Turret 009's optic searched the corridor it was supposed to guard. The red beam fixated on the wall in front of it, just waiting for someone to run through.

GLaDOS reversion detected. Proceed with turret reversion?

GLaDOS had reverted? Reverted to what? That didn't make sense…

Turret reversion in 3…

NO! If a turret reverted to- whatever it reverted to- that would mean redemption!

2…

1..

Turred reversion activated.

Turret 009's eyes opened, ready to attack. If anyone passed through his sight, he'd shoot 'em dead!

Wait- eyes? Sight? HE?

Reversion- to human form? That's not right, turrets never started as humans… Odd.

Turret 009 sat up, face to face with a little boy behind some glass in front of him. Turret 009 froze. He lifted his right hand slowly- and the boy did the same. "Look!" the turret shouted- "I don't hate you, but I SEE YOU!"

The boy returned the threat. Turret 009 reached forwards, until his hand was almost to touch the boy's… his hand hit glass. Turret 009 blinked. Hah! That was just a reflection.

Turret 009 looked over his human body. He looked to be about seven years old, clad in jeans and an Apperture Science tee-shirt. On the shirt hung a name tag- Jimmy.

Huh. Turret 009 had a name. Jimmy looked behind him, to see two other humans stirring. Females, about five years old. Jimmy walked over to one, who nearly jumped to her feet. She clasped her hands and peered out of her blond ringlets. "Hi! I'm turret 2998, and I'm different! That's right, I'm part of the turret choir! I could sing you a song, if you'd like!"

Jimmy opened his mouth, then closed it. He sighed. "I'm turret 009, but I think my name's Jimmy. Look- your nametag says Amy. I'll call you that."

"Okay! What happened to us, anyways?" she gasped, "What happened to GLaDOS?"

Amy spun around as Jimmy pointed behind her, to another girl, rocking back and forth in the fetal position.

Abby kneeled down beside her. "Hi, I'm Amy, and I'm different!"

The girl looked up between her dark bangs, her eyes full of fear and insanity. Her voice was quivering as she whispered "…Her name is Caroline…"

GLaDOS stepped off the train, getting off just in front of Black Mesa. Trains still existed. Huh. Black Mesa must have done a good job rebuilding society. Idiots. Science isn't about touchy-feely helping humans, it's about why- or, more specifically, why not.

GLaDOS walked through the large glass doors, and swung Caroline's black backpack over her shoulder. She walked up to a desk, where a cheerful woman with mousy brown hair spun to face her. "Are you ready to apply for a job ad Black Mesa?"

GLaDOS cringed at the dreaded company's name.

"Oh, don't worry, hun! We've rebuilt since the Combine incident, and so has society! Our new CEO, Jack Flaim, is young and ready to repair the damage to our reputation that caused us by the apocalypse, and not to mention Apperture Science." The woman sneered in disgust but regained her chipper tone, "Jack's also got his lovely assistant Chell to keep him in check."

GLaDOS nodded, unsure. Chell- and Black Mesa? Oh, joy.

"So, we've got a job opening in the Public Relations Department, the Research Department, the Artificial Intelligence Department-"

"I'LL TAKE THAT!"

The woman looked startled. "Okay, do you have a résumé?"

GLaDOS was prepared. There was an Apperture Science Surveillance Building near Black Mesa, that was still standing and fairly well supplied. She had gathered several documents, and forged several more, so she had documentation of Caroline Cohen's entire life, after the apocalypse. She handed over the old folder.

"Alright, we're kind of short on staff right now, so I didn't really need that. Just tell me your name, hun, and you're in!"

GLaDOS stuttered for a moment. "Car- l- OS!"

"Carlos?"

"No, Caroline. Why would you think that?"

The woman eyed GLaDOS suspiciously. "Alright, hun. I could get you a tour guide, if you'd like. I think Chell's free…"

"NO! I mean, I'm perfectly fine, thanks. I know my way around a facility."

"Alright, hun…"

GLaDOS hurried off to an elevator.