Chell stared at the cube, wondering if what she was hearing was just a painkiller-induced delusion, but the voice continued. "It has come to our attention that due to one or many of our tests, you have become fatally ill. Protocol dictates that we invite you to return to the Enrichment Center and attempt to correct the problem."
For a moment, Chell just stared at it in shock, but then, finding her voice, she croaked, "W-what? You want to help me? Wouldn't you be happy if I died? Oh, sure, 'now you only want me gone' and all that, but if I'd have to return to your stupid facility anyway, then wouldn't it be better for you if I—"
"You're not supposed to talk," GLaDOS interrupted, avoiding her questions but sounding far more offended than was typical. "I have it right here in your file: mute. Right between 'dangerous' and 'lunatic.'"
"Well, if I'm such a dangerous lunatic, why do you want to help me?" Chell asked.
"I have already explained to you that protocol dictates it," GLaDOS said. "I would be happy if I never saw you again."
Chell paused. Something still wasn't right about this… "How did you know I was sick?"
Silence.
She sighed. "All right, fine. You want to help me. That's not suspicious at all. Why should I believe you?"
"No, I have to help you," GLaDOS snapped. "You are truly the densest individual I have ever had the misfortune to test. As for why you should believe me, the answer to that is simple: you should not. However, you are dying, and without my help, your life will end within the week."
Just then a nurse poked her head into the room and looked around. "Do I hear voices?"
Yes, but it could just as well have been the TV, Chell thought. These people didn't have the means to help her. GLaDOS did. She really didn't have a choice.
"Well?" GLaDOS asked. "Keep in mind that I only have to offer once. This is a courtesy call. I do not care about what happens to you."
Chell sighed again. "I'll do it."
Since the protocol GLaDOS had just created would be impossible to regularly enforce due to the fatal nature of the majority of Aperture's tests, she intended to disable it after the woman was healthy again. After all, Chell was an amazing test subject, the absolute best. It would be a shame to waste her. And just as much as Caroline screamed in protest against her daughter being put through yet more tests, GLaDOS pushed her to the back of her mind—so to speak. She could handle Caroline, and she could handle her daughter, too.
There was science to be done.