Authors Note: Well, I'd like to say hi, and welcome to my very first chapter of my very first story. (halfhearted confetti and whistle blowing). I hope you enjoy Oppressive Force, the continuation of the story of our favorite HECU grunt, Corporal Adrian Shephard.

Prologue

It's been a long, time, Corporal Shephard, hasn't it?

Adrian snapped his eyes open, giving his attention to a certain blue suited man with a heavy lisp.

I suppose that, given your... capabilities, I would assume that, in all fairness that I would have given you, the option of letting Black Mesa not get destroyed, hmm?

That, and I would allow you to either be a pawn of, your... generals rather than

an employee of me, but, I am not personally a man to, give such liberties, so I have opted to, choose for you. Much like last time, I presume.

You caused the deaths of thousands, you bastard. Adrian thought. I had deactivated the nuke at Black Mesa. But you just had to activate it for your own agenda. Adrian wanted to say this so badly, but he was paralyzed in front of the blue suited man.

All you need to do is survive, but, it is often much more... complex than that. You are a man of brute strength, but you, have shown time and, time again that you are more than simply a grunt.

Damn straight, the soldier thought.

In response, I have chosen you, along with a... similar man, to partake on a special mission. This, is of the most importance to, myself and you. So, Corporal, it's time to set you out, on a... 'spec op', as you would call it.

He smiled, and Adrian soon felt his body feel heavy as lead. He was laying on some sort of... gooey... substance, he rationalized as mud. He was face down, noticing a crack in the gasmask he wore.

Well, shit.

He soon heard the rumble of an approaching vehicle. It noticeably jerked to a halt a few yards away from him. He heard the opening and closing of a door, followed by squelching footsteps.

"Alpha, this is Kingfish, we have a body by the side of the road, still breathing, how copy?"

The voice was female, as far as he could tell.

"Copy, sex and attire?"

"I think male, and... urban camouflage and a green armor vest. He has a gasmask."

"He Combine?"

"If he is, its experimental."

"Alright, bring him to base. See what we can find out about him."

"Copy."

Another male voice sounded.

"I think we should put a bullet in his head and be done with it."

"Dammit, Jack, have a fucking heart for once, will ya? Help me pick him up."

The feeling of being picked up slowly awoke him. His eyes fluttered open slowly, almost as if he was debating whether to open them.

He saw the face of a youngish woman, early 20's, maybe late. Her face was spotted with freckles and pale, along with red hair in a pony tail.

"Don't worry, stranger. You're in good hands."

He was going to mutter a reply, but the feeling of being tossed in the back of a cargo truck knocked the wind out of him. He closed his eyes, falling into a dreamless slumber. Approximately when the vehicle started moving did he finally black out, oblivious to the world around him.

END OF CHAPTER 1

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