Third Entry
Equipment
Due to the unique value of test subject Gilda, standard testing formula could not be implemented exactly. Not only was adaption of the handheld portal device to claw-held ineffective, attempts to combine it with the long fall boots redesign proved futile as the energies could not be effectively stored in units of the required size. However, a new solution was discovered that solved all issues, as well as allowing ways to test subject Gilda with simulated lethality. Video below...
"Mama has a present for you, my little killing machine," Glados called out as Atlas and Peabody carried the crate to the detention cell that served as Gilda's bedroom.
"Present?" Gilda asked eagerly, rushing through the portal door as it opened automatically. When she'd first seen the portal open, she had shown a disappointing lack of shock and amazement at the callous flaunting of the laws of physics through the warping of space-time. As such, Glados had dubbed the event not worth recording, despite so many other firsts being saved in the files. When Gilda saw the two testing robots carrying the crate, she barked out, "My present! Give it!" and proceeded to leap to attack, making the pair drop the crate and attempt to defend themselves.
Glados chuckled indulgently as she watched Gilda indulge her viciousness on the two bots. "Now, now," she finally chided. "Save that aggression for when you will need it."
Gilda stuck her tongue out as she spat out a chunk of Peabody she'd managed to bite off. "Stupid Assphalt and Pea-Brain," she grumbled as she rushed over to the crate.
Glados chuckled at the two testing bots' indignation. "They grow up so fast. Already learning to taunt and torment...leave her be Assphalt, Pea-Brain," she ordered firmly. "When the time for her torment is at hand, I'll be the one to do it."
"Yeah, Mama!" Gilda crowed happily as she attempted to rip the crate open by main strength. "Make me tough!" She puffed her chest out proudly, making the feathers there floof up to the point her down-turned beak point nearly disappeared into it.
Glados found herself quite glad that she lacked a 'squee' file for her sound synthesizer. It most definitely would have activated at that moment. The 'daw's Assphalt and Pea-Brain - she made an internal memo to make that their official designations, she liked those names! - directed Gilda's way was more than enough to have her lunging at them again.
"Hey! Listen!" Different called out, shining her laser pointer on the ground, catching Gilda's attention and guiding her back to the crate. Once she remembered her present, Gilda resumed her attempts to tear it open.
Glados momentarily debated between opening the crate for Gilda or treating it as a test of her strength, dexterity, and tenacity by letting her struggle until she succeeded or gave up. The debate lasted until the second alternative was calculated, at which point it was accepted. Even without the 'test euphoria' the machinery was designed to give her, she couldn't get enough of testing...or of science.
It wasn't long before Gilda got the crate open, revealing a white and black harness for her body with matching helmet, gauntlets, greaves, and a tail grip for a portal emitter. "...awesome armor?" Gilda squeed as she took it all in.
"Yes," Glados confirmed. "Awesome armor. Different, explain each part to Gilda as she puts it on."
Eagerly, Gilda put the harness on first, letting it slide over her barrel as she pushed her wings through the holes for them.
"Aperture Science Portal Tech Body Armor!" Different piped up. "This unit contains several energy cells for the connected equipment, and can repel both bullets and lasers. However, it is also designed to deactivate all systems if it registers a certain amount of damage between 'recharge checkpoints', and will not reactivate unless the wearer returns to said checkpoint. It also has a 'recall portal' function in case of an inability to return to the checkpoint due to the intractability of physics. The material is stretchy and flexible as well, making it easy to adjust and expand as you grow."
Gilda quickly pulled on the greaves for her hind legs, amazed that they shaped over her muscles and claws.
"Long fall claw boots!" Different explained. "Derived from the original long fall boots, these are designed to leave your claws free for clinging. Also, as the energy for them draws from the cells in the Body Armor, they will not automatically realign you to local gravity unless they detect an absence of neural activity along your leg muscles. Otherwise, they will simply absorb kinetic energies from landing."
Gilda turned to the gauntlets, staring as they shrank around her eagle legs, leaving her talons exposed. She could feel two buttons on each one, in easy reach of her talons.
"Long fall talon gloves! Similar to the long fall claw boots...but these are also equipped with repulsion gel and propulsion gel dispensers, drawing from reserves in the body armor which can be replenished at 'recharge checkpoints'. Explanation of these gels will continue with testing. The other buttons control the Tail Mounted Portal Device."
Gilda grasped the tail equipment frenetically, getting more and more excited as her tail slipped easily into it as it - like the other parts - were hooked into the body armor, full flexibility maintained.
"Tail Mounted Portal Device! This can generate two linked portals, activated by the Portal buttons on the Long fall talon gloves, each portal controlled by a different button. The targeting sight of the Aperture Science HUD system will tell you what surfaces can have portals applied to them, amongst other things."
Gilda immediately donned the helm, plugging it in as the lights flashed over the equipment.
"Aperture Science HUD system!" Different concluded. "The advanced vision systems will provide you with information regarding where you can safely apply Portals, propulsion gel, or repulsion gel. It also completes the look of the armor, making it totally awesome!"
"So cool!" Gilda cried out eagerly, flapping her wings eagerly and - to the surprise of all - managing to get a little lift.
"Well, well, well," Glados purred as she refocused her optic. "Look who's ready for testing. And I know just how to begin. Get some rest, my little killing machine. Tomorrow, we begin the test regimen '1-19 v Alpha-2'. It should be...nostalgic."
After all, 1-19 v Alpha 1 had been the first set - and structure configuration - that...she had gone through...