New York Museum for Science, 9 Years Later

"It's an honour to have you here, Mayor Kilet", the man in the raincoat greeted Joan Kilet, Mayor of New York City.

"I like what you've done with the place, Doctor", she took a quick glance around the hall, spotting a logo, "Black Mesa Research Facility? Impressive. I like it"

"What about Mister Fell, how long does he have?" he asked, taking the Mayor's coat.

"He's being moved to New York in this very hour. Where's the sample you promised me, Doctor?", she asked and motioned for her escort to move away, "I've been waiting for this"

"Ah yes. I'm sure you'll find it interesting", the man removed his hood and unlocked a door leading into a recreation of Sector C. "This way, Miss Kilet", he said and turned down the hall to a door where the entrance to the test chamber had been.

She gasped as she entered, spotting several Xen species and weapons around the locale. "The President want's to know how long you are. How many more can you hold?"

The man sighed, "A few more i guess. Twenty maybe. Why? Do they keep entering Earth's atmosphere?"

"It's worse. We've had sightings of the Combine Empire again. Our cover story is beginning to wash away, and the truth is leaking out," Joan took a deep breath "And the marine is still on the loose"

He sighed again, "All right. I'll get it done", he bend down to pick up a picture from the floor.

The mayor nodded and left the room as the man got up, turning the picture around. He looked at himself, "Wallace, what have you done?" a voice asked from behind him.

"Judith, you know i need to do this. Otherwise, humanity will fall", Breen turned around.

"I'm aware of this. But you're also fully aware that Fell won't be easy to handle, right?" Judith stepped forth and picked up a sample from the table.

"Oh don't be so silly. He's under our control. I have promised our benefactors to give them a... Gift. If you catch my meaning?", he laughed and dropped into the chair, "Don't worry. This time, the experiment will be a sucess. Freeman won't be here to screw up. All we need is Fell now, and i expect you'll get it done?"

Judith nodded, putting down the sample again as she left the room. She pulled out a cellphone from her pocket, "Are you ready, Eli?", she asked.

"Mmhm, we're standing by at the crossing. Robert's going to ambush the caravan with the rest of his squad", the voice on the cellphone replied.

She sighed, "Are you sure Hobbs can do this? He barely survived nine years ago"

Eli laughed, "Of course he'll be all right. He is, after all, one of the survivors. Oh, wait, i can see the caravan", Eli hung up.

Continuing down the hallway, Judith turned left into a hallway leading back to the museum...