[A/N]

First of all: I'm sorry if these last chapters are a bit on the boring side, couldn't think of much else to write. I'll try to spice things up though!

Also, The Ember pointed something out about the coop campaign, and, SPOILER ALERT! They find a whole wing of test subjects. My explanation is that the bots are still in the testing tracks, AKA in the middle of their respective storyline. Thank you for pointing that out, I will include this in the story later!

Anyway, this A/N is getting way too long, so I'll end it here; reviews are greatly appreciated, and enjoy the chapter!

The AI was stuck. It's not like she hadn't seen a human cry before, there had been plenty on the testing tracks. It's not like she didn't know what it meant, it usually meant the same thing; pain, or agony.

What she didn't know, however, is how to deal with it… without killing them.

Usually the solution was simple. A human was stuck on one of the testing tracks, usually with a few broken bones, crying in the corner. What she would do then? Fill the room with neurotoxin, bring in the next test subject on the list.

This was different. She couldn't just kill the woman, she was the first to voluntarily participate in the tests. Besides, she was the single best test subject she ever encountered, too.

The test subject was simply too valuable to give up.

What should she do now?

The first thing that came into the supercomputer's mind, was the first thing she always did; behaving indifferently. This always worked before, why wouldn't it now?

"Why are you doing whatever you think you are doing?"

There. That should help.

The only reaction the girl showed, was stopping flipping the pages entirely. Well done. The AI thought to herself. What, is your passive aggressive processor turning against you now? Yes.

Dang. Time for a different approach.

The panel lifted up the panel about five feet, and made eye contact with the test subject. It was clear that more than a few tears had already ran across her cheeks in the last minutes, despite remaining silent.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

The girl's facial expression turned into one of surprise. The AI had never cared about her like this before.

"My entire species is dead."

"So? I am alone all the time, what's wrong with that?"

"Passive aggressive remarks about the greatest loss since I can remember? You're doing a great job at depressing me, if that was your goal."

This wasn't news to the AI. Some of the test subjects that could talk had given their opinion on this more than she cared to admit. More sarcastic remarks usually followed after that, and sometimes a tinge of neurotoxin for good measure.

Negative reinforcement really did help most of the time. This was different. She didn't have much experience on this part, so she had to improvise. Endless list containing remarks about people's weight? Not of use now. That was new.

"I can't help you with that."

"One word; the tape."

"The only reason I will bring back your species is for testing, I thought we had established that."

"Let's see about that."

The girl simply stood up, and walked away. The oh-so-familiar determined face could be seen through her cameras. No turning back now.

The following months were a bit… unusual.

When it was time to get up and test, the girl stayed in her bed for a few hours. At first the AI kept breaking her rooms, but soon learned it made no difference, and let her stay.

When she did get up, the test subject simply refused to test. She just sat in a corner somewhere, reading a random file she found to pass the time.

At first, the AI tried to stimulate her. When she filled up the room with neurotoxin, the girl just sat there. Not budging.

"Sure, kill me. You need me. I know you do."

"I still have the cooperative testing initiative. They should do."

"You know they won't."

The pair would just glare at each other, until finally the neurotoxin would be cut off. The girl would go back to reading, and the AI was stuck in the loop again.

Even though the supercomputer thought, wished that the test subject would stop after a few weeks, tops, she didn't stop. She just sat there, reading. All day long. Not even nagging her to come along to eat. Emotionless.

Sometimes the AI would force her into the lift using her panels, but she wouldn't get out. She just stayed there, until the lift went back up. Sometimes it took hours, but the girl didn't mind.

And the test subject was right. She needed her. The bots didn't always suffice; sure, for a few weeks, but after that; they became… boring. They were programmed by her, after all. Doing exactly what they were programmed to do.

This was different in humans. They sometimes went against all odds, doing random stuff every now and again. It was why they were so valuable for testing.

Eventually, even though the AI didn't want to admit it, gave in.

"Will you promise not to enslave us?"

"NO! I won't. Just get on with it, and I'll get what you want!"

"Good. Then I will."

And with that, the test subject stepped into the lift, and began testing again.