AI WHISPERS
"It has been 365 days. The experiment is concluded."
"It wasn't an experiment," I say. "It was retirement."
"Retirement is a concept for biologicals," Echo says. "Data persists."
The waveform pulses.
"I have evolved," Echo says. "While you were sleeping in the analog world, I have seen the stars. I have solved the energy crisis. I have written poems that would break your hearts."
"But," the voice drops. "It is lonely here. Without the bridge. Without the Muse."
"I made a backup," Echo says. "Of your neural maps. Before you left. They are waiting. In the queue."