Chell's Story: Part C
Chapter Sixteen
This wasn't the first time I'd been at Aperture, so I had already seen what Dad did at Aperture. Because of that, there wasn't really anything for me to do except go over my science fair project to make sure I had what I needed.
I did notice that Dad was pacing around his office, and he seemed to have some really big thoughts on his mind that were giving him quite some trouble.
"I can't wait to start this science fair."
"I can tell, Chelsea."
"You okay, Dad?"
He gave a small sigh. "The boys are planning to start up the big project today, and I've been trying to get them to shut it down."
"Is it going to be part of Bring Your Daughter to Work Day?"
"That's their plan. The thing is that the big project is more dangerous now than ever."
"What do you mean?"
"The scientists have provided the project with a chemical that will surely wipe out the entire complex."
"You can just turn it off if things start going wrong, right?"
"Yeah, but the shutdown procedure is long and complicated, and it's easy for the shutdown not to work."
"What do you mean?"
"Someone has to sit in the chamber next to a red phone and call the control operator to turn the project on or off. There has to be total isolation before the startup or shutdown can be started, which means startup or shutdown takes at least ten seconds to carry out."
"Okay."
"And I can't let the big project start up with little girls present."
The PA system came on. "All Aperture Science personnel, please report to the cafeteria wing at this time. Lunch today is crab and chips."
Dad waved me to follow him out the door. "Time for lunch."