One Big Aperture Family
The Cabinet of Doctor Rattmann
Genetic Lifeform and Disc Operating System (GLaDOS) Log Function
Initiating Log Program
Begin When Ready…
As much as I don't want to say it, it appears we are running out of time. I find it harder and harder to access the lab through my remote access and now plugging into a computer is getting tougher as well. The Junk Heap is adapting faster than I had initially thought and if nothing is done soon, all of Aperture will bend to his will.
I simply cannot have that.
Luckily, the family we're living with is still unaware of the true nature of our visit. Blue and Orange know of the danger, but still seem to act as if nothing is wrong. They play with the children, do chores, break things, and wander around like housecats figuring out how the house functions. I'm glad they can keep up the façade, but my anxiety seems to be catching the attention of the humans. I wouldn't want to spoil their joy, now would I?
The humans recently found out the gender of their child. I already knew thanks to the fetal monitor, but I decided not to spoil their fun. They are having a boy, as one of my previous fetal monitoring logs stated. They still have yet to come up with a name and right now, Blue and Orange are helping the Moron and the Manic paint the spare bedroom. Personally, I think it's the ugliest shade of blue I have ever seen, but the Fat Older One likes it, so that automatically makes my opinion of the situation moot.
At this point, I'd say the Older One is pretty far along. We arrived in late August when she was five months, and now the fall months are here, which by my calculator means she should be birthing anytime between the end of December and the first few weeks of January.
I wish to go on record and say that I do not plan to be around that long. Let these humans deal with a screaming miniature version of themselves alone. The Cooperative Testing Initiative and I will hopefully have the situation under control by then without having to resort to help from the humans as initially planned. Although, there is one human in this house who I think can actually be of some use to us.
Genetic Lifeform and Disc Operating System (GLaDOS) end log function
GLaDOS stood up and fixed herself properly, noting through her internal timer that it was already late afternoon. Angie was still at school and Wheatley and Lil had left to oversee errands regarding their bookstores, which meant GLaDOS and the Androids were alone, save for Dr. Rattmann and Chelly. Chelly was in the care of the Androids, whom the adults seemed to trust more than GLaDOS.
Picking up her purse, GLaDOS made her way out of her attic and downstairs, where the Androids were sitting on the floor in front of the couch, playing Angie's video games. ATLAS, who was winning the racing game they were playing, shouted happily as the announcer on the game congratulated the first player. P-Body huffed mechanically and folded her arms. She chattered to him (which could be translated as "Best two out of three!") and soon another round started. GLaDOS rolled her eyes and sat down in Wheatley's chair.
Chelly, who was sitting on ATLAS's lap, cheered happily and clapped as the music of the game started back up. Chelly heard GLaDOS sit down and she turned her attention in that direction. "Gamma!" she shouted happily, reaching for GLaDOS.
"I'm glad to see you two are taking your duties seriously." GLaDOS murmured. The Androids didn't seem to be paying attention. "You know, while I'm trying to keep our home out of the clutches of that mechanical moron, you two seem happy just wasting the vast intellect and superior designs I gave you with childish hobbies."
Still not paying attention, the Androids continued their game. GLaDOS got up from the chair and reached into her purse. She pulled out the cable she used to plug herself into her console in the attic. She plugged herself into the television and made it shriek loudly with static. It, and the game system, shut off. Chelly giggled a soft toddler giggle and ran to GLaDOS as she unplugged herself.
GLaDOS picked up Chelly and looked at her Androids, who were now standing in attention. "That's better." She murmured, putting the cable away and handing Chelly to P-Body. "Now, I'm sure you two realize the severity of the situation." GLaDOS glared at the two, who only nodded. Chelly tugged on one of P-Body's pigtails, which caused P-Body mild discomfort.
Chuckling softly at the toddler's curiosity, GLaDOS folded her arms, motioning that what she had to say was serious. "Good. Then you know it's been difficult for me to log into the facility as of late. We're running out of time, and the safeguards I keep putting up in the central chassis from our remote location can only hold for so long. I don't want to reveal the real reason why we're here to the humans just yet, and I'm hoping I won't have to."
What GLaDOS didn't know was that Dr. Rattmann, having come up from his den to make himself some lunch, was listening to the entire exchange as he hid himself behind the doorway of the kitchen. He listened in as GLaDOS continued to explain that things were not yet out of control, but without a proper lab and the attic only being able to hold so much equipment, there was little they could do except stall. Dr. Rattmann decided it was time to let his favorite Machinenmensch in on what he had been working on.
With some help from his cane and a cough to clear his throat, Dr. Rattmann made himself known as he walked into the living room. GLaDOS turned around suddenly and glared at him. "How much did you hear, Maniac?" she demanded, preparing to open her purse. P-Body put Chelly down and watched her run to Dr. Rattmann happily.
Dr. Rattmann held up his hands, motioning for GLaDOS to calm down. "All of it. I think you forget I live here too, sometimes." He chuckled. The Androids stood behind their boss, looking at each other in confusion. GLaDOS regained her composure and straightened herself out. Dr. Rattmann took Chelly's hand and started walking toward the stairs. "I'm going to put her down for a nap. After that, I'm going to show you something I've been working on for the past few months we've been in this house."
After a few minutes, Dr. Rattmann returned to the living room and urged GLaDOS and her Androids to follow him. "I have been working on something Aperture related for quite some time. I haven't told Lil or Wheatley what I'm working on. If they knew, they'd throw me out of the house." Dr. Rattmann slowly opened the door to his den and descended the stairs. Though unsure, GLaDOS and the Androids followed closely. "When we returned from Aperture three years ago, Wheatley and Lil vowed never to go back there and banned anything Aperture related from our lives. As the ban apparently doesn't matter anymore…" Dr. Rattmann looked back at the group as he fumbled for the light switch. "…I guess it's alright that I let you in on something."
Dr. Rattmann switched the lights on and the entire basement became illuminated. "I was planning on telling them eventually, but not until it was ready. Working on it is probably the only real thing keeping my mind focused right now. I know things wouldn't be peaceful forever, so I designed something to help me keep an eye on Aperture while keeping my distance from it. I got a little help from an old friend…" Dr. Rattmann walked over to his work table and uncovered it. On it, laid scraps of what looked like a dual portal device.
Wide-eyed, GLaDOS made her way to the table and tried to keep herself from touching it. "How…?" she murmured, not sure how to finish her sentence.
"I went back to the field a little while after we returned from Aperture. I'm not sure what made me go out there…" Dr. Rattmann sat on his stool and turned on the light overlooking the table. "…maybe I needed to be sure I was actually on the outside. That I was truly free…" Dr. Rattmann sighed and placed his hand on the device. "When I finally reached the shed, I found a backpack in front of it. When I opened it up, I found a few little treasures inside. It seemed like two certain automatons were getting ready to return them to their rightful owner…"
Dr. Rattmann reached under the table and pulled out the same backpack he was referring too. He poured out the backpack's contents onto another table, revealing a few crinkled up child-like drawings and some toys made from scraps. All of this looked very familiar to GLaDOS. ATLAS and P-Body nervously looked away. "Look familiar, you two?" Dr. Rattmann asked, picking up the backpack and holding it in front of the Androids.
GLaDOS turned to her Androids sternly and glared at them. "We'll discuss this later…" she growled, turning her attention back to Dr. Rattmann.
Dr. Rattmann chuckled softly. "Well, at any rate, sitting right in front of me was the dual portal device. I couldn't just let it sit there in the field, so I brought it back with me. I knew the dangers of taking it back to the city, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to work on it. I know what you're thinking and don't worry, I would never sell such technology. The world isn't ready for this type of power. I had other ideas, anyway."
GLaDOS examined it closely, with a horrified look. The device was indeed in pieces, its major components missing and its casing strewn about on the table. She picked up a small part of the device and sighed mournfully as she placed it back down. Even if put back together properly, the device would be useless. "You…" GLaDOS's voice cracked a bit. "…you destroyed it…"
"Had to get to the creamy center somehow." Dr. Rattmann laughed as he turned his attention away from the broken device. "Besides, the device has nothing on what I am about to show you." Dr. Rattmann got up from his stool and meandered over to a cabinet. He unlocked it with a key he kept in his pocket and stepped aside. GLaDOS and her Androids made their way to what looked like another dual portal device. Before GLaDOS could reach for it, Dr. Rattmann stepped in front of her. "This is, and I will not repeat this so listen up, not a dual portal device in the sense that you know it."
Taking the device out of the cabinet, Dr. Rattmann placed it on the table next to the scraps. "This experimental device won't make two portals, so in a sense it's like the one-shot device. But that's not the beauty of it." Dr. Rattmann walked over to a pure white wall and dusted it off. "I found it quite odd when there were a lot of useful components down in this basement when I moved down here. I have no idea what they used to put in paint before I went into cryogenic sleep a hundred years ago, but it works pretty well for my experiments."
Breathing deeply, Dr. Rattmann turned on his device and aimed for the wall. "Ladies and gentle-bot, I give you…" Dr. Rattmann fired at the wall. On the wall appeared an orange portal. It flickered a bit and then opened up, revealing the lobby of the Aperture Science building. GLaDOS couldn't believe her optics. She walked over and tried to touch it, but decided against it. "…the One-Way Trans-portal Gun."
GLaDOS looked at the wall with her Androids, amazed. Dr. Rattmann stepped in front of the portal and reached in. He pulled out a piece of drywall that had crumbled off the ceiling in Aperture and presented it to GLaDOS, who took it cautiously. "By using this gun, I have created a portal to the inside of Aperture. Their walls are covered in the gel made from moon rocks, so wherever the portal opens is pretty random. I have to figure out a way to control where it pops up, as not to arouse any suspicions. It works sort of like your purse, except …"
The portal didn't last long, however. It flickered for a bit and then ceased to exist. "…and therein lies the real problem." Dr. Rattmann sighed as he turned off the device. "Even if I could control its location, I can't get the portal to stay open for more than a minute. It might have to do with the charge, but I'm not sure. I've been working on it for quite some time. I didn't start diving deep into it until recently, when I had more room and a little more privacy. If Wheatley and Lil found out I built a one way trip to the very place that nearly killed them three years ago, I'd never hear the end of it."
Dr. Rattmann placed the device back in the cabinet and locked it. He put the key back in his pocket and faced GLaDOS. "Listen, you have no idea how important it is that you don't reveal any of this to the others. I think it can benefit both of us, but if Wheatley and Lil find out before the device is ready, we can kiss any hope of fixing Aperture good-bye."
As the group left the basement, GLaDOS decided to ponder the device some more, if only to get a closer look. "So, what do you hope to accomplish once the device is fully operational?" she asked as Dr. Rattmann closed the basement door.
"I decided a long time ago that Aperture will always need someone to look after it from the outside. The technological wonders it houses would do more harm than good. With this device, I can easily go from home to Aperture, making sure things don't get out of hand."
GLaDOS glared at him and gripped her purse tightly. "…you mean to say you built it to keep an eye on me and make sure I didn't come back for the moron or his family."
Dr. Rattmann didn't say anything. He left GLaDOS and the Androids standing there as he went to go check on Chelly. GLaDOS wasn't sure whether or not to be offended. She then looked down at her purse. Inside her purse was the same technology. Aperture had designed it around the same time as the portal project, but the designers were thinking along the lines of a handbag that could store anything. Granted, her "Aperture Science Travel-Sized Trans-dimensional Storage Carrier, Ladies Edition in white suede" only had one set location, but it at least worked properly.
The possibility of a randomly occurring portal intrigued GLaDOS. "If the Maniac can make something like that in a basement with scraps, then he is more useful than I give him credit for." GLaDOS glanced over at her Androids, who stood perfectly still. "With the right equipment, we might be able to get that device operational." GLaDOS held her purse tightly an excused herself to her attic. She pondered the device and tried to think of a way to get close to it.
In her mind, she went over what she had gathered about the device: It worked like her purse, but instead of one set location, it could make a portal to anywhere in the facility; the only flaw being the location was random. If she could get it working properly, GLaDOS could use the device to keep a closer eye on things and maybe work covertly without the use of her computers, which was getting more difficult to do. If she could get the portal to last more than a minute (and find a way to control its location), something like that could be useful.
"Now, to get it away from the Maniac long enough to work on it…" she murmured, as she reached her attic. Before she turned the doorknob, a thought came. She had equipment Dr. Rattmann could make use of; perhaps an agreement of some sort could be made. Though the very thought of working close to him made her systems quake with unease, GLaDOS knew she had no other option. She needed to get close to the device, and the other way was through him.
Deciding to bite the bullet, GLaDOS walked back toward the main part of the house, where her Androids began playing their game again. She sighed mechanically and sat down in Wheatley's chair. Dr. Rattmann made himself comfortable on the couch and relaxed to the sounds of the racing game on the television. The Androids, for reasons all their own, preferred to sit on the floor. GLaDOS tried not to make it too obvious that she was eying him.
"So, that device of yours…it seems to still need work." GLaDOS finally said after a few minutes. Dr. Rattmann looked at her and nodded. "I think maybe some sort of agreement can be made, Maniac. I have equipment up in my attic that you could find useful. We can work together. You, me, and the Cooperative Testing Initiative could have that device up and running before the Older One has her child. I know that this device can be used for the betterment of the facility, and as long as the family doesn't find out, then we should be fine."
Dr. Rattmann eyed GLaDOS a bit. It was obvious she was up to something. Her intentions with the device were her own, but Dr. Rattmann couldn't deny that he needed a little help getting it to work properly. If GLaDOS had the right equipment, then a partnership could be struck. Dr. Rattmann was understandably weary, but saw more pros than cons. Dr. Rattmann stood up and held out his hand. "Alright, you have a deal. But I have my eye on you, remember that." He murmured. GLaDOS nodded and stood, shaking his hand.
"You two, keep an eye on the Tiny One. The Maniac and I have some work to do. If the other humans come home, don't tell them what we're doing." GLaDOS shouted, though not sure if they were paying attention. The Androids nodded and went back to their video game as Dr. Rattmann and GLaDOS made their way to the basement and shut themselves down there.
As the evening rolled in, the Androids found themselves sitting with Chelly again in front of the television. The front door opened and in stampeded the family. "…all I'm saying is if they don't want us to play with the equipment, they shouldn't leave it out! That teacher didn't have to yell at me like I was a child!" Wheatley reasoned as Lil laughed. Angie, wearing a pink ballet outfit and holding a bag under her arm, ran to the living room to greet the Androids. Chelly got up and ran to her Aunt Angie and hugged her.
"Aunnie Angie!" Chelly shouted happily as Angie picked her up. For Angie, Chelly was pretty heavy. Wheatley and Lil made their way into the living room as the Androids stood up. "Hi-hi Daddy! Mommy! Unckie Attie and Aunnie Pee-Bee play today!" Chelly shouted, reaching for Wheatley. He smiled happily and took Chelly from Angie.
"Did Chelly give you two any trouble?" Lil asked the Androids.
The Androids, in the mechanical language, talked about their day. Lil couldn't understand them, but Wheatley translated as Chelly grabbed his glasses and put them on. He chuckled and placed her on the ground again before taking his glasses back. As Chelly ran off after Angie, Wheatley translated the day's events to Lil. "After we left, Most of their day consisted of doing various chores and watching television. Chelly was fine, for the most part, and she didn't cry or break anything. Dr. Rattmann watched her most of the day since they were doing chores but after lunchtime he went back downstairs and they reassumed control of the child."
Lil laughed softly and sat down in Wheatley's chair. "Well, I'm glad I can trust you two. Where is Dr. Rattmann now?" Lil asked. The Androids chattered and pointed to the kitchen, most likely meaning to point to the basement door. Something about their explanation puzzled Wheatley as he translated.
"He's down there…with GLaDOS?" Wheatley translated, somewhat confused. "What are they doing down there?"
The Androids looked at each other, knowing GLaDOS would punish them severely if they told the family what she and Dr. Rattmann were up to. The Androids shrugged and walked away to find the children. As Angie poured herself and Chelly some juice, the Androids sat down at the table. "Uncle ATLAS, Aunt P-body! Guess what?" Angie shouted happily as she screwed on the sippy-cup lid for Chelly. The Androids shrugged and stared at the children. "I started doing ballet today and the instructor says I'm really good! We have our first recital in a few weeks!"
Liking how excitable Angie was, the Androids smiled as Angie continued to explain her new hobby. Lil waddled into the kitchen to start dinner. "Well, it's something constructive and it's getting her nose out of those comic books. Plus, if she keeps it up, it could get her some scholarships to some great colleges when she's older." Lil reasoned, with Wheatley just nodding along.
"I hope whatever they are doing downstairs doesn't take too long. I wanted to get started on that spare bedroom soon." Wheatley sighed as Lil put the tea kettle on the back burner of the stove. Lil knew Wheatley liked tea before dinner and often made him some.
"Well, at least they are getting along. I figured they'd have a lot in common, considering they both lived at Aperture. Though he lived in the walls and she was connected to the ceiling." Lil mentioned as she took out some pots and pans. "As long as they don't blow up the house, I don't care what they do down there. I usually don't ask Dr. Rattmann what he's doing. I'll call him up for dinner when it's ready. Angie, take your things up to your room and throw your sweaty clothes in the laundry basket."
As the family went about their routine for the evening, Dr. Rattmann and GLaDOS worked into the long hours of the night. They only stopped when Dr. Rattmann went upstairs to eat (and take his evening medication, plus one or two bathroom breaks), but other than that, work went nonstop. Dr. Rattmann showed her the schematics, his equipment, and the recordings on his computer of the initial tests. GLaDOS knew where she stood and where she was to start.
When it felt like they were succeeding, something happened and they were back at square one. It felt nice to have someone help him with his project and though he was sure GLaDOS had ulterior motives, he was glad he could share his triumph and error with someone else.
When the family went to bed, the Androids soon joined them and work didn't stop until very late that night. With their power supplies almost out, the Androids called it a night. GLaDOS was almost completely drained, but still kept going. "You're power supplies are low." murmured Dr. Rattmann, picking up the device. GLaDOS watched helplessly as Dr. Rattmann placed the device back in its cabinet and locked it tight. "You did well today and I appreciate the help, but you're starting to power down. I can tell."
GLaDOS stood up and sighed mechanically. "Not bad for a Maschinenmensch, wouldn't you say?" GLaDOS chided as she walked up the basement stairs with P-Body walking ahead. ATLAS, who slept in the basement with Dr. Rattmann, pulled his cot out and slowly powered down for the night as P-Body happily made her way upstairs to Angie's room.
Dr. Rattmann took GLaDOS's hand softly, as if telling her job well done. "When I call you that, don't take offense." He murmured as he made his way to his sleeping area. If she could blush, GLaDOS was sure she would be at that moment. She shook the thought away and left the basement.
"For a Maniac, he's actually proving quite useful…" she murmured softly.
The next few days, GLaDOS and Dr. Rattmann poured over research and plans for the device. She reluctantly let him into her attic under the premise that he tell no one what he sees. Dr. Rattmann though the fetal monitor was a bit strange, even for her, but decided to let it slide (despite how uncomfortable it made him). Between helping Wheatley paint the spare bedroom and working on the device, Dr. Rattmann never felt his mind so stretched, yet it felt nice.
Wheatley and Lil were a little worried at all the time Dr. Rattmann and GLaDOS were spending together. While Lil knew nothing good could come with whatever GLaDOS had planned, she was happy that GLaDOS had found someone else to bother during the day. Wheatley, on the other hand, was suspicious. Whenever he felt the need to go downstairs to the basement or upstairs to the attic, Lil would stop him.
"Just leave them be." She whispered, as she poured Wheatley some more coffee one morning. For days, all Wheatley and Lil heard was noise and rarely saw the two unless Dr. Rattmann came up for something to eat or GLaDOS needed to recharge. Now, it was odd silence.
Wheatley shot up and tossed his paper down. "I don't like all the noise they make down there and now they just decide to be quiet? I want to know what she's forcing him to do!" he shouted, making his way to the basement door. Lil, who was getting too big to protest as this point, just followed behind Wheatley, trying to reason with him. Wheatley opened the basement door and stomped down the stairs. "Alright, I want to know…" Wheatley noticed the lights were on. The few times he had been down in the basement, he knew Dr. Rattmann didn't like bright lights. He looked over in a particular corner and snickered a bit. He yelled for Lil to come downstairs.
When Lil arrived (slowly pacing herself), Wheatley pointed to the area where Dr. Rattmann kept a couch. The basement was part storage area, part miniature home for Dr. Rattmann. It had a small sleeping alcove, a work space, and a small living space separated from the boxes of old stuff and holiday decorations. Dr. Rattmann was a resourceful man and put the old furniture from the apartment to good use in his den. Wheatley and Lil snickered softly at the sight. Lil left the den momentarily and came back with her camera. She took one picture and smiled as the image popped onto the screen in perfect resolution. "I believe I found a way to keep her under control." She chuckled evilly.
On the couch in the living area, Dr. Rattmann sat with his arms on the top of the couch. Sleeping (or in sleep mode, as the case may be) with her head on his lap, GLaDOS didn't make a sound. As Wheatley and Lil left the den, Wheatley noticed a cabinet just off from the work area. He had never noticed that cabinet before and decided it must have been left when the former home owners moved out. He noticed it had a lock on it, but the lock wasn't locked. Wheatley slowly went over to the cabinet and reached for the door.
"Wheatley! Get back up here!" shouted Lil from upstairs. Wheatley retracted his hand and looked over at Dr. Rattmann, who shifted softly. Wheatley decided to peak his curiosity some other time and slowly went back upstairs, trying not to make a sound.
As GLaDOS recharged, her attic went unattended. Images of the facility flashed on the screens, though nothing seemed out of the ordinary. GLaDOS didn't see all the odd work the worker bots were being forced to do and she didn't see the cores along the rails again. It had been years since the cores soared along the rails of the facility proper and now they seemed to do so without care. Something was telling them it was safe and that GLaDOS was gone.
The feed to the Central A.I. Chamber was shaky at best, but if GLaDOS had been in her attic, she would have seen her chassis making odd tugging motions. The chamber itself seemed to be taking on a new look, and the chassis looked like it was being converted into some sort of seat. A throne, of sorts…
While the overseer of the unapproved renovations could not be seen, his presence brought fear into the worker bots and the cores, and they did as they were told. The camera made a tugging motion until finally it went out and static was all that could be seen. The picture of Chell that had been taped onto the fetal monitor shook a bit until the tape lost its stickiness. The picture of Chell glided softly to the keyboard of the main computer console and rested there. Every other monitor seemed fine, the feeds undisturbed. The sounds of work going on quieted for now, and the central chamber feed came back.
It looked like nothing had happened at all. The deception was in position, and now all would fall into place.
N'cha, everyone!
This chapter is mostly filler, as I am laying down the ground work for the next chapter. What is going to happen in the next chapter? Well, let's just say they're going to test the device and something VERY VERY BAD is going to happen. We're going to see Aperture through the eyes of a child, but that's all I'm saying.
How's everyone's holiday going? Mine's going alright. I have some shopping still to do, but I'm not completely broke yet haha. I do love the holiday season, until I'm stuck in traffic wondering why the hell I decided to come to the mall in the first place. But when I finally make my way to the Barnes and Noble with the Starbucks in it (the only Starbucks I will go to, by the way), I remember that despite the crazy this season brings, in the end it's not about religion or commercialism or any crazy nonsense. It's about relaxing with family and being with the ones you love.
So, as you all go out there and get into fistfights over the last of something on sale, remember that the holidays, no matter which one you celebrate, are about showing the ones you love how much you care. So, why not share the holiday love with me and give me some reviews haha.
Ahh, I'm so getting coal for Christmas, aren't I?
As always, I want to thank everyone for their support of my work, I've actually got in touch with a lot of new fans of my work and I just want to say thank you for your kind words. I appreciate it a lot and I couldn't have asked for more awesome fans.
Read, review, and be merry, my friends!
GLaDOS, Wheatley, ATLAS, P-Body, and Dr. Rattmann belong to Valve.