[A/N]

Another short chapter. Maybe that's a good thing, because I see to submit two to three chapters a day. Anyway, I recently uploaded a cover for this story, although I'm not sure if it shows up. I seem to not be able to check it myself, so If someone could tell me in a review, that would be highly appreciated. Anyway, enjoy!

[AS/Administrator/CentralCore/GLaDOS]: Oh hi.

For a moment, Chell simply stared at the message. By the prefix she could tell that that was, indeed, GLaDOS herself speaking. Well, not really 'speaking', obviously.

After a couple of seconds, the AI became impatient.

[AS/Administrator/CentralCore/GLaDOS]: Oh come on, don't tell me you can't read. Since you have made it a habit to push random buttons, why don't you take those meaty little fingers of yours, and do just that.

The girl hesitantly lifted her right hand, and attempted to type a simple message.

[AS/Terminal#17/Input]: Hi.

Not even a split second later, a response showed up.

[AS/Administrator/CentralCore/GLaDOS]: Good. Now that we've established that you can, in fact, communicate, here's a question for you; why are you here?

Shocked at the extremely quick reply, her face became one of confusion. This wasn't simply an automated reply, was it? Judging by the prefix, it wasn't. How come she can type that quickly, it's not like this is-

Her train of thought was interrupted, as yet another message appeared on the screen.

[AS/Administrator/CentralCore/GLaDOS]: Why the confused face? I bet you are wondering if this is an automated reply. Well, it's not. Do you seriously think that the single most advanced intelligence known to man has to think as long as you do? Besides, I don't require a keyboard to input a message, after all.

Why is every Aperture AI capable of mind reading?

[AS/Administrator/CentralCore/GLaDOS]: Let's not dwell on that any more than we have to. What is your answer?

She thought for a while, trying to think of an adequate response.

[AS/Terminal#17/Input]: I am alone.

Against the point the AI had made a previously, the AI remained silent for a while. Or, the text equivalent of silence, at least. The girl held back a grimace, thinking about the irony of the situation.

The AI seemed to realise this as well, and had to send a response quickly.

[AS/Administrator/CentralCore/GLaDOS]: How so?

Even though the computer knew what she meant, she simply couldn't stand to prove her own point wrong, and sent the first thing that came to her mind. What she didn't expect, though, was the former test subject's response.

[AS/Terminal#17/Input]: What, miss 'most advanced intelligence' doesn't understand?

The AI, again, remained silent for a while, until responding again.

[AS/Administrator/CentralCore/GLaDOS]: No, I just wanted to see your reaction.

The human's response came quickly.

[AS/Terminal#17/Input]: Sure, I will pretend to believe that. Now are you going to let me in, or do I have to force my way in?

[AS/Administrator/CentralCore/GLaDOS]: I'd like to see you try.

[AS/Terminal#17/Input]: Is that a challenge?

[AS/Administrator/CentralCore/GLaDOS]: …Maybe.

[AS/Terminal#17/Input]: I'll take that as a yes.

[AS/Administrator/CentralCore/GLaDOS]: WAIT.

The girl showed a grimace to the camera, as if to say, 'See?', and began typing another message.

[AS/Terminal#17/Input]: Yes?

Whirring could be heard from behind the rolling shutter. Soon after, it slowly opened itself.

[AS/Administrator/CentralCore/GLaDOS]: Happy? Now get in here before I change my mind.

The rolling shutter slowly began to close itself again.

[AS/Administrator/CentralCore/GLaDOS]: Now.

She ran towards the entrance, and ducked under the slowly closing door. She was in.