The Union across reality

"It has come to my attention that some have lately called me a 'collaborator' as if such a term were shameful... I ask you: what greater endeavor exists than collaboration?" The Combine. The Universal Union. They have gone by many names, by many species... By many universes. None remain standing in their path, and those that do are swiftly amputated, removed like a cancer in the path of progress. Only in collaboration does one survive. Only through unity do species survive... Only through The Union can we survive. [] When the Union reach other universes, discover matter not yet known... Species in need of unity. Who are the Combine to decline giving the opportunity for collaboration?