A/N: Hey guys and girls! Thank you for bearing with me with this chapter. I read my reviews that you were all sweet enough to send and it motivated me to get on with this chapter. I don't want to disappoint my little fan base! So please review so I can be even more motivated. This is the longest chapter so far, read closely.
-The Jordanator-
Chapter 9.0
You know that horrible, yuck feeling you have when you're sick? I hate it so much. And especially now because I'm getting it full on. The cold air in this place is making me sniffle. I feel nauseous which does not help when you're riding an open-view elevator. Worst of all, the pain inside me is gripping at my heart. Not to mention my head already feels woozy. When this is over, I'll probably collapse both in relief and sickness. That is, if it does end. And after I recover, I'm going to find out the truth about why I'm here as a test subject.
Testing. I'm sick of it.
But something has changed. Namely, the intruders. For some reason, it gave me a sense of hope that I knew that there were others here. Others like me perhaps? Or others who knew everything about this place and why I was chosen to be here as a test subject. If only my memory opened up to me, then I could know. But I didn't. And my thinking is that if I find these intruders, then I have an advantage over Siri. Alright so I will call her Siri for now, even though she still may not be a robot. My resolve strengthened, even though my physical wellbeing was weakening.
The elevator eased to a stop, just as the barriers swept open.
"Companionship has been found to encourage test subjects when faced with severe trials of endurance and severe cases of loneliness. Therefore, as part of a required test protocol, a weighted companion cube will accompany you throughout the chamber."
A what? Did she just say companion cube? What does this mean?
Intrigued, I approached the chamber, dismissing the chamber display board as it flickered on. On second thought I probably should've examined it but I couldn't care anymore. The door opened and I found myself on a balcony. It overlooked a decently sized room containing a pool of acid (which stunk real bad) and one of those jumping plates that fling things into the air underneath a cube vent. The jumping plate was on the surface of the left end of the acid pool. And before me were two buttons on a podium on the left and right of the balcony. So perhaps I should test what the buttons do first? I pressed the left one.
The cube vent hissed and dropped out a cube. Only that this cube appeared to have pink hearts on the sides of it. Um...what? With fascination, I watched the cube being vaulted into the air by the jumping plate. It flew straight up, creating a narrow arc as it lost momentum and fell down, down...into the acid. The destruction of the cube was as horrible as the last time a cube touched the pool. Surprisingly, Siri spoke up.
"You've managed to destroy your faithful companion cube before the test has even started. Well done. Luckily for you, the companion cube has the life of a cat. It has more than one. Press the button to deploy another."
'Faithful companion cube'? All it is is a cube with pink hearts on it, isn't it? I don't see what's so interesting or 'faithful' about it. Never mind. What does this other button do? I pressed the one on the right down and I heard a minor splash from below, closely followed by the ticking of a timer echoing across the room. I saw that there now was a white panel that had emerged from the pool, exactly in the spot where the former companion cube had hit the surface. Interesting. The timer stopped rather quickly, in what I guessed was four seconds. The panel now was beneath the surface of the acid pool. Right...so I need to press the left to deploy the cube, then the right button to raise the panel so that I can save the cube. That's all good and fine though until the panel goes under. So can I somehow snatch up the cube while it's on the panel? Hmm...oh yes I can! I forgot I had portals. Perhaps before the cube hits the panel, I can then shoot a portal next to me first, and then shoot the other onto the panel...yeah that'll work.
I confidently pressed the left button and at the same time with the portal device, I pressed the right. Cube dropped, panel came up. I quickly fired a portal next to me, then carefully aimed at the white panel just as the cube was vaulted into the air. I fired an orange at the panel rather hastily. The cube conveniently fell through the portal just as the timer ceased. I turned and there it was, sitting before the recently closed portal.
Now that it was there, right in front of me, I had to laugh. Who does Siri think I am? A fool? Does she seriously think this hunk of metal would give me care and companionship? Ha! As if. But it did look kinda cute and innocent. It had that kind of 'I would never hurt you' look about it. I nearly fell for it too, until I reminded myself that it was just a bloody cube with pink hearts slapped on the sides of it.
I picked it up in the grasp of the portal device, making sure to bang and knock the cube around as I jumped down from the ledge. Companion cube my ass. The ledge was only a two metre drop so it wasn't that bad. Besides, the boots that were braced to my legs seemed to be designed so that I could fall long distances, and all I would feel is a jolt. Still, longer drops scared me.
There was nothing else in the room, and there was an exit on the right. I approached it and noticed it took the form of a square tunnel, with a sewer trail of that ghastly, stinking acid. A blue bridge acted as a walkway along it. Once on it, I saw how I had to use the portals to extend the bridge's track. Easy. It was funny how portals had become second nature now. All those chambers ago, I marvelled and complexed at how the portals worked, how I could magically step into a blue portal and come out of an orange at another place. But in a space of what — hours? Days? I have mastered it. Or so I think anyway.
I placed a blue portal on the white panel behind the end of the bridge track and the orange up on a panel above.
I looked down at the companion cube I was carrying. I snorted with little amusement at how silly the thing was. To think that I'd have an instant attraction, a connection, to this box! What is she thinking? Is she trying to comfort me in someway? Is this like a teddy bear she gives to a crying baby? Here you go, it's all right. Teddy will look after you. Well guess what Siri? I'm NOT a baby! I'm a grown woman for god sake! Well, young grown woman at least. I think. Aargh, I don't even know who I am!
I haven't even seen my own face.
I grumpily walked through the portal, walking down the length of the tunnel on the blue bridge. They deprive me of looking at my own self but they give me this cube anyway. I mean, what am I supposed do with it? Is it some kind of cheat token? Ooh, I don't have to solve a complex puzzle to get a cube, I can just put my companion cube right here. How easy is that? Whatever. It's a sick joke, that's what it is. Nothing less than that. Siri's playing, toying with me even. She wants to see how far I can go until I'll snap. Well I've got news for her and — oh, hang on a second.
I had come to the end of the bridge. In front of it was a doorway that led itself along to a corner I couldn't see because of a blue mesh-grill in the entrance. It was identical to the one at the end of every chamber, just behind the exit door. I wondered why that was. It only gave me a slight tingle and that was that. But here it was in front of the bridge end, with an arrow pointing down at the doorway. Then again, there was a blue sign with an 'X' on the right, leading down to where I couldn't see. Okay...so I suppose I just go through the doorway with the cube, right?
As I stepped forward to do so, the cube touched the grill.
GGGGSSSSSSHHHHHHHKKKKKKK!
The cube simply vaporised into nothing in no more than two seconds. I gasped and fell back with fright.
"It seems I haven't explained to you about the emancipation grid. You know, the blue-ish material that you pass through after every single chamber? It's a security measure, to stop thievery-prone test subjects to thieve Aperture Science equipment and property. And unfortunately, it just disintegrated your companion cube."
Are you kidding me?
"Make your way back to the starting room to recollect your companion cube, which you have now cruelly destroyed twice."
Cruelly? So forcing a person to be an unwanted test subject isn't? I furiously stomped back along the bridge, back toward the room.
"I have to feel sorry for the companion cube. What did it ever do to you to make you want to mercilessly obliterate it twice? Once more and you could become a companion cube serial killer. That's not going to look too spectacular on your record is it? Even the turrets would be scared of you, although they already are, seeing that you've become a serial killer of them too."
Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!
Thankfully, the irritating female voice ceased. Geez, I hate her though. She's purposely saying this to me to make me feel stink about the cube that's supposedly gonna give me 'love and friendship', the one I destroyed twice. And might I add, on ACCIDENT! She knew that I didn't mean to do what I did. Yet, she still mocks me, makes me feel guilty. I've felt like I've been saying this over and over, but really — it's only a metal cube! What makes a normal cube different to a companion cube, huh? What? Is it because it has pink hearts on it? Is that it? Then so what?
She must be a woman, she's got to be. Siri, I mean. Not a computer at all, she's a human being! Do you know why? Well let me tell you: BECAUSE A COMPUTER IS SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT A NORMAL CUBE AND A COMPANION CUBE ARE THE SAME BLOODY THING!
Fuming, in a complete state of anger, I marched into the starting room and portalled back up to where I was not five minutes ago. I carried out that annoying process of pushing the buttons, firing portals to save the new companion cube. And just in time, it was there in front of me. Again. I snatched it with the portal gun and jumped off the balcony ledge, and on track to where I was before.
Take two.
I was starting to cool off a bit, but the fury was still there. I wanted to cry, scream in rage. Damage something. But I managed to contain myself. Barely. Once I was back where I was before, in front of the blue grid (what did she say that was — oh yes, the emancipation grill or something like that), I put the cube down and tried to see what I should have done. That blue X looks like it is the lock to unlocking or perhaps turning off the grill. So where's the key? Oh hang on, there's that blue dotted trail extending down from the X. I should know this by now. I peered over the side of the bridge to see a 45 degree angled panel against the wall and acid floor. A closer look revealed another panel face up, directly beneath me. The blue trail itself lead past the panels, to the right wall, then to a hidden wall behind me. I hadn't noticed that before — the tunnel floor a metre or two below the bridge ceased and gave way to a larger space with a larger drop. The acid river also stopped at a raised ledge, but down below on the floor of the larger space, there was of course, more acid. The hidden wall I saw had an opening, which the blue trail lead into.
Blue trail, opening, panels, significant height. I knew what to do now. I aimed at the angled panel. And fired. And instantly fell as the blue bridge vanished from beneath my feet! I let out a scream of frantic terror, falling straight for the panel at the chamber floor. Even in that critical moment, I still managed to fire the other portal directly beneath me. The last thing I saw before the portal opened was the companion cube slam into my shoulder as it also free-fell. My shoulder roared pain and I let out another cry just as me and the cube sped through the portal.
In the next instant, my face was mashed against the side of the cube as we were thrown out of the other portal. All I could see was that blasted pink heart enveloping my vision, and somehow, in the commotion, I batted it away from my face. Never knowing which direction it went, my next view was the roof of the chamber. Too late I realised I was upside down the same moment I fell hard on my back. I saw stars, and my vision went dark even as my breath escaped me. A loud clang was heard, and I blacked out completely.
I don't know how long I was lying there on the ground for, but I managed to stir. I blinked slowly, my vision hazy. However, as I rubbed my eyes, things became clearer. Such as the companion cube patiently sitting a metre away from my face. Groaning, I got up as my memory came back to me. And with that memory came the pain from both my back and shoulder.
"Ooooowwwwww..." I groaned again.
I looked around me, as I clasped my back like a cripple. I so need a wheelchair. Like, now. And as for that cube, God I hate it! I was tempted to hurl it over the edge of where I was, where it would drown in acid and it would feel hell for the third time and I would laugh and... I'm going insane aren't I?
Where am I even? It looks like I'm in that hidden opening on that hidden wall. Yes, there's that blue trail, it continues that way. I guess I've gotta haul this damn cube with me. Stupid thing. All it's ever been is bad luck.
Begrudgingly, I picked it up, and headed down the corridor, which lead to a large room. As I approached, a soft sound became louder. I started making out strange objects in the room. But as I reached the room it became clear to me about what was going on. What clever and purposeful gag that Siri had pulled.
"Oh no..." I breathed.
The sound of romantic jazz music filled the airwaves. The left wall had panels that flickered white, travelling around in a certain loop so that it formed a heart shape. This...this is insane.
"I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!" I shouted at a nearby camera.
Nothing happened, as if my protest was ignored.
I waited for a few seconds before giving in.
"Ugh!" I blurted, throwing my hands up on the air.
Fine. I'll do this stupid test. It's not like I've got a choice anyway. Let's get this over with. I looked toward the back of the room to see an electric current charging alongside and behind a long stretch window. The window revealed three shutters, blocking off the port that the charge had to connect with. What will it do once it does connect? Well seeing that that blue trail leads to the port, I'm guessing it turns off the emancipation grid. Which means both me and the cube will then both be able to get through to the exit. So how do the shutter doors lift? I looked around the room some more.
Straight in front of me was a laser beam which was purposes to connect with a laser port to the left of me. However, the laser was directed toward the left far corner of the chamber and the port faced the right corner. A panel protectively covered the side of the port, so that the only way to see it was directly head on. The main thing I puzzled over was a button at the top far left corner that was on the wall. How come that was up there on the wall like that? Every part of the room confused me.
Then I wondered about turning the laser direction. How the hell could I do that without one of those special cubes? The confusion, the annoying music, that DAMN companion cube...
I'd had enough. Seriously. I really was tired of all this...you know? I wanted a break. Maybe I can just see how much damage I can inflict on the cube without destroying it. I absent-mindedly fired portals in any place, dropping the cube through them and hearing them clang against whatever it hit. I managed to scorch it a few times with laser, which gave me some mild entertainment. Then I glanced at the flickering panels on the wall that looped around in a heart and an idea formed. It was only just for some mild relief you know? Nothing exciting, but I thought I'd give the cube some momentum, which I recently discovered I could do if I placed two portals on the roof and floor, directly in line with each other, so that if anything fell through it, it would fall forever and ever as long as the portal lasts. So I sent the companion cube through that infinite fall. I watched it blur through the portals, over and over, before I fired a portal on the top of the heart shape just as the panels flickered white.
Now I only did this just to see what it would look like if companion cubes could fly. Never did I intend to break anything else, especially the window on the other side, overlooking the chamber. So when the cube flew across the air, I stared at it in fascination, right up to when it smashed straight into the window! Aaaaaaargh! That was not meant to happen!
Broken glass sprinkled down to the floor. I peeked at the camera behind me, which looked at me like: Way to go, test subject.
I felt a little bad for that, but still, nothing like paying off a little of what mean and horrible things I've been through so far. A question struck me: What was actually up there? Why do they even have a window for every chamber? No one is even there anyway. Never one to ignore a pressing urge, I decided to fire a portal up there. Successfully, it did. Nervously, I placed another one on the wall beside me. Even from here, I could see what was in that room overlooking the chamber. I was so nervous, so curious too. A realisation dawned on me. This could potentially be the closest I will be to finding out why I'm here and who is controlling me.
I stepped forward into the portal. It looked like an office room, with shards of glass littered everywhere. The companion cube sat in the middle of the debris, as if it expected me to arrive. Well there's my cube. But what else is in here? A table against the wall, a couple of chairs, notes and a few small screens perched on the desk. That means people were once here, I thought with a chill. I sat down at a table, took off the device in my arm and looked at the first paper I saw.
Test Chamber ID: CR - 5549002 - 09 (Test chamber #09)
Category: Basic/advanced - Cooperative
Subject species suited: Group A—D
Chamber established: 3:16am - Apr 17th, 1984.
Hang on, April 17th 1984? Is that when the chamber was made? I recalled the flashback I had when I was unconscious. It was October 1975 when I was kidnapped by those Aperture guys. Or so I thought anyway. That means this chamber was made...in the future? I continued reading, as if I was looking at something that I was never meant to see.
Chamber authorised by C. NOTE: Per request of C, chamber is to be held in storage wing for future use, until future operating system is activated.
Transferred to storage wing: 8:42am - Apr 17th, 1984. (Storage ID: STOR - 4423)
Chamber outline
Test chamber #09 - basic cooperative.
Excess Equipment needed: - Weighted storage cube "companion" (QTY 1)
- Weighted storage cube "redirection" (QTY 4)
- Aperture Science Hand-held portal device (Qty 1)
In-built equipment: - Hard Light bridging device and generator (Qty 1)
- Extended Deflection panels (Qty 3)
- Activation "button" on small podium (Qty 3) ...
I came to realise that I'd started reading an inventory list of everything in the chamber, and as useful as it might've been, I skipped right past the inventory and hazards section to something more interesting.
Method of success: Start by engaging the two activation button on podium buttons. To successfully transfer the deployed weighted storage "companion" cube, place a portal on the uplifted panel and place the other portal in an appropriate place preferably on the panelled white walls on the immediate left and right, within the allotted 8 second time frame.
Then, clutch the weighted storage "companion" cube using the clutch trigger inside the handheld portal device...
I gasped. Omigod I know what this is! These are the answers! It feels like cheating SO much but I didn't care. I read what I'd done, happy to know that for the most part, I had done things correctly apart from the emancipation grid mishap. I read what I had not done yet, directly down in that chamber room.
To engage the electrical current with it's receiver and therefore deactivate the emancipation grid, open the shutters stationed between the electrical current and port. To do this, firstly align the thermal discouragement beam so that it connects with it's port. This is done by using the three weighted storage "redirection" cubes, alternately with the three deflection panels raised upon entry into the chamber. The continued beam path forms the shape of a heart, connecting with the thermal discouragement beam port, which then activates...
Wait, wait, wait. There are none of these deflection 'panels' that have been raised. And there are no redirection cubes! Where the hell are they? I skimmed through the rest of the answers, still confused about why some of the equipment wasn't there, but some parts were cleared up. Like what I could actually do with the flickering, heart-making panels on the wall. It was super convenient. I read a little further past the emancipation grid deactivation section. From the small paragraph that followed, it didn't seem like the end of the test would be far away. My eyes roved through the paragraph. A platform of some kind...then...
Oh no.
Oh that's terrible. What a cruel joke! I nearly laughed at the concept of how the chamber would end. Very, very mean of Siri. But I guess I still had to figure out what was happening with the missing parts to the test chamber. Oh wait, there's more in this document...
Test subject performance records
Oh...I think I know what this is...
Test subject log
1. May 11th 1985 - Test Subject #00625 (C)
Assessment result: Passed with success.
Note: Subject completed test in 1 day, 5 hours and 11 minutes. Performance rate was especially slow due to general misunderstanding. Foreign aspects of subject interfered with thought processes, but test chamber was eventually completed.
Conclusion: Consider classifying chamber from basic/advanced to advanced/difficult for subjects of Group C.
2. August 18th 1989 - Test subject #55298 (B)
Assessment result: Passed with success.
Note: Subject completed test in 55 minutes. Performance rate was steady, with quick progresses in first section and slow in second and third section. Subject's emotional state affected attitude of performance. Denial and guilt evident in third section.
Conclusion: This is an appropriate chamber for energy-exhausted test subjects of Group B
3. February 13th 1992 - Test subject#00004 (A)
Assessment result: Passed with great success.
Note: Subject completed test in 6 minutes. Emotional attachment with weighted storage "companion" cube disproved. Performance rate was exceptional.
Conclusion: This test appropriate as a very basic test alternative for Group A subjects.
4. September 4th 1995 - Test subject #00066 (D)
Assessment result: Failed.
Note: Subject started and failed in 15 hours, 45 minutes. Subject short-circuited from overwhelming thought processes.
Conclusion: Group D subjects incapable of this test.
After that, there was nothing. A very morbid feeling was sitting in my shoulders. As I read these test subject records, I first knew that others had done this test before, which was disturbing in itself. Then looking at the performance rates of these subjects, it seemed that they had very different brains. And as I suspected, a very different species as well. I had to marvel at the third log, where the subject completed the test in 6 minutes. 6 minutes. No normal human could do that. Then there was the first log, where I thought the subject must've been a vegetable. I was very suspicious that some of these subjects weren't human, if not all of them. Things such as "foreign aspects" and "short-circuited". And look at the dates! The last one was in 1995! Unbelievable! That means the date right now must be later than that...oh god.
I pushed the document aside, and looked at another. This one looked like some kind of note.
03.09.98
Due to recent unfortunate events related to the activation of the genetic life form and disk operating system, this chamber has been damaged during a collision with offices in Sector D-552. Repairs have been made, but vital equipment has been lost. Chamber requires equipment replacement to: 3 of Weighted storage "redirection" cube and 3 of Extendable Deflection panel.
Ahh, here we go. Siri hasn't replaced these items yet. Or so I think anyway. Another document underneath on a clipboard had a front view of a large machine with buttons, knobs and switches. I turned to see the same machine sitting by the other wall of the cramped room. So what does that do?
I stepped forward to it and looked down at the clipboard to see its functions. Wow it controls quite a lot! Air circulation, panel movement, acid pool depth...heaps of things! I then saw something that intrigued me. Deflection panel activator button. I looked at where to turn it on on the manual, then matched it up with the machine. I spotted the button, and gave it a push.
Nothing happened.
I pushed it again. Still nothing. Then I realised that this heap of metal wasn't even on. Odd though, seeing that most of the chamber's functions were still working. Maybe this is an alternative control system? I noticed the power button, or buttons for that matter, and switched them on.
A gentle hum sounded, and the lights of the machine blinked on. Words appeared on the read-out display. Warning: Central control system overriding this chamber's control module. Limited functions available.
Right. So that meant I could only use a small number of buttons on here. Let's hope the deflection panel button still works. Pushing it, a buzz was heard, and I heard the whir of movement down in the chamber. Omigod did that seriously work? Was it that easy? I peered down and yes, these three glazed panels were rising from underneath the floor. Woohoo! So the panels must've been replaced, but what about the cubes? There wasn't a cube vent on the chamber ceiling...hmmm...
Hey there's a door right there. How did I not see that? I went up to it and turned down the handle. Chilly air blew it's icy breath through me as I stepped out on a catwalk, outside the chamber itself. This must've been the chamber's access and exit for the people who once used it. Only that now, the catwalk leading away from the door was torn away, as if some kind of creature had taken an enormous bite out of it. Looking around, I saw distant chambers with similar torn-away catwalks extending from them. A large glass funnel twisted and curved from below, rising past the chamber I had come out of, stretching out into into the distance. It was like listening to peak hour traffic on a freeway, except it was a mixture of cubes and turret shells. It was fascinating sure, but I was wanting three redirection cubes and they weren't anywhere around. I looked up to notice the entire chamber was suspended on railing tracks. So that's how the chamber moved. Just looking at these details made me understand a little more about this place and how it worked. Still, there's no denying Aperture is a bizarre facility.
So where were those cubes? I walked back inside the office and had another roam. In the back of my mind, I knew Siri was watching me closely through the broken window. I have to be quick before she does something to stop me. There! A storeroom. I pounced toward it, only to find the door had a passcode lock. Dammit! Is there any way to unlock it? I darted toward the papers on the desk, shuffled through them, looking for any hint of 'storeroom passcode' or something on those lines. Nothing. Hang on, the clipboard has something about the storeroom on it...YES, it's on the machine control system thing, it's a button to unlock it! I swivelled toward the machine and punched down the button. Instantly with a click, the door swung open. Oh this is...this is good. I stepped into the small room. Shelves lined the walls, lots of different companion cubes sat on them which I had to roll my eyes at. Typical. But wait, right on the bottom shelf...were...were...yes! More than enough redirection cubes. I picked them up with my portal device, one by one, and chucked them down into the chamber. Okay...I think I'm done here. Maybe I'll take a quick look at that cheat sheet...okay got it. It became so easy once you knew the answers. Seriously, it did. Is there anything else naughty I can do? Oh yes there is...I can play with the machine control module for a bit. Quickly though, don't wanna spend too long. Referring to the manual, I flipped switches and spun a dial to 'off'. Okay, that's good.
So with a triumphant smile on my face, I jumped down from the broken window and continued the test with my companion cube. I used to detest the companion cube. Now it was my best friend, the only one I had here. All because I decided to make it fly straight into a window.
I successfully lined up the beam. I successfully activated the weird funnel that I hadn't seen before but already knew was coming. I used the flickering heart panels to shoot the cube into the funnel. So that it could reach the button on the wall. So that I could also push a timed button. So that all three shutter doors lifted. So that the electrical current engaged and I could quickly run to the edge of the hallway, look up to the now deactivated emancipation grid and fire a portal. In no time I was past the emancipation grid, companion cube in tow. It had worked so easily, something I'm sure would've taken me AGES to work out. Hopefully there was something like this in every chamber.
The narrow hallway I was in cornered left as I walked through it. Then, just as I expected, there was a platform on a thin plasma beam, with a button attached. I placed the companion cube on the button while on the platform, so that the platform with the cube-on-button moved forward in unison.
I looked down to see how much the floor had dipped. Green, murky stains ran along the edge of the wall, the stench of old acid evident as it crept into my nostrils. With a smirk, I knew that it was because of me that the acid was gone — I had reduced its depth to nothing on the control module. I was proud of that myself. Faintly however, I could hear the rhythmic pounding of something that spelled doom for one of us. I already knew what would happen, thanks to the cheat sheet. Still, it scared me that my very life was potentially on the line.
The platform and button rounded a corner. There it was, the exit door. Locked of course. Only that it would unlock once the companion cube slid through the massive "Crushing Spike plate" as the inventory list stated. Poor cube. I could understand why anyone who had actually been stupid enough to fall in love with this scrap metal would feel 'denial and guilt' as that log for the test subject of Group B had suggested. Very sadistic, Siri. Give your test subject something it'll probably never get closer to, before blackmailing them into obliterating it, all so that they can move on to the next chamber.
I had to marvel at the crushing plate though. Although it looked like it had been stolen from a demolition line, it's sheer strength and brutality was proven every time it's arm lurched down with forceful energy. It had the exact shape of a regular panel, apart from it's size and of course the spikes on it's face. With only seconds until I would safely step off the platform and in front of the exit door, at the exact moment the companion cube would reach the crusher beside the door, a sense of regret tugged inside me. I was a little brutal and unfair toward it. Maybe I should've been more merciful to the companion cube, I mean, what did it ever do to me? I glanced at it's innocent, cute form again...should I...should I save it?
I caught myself out just in time. Oh wow, did I seriously let that ridiculous thought cross my mind? I laughed to myself as I stepped off the platform. As if I'd do something so silly.
"Don't leave me."
What was that? Did that companion cube just SPEAK!? Too late to find out, the next thing I heard was the awful crunching shriek of metal being pulverised against metal. It was deafening to say the least, and I swear a twisted shard of metal shot out from the wrecking. Tactfully, the crusher was positioned so that I couldn't see it or what it was doing, but I sure as hell could hear it. And all I could think was what I'd gone and done to an innocent, talking, companion cube. I felt like a monster, and it felt horrible.
After that, the exit door unlocked with a happy chirp, signalling that the test was over.
"Don't think I didn't know what you were doing in that room you broke into. You weren't meant to be in there at all, only Aperture employees have clearance to use that room."
"Okay, so where are they?" I muttered under my breath, stepping through the exit door.
Siri continued, oblivious to my comment. "So remember that next time you decide to break your way into restricted areas of the facility. Or else you might end up sharing the fate of your companion cube. On a more happier note, you are now companion cube serial killer. Well done."
All I could do was sigh and try to ignore her as best as possible. I entered the elevator, which closed behind me before dropping down. It spoke...I had no idea.
And I had killed it.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Review if you want to say something below.