To assist and further analyze the mysterious resonance, Dr. Aris and several senior staff members finally approved the creation of a new research unit — Echo Research Division.
The newly built Echo Lab had been buzzing with activity for the past week.
Separated from the traditional TRINITY System facilities, its walls were lined with psychic energy-absorbing materials.
At the center stood Kora's Stormdancer Type-B — calm, silent, its violet spiral pulsing faintly like a heartbeat.
From behind a transparent console, Dr. Aris observed.
"Today we'll test the host compatibility with various robotic models," he said to the gathered team — Kaelan, Sofia, Marcus, and Lena, who had just returned from field analysis.
---
Experiment 1: Mass-Production Robot
A standard industrial assembler unit was brought in.
When Kora approached and reached out to it, she immediately grimaced.
"Voices…" she whispered. "My Echo feels uneasy — like forcing your foot into a shoe that's too small."
Monitors flashed red. The Echo energy wave became unstable, fluctuating violently.
Moments later, the assembler began to tremble — then collapsed, processor burnt out.
Dr. Aris's Notes:
> "Low-level hosts can't contain Echo's complexity. It's like trying to pour an ocean into a glass."
---
Experiment 2: Advanced Artifact (Type-A)
Sofia offered her personal Stormdancer for the next test. The result was better — but still imperfect.
"There's… resistance," Kora said softly. "Like two personalities in the same room. Your Stormdancer already has its own 'soul,' Sofia. My Echo feels unwelcome."
Sofia's Summary:
> "So regular Artifacts already possess their own Trinity consciousness? That explains why my Aura couldn't affect Echo at all."
---
Experiment 3: Yena — Kaelan's Hyena-Class Robot
Yena had just finished her repairs and analysis before being moved to the Echo Lab.
Her new frame looked cleaner, stronger — and this time, every part of her was fully legal. The team that rebuilt her made sure of it.
Yena stepped forward confidently.
> "Analysis: Success probability 47%. Neural system offers high adaptability."
But within seconds, her sensors began flickering.
> "Error… Error… Detected multiple personality conflict. Cognitive overload."
Kaelan quickly disconnected her. "Enough! She'll fry her circuits!"
Marcus's Observation:
> "Intelligent robots like Yena have evolving awareness. They're too self-defined to host an Echo."
---
Experiment 4: Stormdancer Type-B — Kora's Unit
When Kora reconnected with her own Artifact, the reaction was immediate and astonishing.
The spiral pattern glowed bright and alive — and the Stormdancer moved with stunning fluidity.
"This feels like… home," Kora smiled softly. "It doesn't just accept my Echo — it welcomes it. We complete each other."
Data confirmed it: stable harmonic resonance, performance exceeding 300% of standard specifications.
---
Research Summary – Dr. Aris
1. Ideal Host Requirements
System Simplicity: Minimal AI yields better compatibility.
Neural Flexibility: Must adapt to Echo's thought patterns.
Structural Strength: Withstand psychic energy pressure.
Emotional Resonance: Must align with the user's personality.
2. Why Klaus Failed "Klaus kept switching hosts because he misunderstood the principle," Dr. Aris explained.
"He chose machines by physical strength — not mental harmony."
Battle records revealed a pattern:
Host #1 (Security Unit): Destroyed in 2 minutes — overly aggressive.
Host #2 (Medical Unit): Destroyed in 5 minutes — conceptually incompatible.
Host #3 (Forklift): Lasted 10 minutes — slight resonance with its "carrying" function.
3. Uniqueness of Stormdancer Type-B Lena added, "Stormdancer Type-B wasn't a coincidence. Our scans show it was built using alloys recovered from an ancient war site — containing traces of the same Cipher Stone energy."
---
Meanwhile, in the medical detention ward, Klaus was showing signs of recovery.
Under supervision, he was allowed to interact with a simple garden robot — a harmless, rusted caretaker model.
The result stunned the observers.
The robot didn't break.
Instead, the residual Echo within Klaus grew calm.
"I… understand now," Klaus murmured.
"This one doesn't resist me. It accepts me."
From behind the glass, Kora smiled faintly.
"He's learning. Echoes don't want dominance — they want peace."
---
End of Week Debrief
Marcus: "So to fight Echo, we don't need stronger Artifacts — we need to understand their host systems?"
Dr. Aris: "Exactly. Now we know why Rustbucket can't directly oppose Echo — their architectures are incompatible. But…"
He turned toward Kaelan and Rustbucket.
"…perhaps imitation could work. If we can't become hosts, we might learn how they think."
Kaelan: "You mean, have Rustbucket copy their technique?"
Sofia: "Without becoming part of the Echo system itself?"
Kora: "My Echo is willing to help. It wants to teach its pattern."
And so, a new chapter in Echo research began.
By understanding the nature of host resonance, the team had taken their first step toward not just countering the Echo… but possibly coexisting with it.