Gordon stared at into the coffin where his friend lay. He could barely believe it. His lifelong colleague, mentor, and not to mention friend, was dead. It was unthinkable. He had fought his way to Xen and back, single-handedly killed the Nihilanth, taken down the very heart of Combine rule, just to be completely helpless as a psychokinetic space worm murdered one of his closest friends. Thank god for DØG. If it hadn't intervened that advisor would have killed him and Alyx. Gordon sighed and glanced over at her. Freeman knew that whatever he was going through, it must have been a hundred times worse for Alyx. Alyx had become withdrawn, speaking not much more than Gordon himself. Her accuracy plummeted in the mandatory hour of target practice, and she barely ate. Gordon turned back to the coffin as the scientist part of him offhandedly wondered exactly what would happen today. The vortigaunts promised to "give the Eli Vance a proper release to the Vortessence."

Almost everyone was gathered around Eli's coffin in the outdoor pavilion as some of Eli's team said a few words or silently paid respects. Most of the vortigaunts were standing around silently, possibly giving respect in their own way. Gordon noticed Dr. Kleiner heading up to the coffin with Dr. Magnusson and got Alyx's attention. They both quietly sat down and several others followed suit. Kleiner began his speech, telling what Eli's role in the starting the Resistance, saving refugees in City 17, establishing the vorts as allies, and even diving into what role Eli played at Black Mesa. He left nothing out. That, combined with Eli's friendship with most of them, made for very few dry eyes. Gordon though he even saw Magnusson's eyes get a little misty. Gordon glanced over at Alyx, at first taken aback. She was staring straight on, stoic faced. But then Gordon noticed the small quiver in her lips, her clenched fists, and thousand yard stare, and he knew that she was just barely keeping it together. He respectfully turned his attention back to Kleiner, who then reached the end his speech and rejoined the crowd. All the vortigaunts turned and started moving up towards the coffin. Magnusson's personal vortigaunt assistant, Uriah, led them. An even heavier silence passed through the crowd as all the vortigaunts made it to the stage. Uriah put his arms over Eli's body, and it seemed as if even the wind was holding its breath. Uriah began to chant and the others quickly joined in. He began to wave his hands over Eli's coffin. The wind suddenly picked up and the space around Eli got brighter. It actually appeared that it was Eli's body that was glowing. Eli started giving off points of light reminiscent of ones Gordon hadn't seen since the Resonance Cascade. Eli actually appeared to be dissolving with the light, and Gordon could now see that whatever the lights lit up was immediately gone. He had no idea what was happening, but he knew it must be sacred. The vorts held Eli high in their society, as he was the first one to attempt contact with them. About a third of Eli's body was gone now, and the vortigaunts started picking up speed. In a few moments, all that remained in Eli's coffin were his clothes and his artificial leg.

The crowd seemed to let out its breath all at once, and the vortigaunts rejoined the crowd. Magnusson strode to the empty coffin, and the crowd seemed to awake from their daze. "Well that was… um, something." Magnusson said weakly. "Now, back to work."

The crowd dispersed and Gordon took Alyx back to her room. They sat down on her cot and Alyx stared at the ground. Gordon, unsure of what to do next, started wrapping his arm around Alyx. She resisted at first, but soon gave in and then clutched to it tightly. She started sobbing uncontrollably and pressed up against Gordon.

"He's really gone," she started. "I can't believe he's really go-" Alyx froze midsentence. Surprised, Gordon tried to look over at her but he felt as if he were moving through molasses. The room was suddenly darker and an eerie purple light started emanating from nowhere. "Oh no," Gordon thought as he turned his attention directly in front of him. Sure enough there he was standing there, looking no different than he would if he was standing at a bus stop, instead of an alien apocalypse.

"Doctor Freeeeeeman," he began, "I realize that you have been through much in the past few days, and that you might be hoping for some reprieve. Unfortunately, there is still much to be done, and so few people to do it." The scene suddenly shifted to something that looked like another resistance outpost. "The chopper that Miss Vance has so courteously set up will be adequate transportation for what I have in mind. Do not fail." And then he was gone. The world started up again and Alyx resumed sobbing, completely unaware of what just transpired.

A resistance soldier burst into the room, and both Alyx and Gordon looked up.

"Sorry to disturb you," he said, "but Dr. Freeman, you're needed. Right now."