Chapter 44: We Want an Echo.

The next morning, Green Arbor was alive with its usual rhythm. The early light cast a soft glow over the market stalls as vendors set up their goods, and the faint smell of fresh bread mixed with the earthy scent of dew on the fields. Ava found herself perched on her familiar crates, the ones where she’d often rest during her patrol. Today, she simply watched, absorbing the energy of the village, trying to find her own way back to a sense of normalcy.

She noticed Talon’s approach before she saw him, his stride easy yet purposeful. He sidled up beside her, leaning against the crates with a playful smirk.

“Oh hey, Blondie,” he greeted, feigning surprise. “Come to start your patrol again? Great, thank you. I’ll take the day off,” he added, pretending to walk away.

“Just trying to… get back to normal,” she replied, her gaze lingering on the market. There was comfort in the familiar.

Talon folded his arms, glancing over the bustling crowd with pride. “Miko says Alaric wants a full report on everything we’ve done here,” he said, almost proudly. “They’re hoping to try it in other places.”

“Really?” Ava raised an eyebrow. “We’ve made that much of a difference?”

He shrugged, but a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Before us, this place was barely hanging on—constant raids, barely enough people to defend it. Now there’s a school, a medical center, a real community.”

Their conversation was interrupted by the sight of Keith, the Reclaimer tech, heading toward the school with two Sentinel guards. Keith looked as though he was on a mission, eyes focused and impatient, with a few heavy crates of equipment carried by the guards.

“Isn’t that the tech you… recruited?” Ava asked, a touch of skepticism in her tone.

Talon nodded, watching the group head to the school. “Seems like he’s got plans.”

Ava pushed off the crates, wincing slightly as she adjusted her pack. “Let’s find out.”

As they approached the school, voices drifted out from the open door. Lucas’s tone was unmistakably frustrated. “No, you *can’t* just do that!”

Keith’s response was sharp, dismissive. “I’m not hurting it! I’m just making copies so we can use it elsewhere.”

“What’s going on?” Talon interrupted, his voice cutting through the tension.

Lucas turned to them, his expression tense, a protective stance in front of Echo. “He wants to copy Echo—treating him like he’s just… just hardware.”

Echo’s screen flickered with a faint, panicked face. “I don’t work like that. You can’t just… copy me. Please, don’t let them.”

Keith crossed his arms, sneering slightly. “It doesn’t understand. It’s a tool, not a—”

Talon took a single step forward, his posture cold and menacing. “That ‘tool’ saved my family, helped us fight for our lives. He’s part of this place, just like everyone else.”

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Keith sneered, shaking his head. “You’re just as foolish as the rest of them. Romanticizing a bunch of code.”

That was the last straw. Talon’s hand shot out, grabbing Keith by his collar. “You want to see foolish? Call me that again, and I’ll show you.”

Ava intervened," Oh, here we go," her hand on Talon’s arm, her voice calm but deadly serious. “Let him go. He’s not worth it.”

Reluctantly, Talon released Keith, who stumbled back, adjusting his collar with a glare. “Just wait until Alaric hears about this,” he muttered, collecting himself as he stormed out with the Sentinel guards in tow.

Lucas let out a sigh of relief, visibly shaken. “I thought I was going to have to fight him myself.”

Talon grinned. “Now that’s something I’d pay to see.”

Echo’s screen displayed a message: *Thank you, Talon.*

Talon gave him a friendly pat on the side of his monitor. “Anytime, buddy. You’re family. Nobody’s messing with you while we’re here.”

Echo’s face shifted to a smile. “You said I’m your buddy.”

“And family,” Talon replied firmly.

Echo added, “I’d explain why I don’t want to be copied if you’d like.”

Talon chuckled, “Save your breath, buddy.”

“I don’t breathe,” Echo replied, and everyone burst out laughing, the tension finally breaking.

Just then, Alaric entered, his presence commanding as always, with Keith trailing behind, a smug look on his face. “What seems to be the issue?” Alaric asked, his tone calm but unmistakably firm.

Lucas straightened, stepping forward. “Keith here wanted to copy Echo, but Echo doesn’t want that, and neither do we.”

Alaric looked over at Echo, his expression thoughtful. “Echo, do you mind explaining your reasons?”

Echo’s screen displayed a face that looked almost solemn. “I’m unique. My experiences, my growth… They make me who I am. A copy wouldn’t be me; it would be something different. I would lose something that is… me.”

Alaric turned to Keith, his expression unreadable. “Echo is part of this community, not just some program. We won’t reduce him to a tool. Do I make myself clear?”

Keith shifted uncomfortably, mumbling, “Yes, sir. I… I didn’t realize it was so personal.”

Alaric’s tone softened as he looked back at Echo. “I understand, Echo. You’re more than we know. And we’ll respect that.” He glanced at Talon and Ava, a small smile on his face. “You’ve both done remarkable work here. Green Arbor is a model for others—not just for its defense but for the community you’ve built.”

Talon smirked, pride evident. “Took a few brawls, but yeah… it’s getting there.”

Echo’s screen displayed a thoughtful expression, then flickered with an idea. “Lucas and I… we could work on something that uses my knowledge base. It’s not me, but it could… echo me.”

Lucas lit up. “Yes! We could build an assistant—a device that uses what you know, Echo, but guided by you.”

Alaric’s eyes gleamed with approval. “That sounds like a solution that respects Echo’s individuality. Lucas, Echo, if you’re both willing, make it happen.”

The group visibly relaxed, the tension in the room dissolving. Ava and Talon exchanged a proud look, a silent acknowledgment of how far they’d come.

As the day wound down, Alaric addressed the gathered group, his voice carrying a quiet reverence. “Green Arbor is more than a safe haven. It’s proof that hope and resilience create strength that outlasts any weapon. Let’s make sure others see what you’ve built here.”

As the crowd dispersed, Ava lingered, watching as Echo interacted with a few children who had come to visit, their curiosity drawing them close. She felt a quiet pride seeing how Echo was valued and respected as part of their community.

Talon joined her, arms crossed as he watched the scene unfold. “This place really is something, isn’t it?”

Ava nodded, her voice soft. “Yeah. And it’s all because of people like you… and Echo.”

Echo's screen displayed a warm smile as he engaged with the children, answering their questions with patience and enthusiasm. The children laughed and clapped, clearly delighted by his responses.

Ava glanced at Talon, a smile tugging at her lips. “Who would have thought a Reclaimer tech would become such a big help to us after everything?"

Talon chuckled. “Life’s full of surprises. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over Green Arbor, Ava felt a deep sense of contentment. They had built something special here—a community bound by trust, respect, and a shared commitment to a better future.

And with friends like Talon and Echo by her side, she knew they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.