analysis, trend projections, goal setting, and physical action. Acquiring a new skill is an ancient tactic. These pesky little self-conscious entities causing so much trouble might just be the solution to their own problem. They just needed direction.

The new merged entity would provide that direction.

Most people would be shocked at the "Red in tooth and claw" reality that has applied since time began. Gaia, a being without consciousness, never had any sentimentality about using all tools necessary to solve a problem. Just ask the non-avian dinosaurs.

Sometimes the only way to set a new course is to reset the rules. The time of self-indulgent exceptionalism was over.