"And, uh, that's my story." I explained, slightly depressed and confused.
The core adjacent from me, his green eye staring down at me worriedly, shook his chassis in disappointment. "Poor Space." He commented in that American accent of his. "Least that poor guy died in the place it always wanted to be in, at, around - whatever way you put it."
"Yeah, yeah. I-I just can't accept that the little guy is gone. Space just..can't be gone. It doesn't seem very...logical. But-but you're right Adventure core-"
"Please, call me Rick. Adventure core is a bit overused and just plain stupid for my taste." 'Rick' interjected in that ego of his.
"Uh, right, right. You're right, Rick, 'bout the whole 'can't believe Space is gone' feelin'."
"So tell me, how did you get out of that 'screaming robot room' of Hers?" Rick inquired curiously. "Did you make one of the crazy cores explode to make a hole in a wall or…-"
"I didn't." I answered simply. "After that odd event in Her chamber, She just, She just placed me on a random management rail and that was that. Kind of, kind of odd, but a little grateful. I guess."
Rick shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, that is a bit odd of the Mrs. to do."
I nodded in agreement and silence fell over us, only the noises of whirring and slight creaking noises eroded the air as everything between us felt stiff and uncomfortable. I guess, I guess that certain topic is a little unsettling to think about; the central core not being its usual self I mean. Doesn't seem much, but that central core is the influence of this entire facility and if it isn't acting its usual self...well, I don't know.
"So uh, whatcha gonna do now?" Rick asked, trying to steer the topic away.
"I guess, back to supervising the, the humans in the reserved quarters." I answered, not really sure of myself.
"You mean the deadhumans." Rick implied uncaringly.
"Yeah, yeah pretty much." I replied in a shrugging matter.
"Well I guess it beats being stuck in that cage for so long." Rick added half-heartedly.
I blinked. "You mean the corrupted core chamber?"
"I don't want to call it that." Rick interjected uncomfortably. "Because as far as I can tell, I'm 100% perfect. And gorgeous." He added that last part quietly to himself but still heard him nonetheless, I guess it beats his sad state than his ego-statistical state. "Well, I'm going to explore the facility, you know, go on a little adventure. Time to go on a journey through perilous dungeons, dangerous obstacles, evil enemies - the works."
"Good, good luck with that."
"Oh please," Rick scoffed, "I don't need luck."
With that he zoomed off in the opposite direction of the management rail, and I was left watching him go, not knowing what else to do. As he left, he sang a song 'danger-based' as if trying to set the mood - what an enthusiastic bugger he is! I kind of envy that, he seems much more positive than me.
I guess it can't be helped. He was programmed that way, I was programmed this way.
I gave one last glimpse in the direction he went before turning away and going in the opposite direction, towards the human test subjects' chambers. As I zoomed by, I noticed the surveillance cameras watching me...but much more in an intensive way than usual, must be my imagination or something - if I have that. I watched its gaze follow mine until I was out of shot, but then another one on the other side would watch me once I got in its line vision. It felt a little eerie to me. Oh well, I shouldn't be bothered by it though...after all, She was always watching me.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Well 'ello Mr. Davidson! Don't you look spot-on today!" I greeted warmly to the bleached-white skeleton lying on its bed, inside one of the millions of rooms in the area, with the exception of the name-plaque outside the door. "How long has it been now? ...Um I'd want to say maybe twenty years since you were placed in this, in this nice chamber. I might be wrong, 'bout that, but who's counting? Heh heh."
I stared at the skeleton, its mouth slightly agape, as if expecting him to reply back. I still waited anyways. "Well, gotta check on the others. It was nice to see you again, stay beautiful chap, I'll see you around!" With that, I left his room, the door sliding open just for me and, shortly afterwards, closed behind me.
Okay Wheatley, one visit has been completed, only 499,999 to go. You've got a lot of people to meet! Again. Well, they can't be checked on by themselves, time for me to get going. I continued down my management rail in delight, it seems like it had been ages since I did my old job, it's a bit nostalgic. I might even admit that, that I missed it a little. Kind of leaves me feelin' warm inside, the good kind of 'warm inside' - not like overheating or induced rage or something of that matter. Actually I have been feelin' a weird pressure in my core but...eh, I don't think there's anything to worry 'bout.
I stopped in front of another door, except this time the plaque that was supposed to be displayed on the entranceway was missing, but I shrugged it off - I mean this place is in pieces, I'm actually surprised most of the chambers' claws that held them up didn't rot off and plunge them into the darkest pits of this place.
Oh well, back to my task. Sending the instruction to the door panel, I opened the door and passed through, the door closing itself right behind me.
"'ello human, how's it goi-" I stopped and peered at the bed before me. There were outlines of a human for sure - guessing from the figure, probably a female...I think...sometimes I forget which humans have the boobs and which one has the muscled body - but, but there wasn't a human in it, not even the remains of one.
I guess that kind of explains the absence of the plaque on the door but still...
"I've never known there was a chamber that was...well...vacant. Last time I heard, all of, all of them were filled except for the one that didn't work at first but I know someone fixed it and a human was placed in it." I reasoned to myself. "So just, what the bloody hell is this?"
I looked around the room, thinking maybe the human was somewhere else other than the bed; the closet, the drawers, behind the painting, even in the gap in the floor that leads to an old fashioned cube-chamber that housed test subjects long before-
Oh. Oh. It's, it's this place, isn't it?
I felt something in my programming...pinch me, slightly. My handles instantly drooped in bewilderment as everything came together.
This was her room.
What was that smelly human's name again? Bell? Maribelle? Kjelle? Nell? ...Charlotte? Oh gosh, even when I try to think of her name I feel guilty about what I did to her. I never ever planned on betraying her like that. I-I lost myself. I couldn't control myself. The power running through me was too...captivating. It made me feel...happy. It gave me a new sense of self-esteem and confidence in myself. Before hand I felt like nothing; weak, stupid, pathetic...stupid, but being in that chassis - being in Her shoes (metaphorically speaking of course) - just felt so good, and reassuring.
And it ended up ruining everything.
"I meant what I said, back up in space." I spoke softly, cringing my lens in heartbreak. "I wish I could take it all back. I wish I could go back in time and, and stop myself from being transferred into that bloody chassis, no matter how good it felt. Oh gosh I wish this whole thing could blow away! The guilt won't go away, and I'm a robot for pete's sake, - whoever he is - robots don't have feelings!"
...Do they?
...Maybe?
...Perhaps?
...Is that the pressure I'm feelin' in my core?
Oh man it hurts. It feels like my mind processor is in a knot. "Ow...ow...ow...bloody hell it hurts…"
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Yes, I see you. Now please focus back on the test." I sighed, watching both Orange and Blue wave at me...fifty-six times by my calculations.
They made a chirpy noise and they exchanged a look before waving their appendages even harder. I just watched them continue doing that, hoping that their arms would fall off, but I don't think that's going to happen.
But it won't be a problem.
I watched as a spike plate appeared above them and smashed them into pieces without delay, they didn't even have time to stop what they're doing and look up. My optic glowed bright in amusement.
It didn't take long for them to come back with new bodies and portal guns, but their enthusiasm seemed to have 'disappeared' and now they were glaring daggers at the surveillance camera.
"My apologies." I stated. "It seems I have made a miscalculation,I was probably distracted by your waving. By the way, thanks for that, now get on with the test."
They stayed there for a few more seconds, still glaring at the camera before prodding off to finish the task at hand. Glad that they were done messing around, but also feeling a little down for not tormenting them further, I decided to check on other things while the duo continued their test.
Another screen pulled itself down and a voice echoed in the chamber. "Central Core, what is your request?" It asked in its monotone, robotic voice.
"A quick run of in-progress and/or complete tasks affiliated with working cores and other machinery." I answered.
"One moment please."
The screen flashed for a minute and pictures fazed by at an incredible speed, most of them from the surveillance tapes. It didn't take long before it stopped and focused on a particular camera.
"This core is not in-progress or in completion of its task."
I stared at the surveillance but all I saw was the wrecked floor of a room I'm not familiar with.
"What is the name of the core?"
"It is known as the Intelligence-Dampening Sphere, in charge of annual check-ins on human test subjects placed in the sleep depository in the far east wing of the Aperture facility."
"The moron." I muttered to myself. "What is he doing now?"
"Invalid question."
I let out an exasperated sigh-like noise. "What is the Intelligence-Dampening Sphere doing now?"
"...No info on the subject."
"Is the surveillance camera in this room broken?"
"The camera is in need of repairs."
"Of course it's broken." I muttered, shaking my chassis in annoyance.
There was a long pause as I tried to figure out the next course of action. It wasn't as if those humans were alive after all the time that has passed by now, he's only there so he won't get in my way or any of the others.
"What are your instructions Central Core?"
I paused for a moment before I answered a soft, "Nothing."
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
"-and that's why I, uh, killed your children. No hard feelings?"
"Caw!" The bird answered, followed by that feather-brain pecking me on my core.
"Ow I get it! I get it!" I whined.
I let out a sigh as I recalled the last minute or so that had just happened; I was wallowing in my despair of trying not to think, this little fellow notices me and flies in, starts shrieking at me and lands on my core (without my permission I might add), and rudely pecks at me, leading me into a quick explanation about what happened when I was helping the human escape… assuming it was the same bird as last time. I think that 'bout covers it.
"Caw-caw! Caw!" *peck*
"Alright! Alright! I'm sorry for murdering your children! Now leave me alone you sack of feathers!" I spat (not literally of course).
Unfortunately the bird refused to move. *Peck* And it continued to peck me some more. *Peck* And I'm even surprised it's on me, I mean, since I'm connected to the railing and all...unless of course it's on the railing and- *Peck*
"Will you quit that!" I yelled.
I shook around vigorously in hopes to get that bloody bird off of me but it seemed it didn't even faze the thing! I guess it really was on the management rail.
"That's it. That is it! I am leaving. Good day to you sir, madam, whatever gender you are."
With that I zoomed out of there, but the damned thing followed me! When I went into another room, it was there. When I went into a different room, it followed me there too. And it continued to follow me, shrieking at me and pecking at me when the time was right. Finally, I decided to abandon my job at the moment and went by the old testing chambers nearby, but of course the 'lil nitwit followed me there too.
As I veered around a corner, I turned around and gave my best impression of enraged fury and awaited its presence. Soon enough, it came and I was going to let it have it!
"You will stop that you introverted stalker! Whatever that means!" I bellowed.
"Pest detected." A computerized male voice stated on the intercom. "Initiating extermination and removal."
"Ah! Here we go! This'll work, yeah this'll, this'll do the trick nicely! Bye-bye birdy! Heh, you know, quoting that Shakespeare play written by-"
Before I knew it, something struck me from my side and I was sent flying, derailing me from my rail. It happened so fast, I could barely process what had just happened until I was slammed onto the floor's surface. The mechanisms inside me screeched in agony as I bounced and skid across the ground from the momentum of the hit.
Then I heard a faint *click* sound and saw a panel a few feet away from me open, revealing some kind of red, wavering light with the faint sound of crackling and pop sounds.
And here I thought there weren't going to be anymore surprises for today. I swear that bird is laughing at me right now...
"Extermination completed. Beginning removal of pest- EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN INITIATED. GOODBYE."
Before even I had the chance to prepare myself an inevitable end, the voice faded away and the panel closed up. There was silence, well, except for the beating sound of the wings that flapped from that feather-brain. I can't see where it is exactly, and at the moment, I don't care. I'm still trying to wrap the idea 'I almost died' around my slow-processing mind-processor. Oh gosh isn't that a mouthful…
"Oh my." A familiar voice surfaced. "I guess there are a lot more things I need to take care of than I had expected. I haven't realized I missed that malfunction. Then again, it seems like pests haven't surfaced in a multitude of years."
I couldn't help but groan, not from hearing Her, but from the situation I'm in right now while She continues to monologue - especially when I am in pain and She knows it.
"Oh, it's you again. Glad to know that you're still alive."
"Thanks, luv." I say sarcastically. "Really appreciate that."
"I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to that...bird."
As if on cue, the bird squaked at the intercom before swatting its wings annoyingly.
"Yes, yes. I've missed you too. By the way, you're children were very promising...especially Mr. Chubby Beak, he really takes after you. I also wanted to congratulate you on your resourcefulness. I must know, how did you get in? You know, after Orange and Blue drove you away outside?"
Ok, I have no idea on what she's talking about. Did she, did she adopt the birds or something? And if she did, then what about the eggs I accidentally demolished? What about that? Damn it all, I'm so confused right now. It feels like I'm experiencing a horrible simulation right now!
Ugh, just, just forget about it Wheatley, focus on the important situation at hand.
"Can, can you help me? I'm, uh, kind of stuck or trapped or whatever you call it. I can't attach myself back on the railing and...did, did something just rattle inside me? Oh please don't let it be a snake or a cockroach or-"
"Did you not hear me? I said it seemed like pests haven't surfaced in a multitude of years and you're suspecting that after being on the ground for approximately five minutes and eleven seconds that a filthy organism is inside of you?"
"Well, when you put it that way…"
I could hear Her metallic sigh ring in throughout the abandoned hallway before I could continue.
"This is the last time I'm going to fix you."
"Excuse me what-"
Before I could utter another word, the panel below disappeared and I fell in, quickly closing itself up before that pesky bird came in, and I was left with darkness, again.
XXXXXXXXX
"I didn't ask for this." I sighed, staring down on the previous panel I was on last time when she performed 'correctional surgery' or whatever kind of thingshe did on me last time.
"In a way you did. Maybe next time you shouldn't complain about such things out loud." She advised in a bored tone.
"Fine. Duly noted, just get on with this, with this stupid harassment and-AAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHH!"
Oh my gosh, a drill, a drill just pierced my back and it was so...so agonizing! That noise pierced my speakers and it felt like they were about to explode from the constant rubbing of metal on metal- no, more like drilling on metal.
"Don't. Ever. Say that again." She hissed. "Don't even joke about that, it's such, such a filthy human vocabulary, and I do not want it in my facility."
"ALRIGHT FINE FINE JUST STOP THE BLOODY DRILLING!" I screamed.
The drilling stopped and most of the pain subsided. I sighed in relief and felt the need to collapse...that is if I wasn't already on the panel's floor.
"Just, just get it over with."
She didn't say anything after that, not even a 'shut up' or 'quiet'. Is She really distressed on my choice of vocabulary? Really? Of all the things She has to dwell her anger on it had to be that?
I decided not to take a chance, I don't want her to get any angrier than She is right now while She's doing...whatever She's doing on my mechanics.
Maybe a change in topics can do the trick? I've always been wondering about this certain thing for a long time, it hasn't really been on my mind but it has been making its presence known in the back of my mind-processor.
"Hey Gladys?"
"What." She replies in a low, annoyed tone.
I winced slightly but continued anyways. "Why...why did you take me out of space?"
She stopped, whatever it was She was doing. She didn't make a sound of any kind and I couldn't turn around to look at Her, even the sound of Her whirring mechanisms went quiet for a second...which made me feel really uncomfortable.
"Gladys?"
She moved again but didn't answer. She attached something inside me and closed my back panel at an alarming pace, and before I knew it I was back on the management rail and was being shooed away by a mechanical claw.
"Hey wait, you didn't answer my question! Gladys?"
She didn't respond, and She looked away. It wasn't long before I was thrusted out of Her chamber, Her door closing shut abruptly, and my question still remained, ominously, unanswered.
