Chapter 2
Disclaimer: As said in the previous chapter, the characters that make up the Portal universe do not belong to me. They did not come from my brain. On the other hand, this story did. The idea, that is the only thing that I own. Everything else, to their respected owners.
Summary: ( You know what is going on! If not, or need a quick 're-fresh', if you will, then I suggest clicking on that back button. Skim over the last paragraph, hm? )
Unlike what was originally planned, this might not be the last chapter of this story. I might write more. But it all depends on how this goes.
Previous destination is inaccessible. Enter new coordinates.
Wheatley could only stare in disbelief. Had his sensors really picked up on such horrible words? Certainly not. He just had to be dreaming. Yes! That was it! A simple dream, or rather, a nightmare. He would wake up.
Right?
Any moment now. Yes sir! At any moment now, the small robot would boot back up. And everything would go back to normal. Back to the way it was - before it had fallen, before She had been murdered.
Before he had even met that human. Chell.
His many circuits suddenly hissed; the extra power that was fueled by emotion causing angry sparks to start within him. He was angry, rightfully so, at that human. Who was a mute, for bloody sake! How could someone with that sort of disability defeat such an all-great supercomputer?
GLaDOS, she had said that he was the one to blame. He was the reason why everything had failed; the reason why She had failed. But, in fact, it was not him, no. No, instead, it was the parent-less human! It was all her fault!
It was all her fault that he was given a chance to roam. To finally explore the entire space that was called the Aperture Laboratories - which was bloody enormous, by the way!
It was all her fault that he could set his fear aside, in order to detach himself from the rail and continue on as well.
It was all her fault that he was able to experience what true emotions felt like.
It was all her fault that he was given a chance to be a human; just like her and not be a robot. Even if for only a moment. It was all her fault that he could feel.
All of it was her fault. That stupid, yet bloody adorable, Chell, who should have been nothing than a simple Test Subject for Science. Nothing more.
But that was when it had all changed. Those once-pathetic and annoying emotions had grown. Rather tremendously, in fact. And soon, much too soon, Wheatley had found himself promising the female that he would be back.
Then, he wondered, was change ever really a bad thing? After all, was that what the true definition of science?
Unfortunately, his change, was nothing short of horrible. He had been downright evil, probably even more so than GLaDOS had been.
The space core heaved a heavy sigh. A faint look of sympathy did cross his metallic features, but it had been for nothing more than a moment. He took the opportunity to quickly scan the American-made machine. Obviously it had seen better days, and the fact that the large piece of junk had lasted as long as it had was a miracle beyond itself.
'Looks like those foreigners can build a decent machine after all.' He mused, only seconds before a sound made of barely contained anger was heard.
"I cannot bloody believe this! Not at all!" The yellow-tinted sphere watched on, a bit amused, as his most recent gained companion rambled. "Well, actually, a little bit, maybe. I can believe it. I mean, it was a pretty rare chance that my plan would actually work. Only very tiny amount, so small you can barely see it." And then his look hardened back up. "But still! I cannot believe that it did not work! Do you realize how long I have been waiting for this, huh, do you? Too long! And all I wanted to do was a quick, very fast, 'hello' to a very dear mate of mine."
The space sphere rolled forward. He had to intervene very soon, or else that other, stupid machine might do something terrible. Hopefully his idea would work..
"-nd now, it's not possible!" Wheatley heaved, and his leather wrapped handles scrunched down in a frown.
Throwing aside what his main objective was - which is a rather stupid one, the space core roughly collided into the sphere that had been long-since deemed as Wheatley. After long periods of dormancy, his voice sounded awfully scratchy; making him inwardly cringe.
"Mo-ove," he managed to utter, albeit it sounded a bit more on the robotic side; crunching almost.
Speech that was of complete opposite of his own, Wheatley managed to form a decent sentence; despite as his worn circuits sizzled and popped due to excessive damage. "And what do you think you're doing?"
Cringing at the, most likely unintentional, harshness of the other's voice, the space core tried its best to give an answer. "You-u wa-ant to speak to-o that s-smelly hu-uman, don't you?"
As assumed, Wheatley had drawn away in surprise. His optic not anymore half-hidden with annoyance, instead now a shrunken circle. Hesitantly, words were formed; "C-Chell? You're gonna help me speak to Chell?" The words increasing in sound until a short cheer erupted. "Oh, this is simply smashing! Bloody great, this is! Thanks, mate,"
"Do-on't thank me yet." The space core started, going back to work on hacking what was left of the larger computer's memory. "I-I can't pro-omise tha-at the call w-will go-o through. I will try-y to get you to the-e Laboratories."
"Good! That is very good!" Wheatley cried, moving to watch as the main frame of the satellite was hacked. "Oh, wow, look at you go! Incredibly fast, you are. In fact, you should be finished in -"
DING!
The space core turned around and released a prideful hum towards the blue-tinted sphere. Only, he received a surprised expression in return for his unusual handiwork.
"I-I never knew you could do that, mate!" Wheatley admitted with a shake of his spherical head. "That is bloody impressive! Why didn't you tell anyone about this?"
And just like that, the moment that was full of pride and happiness was shattered. The space core let out a sorrowful moan. "Be-ecause they wo-ould hav-ve sent me out here soon-ner. And-d I would have been all a-a-alone," he admitted.
To say that Wheatley was shocked was an understatement. Not a word could describe his reaction. He was in a state of bafflement. And for once, the talkative sphere was rendered speechless. Had the space core always felt like that - towards work that he loved? Designed specifically for?
Before either intelligent spheres could say another word on the subject, the computer announced, its voice monotone, Command accepted. Connecting with Aperture Laboratories.
The two watched as the satellite's monitor had changed, again, this time to supply a view of what could be generalized as rubble. A clear sign that a fight had ensued. But that was not what had their complete attention. No, it was the large, black and white machine that hung in the center; spinning around to meet them.
Wheatley swallowed, and like last time, nervously greeted the female supercomputer; "Hello!"
GLaDOS let out a disappointed sigh. "Oh, it's only you, the moron. I was hoping that it was someone else, who was smarter."
Eye following a shining white turret that passed rather close to the monitor, Wheatley commented, "I can see that you're making a lot of changes to the old lair. N-Not bad, of course, no, they're goo-"
Although She knew why the idiotic machine had called, GLaDOS took the chance to amuse herself. "Is there a reason why you called the Laboratories?" She asked.
And the space core could only let out a sigh - they had been doing that a lot lately - and shake his head as he listened to the other personality core stumble. Not smooth, at all.
"W-Well, there-there is a good reason for that, a very good reason." Wheatley tripped, seeming to forget that he was hundreds and thousands of miles away from GLaDOS. Seeing that intelligent, way more than him, computer made him cringe. "I want- n-no, would like to speak t-to Chell. Can I, for a moment? It'll be real quick, promise."
Her gaze fell to annoyed rather quickly. "No, you cannot,"
"Maybe if I say please, then?"
GLaDOS shook her head. "No, you cannot speak with that filthy human." The computer disagreed.
Wheatley blinked. "W-Why not?"
And all he got in return was a soft, barely audible whisper, "because she left."
Wheatley beamed, like most times, oblivious to the actual meaning of what someone said. A thin sheet of metal came to hide the bottom-half of his eye, expressing how happy he was. "R-Really? She managed to leave that messy place? Finally?"
GLaDOS itched to throw that disrespectful machine against the wall. "Yes, she did," she drawled.
"Well then! Isn't that wonderful!" He congratulated, turning towards the space core now. "Don't you think mate?"
"Yes-s," the yellow core agreed.
"Anyways, can you maybe forward me to her, Chell, wherever she happens to be?" Wheatley asked. "I need to have a word with her, just for a second. Quick second."
"Don't you understand?" GLaDOS snapped, her monotone voice having an angry ring to it. "Of course a moron, like you, would have a difficult time understanding."
And he snapped right back, "I am not a moron! Now, would you just let me talk to her!"
GLaDOS sighed, knowing that if she did not, than that other space core - who was rather smart - would do it instead. "Fine." And with a simple, quick wave of a mechanical arm, the screen, for a third time, changed.
Wheatley and the space core both watched as it, now, showed them the inside of an apartment; which was rather plain. And at the moment, they seemed to be looking at what was a living room. A coffee table sat in front of a brown sofa, that had two pillows and a couple of blankets. On a nightstand that leaned up against a wall to their left, was a television that was no bigger than a sofa cushion; its black screen eyeing them.
Wheatley cringed slightly, surely this could not be right. Chell did not live here, in this rather tiny house; with walls that were covered in a dull, off-white paint. "Oh dear, this place looks rather boring, doesn't it? I mean, there are no pictures on the walls or any fancy carpets. Just..plain." He rambled aloud, not particularly looking for an answer. "Chell isn't the one who lives here, is she?"
The space core did his best to mimic a shrug. "GLaDOS does-s n-not lie-e,"
"True, true. You're right there, mate." Wheatley said, his voice quickly gaining a tone of worry for his companion. "But then where is she?"
A/N: Okay, so, I am sorry for the semi-awkward ending, there. I wrote the last couple sentences in bit of a rush; because I have a follow-up doctor's appointment, to see how well I am recovering. Just like before, I hope that you thoroughly enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you think! I promise, I will not bite you! I am actually quite nice.
But every angel has a dark side. Ha ha..kidding. Not really. (:
**Anyways, I want to give a big thanks to 8th Demention who took time out of their day to send me such a lovely review! And the idea was pure lovely, I'll be sure to give it a go! :) So expect something interesting soon! Oh! Here ya' go - a COOKIE!**
Like always, you all know exactly what to do! Just move your curse, there, over to that such wonderful button and click it! It is that simple! Real easy, really.
Until next time, ¡Adiós!
