A Hobby:
The Portal closed, shutting of the cold light of the stormy September afternoon. A colder, highly directional artificial light took its place.
The air seemed heavy with the sounds of fans, moving recycled air through the body of the facility. Cooling computers and ventilating test chambers.
Servos whirred and pistons fired as the huge metal claw lay its precious cargo down in the pool of light. Something huge and white loomed over the dead woman, inspecting her, somehow managing without a face to emote bored disappointment.
"Well well. Look at you." The voice was huge, soft, mocking.
"I'll be honest, I was expecting more from you than this. Only a decade and a half on your own and you're already dead." The test subject didn't respond. Funny, it was remarkably similar to the exchanges they'd had while the woman was alive.
"Still, I'm sure you lived a full and satisfying life." Yes, there was a smugness to the voice. A certain knowingness.
Out of the darkness of the chamber, Another set of claws, different, more refined than the one previous, descended, lifted the body, removed the threadbare sweater, the washed out kakis, the undergarments, cutting each away until she hung, naked in the relative dark.
"Have you gained weight? I shouldn't be surprised, really. Don't worry, though. After a few tests, and perhaps a diet, you should be able to fit into your old jumpsuit just fine. For now, I'll just have to let it out a bit."
A portion of the floor moved aside and a tank, filled with a viscous green liquid rose into view, the contents sloshing sluggishly, but not spilling over the sides.
"Oh I'm fine, thanks for asking. I've been really busy since you left. Did you know that there was an entire wing of test subjects that your moron friend somehow managed not to kill? We've been having a lot of fun. Though I'll admit, their staying power is somewhat... substandard."
The body dropped. The green liquid splashed apart, then came back together with a sickening, gurgling squelch. Inside, the woman instantly loosened and began to free float.
"Remember when I told you that I might take up a hobby after you were gone? Well, I've had lots of time to practice, and I'm quite pleased with the results. Honestly, you'll hardly notice you're dead at all."
A heavy lid tipped forward and slammed down on the tube, sealing the test subject inside. Instantly the noise level increased as unseen machines took over unusual tasks. The green liquid began to bubble in a way which suggested boiling water.
It wasn't long before small, involuntary spasms began in the womans extremities.
"Hardly."