It is an update. Sadly, even after so much time, I still don't own as much as a goblet from Valve, so obviously those characters belong to Valve, not me. -Sigh-

Things weren't going too well in the forest. Seriously, how hard can it be to find one small human camp ? Assuming there was any camp at all ! GlaDOS knew the outside to be dangerous, but she would never have imagined it to be so frustrating ! Discouraged, she sat on a nearby stump. She considered yelling to signal her position, but disregarded it as stupid. She wasn't some kind of lost test subject. She was going to get out of this forest, and she was going to do it ALONE. Then she would find Chell, take her in her arms where she would be perfectly content and then head back to the facility where they would have loads of fun testing again ! The thought renewed her motivation, and she resumed her walking through bushes. Soon enough, she discovered an old, rusty train track. looking left and right, she saw a spot in the distance.

- magnifying vision -

It was definitely a train, and it was definitely occupied. There were people carrying weapons around, each one looking in a different direction. Just like turrets, GlaDOS thought. Does that mean they're going to shoot me on sight ? She needed to show she was not a threat... Seriously. Things were a lot easier in the enrichment center.

Frank, Vlad and Daniel were on guard duty. Again. What did they do to deserve this ? It wasn't they didn't understand it was necessary. They knew someone had to do it. They just would have prefered it not to be them. But the rest of rebels were scouting the aera, leaving only them to watch the train. So here they were, freezing their ass and risking their lives guarding a bloody train. The worst part of it were the recurring false alarms that always throw their nerves in a fit. Yeah, the job sucked.

And then Vlad received a stone in the face. Mistaking it for a headcrab, Frank started shooting at it in panic, destroying quickly the stone and its carefully engraved message into pieces...

- attempt one : failed -

" What the hell was that ? Who goes throwing stone around here ? "

Vlad didn't look so bad. But the stone, thrown with pinpoint accuracy, was certain to leave a mark for weeks...

" Hey, don't look at me. I didn't throw it. It came from the forest. "
" The forest, huh ? " Vlad turned to face the woods " Real mature of you, guys ! " he shouted, " Don't you think we have enough trouble as it is ? "
" Vlad ! Stop shouting ! You're going to get a hunter on our back in no time !" said an horrified Frank.

No response came from the forest.

" I'll check it out." said Daniel. " The two of you stay here and guard the train... Silently. "
" Okay, okay... "

Daniel heard Vlad mumbling as he entered the forest. He was definitely certain it at been thrown from there. As he walked cautiously in the woods, he wondered who would throw a stone at them, and for what bloody reason. As a reached a clearing, though, his thought came to an halt at the sight in front of him. A woman was sitting on a tree stump, carefully engraving a stone with one of a nail from the rail track.

" Hum... Hello ? "

The woman's head immediatly shot up.

" Oh. Hello. "

Her eyes were bright open, but stern. He chilled. She reminded him of a doll. A human sized, crazy looking doll.

" Huh. Miss, are you the one who throw a stone at my friend ? "

" Yes. "

" Why ? "

" Messaging purpose. "

" What messaging purpose ? "

" ... Are you going to shoot me ? If not, this conversation is irrelevant. "

" Wha-? no ! Listen, miss, the woods aren't safe. I need you to come with me to the base, where we can protect you. "

" Alright. I will follow you to the BASE. Where it is safe, right ?"

GlaDOS gave him her award winning smile. It was going to get his sympathy for sure ! However, grinning from ear to ear in a crazy looking manner did little to help Daniel relax...

" I was right, wasn't I ? The base IS safe. I'm so smart ! Perhaps I'm really good at dealing with outside, yes ? "

" Ri-right. Follow me, then. "

Daniel wasn't especially thrilled at the idea of bringing back a mad woman. But, well, they already had the father Gregori, right ? Surely they could cope with her.

" Look's like Daniel's returning. "

" Who's that beside him ? "

" Hey guys. This is... "

" GLaddie. Us human use contractions a lot, right ? You can call me GLad. Or G. Or not call me at all. "

- GLados Award winning smile inserted here-

Well, she certainly seemed "GLad". It was kinda freaky, actually.

" ...Guys, this is GLaddie. " 'Why is he repeating what I just said ?' " I found her in the forest. I think we should take her to the base. "

" Whatever ", said Vlad. " Anything you wish, if it get us out of here. "

" Yeah, those woods give me the creeps", approved Frank.

Daniel eye twitched.

" Well, since the woods seemed safe, I was going to propose that we'd all go back to the camp, but the two of you seem so good at feeling the place, I suppose you should stay here and keep watch... "

" What ? Oh come on, mate, you can't possibly order me to do that ! I know I sound like a pansy '- Yes you do, you whiny creature -', but this place is empty, right ? There's no reason for us to stay here ! Please ! "

"...Let's get going", said Daniel with a sigh.

When the small group reached camp, Daniel, Franck and Vlad were going crazy. The woman HAD to ask question about EVERY GODDAM THING they passed on their way to the camp. A bloody storm of " What's THAT ? " and " Ooooh ! What does it DO ? ". You'd believe the woman had seen a friggin' bug before !

" I wouldn't care as much about the citadel exploding if that'd mean she'd shut up... ", moaned a very, very tired Daniel." Well, miss, it seems we have arrived at the camp. I'd like to take you to see miss Alyx right now, if that's alright with you."

GLadOS looked up from her study of the outside world fauna ( namely bug #57 ). " Who is miss Alyx ? "

" She's, uh, the closest thing to the person in charge, I guess. "

" Oh. Very well. Very good. I will see her, of course. " GLaDOS crushed #57 in her hand. Daniel cringed." Where is she ? "

" Last time I checked, she was with the other rescapee from this "aperture laboratories" thing. "

All of GLaDOS executing processes came to a pause as she focused on what had just been said.

Chell !

Well, an update, small as it may be. I'm surprised, of course, but what frightens me more is the fact I haven't yet lost my interest about portal. It's one of those game, I guess. ( I'd still like to check if I still have the deeds to my soul )

On an another note, I'm satisfied with how GLaDOS turned out in this chapter. I think the childish, curious yet cruel approach suits her. I think I'm going to make her naming the things around her a permanent character trait. Also, Look forward to the misfortunes of Daniel, the unaware #58 ! (he will hopefully last longer than #57). Why yes, I do enjoy throwing my gentle-mannered characters in GLaDOS clutches. For Science !

... I really to check this deed