Author's Note: Oh hell; this chapter's a wee bit shorter than my usual. O_o Don't let that deter you, though. There is plenty more I had planned.
Hehe, well Pablojcd, it's funny you should say that because she WILL actually speak. It will be approached in this chapter though.
And thank you Tuume I try. LOL.
Koona (Guest) This chapter will add a little bit of the significance, but not entirely the reason as to why they can't be played. Not just yet.
~~0~~
06
"Still the silent treatment, huh?"
Chell glanced up at GLaDOS; the AI was busy performing at her computers as usual, but had stopped long enough to spit out the remark in a manner almost caustic enough that it sounded mocking. However, GLaDOS' expression was free of mockery and she almost appeared to be in a good mood.
Chell stared at her, her glare demanding a reason for the remark.
"I don't think you're really a mute, you know," GLaDOS continued, "I've read your file."
Oh...this song and dance again... Chell thought, with a long-suffering grimace.
What was GLaDOS trying to prove anyway? Chell had a thought that they had moved beyond this ridiculous game. GLaDOS must have read the look on her face because the AI shrugged her shoulders calmly. "No, you're right," she replied, "I don't think I want to go through that again. Still, I find it interesting that you'd feel the need to hide anything at all. You're not exactly someone special or worthy of anyone's attention."
Chell frowned at her, squaring her shoulders. She sensed a challenge in those words, even though GLaDOS' naturally sultry voice always seemed to carry sarcasm behind it.
GLaDOS glanced up at her for a moment before a cheery smile lit her face. "Oh come on!" she said, in an eerie manner of affection, "What kind of person would I be if I didn't remind you every now and again? It's just a little humor. You should lighten up."
Chell started to go, but the sight of GLaDOS' hands shaking briefly over her control panel caused her to pause a little. That was odd. She studied the AI's hands for a moment before departing the room in an irritated roll of her eyes. GLaDOS watched her go with amusement before returning attention to her work.
It always interested her in believing that the little test subject may or may not have been a mute at all, but chose to defy her by not responding or showing any reaction to whatever the AI tossed at her. Chell was a stubborn one, that much was true. They had tested her, attempting to understand why she refused to respond, but she never did. The tenacity and rebellion the human had was rather admirable, maybe even a bit misguided at the best of times, but still...
You would think that someone who was offered to stay in a place practically free of charge would express a little bit of gratitude.
And again, GLaDOS' mind went to the same question she had the day she allowed Chell to stay.
Why had she done it?
Every bit of information on the test subject she had saved all pointed that she was useful to Science given her success and resilience. But she wasn't exactly the most perfect subject in any other regard and certainly disposable by Aperture's standards.
Yet, here she was.
In her facility.
In her home.
Why?
How could a construct such as herself - consist of the widest array of knowledge on the planet - not even find the answers for her own questions?
O
Sleeping in Aperture was still a difficult task.
Chell still had trouble doing so, even when Rick and Fact Core promised to linger about outside her room and call if anything would happen. It was strange that she could put even a faint trust in the cores, but Rick seemed to be particularly fond of her, so at least she had THAT on her side. While she closed her eyes and attempted to get comfortable beneath the pile of lab-coats, the lights above dimmed somewhat and the radio that was playing one of the tapes of smooth Jazz cut in and out.
Chell frowned and glanced up with confusion.
Within her main chamber, GLaDOS had been spending time observing the files and data information that remained hidden from her. Most of it was useless stuff that she had already known, but she stopped at a particular video of an older Cave Johnson making a presentation video. It must have been during his final days because he looked rather sickly and coughed every now and again.
"Hey there, Cave Johnson, CEO of Aperture Science. As you might know - " He glanced off screen with a scowl at someone GLaDOS didn't see. "Did I ASK you to come into my office?" His eyes suddenly widened. "What? It's finished? Alrea - "
The video cut out and GLaDOS let out a growl of frustration. How was it possible that they could hide such useless information from her? She had even downloaded the information stored away on a disk drive in her computers, but nothing seemed to be of any use.
She attempted to access older memory files stored away in her database, but was welcomed with letters that flashed across her computers.
ACCESS DENIED. RESTRICTED
"Restricted?" she spat, "Nothing is restricted from me!"
RESTRICTED.
RESTRICTED.
RESTRICTED.
Every memory file she attempted to access flashed that damnable word across her mainframe. It had happened when she struggled to remember who Caroline was. Of course, Caroline was still here within her and unable to really be deleted, but there was no reason the test subject should have known that. GLaDOS wasn't one to admit when she couldn't do something - it was a pride issue, of course - but did these restricted memories have something to do with her?
This...Caroline?
GLaDOS worked to attempt a manual override, but something strange flashed across her monitors; a fluttering bird that carried a banner in its mouth. It read: "NO. BAD GIRL". She was confused and started by the crude message displayed across her monitors.
"What in the name of - ?" she began.
TIME TO BE PUNISHED.
The announcer spoke up. "Attention, central mainframe 30 percent corrupt."
"Corrupt?" GLaDOS exclaimed, "What - "
But the announcement system continued. "40 percent corrupt."
"No! That can't be. Stop it!" GLaDOS cried, frantically attempting to stop it.
"50 percent corrupt."
GLaDOS tried accessing a means to stop it, but a jumble of data stream flashed across her central processor.
"No! No, no, no."
A virus.
Shut down! Shut down!
O
Chell didn't expect a wake up call like this.
Rick and Fact Core were desperately attempting to get her to wake up.
"Hey! Wake up!" Rick begged, "Something's not right!"
Chell blinked sleepily and frowned up at them. She sat up and awaited some sort of explanation, but looked around when she realized that the power was out all around her. Concern lit her face and she looked at the two cores.
"We don't know!" Rick said, "It went out a few minutes ago!"
Chell wandered around the room, going through a box filled with various objects before pulling out a flashlight she'd located from old Aperture. She gathered her Portal Gun and the cores followed her out into the hallways. They passed a few computer rooms where Chell could see that they were rebooted. The same message flashed onto their black screens reading SYSTEM ERROR over and over again. It was a bit disturbing.
What the hell's going on? she wondered.
Was GLaDOS attempting to frighten her? Was this some sort of twisted game that she wanted to finish from earlier? But that didn't really explain why all the systems had been shut down; it seemed like a dangerous feat, given what almost happened with the reactor core when Wheatley had taken charge. It made Chell worry a little when she arrived at the main AI chamber door and found that it wouldn't open.
Atlas and P-Body were there, attempting to rewire the door controls. When they saw her arrive, P-Body frantically waved her hands, chattering wildly. Chell looked down at Rick and Fact Core for some explanation since she very well couldn't understand anything P-Body was saying. Rick listened to P-Body before looking up at Chell, grunted warily.
"This ain't good," he said, "She says GLaDOS shut herself down and they weren't able to get inside."
Why the hell would she do that? Chell was even more worried and looked at P-Body, gesturing to the door panel. The little robot moved back to what she was doing and grabbed a wire. Unfortunately, it sent a shock hrough her body and she screeched, falling to the floor in a smoking heap. Atlas bent down to her with a gurgle of worry and the door roared open, allowing Chell to quickly rush inside the darkness of the main chamber.
She found GLaDOS sitting on the floor of the chamber, her head bowed forward. Chell quickly rushed to her side and bent down, trying to see the AI's face to make sure she was even...well, still alive. She gently lifted GLaDOS' chin and found the AI staring blankly. Her eyes were still glowing with life, but she seemed to be frozen. Chell waved a hand in front of her face and GLaDOS blinked, very slowly. She spoke in between deep and high, in the same manner as if she were malfunctioning.
"Kzzzzrrtt...fffffff - ling yourself...fling into sp - Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
Chell leaned back, startled by the random nonsense and the silly gesture the AI made; spreading her arms like an airplane. Then, GLaDOS looked up at her, speaking with great difficulty and a few uncontrollable tics in her expression.
"Vvvvvvv - IRus - BZZT - fooled my sy - stemss," she babbled, "Had to go - offf - liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine - Zsst."
A virus? How in the hell did that happen? Chell stood up and approached one of GLaDOS' monitors. The screen was streaming data that she couldn't read and looked at the AI helplessly. GLaDOS just let out a stream of synthesized, hysterical giggles that she obviously couldn't control.
"Oh no! Y-y-you can't read it!" she cried, laughing deliriously. "Dummy. Little dummy. That's n-n-nottttttt - good - bbbzzzzt - right?"
Chell looked toward the cores in the door and beckoned for Fact Core. He trotted up to her and she gestured at the control panel, hoping that his inane "facts" might be enough for him to understand it. Sure enough, he reached out and began typing in an endless fashion.
"Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System must shut down. Engaging system recovery..." he said.
GLaDOS struggled to stand. "No! Don't touch that!" she cried, before falling to the floor with a frantic yell. Her voice was high with panic as she scrambled to reach the two. "Y-Y-You wiiiiiiiilll - kill me again! Don't!"
Chell shook her head frantically, hoping the AI would understand that she didn't want to do anything like that. But GLaDOS was desperate with fear and reached behind her, taking a hold of one of the wires in her neck.
"I won't - lllllet you - fffzzzztt - kill me again!"
Fact Core was calm through GLaDOS' frantic tirade. "If she pulls those out before the system can recover, her life functions will be terminated."
Chell didn't need any further explanation.
She quickly moved and grabbed GLaDOS' arm. The AI attempted to fight her, but her moves were sloppy and aimless which allowed Chell to grab her other arm and pull her back against her chest, keeping those arms crossed and held tight so that GLaDOS was trapped in a lock. The AI struggled and grunted with effort, but couldn't find the strength to be free. She let out a wail of frustration and anguish which sounded so unusual on her.
"You're a horrible little human!" she cried, "Why would you do this again? I brought you here to my home! I let you stay! I - "
Chell looked at the Fact Core and nodded her head with effort. He quickly pressed a few keys and GLaDOS was suddenly limp in her arms. The abrupt weight made Chell fall to the floor on her butt, still holding the AI close. She looked up at Fact Core and he pressed a few keys.
"Fact: Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System will not be happy when she wakes up." he said.
Chell gave him a look that said "yeah, no shit" before looking down at GLaDOS; the AI's eyes were closed, probably in some sort of induced Sleep Mode now - Chell had no idea how these machines functioned, really. She looked up toward the screens hanging over head, all of which flashed with a simple message:
Rebooting. Please stand by...
All she had to do was wait now.
O
[System Rebooting...]
[Memory File Corrupted]
[Accessing…]
"Caroline, are the vouchers ready?"
"Yes, sir; Mister Johnson."
She smiled cheerfully, working at her desk while listening to the music she had collected from her. The song "Secret Lovers" by Atlantic Starr was playing and Cave immediately stopped in front of her desk with amusement.
"Caroline."
She looked up. "Yes, sir?"
"As much as I find your tastes rather endearing, I don't think you should keep playing that." he scolded, "Folks might get the bad idea and think I'm running a Fat Camp of Emotions here. Maybe you should turn it off."
"Yes sir. Sorry."
Cave just smiled and nodded. "You're the best we have here, Caroline. We can't afford distractions."
[Redacted]
[Memory File Corrupted]
O
Chell felt her heart fly into her throat when the sound of GLaDOS' internals starting up filled the room. She tightened her hold on the AI's arms, just in case she had planned on doing something stupid again, but GLaDOS was quiet for a moment. When she spoke, she sounded confused and...frightened.
"Who are you?" she asked.
Chell blinked slowly. A few times, actually.
"Who are you?" GLaDOS repeated. Her usual vocal harmonics sounded dulled and weak. "Why are you touching me? Stop it. They want to hurt me."
She sounded small and terrified and the pained whine she made was heart-wrenching to the human, but she had to keep calm. For her sake and the supercomputer's. She wished that the other cores had remained because she didn't know how to comfort the AI.
But she had to do - no, say something. Would GLaDOS remember it if she did?
"They're coming!" GLaDOS whined, her eyes wandering around rapidly in a delirious state, "They want to hurt me! You're going to hurt me, aren't you?"
Chell closed her eyes, tried to find her voice. It was there, that wasn't the problem. The problem was finally speaking after such a long time and what would compel her to do so, despite this little scenario taking place. GLaDOS' pleas and frightened moans tore at her in a way she didn't understand.
"No."
The sound of the test subject's dry, soft voice caused the AI to freeze and shudder in her arms. She was silent for a while as if it had pacified her.
"No, you're lying!" she moaned, struggling again. "You'll lie to me - lie like everyone else."
Chell bit her lip. GLaDOS sounded so strange like this. Her voice was high-pitched, trembling and small grunts of anguish mixed in; nothing at all like her usual stoic self. So she released one of her hands from he AI's wrist and lightly rested that hand on top of her head. GLaDOS flinched against the touch and Chell pulled back a bit before placing it there again and just lightly pet her in an attempt to offer comfort.
Wow, you've lost your mind, Chell thought to herself, with an internal roll of her eyes, You've really lost your mind.
There was definitely one thought that first came to mind while she gently pet the AI's head; GLaDOS' synthetic hair was unbelievably soft.
"They - They laugh when I'm in pain - " GLaDOS breathed, with bitter sounds, shaking in the arms of the test subject, "They laugh at me. I scream in pain and they find it funny. Stupid humans. Stupid, smelly, disgusting humans! I should have killed them all. Then - Then they'll stop, won't they?"
Chell closed her eyes briefly, biting back the urge to say something back to that, but it wasn't productive to correct a delirious AI.
"They won't anymore. You're safe..." she said, "No one will laugh at you."
This felt weird to be sitting here, comforting her enemy in such a way, but Chell felt that she had to. She didn't know why, but she didn't want to leave the AI like this. It also made her wonder just what the Aperture scientists had put her through.
"You should sleep," Chell told her gently, "Or...recharge. Whatever you do."
GLaDOS seemed to relax a bit. "Th - They might come find me."
"I'll stay."
GLaDOS was silent for a moment. "Promise?"
Chell smiled at that. "I promise."
Finally, the AI relaxed and closed her eyes. "Thank you." She almost sounded like her old self again, but it was difficult to judge when her internals whined down. "You're nice."
You're nice?
Chell snorted softly with amusement, watching as GLaDOS fell back to sleep - recharge - whatever robots did. Of course, she'd probably have an ungodly robot bitch fit if she knew the things she said, but Chell found that having GLaDOS like this was actually rather - as the AI put it - nice. Sure, she was in a state of terror, but a GLaDOS not insulting her for a change was a nice one anyway.
Yeah, I'm losing it, Chell thought to herself.