Black Mesa: Invasion
Chapter 1: Introduction
Authors Note: Consider this the v2 of my fan fiction about half-life. Bold text is dialogue. Bracketed text is stage directions. In case you failed to figure it out, yes, this meant to be a book-movie hybrid. I do this in memory of the obviously dead half-life movie fan-fiction. R.I.P. When this is done, the first one will be deleted.
[Camera view pans over a dam, followed by a cliff, and through a hallway, where a few scientists walked down the hallway. Heavy rock music plays in the background. Camera blacks out to title logo, a single lambda logo. The camera zooms to the tiles reading "Black Mesa" before fading to black.]
[A man walks over to a nearby tram station, waiting. His cell phone rings. It has an evil-sounding ringtone. He pulls it out, and answers. The man's name is Barney Calhoun.]
Calhoun (Into cell phone): Hello. Who is this?
[The voice of a 27-year old male comes over the phone. His name is Gordon Freeman.]
Gordon: It's Gordon. Where are you?
Calhoun: Waiting for the tram. You?
Gordon: Same. You know, I think I missed the train.
Calhoun: Yeah, by an hour.
Gordon: Next time I oversleep, punch me in the chest until I wake up.
Calhoun: Noted. You know, besides the fact that I'm going to be a security guard, nobody's told me shit about this place. Where are we, again?
Gordon: (Sigh) Black Mesa Research Facility, stationed in New Mexico. Are you stupid, or did you lose the job info brochure?
Calhoun: Probably.
Gordon: This facility is one of the latest government-owned research facilities, currently running research in weapons, alien specimens, even more restricted research…
Calhoun: I'm sorry; you lost me after "New Mexico".
Gordon Freeman: Well, I can't give you a blow by blow. You'd have to talk to a security chief about that.
[A tram started rolling down the track.]
Barney Calhoun: Whatever. I have to go. My train's here. Talk to you later.
Freeman: Yeah. Bye.
[Barney hung up and got on the tram. Dr. Green's pre-recorded voice came in over the intercom.]
Intercom: Hello, and welcome to the Black Mesa Research Facility tram for Security Officers. The time is: 8:42 A.M. Current recorded topside temperature is: 93 degrees, with a pre-estimated high of: 105. Thankfully, the Black Mesa Research Facility is maintained at a pleasant 68 degrees at all times. If you wish to transfer to the high-security section of the tram, you can do so before you reach the area 9 platform. Please remember to have your level 2 security pass I.D at all times.
[The tram rolled to various places, ranging from an eating area to a commons area, until it rolled to a stop at the security checkpoint. An extremely fat security guard lumbered over to the tram, while a somewhat skinnier guard stood watch at the controls.]
Security Guard 1: Why is this damn button flashing?
Security 2: Don't ask me, you're the damn electrical guy.
Security 1: With friends like you…man!
Security 2: Glad you showed up on time, Calhoun.
Calhoun: So, where in this forsaken hellhole am I going?
Security 1: Sector C. Enjoy.
[He pushed buttons, and the tram began to descend into the darkness.]
Security 2: Have a good one, Calhoun!
Intercom: This train is now transferring to the sector C Checkpoint. Please have your Security I.D and C-level clearance pass on your person at all times. Do not attempt to leave the train until it comes to a stop at the security checkpoint.
[Eventually, it came to a stop at the security checkpoint, and let Barney off. He walked off the train, and swiped his pass I.D through the yellow door slot. ]
[Access Denied]
[It gave off a denial sound. Barney angrily pounded the door, causing it to beep again. He repeatedly started to pound on the door.]
Meanwhile….
[A female scientist by the name of Dr. Green slowly woke up, and quickly made her breakfast, then quickly got out of her night robe, and into a stark-white metallic suit. The suit's communication interface greeted her as she finished putting it on.]
Suit: Welcome, Dr. Gina Cross, to the HEV Mark V Prototype, for use in hazardous environment conditions. All systems are go. Today is May 20, 2001. Current topside temperature is: 93 degrees, with estimated high of 105. Internal temperature is 68 degrees, as always.
[With a yawn, Dr. Cross grabbed her morning coffee and started walking down the hallway, when another female scientist caught up to her.]
[She appeared to be in her 40s, with long hair tied into a bun, also wearing a red HEV suit. Her name was Dr. Green.]
Dr. Green: Hey, Gina. Did you catch Dr. Freeman at Orientation?
Dr. Cross: Yeah. [Puts on a shy tone] I think he's kind of cute.
[Dr. Green stopped abruptly, thought about slapping Dr. Cross, then thought better.]
Dr. Green: [In a mildly annoyed tone] you have got to be *kidding* me. He looks disgruntled at best. Although I will admit that he is worth mentioning. He had the best time in the Hazard Course Decathlon.
Dr. Cross: Certainly. I hope he likes orange suits. Also, why does this job require waking up so early?
Dr. Green: If you don't like it, find another job. Anyways, Dr. Keller wants us in his office right away.
Dr. Cross: Another day, another boring experiment with the Anti-Mass machine.
Elsewhere…..
[Gordon Freeman caught another tram inbound for the Anomalous Materials Laboratory. Gordon looked to his left to see Barney pound angrily on the door. Gordon couldn't help but let a grin spread across his face.]
Intercom: Hello, and welcome to the Black Mesa Research Facility. The time is 8:47 A.M. Current Topside temperature is 93 degrees, with an estimated high of 105. The Black Mesa Facility is maintained at a pleasant 68 degrees at all times.
[While the intercom put out its string of messages, he looked out over the facility. Large missiles were being stored. Later, he noticed a VIP and his bodyguard being escorted into the facility via an Apache Helicopter. ]
Gordon: (To Himself) Well, aren't we the fancy ones.
[As the tram neared the labs, Gordon couldn't help but notice a man in a dark blue suit straightening his tie. His face looked like it was made of stone.]
[Eventually, the tram rolled to a halt. A security guard walked over to the tram and opened it.]
Security 3: Good Morning, Dr. Freeman. Looks like you're running late.
Gordon: How observant.
Meanwhile….
[Barney finally quit his arm numb from pounding on the door.]
[The voice of another security guard came from the other side of the door.]
Security 4: Hold on. The door's not responding to your pass I.D. Let me see if I can open it from here.
[After a minute, the door made a final [ping] noise and opened.]
Barney: (Sarcastically) Thanks for being prompt in responding.
Security 4: Sorry about that, Calhoun. We've been having access problems all over the facility today. Security lock down, password malfunctions. It's a wonder this goddamn place hasn't shut down yet.
Barney: Sounds like the maintenance division would rather hang themselves from the rail line than put in a requisition for replacement parts.
Security 4: (Laughs) Yeah. I'd say so. I'm Security Chief Gutierrez. First off, go and put on your uniform, grab your sidearm, then report to the lobby for orders.
Barney: Yes, sir!
Gutierrez: Have a good one, Calhoun.
[Barney walked over to the lift, which lead to the upper levels. He took a right to Camera Surveillance. Inside were a number of camera views. In the first one, he could see Gordon arrive at the main desk at the Anomalous Materials laboratories.]
[Zoom into the camera to Anomalous Materials.]
[Gordon walked up to the front desk.]
Gordon: Sorry for being late. I missed the train.
[A security guard turned around, and looked at him with a smug look at him.]
Security 5: Yeah. And the one after that, and the one after that, and the one after that. Trams go by every 15 minutes. The only reason you're not fired is that I can't even log in. We had a system crash 20 minutes ago. I can't even access my files. Anyways, I was told to make sure you head right on down and get your hazard suit before going to work today.
[Gordon walked past a phone when it started to ring. He quickly picked it up. Barney was on the other end.]
Barney: Hey, what's up?
Gordon: Not much. A system crash is the only thing that shielded me from being fired.
Barney: On the first day?
Gordon: Yep. I'll also guess the system issues are also the reason you were pounding on the door like a vending machine stealing your money.
Barney: Yeah. Nice to know someone pays attention. I was banging on that door for 10 minutes before the security chief opened it for me. Also, (In a bragging tone) I know something you don't.
Gordon: Okay, I'll bite. What?
Barney: I found your info brochure. Apparently, you get to work with the developers of the HEV suit and Anti-Mass Spectrometer you'll be working with. Dr. Cross and Dr. Green. I hear Dr. Cross is single. You sly dog.
Gordon: Don't get me started. How late are you?
Barney: I think, not as late as you.
Gordon: I have to go for my experiment, now. I'll talk to you later.
Barney: Yeah. Bye.
[Gordon hung up, and walked down the hallway. The Man in Dark Blue was chatting with a scientist. Gordon managed to catch some of the conversation through the glass. The scientist had dark skin, and a light build.]
MIDB: I believe that this sample should exceed our employers' expectations, don't you?
Scientist: Well, I'm not sure….How pure is it?
MIDB: It does not matter. Administrator Breen has…..gone to great lengths to acquire this sample, at great costs. I could only imagine what would happen if you refused.
[Thick beads of sweat began to appear on the scientist's skin.]
Scientist: I don't like it. A sample this pure and unstable brings about a strong risk for a resonance cascade scenario. For the benefit of the people in this facility, the administrator included, I must beg that we not experiment on this sample.
MIDB: I would think not. My…..employers would find it most unsatisfying. You *will* run this test.
Scientist: Or…..
MIDB: …Or prepare for unforeseen consequences.
[The MIDB walked down the hallway, giving Gordon a dark sneer as he left. The scientist stood there, his eyes showing true fear. ]
Gordon: Hey, are you alright?
[The scientist snapped out of it, and turned to see Gordon.]
Scientist: Huh? Oh, yes, I'm fine. Probably the government wanted to harass me about some sample we got.
Gordon: What's so special about it?
Scientist: It's none of your business. Let me get you a drink.
Gordon: Not until you explain what has you so spooked. You looked like death just gave you a 1 week notice.
[The scientist stopped, looked around to make sure nobody else was around, and whispered.]
Scientist: There are some things around here are best not speaked of. There's secret, top secret, there's talk and we blow your head off, then there's these things.
Gordon: Right. Hey, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Gordon Freeman.
Scientist: Yes, yes, I've heard about you. Latest one so far (With a grin) I'm Eli Vance. It's good to meet you. Now, how about that drink?
Gordon: Sounds good to me.
[Dr. Freeman and Dr. Vance walk down to the eating area, where a mildly annoyed Dr. Magnusson sat, his microwave casserole was cooking in the oven.]
[Freeman and Vance walk over to the soda machine. Vance takes out a quarter and puts it in the machine. When he pushes the button, nothing happens.]
Vance: Damn! Sorry, but it looks like you'll have to go without. We've got coffee, if you want it.
[Gordon simply walked over to the machine, and punched the same button in 5 times. The machine popped, and 3 sodas fell out.]
Dr. Vance: Lucky. Hey, Magnusson, you want a soda?
Dr. Magnusson: Leave me alone.
Dr. Freeman: Didn't have your coffee yet?
Dr. Vance: Don't mind him. He's a grumpy old scientist. Hey, let's play a quick prank on him. I want you to [Whisper], okay?
[Dr. Freeman went over to the microwave and set it to high. Dr. Magnusson noticed and ran over to it, pushing Dr. Freeman out of the way. Just at that moment, the casserole exploded, sending meat chunks everywhere.]
Magnusson: Freeman! You….I'll get you for this.
[Dr. Magnusson cast an angry look then grumbled back to his seat.]
Dr. Vance: Before you start, let me introduce you to a friend.
[They walked down to the personnel areas. A scientist tied his shoes, and straightened his tie.]
Dr. Vance: This is Dr. Kleiner. You know, the man who….
Dr. Freeman: Yes, I know who he is.
Dr. Kleiner: Hello, Dr. Freeman. It's nice to see you showed up today.
Dr. Freeman: I hope this job will be a good one.
Dr. Kleiner: That's good to hear, especially since without me, you wouldn't be here. By the way, any idea why we have to wear these ridiculous ties?
Dr. Freeman :( Laughs) I guess you don't like status symbols.
Dr. Vance: I'll take care of this. Your suit is over there, to the left. We'll see you in the labs.
[Dr. Vance and Dr. Kleiner leave. Dr. Freeman opens the cage and straps on his orange HEV suit.]
HEV Suit (Freeman): Welcome, Dr. Freeman, to the HEV Mach IV Protective System, for use in hazardous environment conditions.
[High-Impact Reactive Armor Systems Online.
Automatic Medical Systems Engaged.
Power Lift Systems are GO.
Universal Communication Interface Online.
Have a very safe day.]
[Gordon stepped out of the personnel area, and started walking towards the Anomalous Materials laboratories.]
Meanwhile…..
[Barney walked over to the personnel areas, and strapped on his uniform: A stainless-steel helmet and Kevlar vest. The Black Mesa logo was emblazoned on the vest. He took the lift down, and went over to the armory. Half of the booths were filled with Security officers taking practice shots at the range.]
[He walked over to the guard at the desk, who was reading a gun magazine.]
Security 6: Good for you to show up on time today, Calhoun.
Barney: Yeah. I'm here to pick up my sidearm.
Security 6: Do you want a Glock 18, or the M9?
Calhoun: Didn't even know I had a choice in the matter? 9mm?
Security 6: You bet. I'll start you off with the M9. Here you go.
[He handed Calhoun a Beretta M9 9mm pistol. It had a shining finish, almost mint condition. It was chambered and loaded with 9mm ammunition.]
Security 6: I know you're not set to go to the range for a while, but if you want to take a few practice shots, there's plenty of room.
[Barney walked down to the range, thought about taking a few shots, then grabbed the 9mm clips from the empty benches and went to the lobby.]
[Next to the lobby, a scientist complained to a security guard.]
Scientist 2: I can't access my files, I can't answer my mail. I haven't even been able to get into my office. What are you morons doing, having a picnic?
Security 7: We know, sir, we know. We're doing all we can to fix the problem. Just give us some to….
Scientist 2: Time? I don't have any more time! If I'm not able to deliver my report to the administrator in the next hour, my job will be in serious risk. I'll make sure mine is not the only one.
[The scientist angrily stomped away like a 16-year-old girl.]
[The guard at the front desk noticed Barney.]
Security 8: Nice of you to show up this morning. Looks like some scientists are having problems with the lift in Sector G. Why don't you head over there, and see what you can do.
Barney: At least it'll give me something to do.
[Calhoun walked through the checkpoint, and onto a tram bound to Sector G.]
Meanwhile….
[Dr. Cross and Dr. Green walk into the control office. Dr. Keller, a man in his 50s, riding in an electric wheelchair, rolled up to the Drs.]
Dr. Keller: Ah, hello, Dr. Cross and Dr. Green. It's nice to see someone show up on time today. Dr. Freeman is running late. Again. Honestly, I do not understand what Kleiner sees in that boy. Anyways, while Dr. Freeman is running gamma experiments downstairs, you will assist, Dr. Cross. As for Dr. Green….
[A graying scientist walks over to Dr. Keller via the elevator.]
Dr. Keller: Hello, Dr. Rosenberg. We're kind of in the middle of something right now.
Dr. Rosenberg: I've talked to Harold. He seems to be under the impression that you plan to run the Anti-Mass Spectrometer greater than 90%. There is a reason for the safety buffer, you know.
Dr. Keller: I understand your concern, but the Administrator made it quite clear that…..
Dr. Rosenberg: The administrator is a bureaucrat, not a scientist! I did not design this equipment to run at this intensity!
Dr. Keller: Enough! If you want to monitor the experiment, be my guest. Otherwise, just go back to your little lab over by the train yards.
[Dr. Rosenberg's shoulders sagged in disappointment.]
Dr. Keller: Dr. Cross, the sample storage area is through here. Dr. Green, we need you in the test chamber.
[Two doors opened up.]
[Dr. Cross and Dr. Green walked into their respective chambers. Dr. Cross walked over to the machine's control level, finding a crowbar on the ground.]
[Dr. Green took the other door, down to the sample delivery system.]
[A scientist watched from a glass booth.]
Scientist #3: Hello, Dr. Green. Would you be so kind as to push the cart into the delivery system so we can begin the experiment?
[Dr. Green nodded, and then pushed the cart into the delivery lift. The lift began to rise up, and then fell down.]
Scientist #3: What now?
[It rose and fell two more times.]
Sci #3: This can't be happening….
[It rose and fell again….]
Sci #3: No, theoretically, this can't happen…
[It fell again.]
Scientist #3: Right. Something must be jammed. See if there's anything interfering with the lift machinery in the test chamber. I'll see if I can make it work from here.
This Concludes Chapter 1. Chapters 2-5 should be released shortly. Please review, comment, hate, flame, love, etc!