Chapter 26 : Delegation Protocols Upgrade
The Blackwoods' private theatre smelled faintly of leather seats and cedar polish. Heavy curtains sealed off the outside world, leaving only the glow of the massive flat screen at the front to illuminate the room. Rows of cushioned recliners held their families in hushed anticipation, while Ava and her friends sat on the plush seats before the screen.
The system's interface bloomed to life in soft cream-colored light, washing across the theatre room like sunrise.
A soft chime rang.
[System Notification: Delegation Protocols Upgraded]
[Authority Expansion Enabled.
Previous Users may now upgrade current roles.
Eligible users may now receive limited or specialized access rights.]
[Primary Administrator: Ava Blackwood]
[Awaiting Role Assignments…]
The words shimmered, reflected in wide eyes and nervous expressions. The parents leaned forward, whispering among themselves, and exchanging glances full of curiosity and excitement.
Zephyr broke the silence first, leaning back with his trademark grin. "Well, looks like we just got promotions and new roles."
Ava folded her arms, leveling him with a look that made her friends snicker. "Careful, Slade. I can still assign you to the role of Barn Mop Boy."
The system pulsed.
[Role Suggestion Generated: Barn Mop Boy – Access: Animal Waste Disposal Module]
The theatre erupted. Even Claire Blackwood, Ava's ever-composed mother, muffled a laugh behind her hand. Zephyr dropped his head into his hands. "I was joking!"
"And so was I," Ava said sweetly. "But apparently Cream Puff has a sense of humor."
Kael chuckled low in his throat, then grew serious, his voice cutting through the laughter. "This is good. It means more responsibilities shared, everyone can pitch in more and share the heavy weight on Ava's shoulders, she carries a lot."
Brian nodded firmly. "Agreed. If this works, it'll make operations smoother. Safer."
Murmurs of agreement came from the parents in the back rows, though Ava caught flashes of concern in their eyes. Access, permissions— they could help as much as they want to and even more, especially the parent. They might be taking this easily than normal but she knew deep down that was because they wanted to help ease the burden. She drew a steadying breath.
"Alright," she said. "Let's start with the team. We've been in this together since day one."
The interface shifted, panels unfolding like sheets of light.
[Delegation Protocols: Core Team Access – Pending Assignment]
Ava turned first to Alyssa, who sat forward, hands clasped tightly in her lap.
[Assigning Role: Alyssa Emberly]
[Suggested Access: Resource Manager (Tier II)]
[Permissions: Warehouse Inventory Oversight, Resource Allocation Planning, Factory Output Scheduling]
Alyssa softly said, eyes reflecting the glow of her panel. "Warehouse oversight? That means I'll be able to—"
"—track, optimize, and allocate without going through me," Ava finished with a small smile. "Congratulations, you're our supply chain officer."
Pride flickered across Alyssa's face as she straightened. "I won't let anything slip through."
Lyra pouted dramatically. "What about me? Don't tell me I'm stuck as Bee Girl forever."
The system pulsed again.
[Assigning Role: Lyra Emberly]
[Suggested Access: Medic & Morale Officer (Tier II)]
[Permissions: Medical Subsystem Basics, Farm Ecology Oversight, Community Wellbeing Reports]
"Medic?" Lyra blinked, then brightened. "Ohhh, that's actually good! And Morale Officer? Wait—does this mean I get to boss people into being happy?"
"It means you're responsible for keeping burnout from killing us faster than the apocalypse," Ava said dryly.
Zephyr leaned sideways in his chair, smirking. "Good luck when Ava runs out of chocolate."
"Not funny," Ava muttered, though laughter bubbled up around her.
The interface pulsed again.
[Assigning Role: Brian Larkspur]
[Suggested Access: Defense Coordinator (Tier II)]
[Permissions: Security Grid Planning, Training Protocol Scheduling, Resource Convoy Escorts]
Brian's whole posture shifted—spine straight, shoulders squared, fist clenching in contained excitement. "Finally. Actual control over defense. No more patchwork improvisation."
"You've always had the instincts," Ava told him softly. "Now you'll have the authority too."
Brian's expression softened, gratitude flashing in his eyes. "Thanks, Ava."
Then came Kael. Even the parents seemed to quiet as his panel formed.
[Assigning Role: Kael Stormbringer]
[Suggested Access: Tactical Strategist (Tier II)]
[Permissions: Battle Simulation Oversight, Scenario Planning, Risk Forecast Reports]
Kael gave a curt nod. "Acceptable."
Zephyr snorted. "Acceptable? That's practically saying you're the general."
"Not the general," Kael corrected calmly. "The strategist. The general still makes the final call." His gaze flicked toward Ava, steady and unblinking.
Finally, Zephyr's panel flared.
[Assigning Role: Zephyr Slade]
[Suggested Access: Recon & Scouting Officer (Tier II)]
[Permissions: Map Expansion Interface, Hidden Route Identification, Enemy/Threat Marking Protocols]
Zephyr practically preened. "Yes! An official license to sneak around and poke my nose where it doesn't belong."
"Like you needed one," Brian muttered.
"Now it's legal," Zephyr shot back, grinning.
Their laughter echoed warmly in the theatre. For the first time, Ava felt the burden lighten. It wasn't just hers anymore. The system had acknowledged what they already knew—this was a team.
But then the screen pulsed again.
[Delegation Protocols: Secondary Access Eligible – Family Members Detected]
The parents straightened, murmurs of anticipation rising. Ava's chest tightened. This wasn't just about her or her friends anymore—this was about their families stepping into her world.
The first panels glowed.
[Assigning Role: Claire & Matteo Blackwood]
[Access Level: Beginner – Agriculture & Food Oversight]
[Permissions: Crop Rotation Suggestions, Nutritional Reports, Factory Input Recommendations]
Claire pressed a hand to her mouth. "Agriculture oversight… just like the family business."
Matteo's face split into a grin, pride shining in his eyes. "The system knows us well."
Next came the Emberlys.
[Assigning Role: Oliver & Ariana Emberly]
[Access Level: Beginner – Medical & Health Oversight]
[Permissions: Basic Medical Diagnostics, Medic Support for Training Simulations, Healthcare Reports]
Ariana squeezed Oliver's hand, her gaze flicking to her daughters. "It's eerie how fitting this is."
Lyra squealed, nearly bouncing. "Mom, Dad—you'll be in my subsystem!"
The Slades' turn followed.
[Assigning Role: Davis & Oriana Slade]
[Access Level: Beginner – Finance & Resource Evaluation]
[Permissions: Economic Reports, Trade Balance Simulations, Risk/Reward Analysis Tools]
Oriana arched an elegant brow, lips curving. "Finance again. Of course."
Davis chuckled, shaking his head. "If it ain't broke…"
Zephyr groaned theatrically. "Oh no. Every move I make is going to be cost-analyzed."
"Correct," Oriana said sweetly.
Laughter broke the tension again before the Larkspurs' names appeared.
[Assigning Role: Mildred & Liam Larkspur]
[Access Level: Beginner – Logistics & Transportation Oversight]
[Permissions: Route Planning, Convoy Scheduling, Fuel & Supply Flow Management]
Brian practically jumped from his seat. "Dad! Mom! You'll be helping me directly. This is perfect!"
Finally, the Stormbringers.
[Assigning Role: Mia & George Stormbringer]
[Access Level: Beginner – Military Support]
[Permissions: Basic Tactical Drills, Simulation Oversight, Defense Advisory Reports]
George's chest puffed with pride. "Military protocols. That's our bloodline."
Mia leaned forward, her voice soft but full of meaning as she looked at Kael. "Seems you inherited more than just my patience."
Kael's lips twitched in the faintest smile. "So it would seem."
The glow dimmed, leaving only a final message across the screen.
[Delegation Protocols Complete. Roles Assigned. Access Levels Established.]
[Note: Administrator retains override authority at all times.]
Ava exhaled, shoulders relaxing for the first time in weeks. The theatre buzzed with energy—pride, laughter, and the soft undertone of nerves. The weight was no longer crushing. It was shared.
Zephyr stretched with a yawn. "So… when do I get to test my new map expansion thingy?"
"Tomorrow," Ava replied.
"Why not tonight?"
"Because," Ava said, lips curling in a grin, "I have one last decree as Administrator."
The system pulsed.
[Administrator Override: Initiating Dinner Break Protocol.]
The room erupted in laughter. For tonight, they weren't soldiers or survivors—they were family. Together. And for the first time, the future didn't feel impossible.
---
(Just Ava and Cream Puff)
AVA
"Hey Cream puff, my heart's racing a bit. We haven't had a one on one in a while have we.
Things have been going great actually, better than I thought it would, with the whole apocalypse happening in less than a year.
Supply runs are steady, not the way I expected it though, you know like how novels on apocalypse are, stockpiling stockpiling stockpiling, warehouse warehouse warehouse, driving constantly from one place to another, here and there.
It feels a bit unreal. Everyday I wake up, everything seems so normal, well until you pop up and it's reality check
THERE'S LITERALLY FUCKING COUNTDOWN OF DOOM IN FRONT OF ME
Do you know how that can mess with your head ?
Sometimes I think maybe this is all not going to happen, but I can't take that risk.
With ECHO there's still hope, its better than not knowing what's going to happen, just imagine waking up to a chaotic world, no warnings.
I wouldn't blame people if they refuse to believe. People might complain all the time but deep down we all know, routine is safety, life might be monotonous but it's safe. Aish, enough of the monologue."
CREAM PUFF
"Host, the ECHO system is fully at your service. The apocalypse will not wipe the human population thanks to you. All the planning you as well as your friends and families are going to pay off."