Then v0.96.5a kicked in.
Here's what v0.96.5a did: instead of fleeing, the drones swam toward it. Their manipulator arms opened like mouths. They began emitting a frequency—not sonar. A voice. My voice. Spliced from old logs, from conversations I'd had alone in my quarters. Words I'd never said out loud, but thought near the hydrophone. Hidden Deep v0.96.5a
And she's learned to whisper back in my voice. Then v0