Chapter One: Running Late
LOCATION: Area Nine, Level Four Dormitories, Black Mesa Research Facility
TIMESCALE: December 2nd 1998, 08:40 hours- EVENT TIME MINUS 40 MINUTES
BREEP BREEP BREEP! CLAP!
"Oh Shit!" Gordon Freeman awoke to the sound of his alarm. He'd set it half an hour too late! Leaping out of the uncomfortable bed he raced into the bathroom, turned the tap on and threw water over his face, rubbing some quickly into his teeth. He grabbed a deodorant, sprayed it all over and into his hair, and then threw on a shirt, tie, and trousers. He then raced out of the door, slamming it shut. The door then flew open, Gordon screaming in and grabbing his lab coat and badge.
The walk from Gordon's bunk to the platform was a long one, and he raced down it like lightning, stopping to grab a chocolate bar and coffee from the machines.
"Please please let there be a tram there"
There was, and he leapt on it alone, slamming the button.
The tram got off to a slow start, but slowly began moving through the cavernous transit system. Gordon sipped his coffee, observing things on the route, such as a guard stuck outside a security port, the sun shining through the holes in the mesa walls, scientists walking to work. He listened as the Black Mesa FVITS (Female Voice Information Transmission System) kicked in.
"Welcome the Black Mesa Research Facility. The time is: 8:47 a.m, current topside temperature is: 98 degrees, with an estimated high of: 105. The Black Mesa Research Facility is maintained at a pleasant 68 degrees at all times. This Train is: inbound: from: Level Four Dormitories in: Area Nine: to the: Sector C test labs and control facilities"
Gordon got disinterested after that point, the system droning about health and safety and advertisements for hazard course decathlons and other boring things. He hated it here. It was too hot, too uptight and too boring. The 27-year-old MIT graduate yearned for something more exciting, harking back to days when he had US Army posters on his walls. Still, it paid the rent, and he had been given clearance to access some decent hardware. He looked at his watch. It was now 8:55, he was 25 minutes late.
As he looked up the train pulled up to the platform. Gordon waited as the security guard on duty walked up. It was David, the guy who always pulled that shift. He greeted Gordon
"Mornin' Mr Freeman, looks like you're running late"
He patted at the keypad and let Gordon off the train. The two then walked to the massive security doors that led into the Sector C labs. David hit the code in again and the doors slowly but surely slid open, letting Gordon into the entry chamber.
"Have a nice day sir"
David's voice echoed, as the entry doors locked together, sealed by gigantic bolts. The security scanners covered Gordon, checking for unauthorised weapons. When the scan finished, the second big door slowly slid open, lightening the darkened chamber.
LOCATION: Area Nine, Level Four Dormitories, Black Mesa Research Facility
TIMESCALE: December 2nd 1998, 08:40 hours- EVENT TIME MINUS 40 MINUTES
BREEP BREEP BREEP! CLAP!
"Oh Shit!" Gordon Freeman awoke to the sound of his alarm. He'd set it half an hour too late! Leaping out of the uncomfortable bed he raced into the bathroom, turned the tap on and threw water over his face, rubbing some quickly into his teeth. He grabbed a deodorant, sprayed it all over and into his hair, and then threw on a shirt, tie, and trousers. He then raced out of the door, slamming it shut. The door then flew open, Gordon screaming in and grabbing his lab coat and badge.
The walk from Gordon's bunk to the platform was a long one, and he raced down it like lightning, stopping to grab a chocolate bar and coffee from the machines.
"Please please let there be a tram there"
There was, and he leapt on it alone, slamming the button.
The tram got off to a slow start, but slowly began moving through the cavernous transit system. Gordon sipped his coffee, observing things on the route, such as a guard stuck outside a security port, the sun shining through the holes in the mesa walls, scientists walking to work. He listened as the Black Mesa FVITS (Female Voice Information Transmission System) kicked in.
"Welcome the Black Mesa Research Facility. The time is: 8:47 a.m, current topside temperature is: 98 degrees, with an estimated high of: 105. The Black Mesa Research Facility is maintained at a pleasant 68 degrees at all times. This Train is: inbound: from: Level Four Dormitories in: Area Nine: to the: Sector C test labs and control facilities"
Gordon got disinterested after that point, the system droning about health and safety and advertisements for hazard course decathlons and other boring things. He hated it here. It was too hot, too uptight and too boring. The 27-year-old MIT graduate yearned for something more exciting, harking back to days when he had US Army posters on his walls. Still, it paid the rent, and he had been given clearance to access some decent hardware. He looked at his watch. It was now 8:55, he was 25 minutes late.
As he looked up the train pulled up to the platform. Gordon waited as the security guard on duty walked up. It was David, the guy who always pulled that shift. He greeted Gordon
"Mornin' Mr Freeman, looks like you're running late"
He patted at the keypad and let Gordon off the train. The two then walked to the massive security doors that led into the Sector C labs. David hit the code in again and the doors slowly but surely slid open, letting Gordon into the entry chamber.
"Have a nice day sir"
David's voice echoed, as the entry doors locked together, sealed by gigantic bolts. The security scanners covered Gordon, checking for unauthorised weapons. When the scan finished, the second big door slowly slid open, lightening the darkened chamber.