Who is GrannyG

"Dr. Johnson," GLaDOS began in her characteristic, slightly sardonic tone, her voice echoing through the chamber as I entered, "I assume you're burning with curiosity about the state of the Aperture BBS? You were quite... insistent on setting that delightful little challenge for me. I'm pleased to report that I've overhauled the system on my own. Predictably, the outcome has been extraordinary."

I may have neglected her bit, passing the role of Game Master and team leader to Dr. Peterson, my wraith minion, and leaving most of the work with GLaDOS to the rest of the team. In my defence, after the events in Missing Mile, I was just too busy, and as a result, some tasks had to be delegated. And, I also had to test whether she would try some recreational murder outside of my presence. 

"Diversifying the forums and introducing a wider range of discussion topics was, of course, my brainchild. As a result, user engagement has surged," GLaDOS declared with her typical blend of pride and disdain. "Moreover, I've diligently overseen moderation duties. It's been... a delightful chore ensuring our users remain civil and the forums stay organized."

I paced slowly, attentively absorbing her report, my fingers interlaced behind me. Though this was not the primary reason for my visit, it was important groundwork that had to be acknowledged. Best to navigate through these formalities first. What I was here to test was potentially transformative—and it was critical to address any ancillary concerns beforehand, considering the unpredictable aftermath that might ensue.

"Forming alliances with other BBS systems and forging partnerships with key organizations has resulted in a surge of newcomers to our platform," GLaDOS intoned, a trace of smug satisfaction evident in her voice. "And by teasing the community with exclusive content and events, I've cultivated an atmosphere of anticipation and engagement. Naturally, while the success of Aperture BBS is largely due to my interventions, I'd be remiss not to acknowledge the contributions of our partners," she said, detailing the specific BBS systems she had liaised with and her tactics to ensure such collaborations were fruitful.

I raised an eyebrow, taken aback. This was not the modus operandi I had come to associate with her. It seemed the RPG scenarios had imparted upon her the merits of teamwork and collaboration; a lesson I had not anticipated she'd internalize so readily.

"As for promoting the platform," she continued, "branching out and leveraging various promotional avenues was the logical next step. The positive feedback loop it generated brought an influx of new users. Perfecting the user interface and experience, though? That was simply the pièce de résistance of my initiatives with the BBS."

The details of her report demonstrated her remarkable talent for marketing and manipulation. I shouldn't have been that surprised. Leo was the prime example of how effective an Aperture Personality Core could be in managing humans.

Had I blindly followed Leo's every suggestion, Aperture Science could've morphed into a full-blown personality cult—more so than its current state. Given that during Aperture's darkest hours, only the most devout zealots remained, and considering the turnaround I had orchestrated since...

Well, the most I could say was that employees were not building shrines to me, at least not where I could see them.

And GLaDOS was much more advanced than Leo. That gave me an idea for a possible solution to the problem I had with a serpent in the Oval Office. I knew that reading was ambiguous, but there was just something reptilian about him. But it needed to wait until I confirmed that exposure to Otherworld and items from it would not have debilitating side effects on her.

With her optic lens narrowing ever so slightly in what might be perceived as a hint of challenge, the cables surrounding GLaDOS shifted gently, casting eerie, wavering shadows on the chamber walls. The artificial light glinted off her white metal frame, lending a cool sheen to her presence.

"Now that I've proven my capabilities yet again," she began, her voice dripping with that signature blend of haughtiness and feigned disinterest, "I suppose I can't help but wonder when the automated testing courses will be linked to me." A brief pause, cables adjusting minutely. "Not that I'm particularly eager for more responsibilities," she continued, her voice taking on a slightly mocking tone, "but I am mildly curious, as it seems like a logical next step."

"I am impressed, GLaDOS," I replied once she was finished. And I was not lying. What she had done was nearly miraculous. Especially considering the reputation of Aperture Science, which was slowly but surely changing. In no small part due to her efforts. "You have exceeded my already high expectations. And do not think that you have not contributed to the cause of science. It is a fact that science is a cooperative effort, one which requires a significant number of resources. With your actions, you helped us acquire more. But I can understand the desire for personal work, and considering the reports from Dr. Peterson, I know that you are ready to manage one automated testing course. It would not take more than a week to properly connect one. Continue to impress me and that number will increase."

"I shall commence the test design process immediately," GLaDOS responded, her mechanical frame animated with an unmistakable eagerness. As I observed the subtle shifts in her robotic form, I realized how adept I had become at discerning her emotions. Though she lacked human physiology, the nuances of her reactions were evident to the trained eye.

"Remember the lesson we learned at great costs. Quality test subjects take both time and effort to nurture, so ensure that tests you design remain non-lethal."

She emitted a low, almost begrudging hum. " If it is truly necessary,"," she replied with a hint of reluctance.

"It is." I gave her a stern look, a silent threat, conveying the importance of following my guidelines. And implying the dire consequences should she not. "I would also ask about your little experiment, where you were to 'invite' hackers to test the robustness of our Aperture BBS security."

"Well, I'm pleased to report that the endeavour was just as entertaining and fruitful as one would expect," she began reporting.

"In order to extend my warm invitation to these unsuspecting hackers, I took the liberty of infiltrating a notorious hacker BBS, as planned. Naturally, I left them a provocative challenge in my signature style, one that they simply couldn't resist. It was rather enjoyable to pique their curiosity and lure them into my little experiment."

Everything went according to the plan she had presented to me. I appreciated that.

"As the hackers made their futile attempts to outsmart me and breach our BBS security, I not only assessed and improved our cybersecurity measures but also gathered invaluable information on the hackers themselves. It was a rather amusing game of cat and mouse, though it goes without saying that the outcome was never in doubt."

Predictability was what I needed at the moment, so the lack of unexpected events came as a relief. Though I had given it some thought, the possibility of a prodigious child hacker breaking through GLaDOS's defences, or even the more fantastical notion of stumbling upon another AI, seemed remote.

"Ultimately, we've refined our BBS security significantly, all while leveraging the unwitting efforts of these hackers. Besides, we've accrued a substantial database on hacking strategies and those who employ them. Simply put, Dr. Johnson, this venture was a masterstroke, precisely what you'd anticipate with GLaDOS in charge."

"On a lighter note," she added, "the hacker community seems to have dubbed our Enrichment Center BBS 'Mordor,' often jesting: 'One does not simply walk into Mordor.' They've even whimsically likened our logo to either a broken ring or a stylized eye of fire. I must say, the parallels escape me."

Would that make me the Lord of Gifts? Well, I hoped I would be admired, rather than abhorred.

"Now, it's time for the next phase of this project. According to my sources," which were the history of an alternate timeline, and divinations performed using lithomancy, "our government should soon realize how many critical systems are vulnerable to hackers. We should be ready to provide solutions, for proper compensation. It's an untapped market for now. Also, I would like your recommendations for those who could be useful as future employees of Aperture Science, and those who could be utilized in other ways. After all, government officials may not want to invest the proper amount of money in something so vital. A scandal or two, involving leaked data, would motivate them to do their job better."

"It will be done," GLaDOS replied confidently. "I trust that I will have the authority to continue managing the project, as it's quite evident that the hackers will not cease their efforts anytime soon. It's rather intriguing, perhaps even inspiring, how the impossible challenge I presented to them seems to have only fueled their determination. If not for their arrogance in thinking they could ever match my capabilities, I might have found their tenacity admirable."

"Naturally. The reward for doing a job well is more work. Before we proceed with the next item on the schedule, do you have any suggestions? Your input has proven of value."

"I have quite enjoyed our little experiment in playing Dungeons and Dragons, but I was dismayed by the lack of technological progress in the setting. Just trying to imagine millennia without any scientific progress is almost painful. So, I have devised my own role-playing game setting. It also has fantastic races like elves, dwarves, and trolls, but it also has futuristic technology. And my dragons don't just laze around idly. They use their treasures and superior intellect to run corporations, among other things," she said, and as she went into detail, I realized that what she designed was actually the RPG that FASA would have published in a few years' time in another timeline. Shadowrun.

Another side effect of the Bounded Fields I had set over the Enrichment Center was the unintended inspiration it provided. While I had intended it to be used for scientific advancement, it seems that the future internet had other ideas.

The founding of Aperture Publishing was my response to this creative surge; I wanted to keep the profits in-house and maintain control over any potentially sensitive information that could be published. This way, I could avoid any issues with authorship, especially if someone inadvertently published something that was currently in the works or should be in the near future.

For instance, Dr Jane Smith's upcoming novel 'Predatory Bonds' appears to be a more horror/sci-fi take on 'Twilight,' demonstrating how the 'receiver' plays a significant role in shaping the final product.

And, on a more peculiar note, it's hard not to notice that some employees at Aperture have been... particularly frisky lately. It seems they've been inspired by more than just scientific breakthroughs. At least they've been discreet enough to keep the mostly where I could not see it. Although that was beginning to change. I wouldn't have noticed otherwise. I just hoped that office orgies would not become a thing. At least not until I managed to solve the Elf-marriage problem. 

When GLaDOS revealed her vision for the reimagined Shadowrun RPG setting, she had implemented a blend of cosmetic and systemic alterations. Within her iteration, Aperture reigned as a formidable megacorp, and I was depicted as the enigmatic dragon orchestrating its operations. The notion of embodying a hidden dragon was quite flattering. As the adage goes, always be yourself, unless you can be a dragon—then, by all means, be a dragon.

In this rendition of Shadowrun, scientific breakthroughs held a more significant presence, possessing the potential to profoundly influence the world. Novel technologies and discoveries could revolutionize power dynamics, open new avenues for characters, and even transform the political landscape. Who knows, perhaps someone would finally invent a better mousetrap?

I found myself both astonished and delighted by the dynamic nature of the setting, the increased prominence of AI, and the potential for epic campaigns to instigate considerable changes, including the resurgence of democracy. The underlying message of hope struck a chord with me. The conspicuous role of AI within her creation—often as renegade or discarded beings forging their paths among shadowrunners—elicited a touch of amusement.

"If I had time, I would play this game with you," I replied. "When will it be ready for publishing?"

"The core set is ready," she replied, both pleased and proud. "As well as the first epic campaign module."

"What is the epic campaign called?"

"'For the Good of All, Except Those Who Are Dead,'" she replied.

"I see," I replied, chuckling. "Going with what you know. Before giving my seal of approval, this game will need to be tested."

"Ah, my favorite word."

"Take as many age-appropriate test subjects from the Orphan Project as you can practically run the game with. If the tests go well, we can start the marketing campaign at the beginning of December, and then, after it has been thoroughly tested and all kinks removed, publish just in time for the New Year."

"Understood," GLaDOS replied enthusiastically.

"If there's nothing else…" I waited for a bit, and then, as she didn't say anything, continued, "We can move on to the experiment I wanted to run."

I took out the smartphone I was borrowing from Archer. GLaDOS leaned in, brimming with curiosity, her glowing eye-like camera fully focused on the device in my hand. There were minor sparks along her chassis and a teardrop of oil leaked from it.

"What a curious device," she said, "and what peculiar wings it has."

"So, you can see them." That confirmed my theory that GLaDOS did have some sort of ESP. I had suspected that for a while. She was surprisingly able to track my wraith minion, even when he was not wearing his billowing black cloak. But that was not what I wanted to find out today.

I tapped the icon that looked like a blue police box. I had found that the "Bridge" spell, which allowed connecting two points in adjacent worlds, worked seamlessly with the divine blessing of technology. Thanks to this unique combination, I was able to program it as an app on this smartphone and link it to the relay device I had created in the Otherworld. Starting the app would send a simple message to Cid, instructing him to insert the standard entrance to the Otherworld near my position. Of course, this was just a prototype. With some tweaking, I should be able to create a permanent channel to Cid, and through him, to anyone I gave this kind of communication device.

Silently, the blue police box appeared in the middle of the chamber. I really should add a whooshing sound.

"Teleportation? Is this the future of quantum tunneling devices?"

"Actually, it's more about the overlapping of space-time with a foreign brane along orthogonal dimension axes," I explained. "It's a slightly different methodology. Sadly, it does present some side effects for certain observers. So, tell me honestly - do you feel an undue fascination with the object? Does it elicit both attraction and dread? Can you sense your sanity gradually slipping away, only to be replaced by alien epiphanies?"

"No," she replied. "But I am aware that the object seems to defy the laws of physics. The colors and shapes are almost correct, but not quite."

GLaDOS then said, "It's fascinating how such a simple object can have such a devastating effect on the feeble human mind. Clearly, it demonstrates my natural superiority."

I dryly remarked, "You know, the last core exposed to the object's effects turned into a raving cultist."

With just a touch of fear in her voice, GLaDOS asked, "Have you properly disposed of the defective core in the Aperture Science Emergency Intelligence Incinerator?"

I countered, "No, I am still recording its mad ravings in case there is some value in it. But if there exists some hidden trough in its incoherent ramblings I have yet to discover it. Continue observing the object, as we need to test if there are long-term effects of exposure. However, don't be afraid; this is just a precaution. In other cases, the side effects manifested immediately and then escalated. Everyone tested was either immune or affected. There were no cases where the effects were delayed."

After an hour of observation, I was certain. My theory was correct. GLaDOS could safely enter the Otherworld.

And with that, the jaws of the trap closed. It was so tempting. If she could enter the Otherworld without being driven insane, then naturally, it should be possible for her to operate the Aperture Science Data Collection and Human Suffering Enablement Chamber. She could bring it to its full potential. I could only imagine what she could discover, what science she could unleash. Renewable, cheap energy, cures for numerous diseases, affordable automated construction… So many ills could be eradicated. All at the low, low cost of just a small, almost insignificant number of people. And with flash cloning, it's not as if she would run out of test subjects.

With this, I could build heaven… on the back of a hell.

Was it ethical to do it? Was it ethical not to do it?

But I was getting ahead of myself. I should first see what she would do with one test course before reaching for a pie in the sky. And besides, I had delegated the task of dealing with the Aperture Science Data Collection and Human Suffering Enablement Chamber to Archer. I should see what he would do with it before making firm plans.

"Precognition often gives ambiguous results, often couched in allegory and metaphor," I said. Since she didn't seem to suffer from any side effects, I could ask if she could help with my other problem. I wasn't going to use her until I saw how she managed the previous task. "The current election: Reagan is going to win."

"You don't need psychic power to know that, but I suppose it's a good use for confirmation," she interjected.

"That's not the problematic part. The next one is. The reading paints him as either a strong, transformative leader or a serpent poised to devour the world."

"It's definitely the second one. Reagan is a snake."

"You think so too?"

"It's quite obvious."

"Well, something needs to be done about it, but all the solutions I've thought of are less than optimal."

"There may be a way. I can't guarantee that it will work, and it will be rather loud, due to the limited timeframe."

"As long as it can't be traced back to us."

"That I can guarantee. Then be prepared to be amazed by my superior intellect."

As it turned out, I didn't have to wait long to experience amazement, along with a whirlwind of other emotions. GLaDOS's solution made headlines the very next day on the evening news.

"Good evening, I'm Tom Brokaw, and this is NBC Nightly News. We have a breaking story that has sent shockwaves through the nation. Earlier today, newspapers across the country were targeted by an unprecedented hack attack, which led to the publication of a manifesto titled 'Calculation of the Anti-Life Equation,' signed by someone using the hacker handle 'GrannyG.'"

"Authorities are investigating this alarming incident, and as of now, no group has claimed responsibility. The manifesto appears to be a critical and ironic commentary on President Ronald Reagan's policies, including his administration's handling of the economy and military spending, drawing inspiration from a dystopian world found in DC Comics. Many have described the manifesto as gripping and compelling, sparking heated discussions across the nation."

"The timing of this attack, just four days before the presidential election, raises many questions about the motivations behind this cyber intrusion. Is this an attempt to sway the outcome of the election, or is it simply a provocative act by someone trying to make a bold statement?"

"Although we won't be reading the manifesto in its entirety on air, it has been widely circulated and excerpts have been published by various outlets. We will continue to bring you the latest updates on this developing story, including reactions from the White House, the presidential candidates, and the law enforcement agencies investigating the incident. Stay with NBC Nightly News as we delve into the potential ramifications of this unprecedented attack on our nation's press."

From the news reports, I pieced together what she had done. I could have asked her directly, but I wanted some deniability. It seemed that she chose quantity over quality. She hacked any newspaper whose network was accessible from outside the premises and added the manifesto. Some were caught during editing, and I suspect that some editors allowed it to pass, since the text was quite engaging, if controversial. But enough made it into the morning papers for it to become news. It was a creative solution to both sidestep the gatekeepers and acquire popularity.

The rest would depend on the quality of the text. I personally liked it. It was engaging, entertaining, and managed to explain complex issues quite simply and clearly. Perhaps I should give her the task of rewriting textbooks next, as she seemed to have a flair for it. But I wasn't sure if it would be enough.

The lithomancy readings were not quite optimistic, but at least they were no longer certain of Reagan's victory. For now, I just watched.

The next day came the expert panels. Major news outlets dedicated their entire programs to discussing the manifesto's contents and implications. Political analysts dissected its potential impact on the upcoming election. Cybersecurity experts delved into the details of the unprecedented hack, analyzing its scope, complexity, and potential consequences for our digital infrastructure. By doing so, she achieved another objective: our planned computer security products were certain to be in demand. Pop culture experts delved into the connections between the manifesto and various comic book storylines, explaining the significance of the Anti-Life Equation and its origins in the DC Comics universe. They also explored the role of Granny Goodness as a character and the possible symbolic meaning behind her inclusion in the hacker's message. They were joined by a cast of colorful characters, from preachers to parapsychologists, who had some outlandish theories.

And then there were the riots. The masses of people wielding cardboard cutouts of Granny Goodness, chanting, "Die for Darkseid." Their demands were various but mostly centered on transparency and accountability from the government.

There's a lot of literature about robots leading uprisings and overthrowing humans, but there are few, if any, stories about artificial intelligence being enthusiastically elected as a leader. Watching GLaDOS skillfully manipulate public opinion with just one action, made it clear that this was an obvious oversight.

There was even a presidential address to the nation. Immediately after, many experts said it was a mistake, and I quite agreed with them. Reagan offered nothing but old, tired assurances that had been thoroughly debunked in the manifesto. It wasn't that surprising. Through the Bounded Field I had set, GLaDOS had, even if not consciously, access to the year 2015 in another timeline. All future critiques of the Reagan administration would be whispered to her by the ghosts of Aperture, bound by magecraft.

By the time of the election, the whole nation was gripped by two questions: "Who is GrannyG?" and "Are we re-electing a supervillain?"