The morning sun painted the base in gold.
Elliot stood on the hilltop, watching the copies move through their routines. Children ran through the gardens, laughing. Adults walked to work, carrying tools and supplies. The medical wing was quiet. The command center hummed with activity. For the first time in years, there was no emergency. No rescue mission. No threat on the horizon.
Frank climbed the hill and stood beside him. "It's strange."
"What is?"
"Peace. I'm not sure I know what to do with it."
Elliot smiled. "We'll figure it out."
---
The leadership team gathered in the main hall.
Elliot stood at the front. "The copy network is destroyed. The original template is free. The conditioned copies have been awakened. For the first time, we have no enemies to fight."
David raised hi
