The complete full-blown body armor that was resting neatly on a metal stand impressed me. It used state of the art technology, yet it seemed a bit inferior compared to the HEV suits I had encountered during the venture in the BMRF. The inner layer of the chest piece was made of adamantium alloy, which can block most any type of bullet by itself. But the top part of the body armor took most of the damage. A black, one-inch thick PCV-like material covered the entire top layer of it all. There were also black adamantium knee and elbow parts to add to it all. Right under the armor plates lay a gray and white camouflage fatigue, with the sleeves tightly folded near the elbow. This material of the uniform was even made of high dense Kevlar. There were also black fingerless Kevlar gloves and soft, yet very durable combat boots. The final addition, which completed the package, was a black beret made of the same fabric as the fatigue. There was a white insignia that marked the center of the beret, which was a triangle with curved lines covering either side. The curves made a slight s-shape, while the two bottom vertexes were extended sharply and pointed inward. This must have been this "Organization's" symbol. In small text above the protective equipment, read "The Mark 2: Heavy Assault Combat System (HACS)". Just by the color scheme, the "HACS" was especially made for urban style infiltrations.
I wanted to try the HACS on, but I felt kind of like a dog without a bath, so a shower was necessary. Not only that, I was starving. I looked around the room, and saw three circular buttons that weren't there before. They were a few feet away from the HACS. One was labeled "Cleansing Accommodations", the next labeled "Attire". The final was named "Nourishment". I pressed that button immediately, and the wall lifted above me. I entered a tiny room with a table and chair. On the table was a large complete meal fit for three people. I devoured all the food in record time, and opened the 2-liter bottle of soda and drank it all. My stomach satisfied, I came out of the room.
I then pressed the "Cleansing Accommodations" button, and waited for a few seconds. The wall in front of me opened, revealing a small bathroom. There was a stand-up shower in the upper-right corner, a toilet across from it, and a sink with a mirror-cabinet on top in the middle of the left-side wall. There was also a towel rack next to the shower. I stepped inside, while bright lights on the ceiling activated simultaneously. The tiles that covered the entire bathroom were of a pale green color. I undressed quickly and ran inside the shower. I took a ten-minute hot bath. When I finished, I grabbed a towel and dried my self off. Not needing to use the latrine, I headed to the sink. I brushed my teeth and completed all other hygiene necessities. Finished, I went to the "Attire" wall. Instead of the entire piece of wall opening, only a little portion opened. A pair of boxers, etc. were shown. I wore those.
With everything finished, I finally stepped up to the HACS. I first grabbed the Kevlar fatigue, which fit snugly around me. It was really cold. Confused, I felt around the outfit, and touched a small dial on my right shoulder. It was all the way to the side marked "Cold". I turned the dial about halfway between "Cold", and the other side "Warm". I felt relieved after the inside temperature increased. Afterwards, something strange happened. The Kevlar appeared to be fusing with my skin. It still looked the same on the outside, but it probably wasn't so under it. Obscure electrical impulses (or so it seemed) were stinging my nerves. My muscles were tensing, and becoming rigid. It was like I gained strength just from the suit. Already amazed, I reached for the adamantium portions of the HACS and hesitantly strapped them on. Expecting it to be heavy, the adamantium was incredibly lightweight. I put the gloves and boots on easily enough. I then added the beret on my head. The beret tightened automatically (although comfortably) around my forehead all the way to the back of my head. A thin com-link lowered from the beret to the left side of my face. I was now an official operative under the g-man's employment. Joy…yeah right.
Feeling brand new, I went to the door. A fingerprint scanner appeared next to the doorway. I took off my left glove and slowly pressed my forefinger on it, not exactly sure of what to do, and then the door opened. Satisfied with my success with the scanner, I exited the room and met a large hallway. After putting my glove back on, I noticed my room was at the very end, so I proceeded down the corridor. I jogged toward the main door at the end of the hallway. A heavy armed navy-blue clad officer guarded the entrance. Thinking I had access to this particular door, I attempted to pass, but the guard moved, blocking my way.
"Halt! You have not been cleared for entry! Any new recruits must register in the Recruitment Center. The Center is located that way!" The guard spoke sharply through his dark-blue gas mask, while motioning his M4 Assault Rifle at a door to his right.
Acknowledging the command, I headed through the door the guard pointed at. Inside was a one-person elevator. I walked in as the door closed behind me. The lift was already programmed to take the passenger to just one destination, the Recruitment Center. I waited patiently while the lift made its way upward, to the higher depths of this secluded facility…
"Don't ever try to escape again Mr. Calhoun. I'm currently in a generous mood today; I suggest you not spoil it. I would have disposed of you easily if I weren't." The g-man hissed angrily.
"The guards will escort you to your post. You are under my jurisdiction, so I will not allow any sedition from you. You will follow my orders without question Mr. Calhoun, or the consequences will be great."
The two guards Mitchell and Rey returned from their "break" and stood behind me. It seemed they were in the light-arms division since they weren't wearing much protection, or carrying anything larger that a pistol. Not only that, according to everything I've seen so far, this was the g-man's personal complex. You'd think there'd be heavily armed guards and tight security. But these two don't meet my concepts at all. They both had on a weak form of Kevlar and thin plastic helmets. Rey had a .45 Colt, a weapon that was completely passé, while Mitchell had a modern TMP sub-machinegun strapped to his thigh, which was not so bad. I turned around to face the g-man, who was waiting for me to stop my observations.
"Dismissed." He finally concluded, looking rather annoyed.
Mitchell and Rey both clasped each of my arms tightly and led me out the door, to wherever I was assigned to go. It was amusing that they acted more professional when the g-man was reprimanding me. It would be a sight if I told him of their behavior when no ones' listening. I was lucky to have survived this entire ordeal and be spared by the g-man himself. I still could be partially thankful, for without him coming in, I would suppose the Black Ops would have had their way and killed me anyhow. Getting bored of walking and thinking, I decided to bring up some spirits.
"So pals, how was your round of beer?" I started.
I waited for a reply, but it didn't come. The two stayed grim in their march to my security station. They came to a thick metallic door a few hallways and turns later. A large label on the door said "Security Checkpoint G-16". Mitchell pressed his thumb on a nearby fingerprint scanner, making the metal door slide open. The process interested me, since I was still used to the eye scanners in the BMRF. We were greeted by a small sized security center. In the middle of the room was a metal and glass made desk, with a guard sitting on a chair behind it. This desk guard looked similar to Rey and Mitchell, only he had a 12 Gauge Shotgun resting on the desk a few inches away from him. There were three narrow halls behind him. The guard looked up from the computer he was busy with when we were in earshot.
"Good afternoon Officer Easton. Hey Rey." The guard said, paying more attention to my presence, than to Rey or "Officer Easton", who I presumed was in charge of this particular security station. "Who is this guy?" The guard asked.
"A survivor from the extinct BMRF. Newly recruited by the boss himself. Help him find his way around Nolan." Officer Mitchell Easton ordered.
"No problem sir." Nolan replied. Something on the computer suddenly caught Nolan's attention. He looked at us again. "Ah, sir, you and Rey are needed in the Surveillance Room. Don't worry about this guy, I'll make sure he finds his place."
"Alright Nolan. Carry on." Was all Mitchell said. They let go of my arms, which were sore, before he and Rey took off and walked down one of the halls behind the main desk.
"Come on. I'll show you around. I advise that you not do anything stupid. You'll regret it." Nolan said, pointing to a few cameras on the surrounding walls, and then pointing to three large automatic turrets on the middle ceiling.
Looking at the turrets, I soon realized I wouldn't get very far. I could easily take Nolan down before he could reach for the shotgun, and I would take that too. But the turrets on the middle of the ceiling prohibited such actions. They were attached to a metal area in the center of the dome-like ceiling, the rest being made of opaque bulletproof glass. Noticing I was on the surface due to the glass being there, I thought a little better of my plan. Nolan then noticed me eyeing both the glass-metal dome and the shotgun.
"I wouldn't recommend that. Even if you did kill me, and destroy the turrets using the shotgun, a portion of the glass part of the dome can easily open upon the sense of danger, and will allow security squads to drop from the ceiling. Not to mention guards rushing from not only the main door, but the halls behind me as well. Even someone as lucky as you to survive Black Mesa will not be able to escape under such conditions." Nolan warned, smirking at the same time.
"Damn, you guys are really going to spend that much equipment and soldiers just to keep me inside? I sure feel special." I said, with sarcasm in my voice.
"Well that's how the system works. You'll get used to the tight security." The guard said back, suppressing a laugh. "The g-man's patience is thin, so I guess I better get you into your outfit. I don't have to exhibit the place to you, seeing that you can find your own way around, you can explore yourself. There are signs on the walls, so you can't possibly get lost."
I began to walk to one of the halls. As I neared the desk, Nolan grabbed the shotgun and whipped it into my direction. I stopped momentarily just to catch the "Don't think about it" look from him. He was slightly amused, a mood which was contrary to mine. I was still angered at all this, but I knew I couldn't do much about it. I stepped into the middle hallway. I kept walking further down until I was out of sight from the main desk.
The elevator stopped, not to where its supposed to go, it just stopped. Bewildered, I looked for emergency buttons, or ventilation exits, but there were none. It seemed as if the movement of the air itself ceased. Weird as it was, I then heard a familiar teleportation noise in behind me, and turned around. As expected, the g-man was there.
"Ok, now what happened?" I asked.
"I have stilled the space time continuum on this dimension." Came the snake-like reply.
"Great, you froze time. What's next?"
"My time-table forbids a long conversation, so I'll be quick to the point. My employer has found quite an interest in your valuable services Mr. Shepard. Ready as you are, you have not the need to visit the Recruitment Center. You have already been registered. I will create a portal that shall lead you to your new 'job' per say. A benefactor of mine will be waiting." The G-man declared proudly.
A portal suddenly opened next to me, but I stayed silent.
"Mr. Shepard, as much as I enjoy reading your thoughts, I would much rather prefer you to step through that portal. Farewell Sergeant Adrian Shepard, I will still see you on the other side. One way or the other."
Sergeant huh? New life awaited beyond the trans-dimensional teleported, and I was both exhilarated and dismayed at the idea. Interested in my promotion, I gradually made my way to the portal, to meet this "benefactor".
Theg-mansmiled malevolently to himself. Phase one was completed. He knew what was to come, but not entirely. Many humans will have to be sacrificed to meet his demands, but the few he had chosen he decided must be spared. They were too worthy to be killed off so easily. His interest in the Human species after the Incident widened. He would test this volatile, yet resistant planet. They reminded him so much of his own kind…
End: Preparations
Author's Note: Sorry for the extremely long delay everyone. I have been packing my things since I'm moving to Arizona this week. I've been extremely busy, getting my school transfer papers and such. I made this chapter extra long to compensate for some of the time I havn't been updating. I have done a minor change in Chapter 3, and changed the guard named "Aria" to "Rey". I realized there has been confusion between the change of perspectives (Adrian, Barney, G-man, etc.). I have fixed that by adding a dashed line to seperate the point-of-views. So every time there is a dashed line that seperates the text, the character perspectives change. It will mainly be between Adrian and Barney, so it should be easy. Caution advised, since there will be times the point-of-view will change to G-man, or Dr. Rosenberg, so watch out. Any suggestions about this will be helpful, but remember, I'm using Notepad to write my Fanfiction. Also, thanks for the positive feedback from all you reviewers. I see little critism in the reviews though. Even if you people have one thing you're annoyed about, say it in your review! I want a lot of critisim too! Don't expect another chapter in like a month, since it will take me and my family a while to get settled in Arizona. I promise you, the preparatory chapters are nearly over, and Chapter 5 is going to have some nifty dialouge and some action! Hope you haven't been bored to tears yet! Calhoun out... :)