"Can't I at least get your name so I don't have to keep calling you "Ma'am"?" I asked as we entered the doorway. 

She replied with a cold stare.

"Huh. I wasn't aware that the future makes everyone rude," I scoffed as we kept moving forward.

That seemed to get her attention; she gave a confused look, almost as if she has misheard me.

"Oh, yeah," I told her. "Did I forget to mention that I'm a time traveler?"

She just continued to stare at me in disbelief.

"Yeah, but I guess it doesn't matter. I'm never going back there, anyway. And I'm never going to see my crew again, either."

Her face went neutral, as if she wanted to help, but couldn't. Or maybe she didn't want to help at all. It's hard to read this woman.

"Are you done?" the female robotic voice asked from above.

"I suppose so," I replied as I rubbed my bald head with nervousness.

"Excellent. Now it's time to begin the cooperative testing."

Just then, a hole opened up in the ground, and from it rose a platform with two strange gadgets on it. They were identical and looked like some sort of futuristic gun. It was definitely fancier than my Pomson or Soldier's Cow Mangler.

"Each of you pick up a dual portal device and we can begin. Though you already know the drill, don't you, Murderer?"

"Hey, I may be a mercenary, but-"

"Not you. HER."

It was now my turn to look at my partner with confusion.

"You're a killer?" I asked.

She gave that cold glare as a response.
"Anyway, that's enough time wasted. Pick up the portal devices now."

My partner picked up her gun and walked forward. I, however, sat still in confusion for a few seconds before picking up my gun and catching up with her.

When we finally made it to another doorway, it opened up, revealing a large room covered in white and black tiles. It appeared to be spilt into thirds, each section separated by glass walls.

The section in the middle had nothing but black tiles, as well as a tall wall that seemed to lead to a closed exit. The outside sections were covered in white tiles and had walls just as tall as the middle, but each seemed to lead to some sort of pedestal.

"What in the hell are we supposed to do?" I asked to nobody in particular.

My partner, though, seemed to know; she went to the left side and pointed her gun at the wall. She then shot what appeared to be a turquoise laser from it. When the laser hit the wall, it created a large turquoise oval, about 7 feet tall! She then backed up, aimed higher, and shot a purple laser at the wall where the pedestal was. Not only did it create a purple oval of the same size, but both ovals then opened up! Without hesitation, she walked straight through the turquoise oval and, to my surprise, came out of the purple oval up top!

Once she was up there, she stared at me, as if to say "THAT'S what the hell you're supposed to do!"

I then walked over to the right side and looked at the wall. I could feel two triggers on the gun. Those must create the two different ovals.

I pulled one of the triggers and a red laser popped out, creating a red oval on the wall. Mimicking the expert, I backed up and aimed towards the pedestal. I pulled the other trigger and a yellow oval was quickly placed up there.

Slowly, I walked towards the red hole in the wall, which seemed to lead up to the yellow one. Well, it didn't seem to kill HER when she walked through it, so I guess I should be safe.

I walked right in and found myself coming out in front of the pedestal, which had a red button on it. I then heard knocking. I turned and saw that she was knocking on the wall on her side to get my attention. She then held up 3 fingers. What did that mean?

Then she held up 2. Wait, I knew what this meant.

She then held 1 and I hovered my hand over the button.

Finally, she held up no fingers and pressed her button. I then pressed mine a split second later. The exit then opened up.

"Congratulations. Looks like you're going to work well together. Walk over to the elevator and we can begin our next test."

I smiled as I headed to the open door, where a giant elevator shaft similar to the one that brought me and my crew here in the first place was there waiting.

My partner quickly caught up to me and we went to the elevator together.

"Before we go," I told her. "I just wanted to thank you."

She cocked her head in confusion.

"I had no idea what I was doing. That's not something that happens often. And yet you helped me. So, thank you, Miss."

I then walked into the elevator.

"Chell."

I quickly turned around, where she was staring at me with a smile.

"I beg your pardon?" I asked.

"You wanted to know my name?" she replied. "You got it. It's Chell."

I stared at her for a few seconds as I comprehended what just happened, but then I smiled in return.

"Chell and Dell," I finally said. "I like the sound of that."

She then entered the elevator and the door closed. It then started moving down into darkness.

"So," I continued, "now that you seem to trust me, do you mind explaining everything? Like what's going on, who that robot lady is, and why you're here?"

She stood in thought for a few seconds before replying, "Sure. Why not. Beats standing here and waiting for the millionth time."

I may not be any closer to getting out of here, but at least I'm closer to figuring out the truth of this place.