When we finally calmed everyone down, Chell used the portal gun so we could all get to the lift with a nifty little jump. As we were going up, I checked on GLaDOS since she was oddly quiet, and that's when I noticed that she was offline for some reason. I didn't really want to say anything, but it could be important, so I spoke up: "Um, I don't want to alarm anyone, but GLaDOS seems pretty out of it. Is she going to be okay?"
Snappy: "Don't worry, she just had a short circuit due to the argument earlier. Her body couldn't handle the stress of it, so she just shut down in order to not cause permanent harm to herself. It's pretty common in Aperture AI models. We all shut down in case of a large risk of compromising our own survival. That's one of the main reasons why so many Cores and Turrets are so unhappy and depressed here—because they can't even go out on their own terms, even if they wanted to..."
Sparky: "Wow, sis! You sure know how to bring the mood down, it's almost impressive. I don't understand, however—why are we even concerned about her in the first place? She's just a psychotic bitch who finally got what she deserved. So, can we please talk about something else? Really, anything would be a better topic than her."
Snappy: "I know that what she said really upset you, but don't beat yourself up about it. It's obvious you're just lashing out, but believe me, you won't feel better about yourself by cursing and hating GLaDOS. This place has done many horrific and almost unforgivable things, even without her in charge."
Sparky: "That's exactly my problem! I don't like that I am, and will always be, associated with this horrid place! I'm really new here, I know that, but I learned the basics that everyone was supposed to: how we're supposed to be on top of the world due to our genius inventions and scientific prowess. But now I see how this was always just a lie to make us feel better about ourselves and the utter failures we've created."
Snappy: "You should really stop it now, Sparks! Complaining won't do anyone any good—it just brings everyone's mood down. So, how about you try to suck it up like a grown-up, for all our sakes. Chell is already in a pretty bad mood, and she doesn't need to hear this now. Hell, I've been part of Aperture longer than GLaDOS—I know more secrets of this place than any of you, maybe not more than Blinky, but I'm close."
Sparky: "Once again you come at me with your high-and-mighty position, like some messed-up Oracle. Tell me, why are you so adamant about protecting GLaDOS? She's done nothing nice for us, she's put our sisters in constant danger without a care in the world about their feelings. She's the manifestation of everything bad this place ever did. She is, after all, the 'greatest invention' they ever made."
Snappy: "I won't go into detail since this isn't my story to tell, but know this: I'm not protecting GLaDOS, I'm protecting someone completely different, who I hope still exists. I won't entertain this subject anymore, but know this about me: I saw the decline of this place, all the bad decisions, all the screw-ups, and all the tragedies that led up to this. I won't blame anyone else other than Cave Johnson and his personal scientists. Everyone else just did what they were told to do."
When the two of them stopped bickering, our lift ride went on without any issue. We finally arrived at a new test chamber, but this was when something weird happened. At first, it wasn't really outrageous—just a standard test chamber. The problems started when GLaDOS finally booted up again.
"So, did anything happen while I was out?" GLaDOS, still a bit confused, asked us. I quickly replied to avoid causing another argument: "Well, not really, there was only..." But I was interrupted by Cave's voice mid-sentence.
Announcer system: "The testing area is just up ahead. The quicker you get through, the quicker you'll get your sixty bucks!"
GLaDOS: "Hold on, who?..."
Announcer system: "Caroline, are the compensation vouchers ready?"
Unknown voice/GLaDOS: "Yes sir, Mr. Johnson./Yes sir, Mr. Johnson..."
GLaDOS: "Why did I just—Who is that? What the HELL is going on he—?"
Jack: "So, anyone got the slightest idea what that was about? GLaDOS seemed to be in some kind of trance just now."
Chell: "I don't know, but it was really weird. Also, that guy Cave Johnson called out to someone named Caroline again. I heard him talk about her before, but it didn't really stand out that much until now. Come to think of it, Snapps, didn't you call GLaDOS 'Caroline' before?"
Snappy: "Sigh~ I'm truly sorry, but I cannot say for now. I made a promise that I wouldn't talk about this unless the whole picture was revealed. Don't worry—if I'm right, the truth is closer than you think."
With a thousand questions still lingering in our minds, we just went ahead and tried to solve the test. We discovered a new type of liquid that, according to Snappy, is one of six functional non-Newtonian liquids made here. This specific one is the Propulsion Gel. From what she told us, it basically accelerates the velocity of any object it touches. I had an idea about how this could benefit us in the future. I took out my tool gun and went into the materials section. Just as I expected, there were different kinds of liquid materials I could project out of the gun. Among them, in a hidden tab, were the six Gels: the Repulsion Gel, which allows any object covered in it to push away other objects that touch it; the previously mentioned Propulsion Gel; the Conversion Gel, which makes any surface it attaches to capable of forming portals on it; the Cleansing Gel, which is basically a specialized water-like substance made specifically to clean other Gels from objects. Apparently, this is the only Gel type Aperture was still producing and using regularly. Finally, the last two, which are apparently really rare due to never leaving the initial testing phase before the sudden abandonment of Old Aperture, are the Reflection Gel, a pitch-black goo that reflects any kind of electromagnetic radiation, and the Adhesion Gel, a deep purple liquid that allows any object it's attached to to alter its gravitational pull, making it capable of generating physically impossible pathways—sideways or even upside down. As long as you're touching the Gel, it will serve as the new down.
Jack: "Whistle~ This will certainly come in handy! Hey, guys, want to try these out?"
Chell: "No, maybe later. I'm not really in the mood to joke around. Let's just finish this quickly and leave. I don't want to stay here more than necessary."
With that, I switched the tool gun to the Propulsion Gel and painted the floor and the ramp with it. When everyone got ready, I stood on the pressure plate to lift the ramp up more. After they all got over safely, I flew after them with my wings. Since I didn't want to make this any more difficult than it had to be, I flew up and pressed the door control button that opens the exit.
Chell: "You know, doing this together makes this a whole lot easier, especially since two of you can fly."
Jack: "Well yeah, I don't think the scientist who set up this course thought about the possibility of someone capable of flying coming through here."
Snappy: "Oh, they definitely thought about it, but this course wasn't made with them in mind. This was set up for single-person portal testing. The flying course is a couple of silos away from here."
I didn't have the mental fortitude to even ask about what she said, so after breaking the disintegration field, I just silently walked forward to the next chamber. But suddenly, before I could go ahead and disable the other disintegration gate, Chell grabbed my shoulder. She pointed out a hardly accessible office that we could get to with the Portal gun. Since I was planning on gathering data, I just nodded in affirmation. Before we could go, however, GLaDOS came to her senses once again.
GLaDOS: "Okay. I guess emotional outbursts require more than 1.6 volts. Now we know that. We just need to relax. We're still going to find out what the hell's going on here. But calmly."
Chell reluctantly spoke up: "Well, we were about to go towards an office to gather some data from there if we can. Do you have anything against this plan?"
GLaDOS: "No, just do what you want. I still have to think about who this Caroline person is."
When we stepped inside the office, I immediately went towards the computer in case it was functional. Unfortunately, I didn't have such luck—the whole thing was fried from extensive water damage. I was just about to take apart the computer to remove its memory disk in case I could recover something from it, but before I could start, there was a hand on my shoulder.
I looked up to see a concerned-looking Sparky standing over me. She pointed towards a part of the room where almost everyone was grouped up. They were all looking at an old painting of a cocky-looking man and a beautiful woman. When I went closer, I saw a golden plaque that just simply had a name on it: Cave Johnson.
I could see how everyone in the group had a different expression on their faces. Snappy was a whole mix of contrasting emotions, from rage to grief and sadness. Chell was mostly confused, looking at the woman like she was seeing a ghost from the past that she couldn't quite place in her memories. GLaDOS was silent at first, but she clearly had a lot on her mind—her one mechanical eye was moving rapidly, as if trying to scan every little detail of the picture.
GLaDOS: "Those people in the portrait... they look so familiar."
Chell: "Yeah, for some reason, I feel the same, but I'm certain I've never met them before."
Snappy: "Some things are maybe better left in the past."
With the confusion not really dissipating, I led the group out of the office so we wouldn't be stuck there forever after I took out the memory disk from the computer and placed it in the vault so the puppets could scrub all the usable data off it. I had some questions, but I knew I wouldn't get anything out of Snappy without overstepping boundaries I wasn't comfortable crossing. She already looked really uncomfortable, like she was second-guessing herself about something.
Jack: "Alright, let's speed things up, shall we? I don't want to stay here and mope all day, especially when we could all be vaporized thanks to Wheatley's dumbass. So the plan for now is, you guys quickly paint the floor with the gel, then I'll take the Portal gun and make an exit portal for all of us to get through. Anyone have any questions? No? Okay, then let's do this."
We made quick work of the chamber after working together, but I did have to clean off Sparky and Chell with the Cleansing Gel since their whole bodies got covered in the mix of gels. When we all made it over, the announcer system spoke once again: "Great job, astronaut, war hero, and/or Olympian! With your help, we're gonna... Is this on? Hey. Listen up down there. That thing's called an elevator. Not a bathroom."
GLaDOS: "I swear I know him..."
We all got in the lift and went on to the next test chamber. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait too long, and just like last time, we heard Cave's voice loud and clear: "If you're interested in an additional sixty dollars, flag down a test associate and let them know. You could walk out of here with a hundred and twenty weighing down your bindle if you let us take you apart, put some science stuff in you, then put you back together good as new."
This time, we arrived in a large room filled with acid and different platforms sticking out. Normally, we'd have to go through a really long and complex puzzle, but we didn't need to this time, since we could cheat.
Jack: "Sparky, you take Snappy and GLaDOS and fly to the exit. Me and Chell will test out these long-jump modules in the meantime and join you there."
Chell: "Why exactly are we doing this? Couldn't you just fly us over without any fuss?"
Jack: "That's true, but we really need to figure out how to use these suits properly. That's especially true for you, since after we separate to complete our own objectives, you might need it in a sticky situation where I'm not there to fly you over."
Chell: "Okay, fair point, but how do you use this thing? I didn't get any buttons or manuals for this."
Jack: "Well, it's in the name: Long-Jump Module. Just start running at full speed, then leap forward to a platform. The suit should assist us in reaching greater heights and distances. Don't worry—even if we miss and fall, I can just fly us to safety."
After some messing around and close calls, we made it to the end of the test chamber. Since it was inside a sealed metal dome, I didn't even bother looking around for anything. And, as expected, Cave was here to further prove how unreliable Aperture truly is: "In case you're interested, there are still some positions available for that bonus opportunity I mentioned earlier. Again: all you've got to do is let us disassemble you. We're not banging rocks together here. We know how to put a man back together. So that's a complete reassembly. New vitals. Spit-shine on the old ones. Plus, we're scooping out tumors. Frankly, you should be paying us."
Jack: "I wonder if he was really this dense, or was he just pretending the whole time."
Snappy: "No, he was truly blind and idiotic—someone who got lucky early in life but squandered all his opportunities with increasingly worse decisions."
With that toxic remark from the spiteful former turret, we all got in the lift again and began our monotonous ride through the old ruins. I handed Chell her Portal gun back, since I didn't need it anymore and she was already much more skilled with it than I was. As we stepped out, we were greeted with a noticeable jump in time between the two areas. The large 1978 painting on the wall made it clear that this section of the facility had been built later.
Once again, I wanted to skip most of the area by flying and jumping our way through, but Chell pointed out that we might find important information here since this looked more like an office and administrative area rather than a test chamber. Just as we were about to investigate, the familiar voice of our hated CEO interrupted.
Announcer System: "Thank you—I can't believe I'm thanking these people—for staggering your way through Aperture Science's propulsion gel testing. You've made some real contributions to society for a change, and for that, humanity is grateful. If you had any belongings, please pick them up now. We don't want old newspapers and sticks cluttering up the building. For many of you, I realize 60 dollars is an unprecedented windfall, so don't go spending it all on... I don't know. Caroline, what do these people buy? Tattered hats? Beard dirt?"
Chell: "Just when I thought maybe he wasn't a complete douchebag this time around... Nope, still the same old bastard as ever. God, I honestly can't think of anything that would make me even consider staying here and working with this guy."
Snappy: "Love can make you blind, even in the worst situations."
Sparky: "What do you mean by that?"
Snappy: "I won't explain. You'll understand soon enough."
As we discussed our differing opinions on the subject, we made our way through the facility toward a place labeled Gamma Pumping Station. When we arrived, GLaDOS, after what seemed like deep contemplation, finally spoke again:
GLaDOS: "Caroline... Caroline... why do I know this woman? Did I kill her? Or... Oh my god. Look, you're... doing a great job. Can you guys handle things for a while? I need to think."
She was clearly distressed, and honestly, I wasn't feeling too good about it either, especially after she started fixating on Cave Johnson's assistant, Caroline. No matter—we were close to unraveling this whole mystery. God, I hope the outside of this facility is peaceful. I really need a long break.
We didn't find anything meaningful in the pumping station itself, but we did manage to turn the station back on, which meant we wouldn't have to rely on my Tool Gun for everything related to the gels. As we reached the top of the Gamma Station, we were greeted by another problem: a large gap. Before we could start thinking of a strategy, GLaDOS freaked out.
GLaDOS: "Agh! Bird! Bird! Kill it! It's evil! Oh... it flew off. Good. For him. Alright, back to thinking."
Chell: "Wow, she must've been really traumatized by the birds if they even snapped her out of that trance she's been in for the last ten minutes."
Jack: "Well, I think we'd all be a little paranoid after almost being eaten alive by something we considered beneath us."
Chell: "Fair enough. Now, how are we going to cross this ravine?"
Jack: "Simple. You use the Portal Gun to take us to the other side, then I'll use the Tool Gun to make a vertical path up the wall for us with the Adhesive Gel."
Everything went according to plan, and we arrived at yet another section of old Aperture. This time, we saw 1981 on the wall. The voice that greeted us was still Cave's, but this time, he sounded much weaker, clearly sick.
Announcer System: "Welcome to the enrichment center. cough Since making test participation mandatory for all employees, the quality of our test subjects has risen dramatically. Employee retention, however, has not. cough As a result, you may have heard we're phasing out human testing. There's still a few things left to wrap up, though. First up, conversion gel. cough The bean counters told me we literally could not afford to buy seven dollars' worth of moon rocks, much less seventy million. Bought them anyway. Ground them up, mixed them into a gel. And guess what? Ground up moon rocks are pure poison. I am deathly ill. Still, it turns out they're a great portal conductor. So now we're gonna see if jumping in and out of these new portals can somehow leech the lunar poison out of a man's bloodstream. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. [coughs] Let's all stay positive and do some science. That said, I would really appreciate it if you could test as fast as possible. Caroline, please bring me more pain pills."
Chell: "Wow, I guess karma really caught up with him. But for some reason, I still don't feel good about this, even though it was his idiotic ideas that led to all this."
Jack: "That just means you have a good heart. I don't feel bad for him—just for his employees and especially Caroline, who had to put up with him all these years. Especially now, since they can't even escape the mandatory testing he forced them into."
Snappy: "The past is the past. We shouldn't delve into it too much. It's already happened. We can't change it, no matter how hard we try. Let's just go already—I'm sick of this place."
At the end of our walk, we arrived at a lift that was supposed to take us to the last area of old Aperture. As I looked back at this place and all the sorrow and grief it had caused, I couldn't help but wonder—wouldn't it have been better if all of this had just been forgotten? In the end, I can't speak from a high horse. I've done similar, if not worse, atrocities in my past life.
'Huh, funny... Is this how Lilith and the others felt when they looked at me and Hyperion? Did they see the same madness and cruelty that I see here? Although I'll never agree with them—we have different views on life—I think I can understand now where she was coming from.'