Another chapter up and running, only after two days of posting the first. This is the most dedicated I've been in months. WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING TO ME?
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Chell's eyes shot open, only to be instantly squeezed tightly shut again as they came into blunt conformation with blinding light. Overwhelming pain immediately seared through the woman, causing her to arch her back and wince in discomfort. What she had felt prior could not even compare with what she was feeling now; it felt as if balls of lead were repeatedly being hurled into her body, most specifically her sides. A headache loomed over her as well, likely a result of the insignificant glimpse of effulgence she'd had earlier. In short, Chell felt positively battered. Her mood matched.
She groaned, pushing up on her elbows as she tried to pull herself into a sitting position. Each and every muscle protested diligently, but she ignored them with every ounce of determination she possessed. She finally got her body propped up on her elbows, arms shaking. Peeling an eye open gingerly, she found the light profusely more tolerable this time around. Flexing her fingers purposefully, she also discovered something else: She was, in fact, not a potato. She still owned a pair of arms and legs, though her left leg ached beyond comprehension. Regardless, it was certainly more favorable than her (rather odd) dream, one which caused her to shudder at the memory.
Shifting herself, Chell managed to pull her legs out from underneath her, firmly planting the sole of her right foot on the ground. Being careful to keep her hands propping her body up as she did so, the woman slowly pulled her left leg up to mimic the action, consolation lightening her mood at the minimal amount of pain this movement caused.
'Perfect. Take it nice and easy, Chell. Nice and easy...'
Propelling herself forward using her hands, she bent her knees and pushed up, crouching for a few seconds before rising to a full standing state. Her left leg cried out in protest and, complying, Chell leaned so the majority of her body weight was stationed on her right leg, slightly lifting her left boot so that only the toe rested on the terrain. The long heel made this complicated, but she achieved it nonetheless.
The pain eventually faded to a dull throb. Experimentally, she pressed her weight down on it again, an agonized shriek cracking in her throat at the sheer torture the action presented her with. Obviously, she had suffered a harsh injury to that leg. Whatever her body had been producing to reduce the pain was wearing off with each returning bit of consciousness. It was sheer luck that she had been able to stand. She had a gut-wrenching sense that if she tried to do that again, her leg would shatter like glass. Best to keep off it for now.
Suddenly, there was a blur that cut across her field of vision, grazing across her cheek. Startled, Chell instinctively took a step back, forgetting her affliction in the process. Her leg slipped out from under her, and Chell scored a glorious reunion with the ground. She whined, raising her head and instantly freezing at sounds not too far from her current position. Mind snapping back to the mysterious blur, she slowed her breathing, willing her heart to keep quiet. Listening intently, the woman reached backwards for her only weapon: The ASHPD. It wasn't there. Eyes widening in shock, Chell reached farther back, solely grime coming into contact with, and sticking to, her fingers. Twisting her upper body, Chell confirmed that the portal gun was indeed absent. In fact, she hadn't seen it since she'd been knocked unconscious by that pip- wait, wasn't that a dream? Was she still dreaming? Had the entire fall simply been a figment of her imagination?
Confusion took primary charge of her mind as she frantically swept her fingers along the dirt, trailing lines as she searched fruitlessly. It was laborious to think while in so much agony. Reaching the conclusion that since she was factually in such pain that she couldn't possibly still be dreaming, Chell forced herself to dedicate all efforts purely to finding the quantum device. That meant no dwelling on her brain's torturous situation, or the flashes of discomfort shooting up her leg and through her chest.
Meanwhile, the sounds from before were nearing closer. Whatever it was had claws, for there was the noise of metallic clicks as the creature approached. Growing conservative, the woman latched blindly onto something her hand happened to graze over, fingers wrapping around it in a tight grip. Waiting with oppressive defensiveness, she found the passing seconds to be increasingly unbearable.
The moment finally came when a flicker of light reflected in an eye, and in that moment the test subject raised her arm high above her head under the command of hysteria. Letting out a sharp hiss, Chell swung at the owner of the eye. Her muscles, toughened by her strict and constant testing schedule, swung the object at such physical force that the creature was notably knocked backward, which it accented with a disturbingly shrill...caw? Pulling her arm back quickly, Chell stared forward, baffled. There was a meager shuffling, and then all of a sudden the haggard bird launched itself towards her, wings flapping haphazardly.
Recoiling swiftly, she scooted backwards, and brought her hands up to shield her face, tensing her arms in preparation. However, no hit came. In fact, it was rather quiet all of a sudden. Lowering her arms cautiously, Chell looked down to see the animal sprawled in front of her, flailing pitifully. Its right wing hung at an awkward angle, bent apart from the point of normalcy. A twinge of guilt and a few seconds later had the bird cradled gently in the woman's hands, her thumb tenderly stroking its head. It began to struggle, fighting to escape her soft, yet firm, grasp. Chell 'shush'ed lowly, increasing the pressure of her thumb in a further attempt to soothe the wounded creature. Astonishingly, the bird settled down, ultimately nestling into her palms.
Warm, soft, organic flesh pressed against her own gained a fond smile from the woman. Aperture seemed devoid of anything remotely 'alive', instead filled with bloodthirsty intelligences of artificiality and whatever possessions remained of the Enrichment Center's previous human occupants. When she had fought her way through the facility following her second awakening, sure, there had been plant life taking advantage of the decaying building. But they didn't hold fast to a true, breathing life form. The lack of said life and now her current ownership of the bird sparked a feeling of protectiveness in the test subject. And for once, it was for someone other than herself.
Carefully, Chell moved the scrawny bird to one hand, bracing her other on the ground for support. Thankfully, the avian didn't protest, merely blinking. Pleased, she brushed her fingers of the hand she had it held in against its uninjured wing, at the same time glancing around her surroundings. Unlike in her confounded dream, the area she had fallen in was actually well-lit, by several fires at that. What they were burning seemed extremely familiar, but she tore her gaze away, eyes narrowing in focus. She had to regain her bearings if she was to formulate a plan. Above her the elevator dangled, its cords draping depressingly over her head. Surveying the rest of the location, Chell noted she was in a circular alcove, and that there were several collapsed pipes buried partially into the ground, and rusty metal beams littered the floor.
Looks like that's my new weapon of choice.
She thought, casually wiping her hand on her pants while squinting at a particularly broad beam with red drops speckling its surface. Having a hunch, she lifted her dominant right hand to her face. Hunch confirmed. Luckily, the wounds were simply scratches spanning across her hand. She speculated that they were the product from gripping the beam so tightly. Although they were still bleeding, it was minor, and they didn't sting in the slightest. She'd probably need to bandage the wounds later, though, unless she wanted to risk infection. That was something she might be willing to risk in the upper part of the facility, she mused with a glance towards the elevator, but not here. Rust clung to the decaying metal of the walls, it reeked of decay, and grime caked itself on the bottom of her long-fall boots, a detail she noticed with disgust.
This left her in a bit of a predicament. Chell wasn't confident in her ability to stand without the assistance of her arms one single bit, but she didn't want to press her hand to the ground with her newly-discovered wounds, either. Her forehead creased as she thought, lips compressing into a thin line. Support, was what she need. Something to lean on...
Tucking her feathered friend closer to her chest, Chell started to wiggle this way and that, inching her way over to a specific wall that looked acceptably stable, compared to the others at least. It was painstaking slow work, the terrain rough and resisting to the cloth covering her legs. At one point she moved too quickly, and a shot of pain coursed through her nerves like wildfire. Gasping, she reached down, massaging her left thigh in small circles. The burning didn't leave, but relented enough that she was able to resume her quest.
She reached the wall, back bumping into the cool metal as she slumped backwards, panting softly. In her hand the bird chirped nervously, its black eyes looking up at her. It may have just been her slight insane side, but it truly appeared as if the little thing was worried for her. Her heart warming, Chell stroked the side of its face, marveling at the smoothness of its feathers. The bird chest rose and fell deeply, a sort of sigh, Chell realized with a quiet breath of laughter. She continued to pet it for a couple more seconds, relishing in the serenity the uncomplicated act brought. Chell had rarely ever felt utterly calm, and this time was no exception; constant worrying plagued the back of her mind, infecting every thought with its negative infliction. However, what she was feeling now was the most unconcerned attitude since awakening the first time in the Enrichment Center. She found she rather liked it, the levelheadedness, deliberate breath rate, and the way her face was intent on pulling itself into a crooked smile.
Reluctantly breaking out of her trance, Chell pushed her back harder against the wall, biting her lip as she ignored the aches and soreness of her body. She relaxed her posture, then tightened it again, additionally using her good leg to shove herself up the wall. She slipped a couple instances, but with every step backward she was taking two steps forward. Her shoulders hunched, then lurched upward, giving her just enough boost so that she was able to put minimal weight on her left knee, and use the combined strength of her legs to get to her feet.
Leaning on the wall, chest heaving, and left leg carefully held above the ground lest she tumble back down again, Chell had the greatest awareness of accomplishment. She'd survived the violent awakening via moron-core, the second testing track forced upon her following the terrifying reawakening of the homicidal GlaDOS, sneaking around the maintenance areas, her direct conformation with the killer AI, being smashed down an elevator, and plummeting 4,000 meters into the earth. Although she had sustained quite serious injuries, it was needless to say that the test subject was pretty high in spirits.
As Chell recovered, she noticed something glinting in the distance, underneath a sheet of metal previously hidden from her view. Tilting her head, she squinted, but was unable to determine exactly what it was from her current spot. She debated investigating, after all, it was a considerable distance from where she was, closing her eyes and laying her head against the wall while she thought.
Aah..what the hell. I'm going to have to get moving eventually. It's more promising than anything else so far.
Grimly, Chell stared across the room at where the obscured object lay, determination swelling in her chest at the challenge presented to her. She could, and would, do this. Checking once on the bird, once on her leg, the woman gathered the rest of her composure before limping forward. She could do little with her left leg other than use it for balance and give herself a swift hop forwards by touching it to the ground then instantly pulling it back up, so her movements were erratic, ill-suited to the situation. Frustrated now about her impairing injury, Chell made it to the sheet with crinkled eyebrows, a shaky sigh of relief escaping her throat.
Luck was on the test subject's side; there was a convenient pile of rotting wood close to the metal sheet, the surface of the wood charred from a past fire. It rose up to her knees, and because of that she was able to settle her left leg on it, though not without effort. The heel of her long fall boot was really beginning to strike a nerve with her. Finally situated, Chell bent her other leg, leaning down and grasping the sheet with a hand. Effortlessly, she tossed it to the side.
There, nestled snugly between more metal shards, was the ASHPD, its surface shining brightly with the new exposure. Logically, this was because of the light from the elevator (still) hanging above. But to Chell, if you asked for her explanation, it was because the gun was a gift from heaven itself. Pure joy almost knocked the human over in her excitement, the pile creaking from her sudden movement. It took her about half a minute of fumbling around with her hand before she caught the device in her grip, holding it up to her face with an overjoyed grin. The bird peeped, its wing shuffling as it joined in with her.
It was in the next glance that Chell noticed that the ASHPD hadn't been alone under the sheet. It had company. Recognition flickered within her, and she tipped her body a bit farther away.
"Oh. Hello again. So, how are you holding up?"
The mechanized voice questioned, its owner looking up at the test subject with her penetrating gaze. Her voice was strangely collected and even, a stark contrast to her enraged tone earlier. Chell had never known GlaDOS to calm down suddenly, and this was made evident by her begrudging greeting following their reunion after which was proceeded with the fresh gauntlet of tests. How long had she been unconscious, exactly? Chell shifted, eying the AI oddly.
"Yes. I know. You are likely extremely confused on a variety of subjects at the moment. But listen to me; it's the best chance you've got."
A firm undertone demanded that the woman comply without question, and Chell found herself annoyed at that. Huffing, she jerked her head to the side, staring at the wall in a soundless protest. GlaDOS sighed, picking up where she left off despite Chell's lucid disapproval.
"We're both pretty screwed, to put it simply. However, we may have a shot. Does the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device still function properly?"
Although she had intended to not dignify the potato with any response at all, her curiosity perked at the question. Since her hand was already gripping the gun normally, with her hand inside the compartment that housed the triggers, she only had to move a digit, and pushed the trigger that controlled the blue portal. A spark of blue burst out of the gun, fading out of existence with the lack of a suitable portal surface. Chell repeated this with the orange portal, finding it worked flawlessly as well. The gravity gun function of the gun, however, did not. The tractor beams lit a strange cyan color until they sizzled, the gun whirring faintly as they died out.
"Well, that's unfortunate. Fortunately though, test subjects generally have a 86% increased upper arm strength from average humans. If we come across anything, a companion cube for example, for you annihilate you should be all set."
The irritated glare Chell fired her way sent the AI back into her monologue, her voice noticeable more rushed.
"Anyway, look. In order for you to escape to the surface, as you so desire, you're going to need me to replace that moron, do you understand? There's no way he'll grant you freedom, and the mainframe won't properly control the duties of the facility without a core directing it. Thus, you'll remain trapped here. Indefinitely. Forever. Indefinitely forever."
Chell blinked, taking it in with mistrust. Could what GlaDOS said be accepted as truth? Or was it just yet another lie? She couldn't really disagree with the part about Wheatley; he'd already taken her freedom away once, and within his first minutes of control of Aperture. The rest though was up to debate.
"Your lack of a reaction indicates that you are uncertain. I assure you, no tricks. All Aperture Personality Constructs can operate at as low as 1.1 volts. This potato generates 1.1 volts. My functions are limited to the bare minimum in order to preserve power; I literally do not have the energy to lie to you."
That was true, Chell knew. Apart from her pre-Aperture past, her memory served her well, and she could recall the bland announcer assuring her that she was not alone as long as she had the synthetic personality constructs. So that meant that GlaDOS could, technically, be trusted. For now. Regardless, she still wasn't going to reward her with her undying faith when she'd tried to murder her on countless occasions. But she would be willing to work with the AI if it earned her escape. Under one condition, though.
Hardening her gaze, Chell glared menacingly at the AI, raising her shoulders to gain height. She puffed her chest out, working her jaw as she did so. Her message was clear: I'm in charge.
If GlaDOS tried anything, or pushed her limits, Chell had the ability to make her pay dearly for it. From here on in, she was the bellwether. Catching herself adoring the almighty position she had just been bestowed, she cocked her head to the side, coupled by a raise of her eyebrows.
Well?
The yellow optic flickered once, probably in either annoyance or disgust.
"Fine. You're in charge here, which is for the best anyway since I have no way of moving about in this body. Congratulations, you've now been promoted from 'murderous test subject' to 'murderous mobile escort'...and 'future-savior-of-Aperture-Science-and-life-as-we-know-it assistant.'"
Amused, Chell wondered what new qualifications she was going to have to fill, other than carting around a formerly all-powerful supercomputer. Oh, how fun. She had better get a raise. Exhaling through her nose in a dreary sigh, the woman nodded to GlaDOS, the strands of hair that had come loose from her ponytail swishing with her. The AI was clearly satisfied, her smug tone a sure indicator.
"Excellent. Now, pick me up, and make it fast."
The computer realized her mistake following a venomous growl from the test subject, and set to correcting it immediately.
"If you would."
Well, it wasn't a 'please', but it was preferable over nothing. Carefully keeping her bird pressed close to her (It'd been so quiet. Could animals sense corruptness? Then again, it practically radiated from the AI. A rock would be able to sense it.), Chell started to reach towards the potato before realizing that both her hands were full, one with the bird, and the other with the ASHPD. She frowned, pulling herself back up and resting the portal gun on the wood her left leg also sat on before sinking back below. Then, her hand gripped GlaDOS, hoisting her to face level with the test subject.
It was completely silent. Chell found it disturbingly awkward, despite her own inability to speak. GlaDOS appeared to be focusing intently, though on what she had no clue. Several seconds passed before the AI spoke again, her voice laced with suspicion.
"What is that? That in your hand, is it a dead rat?"
The last part was uttered in revolution.
Eyes widening, Chell shook her head, lifting up her left hand closer to GlaDOS to give her a better view. The bird chirped confusedly as it was moved, but perked up entirely at the sight of the AI. It tilted its head to the side, beady eyes considering her with interest. GlaDOS was far less moved.
"A bird? Seriously now, how pathetic a-!"
The bird suddenly lunged toward the potato, beak snapping hungrily. The potato in question was screeching madly, her optic flashing out of control as she rapidly spilled out a sole and mashed together sentence.
"Getitaway!"
Chell eventually did manage to separate the pair, holding her arms out farther apart so that no further attacks could be made on the supercomputer.
Yeah, real super indeed.
Chell had began laughing right after GlaDOS' frantic demand, harsh breaths of air that sometimes escalated to a few isolated sounds here and then, but no further. She hadn't stopped, much to the AI's annoyance.
"I'm just so GlaD that little incident tickled you. God knows that laughter takes importance over preventing a reactor core meltdown, or rescuing the world from the clutches of an incompetent."
She was bitter, strictly irritated that her test subject had the gall to laugh while an insignificant bird provoked fear in her circuits. This, of course, only increased Chell's merriment. Meanwhile, the bird was struggling in the woman's grip, peeping in protest at the outcome of the onslaught. Smiling largely at it, Chell concluded her episode, the last few giggles fading away in soft gasps. GlaDOS, irked as ever, had a comment at the ready.
"That creature could have killed me. That savage, deleterious-"
She trailed off, apparently thinking over her words.
"I see why you've kept that thing in such proximity. You two are remarkably similar."
Whew! This one was quite a bit of fun to write, although it took a lot of editting and revising before I was completely satisfied. Worked from 8:00 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. on this bad boy. Strangely, I have more muse in those later hours. So, looks like I'll be pulling all-nighters on this fic! :D Ooh, how my Geometry skills are going to diminish.
Thanks for reading!
