Chapter Text
Phil slowly awoke, and looked around himself. He found himself in a strange room.
Well. It wasn’t so much a room, as a box. He was in a clear, glass box. Like a small room inside a bigger room.
Some inception junk going on there.
He stumbled around, and realised his feet and ankles were being....supported.
By a strange pair of shoelike objects. He went to return them, before his subconscious screamed at him not to. He decided to follow it until he understood his surroundings a bit more.
Suddenly, a male voice, with a northern accent and rather robotic tone spoke.
“Good morning! Hello, insert test subject name here, I am DANIEL. That is an acronym. My full name is, Digital Aperture Non-Biological Intelligent Equipment Loading System. But that is a minor part of my full responsibilities. I also oversee test subjects, such as you, and tests. I am programmed to also reward you at the climax of your tests! You will be served cake! All of your friends will be there, ready to congratulate you. If you succeed that is. Now. A few rules. Rule one. Please do not think destroy important testing apparatus. Rule two. Please do not attempt to leave the testing areas without permission at any time. Rule three-BZZZTTT’
Phil covered his ears as a deafening screech echoed from the monitors accompanied by a voice speaking in extremely rapid tones, seemingly explaining multiple other rules and regulations that he couldn’t recognise.
Phil suddenly became very aware of what the voice, apparently ‘Daniel’ had said.
Test subject? He was a test subject? Of what? He was curious. Preventing him from continuing his thoughts, a orange oval of light apparent on the glass wall facing him of his ‘box’.
“That is a portal! Do not be alarmed, portals have proven to be entirely safe. Please step right through!” said the Daniel voice.
Phil cautiously stepped through.
In an instant he was stepping out of a blue circle of light, that had appeared on a wall outside his box that he had failed to notice.
“Well done! Simply wonderful! You, subject name here, are a wonderful listener! “ said the voice.
Phil couldn’t help but help a small proud smile.
He realised what he was grinning at and blushed bright red, before the smile vanished, replaced with a neutral expression.
He waited for Daniel to deliver more instructions, but he didn’t.
“D-D-Daniel?” he spoke softly, struggling to form letters into a coherent statement.
He didn’t know why, but had no time to think before Daniel, sounding different from before, warped and distorted , replied.
“SubjectNameHerePleaseCallMeDanThankYouSubjectNameHerePleaseRemainCalmProceed.SubjectNameHerePleaseWalkThroughTheHallwayAndCollectTheApertureScienceHandHeldPortalDevice” ‘Dan’ said, the words slowing down and speeding up at random.
Phil, confused, obeyed. He began walking. As he reached the end of the small corridor, he saw a sign saying ‘Test Chamber 1’ flash to life, and wondered what was ahead of him.
He took a deep breath and reached to open the door.