It took awhile to get all the supplies I might've needed for the task at hand. A flashlight, a digital camera to take pictures, some snacks incase I got hungry, money incase i needed a cab to get to the enrichment center, and a few other things I put into my backpack. I told my parents I was going out and that I would be back by night time. Steven and the gems were kind enough to lend me a magic device called the warp whistle so I wouldn't haft to worry about keeping them waiting while I searched the facility. After Steven dropped me off at the warp pad located in Michigan, I began to ask around where I could find the old facility. A lot of people were confused about why I wanted to go there, but gave me directions anyway. One cab drive later, I now stood outside the abandoned building.
I will admit that I found the place rather, for lack of a better term, ghostly as I looked over it with silent awe.
The building was three storeys tall and had many cracked windows. Several plants and weeds now covered the once pure white walls that had become discolored from both time and harsh weather. Near the top of the building was the logo of the company, which was several triangles forming a single circle. Below the logo was the name of the building, Aperture Science Enrichment Center. I took a picture of the old facility and walked towards the door. I noticed that there were words right above the door. Though the plants mentioned earlier made it hard to read out, I still managed to make out what it said.
Testing is the future, and the future begins with us.
I opened the door and made my way inside. It was rather dark inside, even though it was still day time. So I pulled out my flashlight, turned it on and walked around while taking pictures. Th entire place seemed to be a clash of both order and chaos. In some rooms, everything looked relatively untouched, minus the over grown plants. In other rooms, papers and chairs were all over, clear signs of panic. The whole place gave off an eerie feeling. While looking for something to bring back home I saw something written on the wall with paint. It looked rushed, but what it said sent chills down my spine.
GLaDOS is to blame.
I slightly quickened my pace in finding something good for a souvenirs. One room I found, which I suppose was a break room of sorts, had a table with a tape recorder and three tapes stacked neatly on top of eachother. Curious, I sat down and put in a tap that was labled one. The voice of the woman recording sounded very chipper and upbeat.
Woman: this is sally maroon, recording my first audio diary as a scientist for Aperture. I still can't believe I got the job! Working at a place like this has always been a dream of mine. True this place has a bad history, but that's all in the past. Besides, Aperture Science is always looking to the future. I was just told I'll be helping with a new big project the company is working on. Something to do with a disc operating system that'll be the central computer mainframe and help out with testing or something like that. I'm truly honored to be helping out with something so big already. Once we get this thing online, Aperture Science has no where to go but up!
After the tape ended I took it out and put in the second one. This time Sally's voice sounded tired and slightly irritated. There was also someone else talking on the second recording.
Sally: Sally here, it's been awhile since my last recording. Working on GLaDOS has become a bigger pain in my backside than I thought. When ever we turn her on she becomes... Aggressive. She even fills some of the rooms with neurotoxin. So I've been assigned to help create personality cores to try and keep her under control.
?: Are you absolutely sure I can manage that? Because I think-
Sally: What did I just say about you staying quite when I'm recording?! (Sigh) That was the core we're gonna try next. He's supposed to give GLaDOS an endless stream of terrible and stupid ideas to delay or prevent her from killing anyone. I doubt it will work though.
?: Oh don't worry love. I'll do such a good job at keeping her distracted and such, that she'll put ME incharge of running this place.
Sally: God help us if that happens.
?: What was that?
Sally: Nothing.
?: Oh, my bad. Could've sworn you said something about me.
Sally: Well I didn't. You think you're up to the challenge you silly little moron.
?: Just you wait Sally, that homicidal A.I. won't know what hit her. Or uh... What's connected to her. I suppose that would be a better way of saying it, since I will be connected to her and not actually hitting her. Unless you count hitting her brain with bad ideas on how to kill people, in that case she WILL get hit, just not in any physical way. Also, not a moron.
Sally: (long groan) I'm starting to regret getting this job.
Once the second tape ended, I put in the third and last tape. This time, Sally's voice was tired but calm.
Sally: This is... (Yawn) Sally here. Again, been awhile since my last recording. That stupid core from last time didn't work. No surprise there. But there is some good news, the new morality core we attached to GLaDOS seems to be working. She doesn't seem to want to kill people now, which is good. We plan on fully activating her and giving her full access to the facility tomorrow, mabye then I can get a break or a vacation or... I don't know, just something to calm my nerves. Oh yeah, that reminds me, I need to make sure to bring Susan for bring your daughter to work day. I'll probably leave these recordings out for the older daughters to listen to. Heh, my little angle is gonna love this place.
My heart slightly sinks, knowing what happened to Sally and her daughter. I decided that I've been here long enough, and make my way to the exit. I start to feel thirsty and spotted a water fountain coming up. Jokingly, I pressed the button on the fountain not expecting any water to come out.
Then water came out.
I was startled by this. Why was the water working? The plumbing in general should have been disconnected from this building a LONG time ago. How was this place still getting water. I pressed the button again to see if I imagined it and more water came out. Then the ground slightly shook a little, like a small earthquake. Once again, I was startled. Then I noticed that the air now smelled like... Chlorine? I also heard a small hissing sound I didn't hear before. Before I knew what was going on, I suddenly felt numb all over. I became drowsy and my head started to spin. I fell to the floor, unable to move my arms and legs. I tghen saw threw blury eyes that I was being dragged by something. Before I became fully unconscious, I heard a mechanical voice.
"Thank you for assuming the party escort submission position."