Author's Note: Ack, thanks for noticing that Lynx Klaw. I've managed to fix it. X_X
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10
Kendra stood there uncomfortably while Olson explored Aperture's facility database with two scientists in GLaDOS' chamber. Olson had been particularly interested in the Prometheus Program and ordered all information be recorded for later.
"They started it in an attempt to have the AI system empathize with them," one of the scientists said, reading from the monitor, "They thought if she looked more like them, she might not be willing to go insane."
Olson chuckled sarcastically. "Dumbasses."
"There's more, but it's for 'CEO Eyes Only'," the scientist continued.
"'CEO Eyes Only'?" Olson snapped, throwing his hand in the air and glaring down at the scientist, "And you're sitting here telling me this? Bypass it! What the hell are you getting paid for?"
Then, he pressed a finger to the headset on his ear. "Thomas, what's the deal with that filly on your end?"
"She's not cracking, sir," Thomas responded, "She's one tough bitch, I'll tell you that much. I'm starting to think she doesn't know anything after all."
"What?" Olson rolled his eyes. "You're telling me you can't handle a woman, Private?"
Thomas made an annoyed sound. "No, sir. I'm saying she won't say shit."
"Well, if she won't say shit, then she's a waste of time," Olson said, with a shrug, "Take care of it."
Kendra's eyes widened.
"Okay then..." Olson turned to her and she stood rigidly. "Kendra, I wand you to go and check on GLaDOS. See if she'd ready to give us what we want. If not, then let her know I've got no problem taking her apart and sticking her brain into a toaster."
Kendra simply nodded and turned, leaving the chamber. She could still hear Olson chewing out the scientists about how "they weren't doing their jobs right" and that "they were lucky he'd let them keep their jobs if they kept giving him problems". She listened to the conversation briefly before wandering to GLaDOS' location.
It wasn't right.
This whole thing felt wrong to her. She'd always been one to follow Olson's commands to the letter, even when she had lingering doubts, but something about this particular scenario made her feel sick; it was like they'd invaded into someone's home and commanded everything from them. Of course, that's EXACTLY what they did - and Black Mesa had always been rivals of Aperture in the past. So why did she feel like they were making a mistake?
She stepped into the dark room where GLaDOS was and started to approach, but hesitated once more. The machine seemed to still be alive given the way its internals whirred and clicked, reacting to her presence.
She had to do something.
O
GLaDOS barely registered the presence of someone entering the room, but her internals felt a choking sense of loathing that always came with the presence of human beings. She could feel hands moving to the wires that bound her.
"There isn't much time. We have to hurry and - " Kendra began.
Just as soon as GLaDOS felt her one arm freed, she immediately seized the human by the throat in a crushing grip. Kendra fell to her knees before the AI, choking and grabbing uselessly at the arm that held her tight. GLaDOS' yellow gaze practically flared with hatred.
"You're right, there isn't," she hissed, "But I think that it is just enough time for me to kill you."
Kendra groaned pleadingly, staring up at the AI with desperation. "Your friend...they're going to kill her!" she begged, through her crushing windpipe. "I came...to help set you free! I'm not lying, I swear! Please!"
GLaDOS' eyes widened and she immediately opened her hand. Kendra fell to the floor, holding her neck and coughing several times.
"Where are they?" she demanded.
Kendra winced and climbed to her feet. "Not far. Just down a few corridors to the left!"
"Good. Get me out of this." GLaDOS ordered. "We can discuss the terms of your...well, living later."
Kendra smiled weakly and went to work undoing GLaDOS' bounds. Just as she was free, there was a rattling sound above them and Kendra quickly drew out her pistol from an ankle holster, aiming it at the ceiling. The two waited and the ceiling buckled, cracking open and several robotic forms tumbled out, landing on the floor in a heap. Kendra's eyes widened in disbelief and she lowered her weapon somewhat.
"Who the hell are you?" she demanded.
GLaDOS rolled her eyes at the metallic forms of her cores as they struggled to stand. "Don't worry. They're...comrades. More or less."
Wheatley jumped to his feet, his head covered in dust and bits of insulation. He smiled sheepishly and shook Kendra's hand. "Hi. How are you?" he said. He noticed the weapon in her hand and laughed nervously. "Nice gun."
Kendra stared at him strangely.
"We got us a situation!" Rick told GLaDOS.
"I know!" the AI snapped, moving to the door. She paused and looked back at them. "How many?"
"Well we got five bad guys with guns squatting in the first test chamber just north of our current position," Rick said, "Three egg-heads in your chamber, plus the head asshole in charge. Two where our little lady is held and five more down the hallways."
GLaDOS smirked. "Good. Then I won't have to go very far to kill all of them."
Kendra shook her head. "They're armed to the teeth," she insisted, "And you don't have to kill them."
"You're right. I don't have to kill them," GLaDOS agreed with a shrug. She watched Kendra smile in relief before she smiled back wickedly. "But I want to."
Wheatley grinned weakly at Kendra and whispered softly so that the AI couldn't hear. "So long as she doesn't put me on that list..."
"You're still on it," GLaDOS said, glaring back at him, "You've never been off of it. Now let's go!"
The group wandered into the hallways, fortunate to meet little resistance as they made their way into Chell's room. GLaDOS hadn't expected to see what she did, but she couldn't hide the look of shock on her face.
Chell was still strapped in the chair, her head hanging forward. The front of her Aperture singlet was covered in blood and it looked like she'd been through a turret lineup. Wheatley rushed to her side first because GLaDOS couldn't move. She was frozen there in disbelief, unable to process what she was seeing. She was definitely seeing it, but her central processor wasn't working properly in a way she didn't understand.
"Look at me!" Wheatley told the human, "Come on, you can shake this! I mean you're looking pretty ba - Well, good. Good if you don't count the bruisings and the lacerations and all that."
Chell's face was battered and bruised, covered in blood. One of her eyes was swollen and puffy; her lip was also broken open, presumably by a fist to the face. Her eyes fluttered open and she stared up at Wheatley, disoriented. He smiled sheepishly at the sight and she attempted to smile.
Kendra moved to free her from her cuffs.
"Yeah, I know I look like shit..." Chell mumbled weakly through her bloodied lips; she grinned, proud of herself, "hat asshole really did try to make me spill my guts."
"I-I don't understand..." GLaDOS hated the way her voice sounded - so confused, "Why? Why would you do this? Why would you let them do this to you?"
Chell barely managed to turn her head in the AI's direction. She looked like a broken animal and somehow found herself smiling. "I guess I don't hate you like you think I do."
GLaDOS stared at her and for the first time, utterly failed at responding.
Just then, everyone in the room turned toward the door at the sound of whistling. Chell grimaced as Kendra helped her to her feet. "That Thomas guy's coming back," she groaned, "We need to get out of here."
"Not just yet," GLaDOS told them, returning to that detached, pleasant tone once more, though her eyes were now yellow orbs that reflected murder in them and there was the fainted tremble of fury there, "I think little Thomas and I have to have ourselves a talk."
Chell's good eye went wide. GLaDOS wanted to talk. NOW?
O
Thomas whistled a casual tune as he entered the room, smiling at the shape in the chair. After receiving the order from his leader about taking Chell out, he'd been a little disappointed because he wanted to see what else he could do to her, but it had to be done anyway. When he closed the door behind him, he didn't even notice just yet that it wasn't Chell sitting in the chair, but Wheatley.
"Well, sorry to tell you this," he said, "But boss' orders are to put one in your head."
When he approached the chair, his eyes widened in horror.
Wheatley smiled and waved like an idiot. "Hello!" he greeted.
Thomas turned to go and signal his leader, but he was immediately seized by the throat by GLaDOS who had been hiding in the shadows. He let out a choked cry and struggled to inflict damage on her with his fists, but GLaDOS barely reacted and smiled with murder behind that stare.
"What a fascinating idea," she hissed, with murder in her voice. "Maybe I can put one in your head too."
Thomas whimpered in agony, digging at her hands. GLaDOS pursed her lips with concentration and slipped two fingers into his nose and another in his mouth, repulsed by the sickening wetness and data she received - information on what he ate, saliva texture, etc. Thomas struggled and moaned in agony, his cries rising in volume moments before GLaDOS snapped his neck. His body went limp and she flung it to the floor with a disgusted sound.
Disgusting humans. All of them.
"Well, that was disturbingly successful," Wheatley said, standing from his spot in the chair, "But what do we do about the others?"
Kendra, - who still supported Chell on her shoulder - and the other cores emerged from the shadows after GLaDOS had ordered they conceal themselves. The AI looked at Chell briefly. "Can you walk?" she asked.
Chell nodded and winced when Kendra released her arm. "Yeah. I think so."
"Then let's go."
They rushed from the room and Wheatley tagged at GLaDOS' side. "So what's the plan for getting back in your throne?" he asked.
GLaDOS glared at him now. "The plan is to kill every human in a Black Mesa uniform here."
Wheatley laughed slightly with unease. "What a plan. Simple, yet insane."
Chell suddenly stopped and limped toward her room, just as they passed it. The others paused and looked back at her. She gave them a smirk and disappeared into the room before returning with the Portal Gun.
"Yeah, your gun is nifty and all, but I don't see how that's going to help us," Wheatley said.
Chell smirked. "I have an idea."
O
Five Black Mesa soldiers stood alone on a catwalk overlooking several test chambers, talking to themselves, failing to notice the doom soon upon them.
"So my wife says I'm not emotional enough."
"Yeah? Shit, women always feel like they need some kind of gesture."
"A nice gesture never hurt a guy."
"Yeah, but I pay the bills. Shouldn't she be bending over when I tell her?"
"Dude, that's messed up man. You gotta respect a lady."
"He's right. Show her some love, man."
Just then, a loud whistle made the five soldiers turn in its direction. Chell was standing at the end of a hallway, wielding her Portal Gun. She smiled and waved at them. The soldiers were stunned in disbelief for a few seconds before Chell took off down another hallway.
"What the f - get her!" one of them snapped.
They pursued Chell around the corner, moments when she placed an orange portal on the floor and another across a manufacturing line, leaping through it. They watched in shock as she reappeared through the blue portal on another catwalk, smiling at them triumphantly.
"That bitch has a fucking gun!"
"You got a fucking gun too, dumbass! Now shoot her!"
Chell giggled at their inane argument and called out to them. "Come and get me if you think you can, you little shits!" she yelled. Then, she yelped frantically and ducked behind a wall to avoid getting shot when a literal rainfall of bullets went in her direction.
"Go through the goddamn thing and get her!"
As soon as she heard that, Chell placed a blue portal over a white fixture that hung over a seemingly endless pit. She was amused when the five men flew from it, screaming as they plummeted to their death. Chell watched them go with a smirk on her face before she hurried off to rejoin the others.
Meanwhile, Atlas and P-Body were being pursued by five more Black Mesa soldiers. They entered a test chamber with the men in hot pursuit. There was a Light Bridge and a few portal surface platforms as well as a pit of acid below. However, with a few proper portal placements, they could form the perfect trap. Atlas looked at P-Body, gurgling something that made the orange-eyed robot nod an affirmative.
When the men rushed into the room, Atlas and P-Body were already running across the light bridge. One of the men pursued them, but unfortunately tripped and fell on the bridge. He screamed as the bridge began to cause his face to crackle and his hair to smoke. The remaining soldiers watched the sight with uncertainty before one of them angrily shoved his comrade.
"Go!" he ordered, "Shoot those tin cans!"
They raised their guns and started to advance, but P-Body moved quickly and with a few carefully - yet quickly - placed portals, a Light Bridge was placed in front of them, protecting their bodies from the bullets. The man who had been burned on the Light Bridge Atlas had made with his portals was sent plummeting in the acid with a scream. The remaining men watched as their comrade dissolved rapidly in the fluid, horror on their features.
"Fuck this shit, I'm out!" one of them snapped.
They turned and ran from the test chamber.
Back at the central chamber, Olson could hear the frantic cries of his soldiers over the COM-link. He scowled and attempted to contact his men. "Dempsey! Fox!" he yelled, "Anybody? Sound off, goddamn it! What the fuck's going on down there?" He turned attention to the security monitors and noticed Chell running through the facility with the other robots. His eyes widened and he furiously punched one of the consoles. "WHY THE FUCK IS THAT BITCH STILL ALIVE?!"
The scientists at their stations looked up at him warily when he turned to them. "Stay here," he ordered, "Don't move. I got to do everything myself."
He grabbed his handgun and rushed from the chamber, leaving the scientists alone.
Which was perfect for GLaDOS and Kendra as they stepped into the chamber a few minutes later. The scientists looked horrified to see them.
"Kendra, what the hell are you doing?" one of them cried.
GLaDOS raised a hand and smirked at them. "I have a few tests I'd like to - "
She was cut off when another scientist pulled out a pistol and fired at her to which GLaDOS cringed back a bit, anticipating pain. Unfortunately, his aim was off and the bullet ricocheted off of a console, landing squarely between Kendra's eyes. The woman fell dead at GLaDOS' feet and she looked momentarily surprised before sighing and shaking her head. She tilted her head with mock pity, studying her fallen "ally".
"Aww, that's too bad." she murmured.
The scientists watched her with fright and she smiled at them now, stepping over Kendra's body. Her feet clicked against the smooth metal of her chamber and they backed away slowly while she advanced on them. When she was too close for comfort, they turned and ran for the exit, which immediately closed. The scientists let out cries and struggled to be free, but it was obvious that the door was not going to open for them.
"Now now, don't be shy," GLaDOS purred, as a cable slithered out from the ceiling, attaching itself to the base of her head with a click and a hiss. Several claws appeared from the ceiling as well, clacking loudly in the faces of the scientists.
"Stay a little while."
O
Chell raced down the hallways, attempting to reach the central chamber before she froze, spotting Olson on the other side of the hall. They both looked equally stunned for a split second before he aimed his pistol at her. Chell moved around the corner, just as he fired.
"You're quick," Olson hissed, smirking as he slowly advanced. "They really know how to train you like monkeys in this place, don't they?"
Chell cringed with her back against the wall, wincing in pain. She looked down, noticing that Olson's bullet had ripped into her side, soaking her singlet in blood. She groaned softly and closed her hand over the wound in an attempt to stop the bleeding. Agonizing heat lanced through her body.
"You know, you would have probably been useful to Black Mesa," Olson continued, hoping to goad her somehow in one last ditch attempt to keep her alive - for whatever secrets she may have had, "They would have treated you much better than she could. Yeah, that little robo-bitch back there. From the way you looked when we came here, she probably don't think too much of you anyway. I was wrong. She probably keeps you as a pet. Maybe she'll make a little flea collar and chew toy for you."
Chell closed her eyes tight. Trying not to let those words get to her.
"Come on," Olson pressed, "You know I'm right. They don't have feelings. What do you expect; she'll just take you into her arms like that? They don't know how to love, sweetheart. Not like a human being. Can't blame you for trying though - this place'll get to anybody."
Chell looked up, spotting one of the chubby cameras active and watching the scene. After a moment, she whirled around the corner, just as Olson made his move all the same. His gun went off, but Chell managed to grab his hand and dig her nails into the flesh so that he had no choice but to release the weapon. Olson gave a shout of fury and as soon as she jumped to grab the weapon, he grabbed her. His gloved hand closed around her throat, but she still fought him for the weapon.
She fell and dragged him with her and he immediately found the upper hand; grabbing her by the throat and forcing her into the floor. Olson leaned forward, snarling at her. "You stupid, fucking little bitch!" he spat, "You must be out of you goddamn mind if you - AH!"
He screamed out when she bit him directly on his nose and jerked back, holding his face with one hand. Chell attempted to try and fight him off, but he grabbed her wrists in one hand and pinned them over her head. He loomed over her, holding her legs down by pinning them with his own. He was too heavy and strong for her to break free. His nose was starting to bleed from where she had bit him.
"That did it!" he snarled, "THAT REALLY DID IT! I'm going to kill you!"
Just then, the ceiling overhead opened and a claw slid down, clasping Olson by the throat. He screamed as he was lifted into the air, off of Chell and GLaDOS' voice filled the PA system. "The Enrichment Center would like to remind you that damaging test subjects is prohibited along with trespassing onto Aperture Science property. The crime is punishable by gruesome death and I won't even pretend to make that sound good for you."
Olson's face was changing color and he gagged, writhing on the claw and grabbing uselessly at the metal. Chell watched in shock, slowly rising to her feet as the claw disappeared into the ceiling with the gagging man.
GLaDOS watched the scene from her security monitors as Olson was deposited in a darkened room. He seemed to take a moment to get himself situated before rising to his feet, snarling defiantly at the camera.
"You put me in the dark, good for you!" he spat, "But I'm getting out of here and I'm going to fuck you up, you hear me?"
GLaDOS sighed. "That's enough vulgarity for one day."
Olson snarled, pacing around the room for a brief moment before the lights flashed on, blinding him. He was shocked and horrified to see many Sentry Turrets surrounding him, their lasers aimed directly at his body.
"Hello!" they all said.
"Shit..." Olson groaned.
GLaDOS just smiled, watching as the turrets literally shredded him to ribbons with their bullet fire, savoring the sounds of his screams. Never had a scream from a suffering human being brought her more pleasure than now.
And Black Mesa assumed they were superior to her?
That was funny.
Tragically funny.