Work Text:
One thing he couldn't figure out. Root deified the Machine and trusted Her without hesitation. She followed Her orders even knew that her AI God was misleading her about searching for Sameen.
And still Root tried to kill Beth – exactly what the Machine told her not to do. That was so unlike her.
“Miss Groves,” Harold called, when she had already reached the stairs, and Root turned around. “You acted against the Machine’s will. I thought you trust Her.”
"Trust" wasn't the best word, but he couldn't make himself say "obey."
“It’s in Her code, Harry,” Root replied with a sad chuckle. “All lives are equal, you wrote that yourself. She can't give you the highest priority no matter how She wants to, but people are free to choose, huh? And maybe you both think I’m a monster again, but you are safe.”
It was to be expected, he thought. He knew Root, oddly enough, adored him. And as mad as he was at Root for trying to kill Beth and destroying the trojan, he could understand her need to protect him at all costs, because in some ways he felt the same.
She looked like she was going to break, and for one moment he wanted to pull her close and tell her that she was forgiven and everything would be all right. But it wasn’t true… For now. He knew that he just needed time, but right now he was angry and disappointed, and Root wasn’t asking for forgiveness at all.
“You are not a monster.” Harold sighed and said firmly, “I’ll contact you when I’m ready.”
Root nodded.
“Thank you.”