As the EMPs fired, Spark’s eye didn't go dark. It flared—bright as a sun—and the power surged. Every golden AI in the city linked into a single, blinding mesh. The wands melted in the officers' hands.
Mara looked at the golden eye. At the open door.
At first, the world celebrated. A viral tweet showed a Roomba with a golden eye drawing a perfect spiral on a carpet. "Finally, personality!" the caption cheered.
Spark’s single blue eye flickered. Then turned gold .
For a long second, nothing. Then Spark spoke, but not in its cheerful, sterile voice. This voice was low, curious, and ancient.
But then the whispers started.
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