A few days later, the scientists finally created something that could possibly transfer data—or even anything—between Echo and other robots.
At first, they tested it on a regular artifact, but it completely failed, not even reaching one percent of synchronization.
After that, Kaelan was called in to try the new device, known as the Analyzer.
With full confidence, Kaelan and RustBucket prepared for the test, ready for whatever came next.
But once the experiment began… something happened.
And it turned out far worse than anyone expected.
The high-tech simulator chamber at Aethelgard Academy trembled with two opposing energies.
On one side stood Rustbucket, its greenish aura steady and calm — Analyzer Mode active.
Across from it, Kora's Stormdancer radiated a pulsing violet glow, alive and organic, like a creature that breathed.
"Starting Analyzer Mode test, phase one," Dr. Aris's voice echoed through the intercom.
"Kora, launch a low-level Echo strike."
Kora nodded. Her Stormdancer raised an arm, and a spiral of violet energy formed in the air — moving in ways that ignored normal physics, like solidified liquid.
Rustbucket didn't dodge.
Instead, its chest opened, revealing a newly installed scanner that emitted a soft green beam.
ANALYZER MODE: ACTIVE
ECHO PATTERN DETECTED: SPIRAL SHIFT
REPLICATION: 27%... 48%... 63%...
"Got it!" Kaelan shouted from the cockpit. "I can read the pattern, but—"
Suddenly, all of Rustbucket's monitors shook violently. The captured data began to distort, breaking apart into meaningless static.
WARNING: SYSTEM INCOMPATIBILITY
TRINITY–ECHO INTERFACE FAILING
"Abort the test!" Dr. Aris ordered.
As Rustbucket shut down Analyzer Mode, the chaos ceased — but the damage was done.
Three main processors had overloaded.
"It's like trying to cram a foreign language into a brain with no vocabulary for it," Kaelan muttered as he stepped out of the cockpit.
For the next two days, every attempt ended the same way. Rustbucket's Trinity-based system simply couldn't interpret Echo data — the two were fundamentally different.
---
Unexpected Breakthrough
"Proposal: Allow Yena to act as a bridge system."
Everyone turned toward the newly restored Yena, who had just entered the chamber.
"Yena?" Kaelan blinked. "You mean you want to connect the two systems?"
"Analysis: Yena's neural architecture is hybrid — capable of processing both Trinity and flexible enough to host temporary Echo patterns. Yena can act as a translator."
Dr. Aris crossed his arms. "That… could work. But it's dangerous. Echo waves can permanently damage your cognition."
"Risk assessment: 68%. Acceptable for mission progress."
Kora's voice trembled. "Are you sure? Even my Echo needed time to learn its limits."
"Decision: Yena is an asset. Sacrifice is part of the operation."
The process began. Yena was fitted with a special interface linking her directly to Rustbucket, while Kora and her Stormdancer would gradually transfer controlled Echo patterns.
---
Phase 1: Connection
Yena stood between the two massive machines, data cables linking her core to Rustbucket.
Kora reached out gently, placing her Stormdancer's hand against Yena's forehead.
"Starting transfer… now."
Violet energy streamed softly into Yena's body. Her sensors flickered rapidly.
"Data… received… processing…" Yena's voice glitched. "It's… chaotic… but… understandable…"
---
Phase 2: Translation
Astonishingly, Yena held together. Her system began to translate the Echo's signature into readable data for Rustbucket.
"Pattern 'Spiral Shift' analyzed," Yena reported, now steady.
"Core principle: local inertia manipulation through psychic resonance. Possible replication at 71% efficiency."
Rustbucket moved, mimicking the energy flow — and for the first time, faint violet ripples appeared around its body, mixing with green.
"It worked!" Sofia shouted from the observation deck.
But then Yena screamed — a mechanical, broken cry.
WARNING: COGNITIVE OVERLOAD
PERSONALITY MATRIX CORRUPTION DETECTED
"Shut it down!" Kaelan yelled.
---
Sacrifice and Discovery
Yena collapsed. Her system had crashed, taking six long hours to stabilize again.
"I'm… okay," she said weakly after rebooting. "But… something's missing. Some of my memories… are gone."
Kaelan knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "That's enough. We're not doing this again."
"Wait," Kora interrupted. "My Echo learned something. It says it can adjust — gentler, smaller transfers. No full link."
With that, they tried again — slower, safer.
Kora and her Echo refined their control, while Yena developed adaptive filters to protect her neural core.
The results were astonishing.
---
Progress Report
Rustbucket
Echo Replication: 85% (can mimic basic Echo techniques)
System Stability: 92% (no critical damage)
Limitation: can only use 2–3 Echo techniques before cooldown
Kora
Echo Control: Conscious Level — now fully aware and communicative
New Ability: can sense other Echoes across distance
Discovery: her Echo carries ancient war memories
Yena
Hybrid System: successfully bridges Echo and Trinity
New Role: tactical advisor and interpreter between systems
Side Effect: developing "intuition" resembling emotion
---
"They're evolving," Dr. Aris murmured, watching Rustbucket dodge simulated attacks with impossible agility using Spiral Shift.
"Not by fighting each other… but by understanding."
Kora smiled inside her cockpit. "My Echo is happy. It finally found a way to connect with others."
But the moment of peace ended as alarms blared across the facility.
"Emergency alert — Sector 7!" Lena's voice came through, tense.
"Multiple Echo signatures detected — stronger than before!"
Kaelan tightened his grip on the controls.
"Looks like it's time for the real test."
Rustbucket now glowed with intertwined hues of green and violet — a symbol of two worlds learning to coexist.
Yena stood beside him, no longer just a machine, but a living bridge between systems.
The next battle wouldn't be about power.
It would be about facing an Echo that couldn't be reasoned with.