Freeman Chronicles: The Black Mesa Incident
Scene I.
Dr. Kleiner's office. July 10, 1999.
12:00 Pm.
Freeman and Kleiner are chatting.
Dr. Kleiner: Yes, I must admit that you are certainly qualified for the job.
Dr. Freeman: Thanks. I hope to bring true meaning of "Better living through science."
Dr. Kleiner: Of course. I expect your confirmation letter to arrive in the mail.
Dr. Freeman: Right. See you soon.
The next day....
Gordon's house, 3:00 P.M.
Gordon and Mrs. Freeman look over the mail.
Gordon: Bill, ad, ad.
Mrs. Freeman: You have a letter from the Black Mesa corporation.
Gordon:Give it to me.
Mrs. Freeman handed Gordon the letter. It read,
-From the office of the Administrator, Dr. Breen:
By Dr. Kleiner's request, and despite a tendency to be late, I believe that you are a valuable member of the science team. Therefore, you are hired, effective tomorrow. Your required arrival time is 8:00 A.M. Take the western train station and board train 7. The following information will give you a permanent discount on that ride.
Try not to be late. I expect great things from you, being on time one of them.
-Dr. Wallace Breen
-Black Mesa:Better living through technology."
The letter also had Breen's signature.
Gordon: I did it! I got the job, starting tomorrow!
Mrs. Freeman: Great! I brought you a gift to celebrate.
She temporarily left, and came back with a bottle of Merlot*.
Gordon:Thanks, honey.
*:Merlot is a fancy type of wine.
Mrs. Freeman: Not a problem.
Scene II.
In a tram inbound for the Black Mesa facility.
8:27 A.M.
Gordon and Barney sat in the tram.
Barney:Hey, Gordon.
Gordon:Hey Barney. What job did you get?
Barney:Security.
Gordon: Dang. I hear security guards are treated poorly in this place.
Barney:Been a while since West university, hasn't it?
Gordon:Definitely. Maybe we'll see each other on the job.
Barney: Hope they all aren't assholes.
Gordon:Only time will tell.
The tram clock read:8:47.
Gordon:Crap. I'm late.
Barney:Hope you don't get fired.
The tram stopped at the Area 3 security checkpoint. Barney stood up to get off the tram.
Gordon:Have a good one, Barney.
Barney: Same to you, good buddy.
The tram continued towards the area 9 station.
Gordon:Well, here we go. The beginning of the rest of my life.
A security guard walks up to the tram and unlocks the door.
Security guard:Morning, Mr. Freeman. Looks like you're running late.
Gordon:I don't want to talk about it.
Meanwhile, Barney suited up in standard Black Mesa armor, which consisted of a stainless-steel helmet, and a Kevlar vest. Before leaving, he looked at a picture of his girlfriend. He also genuflected on himself.
He walked up to the front desk.
Barney:B. Calhoun, reporting for duty.
Security guard: Glad you could show up today, Calhoun. Grab your firearm, then head over to the sector G lift, some scientists are having problems using it.
The guard handed Barney a 9mm Glock 12 pistol, and 3 clips. The weapon was on safety, but had a clip in it already, in addition to the 3 clips.
He went to the sector G checkpoint, where another guard let him through.
Guard: Hope you're ready for a long shift.
Scene III.
Anomalous Materials laboratory, commons area.
9:00 A.M
Gordon went into the commons area. Dr. Magnusson was sitting in a chair, waiting for microwave casserole. For some reason, the casserole exploded in the microwave, making a gooey mess.
Magnusson: You touched it, didn't you?
Gordon:No.
Magnusson:I won't forget this, Freeman. Say, you were supposed to be in the test chamber 30 minutes ago?
Gordon:Okay, I'm going. Whiner.
He walked into the locker room and strapped on the HEV suit.
Suit(Freeman): Hello, Dr. Freeman, and welcome to HEV mark IV protection system. High-impact reactive armor online.
Automatic Medical assistance online.
Defensive weapon selection system activated.
Ammunition monitoring activated.
Communication interface activated.
Suit radio is go.
Have a good day, Dr. Freeman.
Gordon:Very nice. Automatic Medical assistance. Weapon selection and ammunition monitoring, not that I'll need it. Suit communication radio. Up to my standards.
Gordon walked down to the control room.
Three Scientists were talking.
Scientist 1: Ah, Gordon, there you are. The sample was just delivered to the test chamber.
Gordon:Okay.
Scientist 2:We've been told to put the power at 105%.
Gordon: I think it might not be safe to put it that high.
Scientist 3:I know, but we need the extra resolution. The administrator was very concerned about a conclusive analysis on the specimen.
They are waiting for you in the test chamber.
Gordon:Lead the way.
The scientist activated a retinal scanner lock and opened the door leading to an elevator. A man in a black suit walked by him, eying him, and never said a word.
Scene IV.
Two more scientists were in front of the door.
Scientist 1: Gordon, we will be deviating from standard procedures.
Scientist 2:Yes, and for good reason. I believe this is a rare opportunity for us, very important.
Scientist 1:Yes, and unstable. Although, the chances of a resonance cascade scenario is extremely unlikely....
Scientist 2:Gordon doesn't need to hear this. He's a professional. We assured the administrator everything would go perfectly.
Scientist 1: Of course. Well, let's let him in now.
They used retinal scanners to open the blast doors.
Without hesitation, Gordon climbed to the top and activated a control panel.
-Black Mesa Test Chamber C33/A main control console v. 1.8.0
Commence process 5
Power supply:Nominal
Electrical problems:None
Starting process.....
Main turbines activated.
Stage 1 emitters in 3....2....1....
Stage 1 Emitters activated.
Phazer beams standard.
Stage 2 Emitters in 5...4...3...2...1..
Stage 2 Emitters activated.
ERROR: Minor discrepancy in resonance chambers 1 and 2.
-Close
Intercom: The specimen is ready, Gordon. Push the cart into the beam when ready.
Gordon walked to a cart that rose out of the floor. He pushes the Cart into the beam.
[crack]
Intercom: Gordon, get away from the beam! Shutting down...Attempting shutdown....It's not...It's not shutting down! Look out!
The control room exploded, then Gordon was slammed into the wall by the blast and passed out.
A variety of strange creatures came out of the portal and began attacking the scientists and security guards, slaughtering them.
Meanwhile,
Barney finally reached the sector G transit station.
Two scientists were standing there, impatiently.
Scientist: We don't pay you to lollygag at your own convenience, make this thing work, so we can get on with this miserable day.
Barney:Ugh.
He pushed the reset button, and the lift started moving down.
Barney:Why did I have to do that? You can push buttons, as well.
The tram lights flickered.
Scientist:Oh, no. Probably the Anomalous Materials people again, pushing the equipment too hard, dabbling in God-knows-what! I bet there's only one good brain among them.
The tram stopped abruptly in between floors. The fuse box exploded, killing a scientist. The tram dropped to the next floor, where strange creatures were attacking. Then, the tram fell to the bottom of the shaft.
Barney:Oh, Shit. Shit. SHIIIIIIIIIIIIT!
[CRASH]
Scene V.
When Gordon finally came to, the test lab was a wreck, broken machinery and dead people all over the place.
Gordon:ugh. Ow. I bet the only reason I'm living is this HEV suit. Crap, this place is a wreck. The beginning of the rest of my life, and the end of my career, at the same time.
He walks out of the test lab, and finds a dead body strewn on the floor.
Gordon says nothing, runs into the test lab, and throws up.
Suit(Freeman): I am detecting unexpected bodily fluctuations. Do you need assistance?
Gordon:I'm okay. I'm okay.
He begins walking through the facility, dead bodies and exploding computers galore.
He comes across two scientists, one of which was injured, and sitting on the floor.
Scientist 1: Who would have imagined such things could happen.
Scientist 2: I hoped I would never see a resonance cascade, never mind creating one.
Scientist 1: Gordon, thank God for that HEV suit. All the phones are out. Get to the surface, and call for help, please. I'll activate the retinal scanner. Most likely the rest of the science team will help you.
The scientist opened he door into the demolished control room.
Gordon:Well, a resonance cascade scenario. Alien invasion. This will be worse than most horror movies I've seen, because it is real.
Past the control room, there was a strange creature.
Gordon: It looks like a head-shaped crab thing. Head crabs.
The Head crab turned and saw Gordon. It leaped at him. It struck him and attempted to latch onto his head. In a struggle, Gordon threw it off, and stepped on the thing, killing it instantly.
Gordon: Man, unless I get my hands on a gun, I won't last long.
Down the hallway, laser pipes had burst, resulting in a tricky obstacle. Gordon carefully jumped over and went under the lasers. Next to a door, was a construction-grade crowbar.
Gordon picked it up, and took a few practice swings.
Gordon:Well, this will help against annoying crates, but not aliens.
The door would not open. Since the door was made of 4 glass panels, Gordon just kicked in the one on the lower right, and crawled through.
Gordon:I wonder how Barney is dealing with this.
Meanwhile....
Barney finally came to. He pulled out his pistol and carefully walked down the hallways, killing some strange creatures that looked like headless dogs.
Barney:I don't know what these things are, but they're better off dead.
Through a door, was a rather long ventilation shaft leading all over the facility.
Barney:Hmm. I wonder if Gordon's doing all right.
Elsewhere....
Gordon reached the elevator, which fell to the bottom of the shaft.
Gordon busted the glass to get through the door, then climbed the maintenance ladder to get to the next floor.
There was a security guard shooting at some Zombie-like creatures.
Security guard:Gordon! Man, am I glad to see you. What are these things, and why are they wearing science team uniforms.
He pointed to a now-dead creature, with a Head crab where the head should be, and green, pulsating areas on the arms, and claws instead of hands.
Suddenly, another one strikes from behind, snapping the security guard's neck.
Gordon:Crap.
Gordon quickly took the guard's pistol and shot the zombie in the head, dropping the zombie to the ground.
Gordon:Yikes. So, if a Head crab latches on to you, it turns you into one of these? Man, what a parasite.
Scene VI.
Fort Worth, Texas
July 11, 1999
A platoon of soldiers standing in the courtyard, Adrian Sheppard included. Another commander spoke to them.
Soldier commander: Listen up, maggots. We have an extremely hostile situation. All proper communication with the Black Mesa facility in New Mexico has stopped. Recently, a distress message was sent. Take a look.
A TV screen unfolded, showing a video and audio message, saying the following:
"This is the Black Mesa facility, in Nevada, New Mexico. Something has gone wrong, there are creatures everywhere. We need military assistance! I repeat...[Crash] AAAHAHHHAH!"
Soldier Commander: Be ready to leave in 1 hour. Dismissed.
Adrian: Sounds like a search and rescue mission to me.
Scene VII.
Gordon finally reached the entrance chamber.
Gordon pushes the keypad. Nothing.
Gordon:Damn. Must be malfunctioning. Mark IV, a little assistance?
Transferring power to arm servos.
He pushes it in with his fist.
The door hangs open loosely.
On the other end, the tram walkway was destroyed, with no tram in sight.
Gordon: Okay, well then. Plan B.
He headed back to the entrance chamber and climbed through a vent. He exited an exploding control room through another vent. At the end of the hallway, a security guard was fighting a zombie. Both of them died.
Gordon:Poor bastard.
Gordon walked up to the zombie.
Suddenly, the zombie woke up and grabbed Gordon by the neck.
The zombie was still alive!
(Sort of.)
The zombie stood up and grabbed Gordon with the other hand. Gordon pushed the zombie in a split second before the Zombie put both hands on him, and pushed the zombie back, and hid in the airlock.
The zombie broke it's claws through the airlock door, and grabbed Gordon by the back of the head, and slammed it into the airlock door.
Gordon:You're...starting...to irritate...ME!
He turns around and shoots the zombie 3 times in the head, sending the Head crab flying.
Gordon:Rot in hell.
Gordon leaned against the wall and rested.
Gordon:Okay. Step 1: Stay alive. Step 2: Escape the facility. Step 3: Figure out who sent us the unstable specimen, and rip him to bloody pieces. Step 4: Find a new job.
There was an elevator that went down, not up.
Gordon:Well,I don't see any other way out.
He went to a lever and pulled it, grabbing a 9mm clip in the process, and jumped down onto the lift. 20 Head crabs followed. Using the crowbar, Gordon batted them into the grinders just below the open sewer pipe under the lift. He then uses the Crowbar to pry open some crates, which contain 9mm ammo.
Scene VIII.
Gordon climbed a nearby ladder and found himself in some office complex. A broken light fixture provided a hazardous wall of electricity.
Gordon:Hmm.
He pulled off a vent cover and came out inside another room. There was a scientist hiding.
Scientist: Gordon. If I knew it was you, I would let you in. Everyone's heading for the surface. They're crazy not to stay put. Someone has to come by and rescue us.
Gordon:I hope.
Suddenly, a tongue-like appendage grabbed Gordon by the leg, dragging him up. He looks up and sees a mouth-like object. He rips off the tongue with the crowbar, causing him to fall to the ground.
Suit:Minor fracture detected.
Gordon:Argh. Barnacles.
A nearby scientist pulled a switch, killing the power. The electrified area died out. Gordon walked down the hallway,and down a walk-in storage closet.
There was a SPAS-12 Shotgun, and some spare shells.
Gordon:Perfect. I just hit the jackpot.
There was a security lock on the next area. A security guard unlocked it. Suddenly, a zombie put his arm through the guard's head and killed him.
Gordon:Damn it.
He blew the head crab right off the creature.
Inside the locker was some more Shotgun shells, and some first-aid kits.
Suddenly, a Head crab leaped onto Gordon's head and inserted it's beak into Gordon's head.
Suit(Freeman): Organic anomaly detected. Activating shock turrets.
Two tazers popped out of the shoulder pads and electrocuted the head crab, causing it to fall off.
Suit(Freeman):Are you alright?
Gordon:Yes.... Status report.
Suit(Freeman): Medical supply reserve at 68%
Power level is 50%.
Warning:Blood Toxins detected. Administering antidote.
Gordon Freeman: Ow. I should probably find some more battery packs.
He headed back to the previous room.
There was an office up ahead. The sign read,
"Dr. G Garbler, Scheduled Chaos Theory, PHD."
Gordon Freeman: Weird.
Cut to Random Hallway
Barney climbs out of a vent, another security guard standing around.
Barney:Hey, Wilson. What's up?
Wilson:Big news. We've gotten in contact in the military. They're sending in troops to rescue us and secure the facility.
Barney: Wonderful. I hope they get here soon.
Cut to the Black Mesa exterior.
30 Ospreys descended towards the Black Mesa facility's entrances. Apache helicopters escorted them.
Cut to 1 Apache, with Adrian Shepard's
squad inside.
Pilot:Ready. Proceed to checkpoint Tango-Alpha-Charlie and wait for further orders.
Co-Pilot: Roger.
Briggs: Sounds like a search-and rescue operation to me.
Adrian Shepard:If it is, I'll be pretty pissed.
Sanders:I'll be pissed too, when I have to search and rescue your sorry ass.
Patterson: Yeah, that's real cute, Jack.
Sanders:Anytime, Anywhere!
Sergeant:Settle down, ladies! We're here.
The 40-ish ships landed at the rendezvous site.
The sergeant stepped out of the way, and debriefed them on their orders.
G man: Men, your...orders, are to silence the potentially dangerous Black Mesa facility. Do not be.....deceived, it is confirmed that the people there are armed and dangerous. You are....dismissed.
He walks into a helicopter, and vanishes.
Sergeant:You heard him. Silence the facility. Haul ass or die! GO ! GO ! GO!
Cut to another hallway.
Gordon comes across another security guard.
Gordon: Hey, man.
Guard:Hey, Gordon. I just got a message from the military. Troops are on the way to save us. Come on.
He walked down the hallway, past a bunch of soda machines.
A strange, streamlined creature grabbed the guard, and killed him with it's claws. It was a vortigaunt. It had thin arms and legs, and a third arm coming out of the chest. It came out and noticed Gordon. It flexed it's stomach arm, and electricity gathered up in the other two arms. The bolt of energy struck Gordon in the chest, leaving burn marks on the shoulders.
Suit(Freeman): Electrical Damage detected.
The vortigaunt grabbed Gordon by the arm and smashed him into the soda machines, and swiped Gordon in the face, leaving a large cut on Gordon's forehead.
Suit(Freeman): Minor brain lacerations detected. Dangerous situation detected. Diverting power to power lifts.
Gordon felt a strong zap in the arms.
The suit was enhancing his arm strength!
He grabbed the vort by the arms and threw it into the soda machines. The machine broke, spewing cans of soda.
[KaCHUNKAchunkachunkachunkakachunka]
The vortigaunt slipped trying to get up the first time. This hurt it, but mostly angered it. In desperation, it grabbed Gordon and pulled him to the ground. It was about to deliver another lightning bolt, when a bullet went right through it's head and out the large eye, dropping him.
Barney:End of the line for you.
Barney looked around and saw Gordon amongst the blood and scattered cans.
Barney:Gordon! I figured I'd find you in a mess of some sort.
Gordon:Very funny. Just help me up.
Barney pulled Gordon to his feet.
Gordon:Good to see you. How's the rescue coming along?
Barney:Soldiers have arrived. I got a good feeling about this.
Gordon:I got a bad feeling about this.
Barney:What's the worst that could happen?
Gordon:I don't want to think about the worst that could happen. Let's just keep moving.
Barney: I think it's this way.
Gordon: (Sarcastic manner)Want a soda?
Barney: Yep. You'll be just fine.
Gordon picks up a can of Coca-cola and follows Barney down the hallway.
Up ahead was a walk-in freezer, with two dead scientists on tables next to the door.
Barney:Yikes. After you.
Gordon: 3 Rules: Keep your gun loaded, watch your back, and for God's sake, try to keep up.
Suit(Freeman): Power steady at 40%. And,may I ask you something?
Gordon:What?
Suit: How are you so proficient with weaponry?
Gordon:My father owned a gun shop. Using and knowing proper care for a weapon was a little hobby. I guess I really got good at it during the Hazard certification course. I got perfect marks, every shot hit within an inch of the bulls eye. By the way, what's the quickest way through the freezer?
Suit:There is a ventilation shaft you can use to get through, but first, you must activate a supply lift using a lever. You will know it when you see it.
Gordon:Thanks.
Suit: I am pleased to be of service.
They both worked over to the lift. When they pulled the lever, a Bull squid ran and slammed Gordon into the wall.
It had a tiger's body, and the head of a squid.
Barney tried to pull the beast away, and it struck him with it's sharp tentacles.
During the split second it had turned to Barney, Gordon pulled out the shotgun, and blasted it right in the mouth, dropping the blasted creature.
Barney: Nice one.
Gordon: Let's keep moving.
They headed down through the ventilation shaft, and found another office, where two zombies were approaching a scientist.
Barney:50/50?
Gordon:If you're lucky.
Gordon shot the head crab off one of them.
Barney punched the other one in the gut, unfortunately, it had developed a mouth in the chest, which grabbed Barney's arm, and thrashed him around like a chew toy in a dog's mouth.
It then forced Barney to the ground by pushing him, forcing the mouth to let go.
Gordon quickly killed the zombie by scarring the head crab in half, with the crowbar.
Gordon quickly made some bandages out of lamp shade cover and tape, and bandaged the arm wound.
Gordon:Are you okay? It isn't too tight, is it?
Barney: I'll be fine.
Gordon:Obviously, you can't be left alone.
Barney:When this all blows over, I'm going to owe you a beer, a tall one.
Gordon:Same old Barney.
They called the elevator down and rode it up to the next area.
Scene IX.
They came to a room where some soldiers ran past them, and sealed the fire doors in front of them.
A message came over the intercom:
This facility is now under military control."
Barney:Music to my ears.
Gordon:[gulp]
Barney opened the door.
There were two pathways.
Gordon:We should split up. You go that way(Pointing left), and I'll take the path on the right.
Barney:Right. I'll see you when I see you.
Scene X.
Barney happened to find a security office. Inside was a revolver covered in blood.
Barney:Well, as long as the blood hasn't clogged the barrel, it should suit me.
Up ahead was another ventilation duct.
He pulled the cover off, and came into another brutally long vent shaft.
Barney:Time to pull a Freeman.
Cut to elevator room.
Gordon finally came across the soldiers.
Gordon:Wow. HERC troops. Hazardous Environment Combat Commandos. Wait....What is he...?
The soldier had his assault rifle up to the scientist's head. He pulled the trigger, and killed the scientist, EXECUTION STYLE.
Gordon ducked behind a wall.
Suit(Freeman):Dr. Freeman, I am detecting a sharp increase in blood pressure and adrenaline. Would you like a mild sedative?
Gordon:(Whispering)No,no,no,no,no. They aren't here aren't here to save us. They're here to kill us. Keep quiet. I have an idea.
Soldier:What was that?
The soldier checked out the noise, and found nothing. Suddenly, he looked up.
Gordon dropped from the ceiling and landed on top of him.
He quickly stripped of him of his weapons: An assault rifle, 2 Hand grenades, and his suit radio. The soldier tried to shoot him with a desert eagle pistol, but Gordon snapped it away from him with the same haste.
The soldier began to retaliate. He grabbed him, and fiercely headbutted him, and kicked him off him. He then punched Gordon square in the chest, and stabbed him in the shoulder with the knife. Or tried to. The knife's blade fatigued and broke off on the HEV suit's shoulder plating.
Soldier:What the......?
Gordon grinned. At this point, Gordon put his bare hands around the soldier's neck, with the threat of strangulation.
Gordon:I don't really want to harm you. I have some questions. You, are going to answer them. Capiche?
Soldier:Who are you?
Gordon:I'm your worst nightmare: A PHD with an assault rifle. There was a distress call sent to you from the Black Mesa research facility, correct?
Soldier:Yes.
Gordon:By the way, what is your last name?
Soldier:Rot in hell.
Gordon tightened his grip around the soldier's neck.
Soldier: Okay, okay, okay! It's Pvt. Briggs!
Gordon:Smart. Who told you to silence the facility?
Briggs: I ain't telling you spit!
Gordon: Wrong answer.
Gordon squeezed Brigg's neck like a boa constrictor.
Gordon:I know what you're thinking. That your neck will break if I keep this up. So, tell me, who gave you the order? WHO!
Briggs: Screw you.
Gordon stuck his thumb in Brigg's left eye.
Briggs:AIIIIIEEEEE! OW! Okay, okay. I...I don't know who, exactly, but it was some guy in a dark blue suit. That's all I know, I swear!
Gordon:Thanks. You might not be as dumb as you look.
He took all the spare ammo clips from Briggs, and used some string he found nearby to tie him to the railing.
Briggs: You know, they're going to kill you.
Gordon:I think they don't know who they're messing with.
He ran away, leaving Briggs tied to the railing.
Meanwhile, the military was watching from the security cameras.
Sanders: Damn. Who is this guy?
Patterson;ID recognizes him as one Gordon Freeman. Everything else is irrelevant.
Sanders:Military history?
Patterson:Negative.
Sanders:Damn. What do we do?
Patterson: Shepard is one damn tough man. I figure he can do it.
There will be more. By the way, sorry about abandoning the Other Half-life thing. I promise, this is much better.
See ya when I see ya!