A/N: I have only one thing to say. Well, a couple of things. First you guys are evil; with all your reviews I had to publish a new chapter (nevermind homework that could wait). This chapter is interesting. I just wanted to say that if the experiments seem tame, I know and there is a reason for that. Anyways, I wanted to thank ThoseRedLights, Caperture, and Starryskys102 for following and favoriting and reviewing. I will now respond to those reviews.
-ThoseRedLights- Thank you so much. And your review helped making this chapter to be published a lot faster.
-Caperture- I sure will try to update this fic quickly. And thank you so much.
- Starryskys102- Yeah, Wheatley was pretty obvious given that I said his name and Morality is telling the story, so yeah they were given. You love space core? I will definitely have to put more of him. I'm pretty sure you're right in your guesses.
Amora stood in front of the door to her apartment. She reached into her purse to search for her keys. Just like every day, she had to resort to pulling things out of the purse to find the keys that, like always, fell to the bottom of her purse. Amora sighed irritated as she unlocked her apartment door.
Once inside she walked to the bathroom to remove the purple contacts she always had on. Her brown eyes stared back at her from the mirror. Amora adverted her eyes quickly; she couldn't explain it, but she couldn't stand her brown eyes. They kind of reminded her of a kicked puppy.
Amora's stomach growled loudly. She skated her way to the fridge and pulled opened the door excited to see what goodies were inside. The shelves were completely empty. Amora hung her head sadly as her stomach rumbled. She then turned her attention to the one cabinet she had in her poor excuse for a kitchen. In a pile of pink and blue laid four packets of instant ramen soup.
Amora started preparing her meal, humming a tune to herself. Once done she sat on the single chair in the apartment and ate slowly. She looked around the bare apartment thinking about the improvements she could make with the income she would receive from Aperture. She could even move to a bigger apartment. She planned out her outfit for tomorrow for when she met with Cave Johnson. Watching the sunset, she decided to sleep early to be ready for her first day at Aperture.
…
Amora walked into Aperture confidently. She waved at the secretary who still seemed annoyed at her. Amora shrugged and figured that she was just one of those people. "Miss Amora," Caroline's voice called her from the opposite side of the entrance. "If you will follow me, I'll lead you to Mr. Johnson," the woman said with a very serious voice. Caroline spun around quickly and walked down the corridor that Amora walked down the day before. Amora watched the doors she past trying to read any of their labels, but Caroline was keeping a brisk pace. The older woman stopped at the door at the end of the hallway and knocked on the door. "Mr. Johnson, Amora is here to see you," Caroline called out.
The door swung open to reveal Cave Johnson. "Thank you Caroline. Come in Amora, we have a lot to talk about," the man said.
"Sir, remember the last PR manager," Caroline said a little cryptically before leaving Cave Johnson and Amora alone.
"Ah, never mind her. Caroline is still a little sore that Teresa left us," Cave said as he crossed his arms.
"Why did she leave if you don't mind me asking?" Amora asked.
Cave shrugged, "Something about how she couldn't handle all the experiments we were doing. But rest assure, everything is okay." Amora nodded unsure, something was telling her that she should be suspicious of Cave Johnson. "We'll be heading up to the labs and see what the boys are up to," Cave said leaving his office with Amora on his tail. "Now many people will tell you that the experiments we do are unethical, but you know what I say?" Cave asked as he turned to another corridor. The older man paused and Amora tried not to squirm at the question. "I say science requires sacrifices. And if we forward science by three centuries then that gives me a happy face in my book," Cave answered his own question with a laugh.
Amora and Cave entered the elevator that was nearby. The doors nearly closed when a hand stopped the movement. Curra bounced in, " Hello Mr. Johnson. How are you feeling today?"
"Couldn't be better. I'm just giving Amora a tour of the labs," Cave said.
"Oh goodie, you'll love this place. We learn so much about science every day," Curra said as the doors closed behind her. She pushed one of the elevator buttons with her free hand. In the other was a first aid kit. "Someone in the robotics lab injured themselves, so I'm needed there," she smiled.
"Curra here is our nurse. If you feel ill go to her and she would help you," Cave said. Curra nodded pleased with his description. She then proceeded to talk about some award show she watched on the television the night before. The elevator doors opened and Curra quickly left the elevator.
Amora and Cave continued up the elevator in silence. When the doors opened again, Cave led the way out. "This here is our Polymer lab currently they are working on a quote 'green' plastic by using the sap of some tree Rick found during his last exhibition. Let's go in and see how they're doing." Cave pulled opened the door and everyone in the room straightened to stand at attention.
"Mr. Johnson," Andre's voice called as he walked into view. He pushed his goggles to his forehead. "And Miss Amora. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"If you could show Ms. Amora what you're doing and show her that it isn't lethal in the slightest, that would be helpful," Cave boomed.
"Of course, this way," Andre waved. Amora followed the taller man as he tried to explain what was going on. Amora just nodded like she understood, but in reality, she had no clue what the man was talking about. Maybe she should have paid better attention in science class. But in any case, the experiment they were performing seemed safe.
"Thank you very much," Amora said with a slight bow.
"Anytime. You can come in anytime and see what we're up to," Andre said with a smile before returning to his work. Amora retraced her footsteps until she found Cave again. He was signing a form that a man Amora never seen before that handed to him.
"Are you ready to continue?" Cave asked to which Amora nodded. "Okay, we'll head up to the next floor to visit the genetics lab." Cave walked to a staircase that was besides the elevator. The pair climbed the stairs to the next floor. "The folks in here are studying transgenetic techniques. I think they have managed to clone a mouse. Let's go in and talk with the folks here," Cave said as he walked in. Amora followed after. She stood beside him until he sighed frustrated, "It appears that the lab manager isn't here. We can come back later."
Amora followed Mr. Johnson as he climbed the stairs to the next floor. "This is my personal favorite," he said as they stepped onto the floor. Amora could tell that a majority of Aperture's finances must have been given to this department. "This is the robotics department in Aperture." Unlike the previous floors, there were multiple laboratories on this floor. Each had windows so a passersby could see what was happening within. And unlike the previous floors, this floor didn't have offices for the scientists.
"Excuse me, coming through," Wheatley's voice called out. Cave stepped aside and Amora pushed herself against the wall. The intern walked passed pushing a large metal container labeled 'liquid nitrogen'. "Good day, Mr. Johnson. Amora." With that small greeting, Wheatley walked out of sight.
"Anyways, let's go into this lab and see what they are up to," Cave pushed open one door.
Amora could see the top of Neil's head; his orange hair was very distinctive. "Mr. Johnson, it's good to see you," the scientist greeted. "I'm sure you two are curious on what we are doing here. Let me give you a tour." Neil motioned for Amora to follow him. "As you may have heard, I'm heading off to space soon. So we have to prepare everything for that trip. In this corner, we are trying to make a better rocket fuel. And here we're creating a simulation for landing. And oh look at this; it's my favorite." Amora was trying to keep up with the man ask he pointed out various instruments and thrusters and other space traveling equipment. Amora could feel her head spinning.
"Can you slow down for a minute so I can sort everything out?" she asked putting her hand to her head. "It's a lot to take in." Neil just nodded his head, but it was clear that he still wanted to talk about his space trip.
"Amora, we need to move on," Cave called out from the opposite side of the lab. Amora quickly made her way to his side. Once again the pair climbed the stairs to another floor of labs. "This is our medical lab."
"Good Morning," Rick's voice called out. He was standing outside the laboratories drinking a cup of coffee. "Mr. Johnson, we are having a bit of trouble downstairs and it needs your immediate attention." The adventurer put his cup on a small stand. "Caroline sent me to retrieve you."
"Serious what did those morons do this time," Cave shouted. "Amora, you can go back down and Caroline can show you your office. We'll have to continue the tour another time." Rick gave Amora a courteous nod before leading Cave Johnson away. "Caroline also told me to remind you to take your beeper." Amora couldn't hear Cave's response, but he didn't sound happy.
Amora returned to the elevator and pushed the button to go back to the ground floor. Caroline was already waiting for her when Amora reached the floor. "Good, you're here. Follow me," the stern older woman walked briskly to an office in the corner of the building. "This is your office. Go ahead and get to work. I need to help Mr. Johnson." Caroline left quickly. Amora sighed and went to the desk. She decided first she would look at the perception of the public on Aperture.
Amora spent the next couple of hours scanning articles about the research company. She took notes on the greatest complaints and ways to address the issue. She then called up some of the papers and organized an interview with Neil about his trip to space. It took another hour to set up this interview because Neil couldn't stop talking. Amora checked the time to find that it was 12:30. She got up from her desk and walked around for a bit.
A knock came from the door. Wheatley walked in, "Hello, Amora. Everyone is leaving to eat at the café today and they wanted me to ask if you were coming."
Amora could feel her face turning red with embarrassment; she didn't have much spending money for the rest of the week, so she was actually going to skip lunch today. "Uh.. actually I'm very busy. I should stay here," she said scuffing her toes against the ground.
"I'll be sure to tell them. Uh.. I guess I'll see you around. I mean if I do see you," Wheatley said quickly before leaving. Amora smiled at the closed door before sitting back at her desk. She couldn't imagine why she had felt so nervous before.