Chapter One: Good Morning, And Welcome To The Black Mesa Transit System
LOCATION: Surface Dormitories, Black Mesa Research Facilities
TIMESCALE: December 2nd 1998, 0835 hours EVENT TIME MINUS FORTY FIVE MINUTES
Security Officer Barney Calhoun sipped from his piping hot cup of tea as his tram slid away from the surface platform. He chuckled to himself as he saw another officer, Eric Bilton, running desperately toward the platform, his vest and tie half on. The tram began to descend into the depths of the Black Mesa Research Facility. Barney took a bite of his toast as the Black Mesa Transit System Voicebox kicked in. He ignored the announcements, they never concerned security guards, and set himself down on one of the empty seats.
The tram passed the lower level food facilities, the smell of hot pizza and egg whispering into Barney's hungry nostrils. However, the next smell that floated into his noise was washing powder, as he passed the laundry facilities. Life was good for the young guard, who had turned himself around in the two months since the unfortunate incident in the Happy Valley Mall. He undid his tie, the heat of the upper levels getting to him. The tram then reached the Sector C intersection. Security Officer Otis Calhoun walked up to the door. He was Barney's fat cousin.
"Hey there Barney"
Barney nodded, gazing at the fat man's donut stained vest
"Have a good day man" said Otis, punching the descend key. The tram descended to the tracks below and continued on its way to the Blue Shift security station. Barney liked the hours, 0830 hours to 1200 hours, and 1600 hours to 1900 hours. It was easy, and the pay wasn't bad. The tram passed the Sector B dormitories, and Barney glanced a bearded scientist racing to the platform.
"Another latecomer" he joked to himself.
The train pulled up at the small door that led to the Area Nine Security Offices. Barney stood up, swallowed his toast and readied himself for the day ahead.
LOCATION: Surface Dormitories, Black Mesa Research Facilities
TIMESCALE: December 2nd 1998, 0835 hours EVENT TIME MINUS FORTY FIVE MINUTES
Security Officer Barney Calhoun sipped from his piping hot cup of tea as his tram slid away from the surface platform. He chuckled to himself as he saw another officer, Eric Bilton, running desperately toward the platform, his vest and tie half on. The tram began to descend into the depths of the Black Mesa Research Facility. Barney took a bite of his toast as the Black Mesa Transit System Voicebox kicked in. He ignored the announcements, they never concerned security guards, and set himself down on one of the empty seats.
The tram passed the lower level food facilities, the smell of hot pizza and egg whispering into Barney's hungry nostrils. However, the next smell that floated into his noise was washing powder, as he passed the laundry facilities. Life was good for the young guard, who had turned himself around in the two months since the unfortunate incident in the Happy Valley Mall. He undid his tie, the heat of the upper levels getting to him. The tram then reached the Sector C intersection. Security Officer Otis Calhoun walked up to the door. He was Barney's fat cousin.
"Hey there Barney"
Barney nodded, gazing at the fat man's donut stained vest
"Have a good day man" said Otis, punching the descend key. The tram descended to the tracks below and continued on its way to the Blue Shift security station. Barney liked the hours, 0830 hours to 1200 hours, and 1600 hours to 1900 hours. It was easy, and the pay wasn't bad. The tram passed the Sector B dormitories, and Barney glanced a bearded scientist racing to the platform.
"Another latecomer" he joked to himself.
The train pulled up at the small door that led to the Area Nine Security Offices. Barney stood up, swallowed his toast and readied himself for the day ahead.