Author's note: DING DING DING DING! WE HAVE A WINNER! Congrats to… Tow… whoever you are… have you favorited the story and told everyone you know about it yet? Oh I guess you have… anywayz, here's your batch of free cookies! Be careful, they're pretty stale… and rock hard… So… hooray! Ok, so after I post the next chapter, I'll officially change it to a crossover, but until then, enjoy!
~X~X~X~X~X~
*DRRRRGGGHHH*
"Good morning [DR. WALKER], welcome back to your consciously controlled mind! The Enrichment Center would like to properly inform you of your future endeavors, and that's why we're going out of our way to make sure you're as comfortable as possible!"
Alan flew out of the soft, fluffy bed. It was so comfortable, his body had practically molded into it overnight. "AH! Wah wuzzat?" His eyes swung over to the side of the bed where a red digital clock read 7:45. "God, that was the worst alarm I've ever-
"For your pleasure, we've provided a complimentary breakfast; packed full with the many different nutrients you'll need to do science."
"Whatever…" Alan got up from the lovely bed and began stretching. He walked towards a small table positioned a few feet in front of the bed. He slid his hands down his face and rubbed his eyes. "That was a surprisingly comfortable sleep considering-
*DRRRRGGGHHH*
A small square hole opened up in the wall; A few silver packages and files were kept inside the hotel-like room's enclosure. Alan reached in and took the first thing his hands touched.
"Aperture Science fiber infused solid oatmeal nut rectangular feeding device..." Alan read aloud the label of the small gray polypropylene wrapped bar. "yum…"
He looked back into the small opening. There was another strange packet sitting inside. "Instant coffee? Yuck!"
"Remember to [REVIEW COLLEAGE'S INFORMATION] before you venture out into the Enrichment Center!"
*DRRRRGGGHHH*
"Finally, that's the last of that weird robotic voice." Alan rolled his eyes, but stopped them once they returned back to the wall's opening. "Uhh… I guess I better see who it is I'm dealing with."
He sat down on the plastic chair in front of the table. The relaxation chamber wasn't half bad. It reminded Alan of a hotel room, and not the ones that have those blinds that never seem to close all the way. The chamber did an excellent job of presenting a comforting environment; a few plants and paintings gave the room some real sense of life. Of course it wasn't that large, but Alan didn't mind. It actually felt like he was back in his college days. Living in a small space, waking up to do science, it was all a refreshing memory in his mind.
He took one of the reports out and laid it on the table, next to the gray breakfast bar. "Do I really?" Alan picked the bar up to the point where it was at eye level. Would he really go so far as to eat Aperture Science food? Well of course he gobbled up that cupcake pretty quickly, but that was a different story.
Alan felt his stomach growl. "Fine." He reluctantly opened the gray wrapping, and took the very unappetizing contents out.
"At least I'm alone, I could be sitting with that Vernon gu- "
The chamber's door flew open. "WAKE UP! It's time for science!"
Alan sat still in his chair, not making a move. "Good morning Dr." he said in a monotone voice.
"Oh, I can already tell its going to be an eventful day!" Vernon ran over to the table where Alan was sitting, and without asking, he took a seat of his own. "Two scientists, observing the unknown. With of course, the help of a few subjects. You must be so excited Mr. Walker!"
"Oh yeah, I'm… excited." Alan tried to withhold the evident fear inside of him. Try as he might, he couldn't wrestle out the lingering thought that he was somehow going to die today. He didn't know how, but he figured maybe only a portion of his body would successfully transfer through, not counting what he may face after that would be over with.
"Well you don't look excited. Here, maybe an Aperture Science coffee roast will perk you up, eh? It seems you've already gone to work on that oatmeal bar, a fine nutritional supplement if I do say so myself." Dr. Vernon took out a water bottle, and began mixing it with the coffee packet in way's Alan could barely understand. It had something to do with electrically charging it, but that was all he could see.
"This bar…" Alan said, taking another hunger driven bite. "It's as if you wet down some instant oatmeal, packed it all tightly, made it stick together through some strange substance, and then dehydrated it into one solid chunk."
"Why yes!" Dr. Vernon's face grew surprised. "That's exactly how we do it."
"Figures…" Alan remarked, returning his attention back to the subject's reports. "So what do you say we go over their personality reports?"
Dr. Vernon waved his hand beside his head. "Fine by me," he said, placing the 'coffee bottle' on the table and taking out an oatmeal bar of his own. "After all, it is one of our reserved duties to know our subjects."
"Right…" Alan picked up the first paper of the thin pile. "Let's begin with… Kent Ross. What do you think of him?"
"Strong, quiet, intelligent, and above all, calm in most situations. Trusting, dependant, follows orders pretty well. I had the liberty of observing him alongside Mr. Johnson when he was picking people to go through the book. He was the first of them to be selected."
"I see he has good records, is there anything I should worry about with him?" Alan asked, his eyes fixated on the subject's personal information.
"No, I think he'll get along, as long as he knows who's in charge." Vernon answered with an untraceable smile. "He tends to follow that uh…"
"Slaney?"
"Ah yes… her." Dr. Vernon's face grew much more reserved at Alan mentioning her name. "She… was specifically chosen by Mr. Johnson because she's… nearly impossible to contain. Every time she's in a chamber she… oh you know already Mr. Walker, you've seen her effects firsthand. She's… the one who knows how to get out of every situation; her escape abilities are top-notch, something Mr. Johnson was very pleased to see."
Alan went over Slaney's subject information; chocolate cake, no idea of Black Mesa, and an especially embarrassing last name. Alan struggled to contain his laughter once he read the strange surname.
"And that brings us to our final subject." Alan lifted Slaney's paper and placed it back into the hole in the wall. "Roni Ferguson."
Dr. Vernon was somehow taken aback by this one. "Oh… her." He said with a now confused look on his face. "I don't really have an opinion of her. She tends to get nervous in certain situations, which is why we needed someone to balance in out a little. She's very competent, but not confidant." He said, laying his hand out towards Alan.
Alan nodded as he placed the final paper back in the nearby storage compartment. "I see, well we… better be getting to the chamber as soon as possible! We don't want to keep them waiting." He got up from his chair just as he took the last bite of the Aperture bar.
"Right Mr. Walker, your clothes are in the closet over there." Vernon pointed to a couple of wooden doors standing next to the bed. "Just leave your other clothes in the closet, it really doesn't matter." He said, giving a thumbs up as he continued on towards the exit. "Oh, and uh… you really don't want any of this coffee?" he asked, holding up the former water bottle.
"No thanks."
"Shame, you're really missing out."
"Forget the coffee, Dr. Vernon just tell me where it is I'll be headed off to once I leave."
"Down the hallway to your right." Vernon answered, signaling the directions with his hands. "Just keep going until you see a couple employees waiting for you, they'll gladly guide you in." Dr. Vernon nodded back at Alan as he turned around and kept walking.
Alan heard the door close, meaning the Aperture scientist had officially left. "This is the last time I'm wearing Aperture pajamas." He said, noting the logo riddled clothing.
He approached the neatly designed closet and opened it up. "We'll, I guess I'll be wearing an Aperture t-shirt today!"
~X~X~X~X~X~
"Communications terminal, check. Supplies, check. Superconductor, check. Mr. Walker…" Caroline looked all around the crowded room for any sign of Alan. "Oh dear, I've seemed to have misplaced him."
Caroline saw Dr. Vernon entering the room through the thick steel door. He was the one who last saw Alan, so maybe he knew where he was. "Dr, Dr. Vernon!" She called across the room.
"Yes Ms. Caroline?"
"Mr. Walker, do you know where he is?"
Dr. Vernon grabbed his chin. "I believe he's still in his room, getting ready."
"Well tell him he needs to hurry, tell him science can't wait for us!"
Dr. Vernon looked back at the thick steel door. It obviously was meant to keep things both out, and in. Perhaps Alan lost his way amidst the many passageways. "I'm sure he'll be here soon. And besides, it's not like we're on a deadline here." He answered, shrugging at Caroline.
"Oh I'm sure he's going to come running to meet us." Caroline said, holding the clipboard in her hand tightly against her body.
"I'm running to meet you!" Alan's voice echoed through the outside hallway, even though the steel door was nearly all the way closed, both Caroline and Vernon could hear him racing towards the room. "I'm running… to… do…" He threw himself into the room, looking around in all directions for any familiar face. "Science…"
Caroline nodded at Vernon following a short pause.
"Wait, why are you two smiling? What's going on?"
"Follow me Mr. Walker, we've got one more crucial piece of equipment to show you." Caroline walked up the metal door that led to the observation room. She opened it and waited for Alan to step inside.
The actual room was something you'd never fully comprehend from the outside. There were monitors and screens all around the front of the chamber's massive glass window. Control panels, switches, and countless mechanized devices looked as if they required trained PhD's just to turn them on. The room appeared to have more than one entrance however, as the opposite end had another door waiting to be opened.
Caroline brightened up the room as she walked past. The employees seemed to get a deep sense of relief once they knew her presence was near. Caroline smiled back at them as they went back to work.
"The lab boys are so sweet, aren't they?" Caroline asked as she stopped at the door.
Alan didn't reply vocally, but instead gave Caroline an effort-deprived nod.
Caroline pushed the mysterious door open. Inside was a small room with backpacks lining the wall and test subjects waiting eagerly in their plastic chairs.
"Finally." They all said in unison.
"Now that Mr. Walker's here," Caroline said, walking over to a table at the far edge of the room. "We can finally begin the mission." She picked up a 2x1 foot black box sitting nearby, and placed it on the table. "But first, you're going to meet the final addition to your team."
Caroline lifted the flap on the top of the box. She slipped out what appeared to be a smooth black terminal with many different buttons and knobs on it. She then set it on the table, and powered it up.
"This is Aperture Science Model KTUFSO-334184. It is fitted with the most advanced optical sensor ever created. It's also equipped with a state of art Puzzle Advising Notary Information Conduit, to help you get out of those tough situations. It's all state of the art technology, but you would expect that from Aperture Science, wouldn't you?" she asked with a bright smile.
"Woo-hoo," Slaney said blandly.
"Oh, yes, it is exciting, isn't it? Not only is it able to scan environments with speed and precision, but it's also able to understand situational procedures, and it is even fitted with communication recognition capabilities! It will be able to monitor everything you say and do!"
Slaney and Kent exchanged grimaces.
Roni shuddered.
"And that's why I prefer to call him Seymour!" Caroline announced. "Get it? Because he'll 'See more' of you than you want him to!"
Just as Caroline finished, Dr. Vernon strolled into the room. "Ha, ha, ha!" he said more than laughed. Each of his exclamations was singularly punctuated, as if a statement in and of itself, and resonated through the small waiting room. "You're so good at naming thing, Caroline!"
"Thank you, Dr. Vernon! If you'd like, I could give you a sweet little nickname! How about…"
"Ah, no, no, that will not be necessary! I'd hate to see you waste your talents on something other than science!"
"How thoughtful of you!"
The model Caroline had named Seymour whirred, and emitted the words: "Compliment invalid."
"Ooh, my baby's awake!" Caroline announced, rubbing her hands together. "Say hi to Seymour!"
"Hi, Seymour," droned Roni, Slaney and Kent.
Alan was too dumbfounded to speak.
"Greeting processed," Seymour said. "Enthusiasm levels: undetectable."
Caroline frowned for a nigh-imperceptible moment before her wide grin shone again. "Oh, I think it's time you got acquainted with your field equipment!"
"Does she mean an actual field?" Slaney whispered.
Kent shrugged.
"I hope it's got daisies in it… and ponies! I'd love to see a ponies!" In her excitement, Slaney forgot to keep the volume down; consequently activating Seymour's detection system.
"Ponies, and other equine creatures, are not permitted within the facility. Please call an Aperture Science Service Representative, who will bring you a picture of a…" searching its databanks took a few moments before it spat out: "pony" and paused again before finishing with: "for compensation."
Slaney stuck her tongue out at Seymour.
"Oh, my, he is working rather hard for his first trial run," said Caroline, hurriedly switching Seymour off. "If I may direct your attention away from him and towards your other new friends now…" She extended her hand toward the standard-issue backpacks lining the wall. "You will each receive one of these for the field mission," she said. "They are equipped with an Aperture Science water desalinizer-"
"She's talking about salt, right?" Slaney whispered to Kent, who nodded solemnly.
"A week's worth of food, Aperture Science high-density ultra batteries, walkie-talkies to share amongst yourselves, and an assortment of other Aperture Science equipment. Subject Kent will have Seymour attached to his backpack, and he'll carry him around everywhere you go."
"Caroline!" Cave Johnson's voice buzzed over the intercom. "I want those test subjects in here while I've still got a pulse!"
Every head in the room turned t the door the intercom perched above.
"Oh, Mr. Johnson!" Caroline giggled. "Right away!"
Mechanically, the test subjects got to their feet, picked up their backpacks, and followed Caroline to the door.
"Wait, wait!" Alan called, "this is too fast!"
"Mr. Johnson wants us now," Caroline said, smiling brightly and tapping her fingers on her clipboard.
"Point taken," said Alan, following the single-file procession down the hall.
Vernon crept up behind Alan and whispered: "It's almost time! Just a little more briefing!"
Alan did not have to turn to see the twelve-year-old tension in Dr. Vernon's entire body, as if he were waiting to ride a shiny new bicycle.
The subjects left the observation room and poured out into the main atrium. In the center was Cave sitting on a wheelchair with his hands folded. It didn't take long for the subjects as well as Alan to circle him to see what he had to say.
Cave took a deep breath, and spoke in a deep voice. "Alright, let's begin."
The employees at their desks and sitting at their chairs didn't need to be near Mr. Johnson in order to understand him. Immediately, they all filed together and headed for the observation room like little ants retreating back to their nest.
The last of the employees left the room and closed the door behind him. Caroline presented Kent with Seymour, his very own mechanical burden.
"Now then, *cough**cough*" Cave said once the room was filled with the select few. "You three enter the chamber." He pointed at Slaney, Kent, and Roni. "And you two *cough* stay here…" he said, directing his words at the qualified scientists.
The subjects headed towards the door, and Caroline waved to them as the massive thick hunk of steel slowly opened. The exchanged their glances as they each stepped inside one after another.
"Remember," Caroline said, addressing her words to Kent. "When you successfully reach the other side, contact us via Seymour."
Kent nodded as they all turned around to see the door close. They soon came to the realization that it could possibly be their last vague sight of the outside world.
"Sealed." Caroline said, checking the door closely.
Cave turned back to Vernon and Alan. "Good," He said, picking up a briefcase with a centered Aperture logo lying on the side of his wheelchair. "Now we can *cough* discuss the full nature of your *cough* mission."
Alan looked at Vernon with an unsure face.
"Now I know you're *cough* 'objective' is to go over there and see what's *cough* on the other side. But that's not your only objective." He laid the briefcase out on his lap. He moved his fingers out towards the end of the briefcase, stopping them once they touched the clasps. "I know you're curious as to what *cough*I'm leading to, so I'll make it… *cough* simple.
Cave's fingers slowly pressed on the briefcase, opening it up so Alan could see what was inside. It almost pushed him back with surprise once he saw what was inside. Molded into the frame, standing side by side were two glock pistols and four clips of their respective ammunition.
"If you see anything there…" Cave leaned closer to the two. "Kill it."
A subtle yet strong sense of horror crept into Alan's mind. He was now being given the one thing that would evidently protect him against who knows what? Would a gun be enough to defend against what he was about to face?
"The communications uplink is successful! All signs show positive results!" A voice yelled over the loudspeaker.
This is it; time to go to the other side.
"Well, that's your cue." Cave said, handing the two scientists their weapons. Caroline gave the two holsters to place the gun in. "Dr. *cough* Vernon, if you will."
"Yes, Mr. Johnson." Dr. Vernon said as he headed over towards the large steel door. "I guess I'll see you on the other side Mr. Walker." He followed the same procedure recently conducted by the test subjects; before long, he reached the point of no return.
"Well Mr. Walker," Caroline said, handing her clipboard to Cave. "All we can say now is good luck."
"And good hunting…" Cave added. "And I mean that literally."
"Oh Mr. Johnson…"
"Transfer successful, Mr. Walker, you're next." The loudspeaker carried another command, and with a routine creaking of the steel door, Alan was invited to take the steps of the others.
"I guess we better be headed to the observation room?" Caroline asked, laying her hand out towards Cave. "Oh no wait, I don't think you'll be able to handle those steps."
"Don't worry Caroline." Cave said as he slowly but surely arose from the wheelchair. "I think I can make it."
Caroline looked back at Alan. "Well, go on!" She said, showing him the door. She proceeded to help Cave up the steps and into the observation room. Before he entered, Cave gave a thumbs up to Alan, who was practically shaking in his boots.
Alan turned around to face the dark, cold room. He walked inside and touched the steel door for the very last time. The hydraulics hissed as the automatic entryway began to shut behind him.
Now he was alone.
He felt his heart began to race, and his stomach began to feel nauseous, and it certainly didn't have anything to do with that oatmeal bar. It wasn't the feeling of confusion or even downright nervousness.
It was fear.
"Superconductor on, transfer rate set, frequency channel set. It's all you Mr. Walker."
Alan approached the solely lit book in the center of the room. How could something so simple hold so much mystery? That was a question of course that could only be answered in one way, and he was about to go through that way.
"All ready…"
Alan laid his hand on the hardcover book, taking one last glance at its rough design. He opened it to the first page, and there it was, ready for him. The mystery of what lied on the other side would soon be solved. Alan hesitated to lift his hand up, but eventually his willpower tapped into the massive reserve and caused him to lift it mere inches away from the page.
He practically pushed his hand forward, ready to feel a strong sense of pain once he touched the page. He closed his eyes, and let his hand move forward on its own, uncontrolled by the fear of the unknown.
Alan tightened his muscles up. Instantly felt every last inch of his body fade from the known universe.
~X~X~X~X~X~
"What? Where am I? What's going on?" Alan felt himself drifting off, to where and for what purpose was completely unknown. He felt himself floating through a space like field, his movement felt restricted yet he had full range of motion.
He now felt as if he were falling asleep, but it wasn't a deep sleep however, it felt like a shallow, half-conscious sleep. Confusion riddled his mind. Where was he? What was going on? He had practically no recollection of more recent events; the lingering question was how did he get here?
His eyes saw a strange sight approaching from a distance. The entire area fell silent, and became pitch black. All that was visible was a small pad of light with a man standing in it. The man was wearing a blue business suit, as well as a red tie. In his right hand, he held a briefcase with a Black Mesa logo on it. Was Alan dreaming of getting fired?
"I'm glad that you're… ready Dr. Walker. Time is… less of an issue right now, we happen to be free from it at the moment. But… there are more… Pressing matters to attend to. Such as the ones you're about to face. Don't worry, my employer's are… eager to see how you perform. Do understand that for them… time, is not that great of an issue. But for you… well… let's just say a more simplistic approach must be taken."
Alan tried to speak up. Maybe break the wall of confusion. But he felt himself unable to communicate; his abilities seemed to be fully hampered. All he could do was stay, and listen.
"My employers have realized that these matters don't come without risk however, which is why I'm ready to find other people for the job… if you're not up for it." The man instantly faded away into the darkness, but soon reappeared in front of an endless landscape of large brown mountains creeping out of an orange sea. "But I'm sure your abilities are… satisfactory. It may come as a surprise to, but I've been observing you for… quite a while. Just remember Dr. Walker that when the time comes… you'll know what to do."
The scenery faded, and now Alan found himself sitting above a continuous expanse of clouds. "But for now… time… is something that requires a little catching up…" The man smiled as he began to mold into the oncoming darkness.
Now it was completely dark, and completely silent. Alan felt himself floating through the strange space once more. "Good luck Dr. Walker…" Alan saw a strange glowing green ball of electricity flash in front of him. "You will need it…" The ball grew closer and closer until it was almost touching him.
*DSZCHZCH*
SUBJECT: WALKER
STATUS: AWAITING FURTHER OBSERVATION
TRANSITIONING
~X~X~X~X~X~