Gordon Freeman lay in bed, half-asleep. His alarm clock went off, and he reached over to press the snooze button. Finally, he rolled over, looking at the clock. It read 5:23 am.
He rolled over again, sitting over the edge of the bed and rubbing his face in his hands. He stumbled across the dorm, ending up in the kitchen. He switched his stove on, and set a pan on the burner, followed by three slabs of bacon and an egg.
While they sizzled in the pan, Gordon stumbled to the refrigerator, opening it. Withdrawing a carton of orange juice, he walked to a cabinet, removing a glass.
Ten minutes later, he had eaten his breakfast, and was in the shower. He rubbed shampoo through his hair, occasionally glancing at the clock on the opposite wall.
Gordon exited the bathroom, quickly dressing in a blue suit and tie. He jogged to the door, throwing on a white lab coat as he went. Jogging down the dormitory hallways, he passed several closed doors. He opened the door to the stairwell, and descended down it.
After running down four flights of stairs, he pushed open another door, leading to the outside. The sun, as always, beamed down on his face and chest. He grimaced, all this sun was unpleasant at times, but he had a very nice tan, something he could never have gotten back at home. He saw the tram settling to a stop, and rushed forward, yelling for the two occupants inside to hold the door.
When Gordon saw who was inside, he almost stopped. Dr. Colette Green sat in the seat closest to the door, her mentor and boss, Dr. Richard Keller, across from her. As per usual, Keller was berating her with everything he could think of. As Gordon stepped inside, he smiled politely to Colette, and promptly took a seat at the other end of the tram.
"Good morning," The voice of the tram's PA system began. It was actually the recorded voice of Colette's partner, Dr. Gina Cross. Gordon tried to pay attention to that, rather than Dr. Keller's ranting. He sat back, closing his eyes with a sigh.
Barney Calhoun lay in a bed, tangled in the sheets and completely naked. His girlfriend, Laura, lay next to him. Barney's alarm clock went off, a blaring alarm filling the room with noise. Barney opened one eye lazily, reaching up and slapping the clock. It flew across the room.
With a groan, Barney clambered to his feet, and stumbled across the bedroom. Still naked, he opened the bedroom door, and walked out into the hall. Stepping down the stairs, he walked into the kitchen. From the fridge, he pulled a beer bottle out, and took a deep swig. After a moment, he put it back. He stumbled off to the shower.
Thirty minutes later, he was stumbling with his red uniform. He pulled the shirt on, and buttoned it up. He jogged up the stairs, and entered the bedroom. He lightly kissed a still-sleeping Laura, and went out, pausing only to grab his car keys.
He stepped out of his house, entering the hot New Mexico sun. He took it in for a moment, before walking to his truck. He got in, and felt the air conditioner spray cold air on his face. He let it blow for a moment, and put the truck in drive.
After a forty-minute drive through the desert, Barney pulled up to the gate to the Black Mesa facility. The guard nodded hello to him, and opened it. Barney nodded back, entering. He pulled into the shaded carport. He got out, just in time for the tram to pull in. Running across the lot, he got on just in time.
As the doors closed, Barney saw nobody coming. He knew he would take this ride alone. That was for the better, he supposed. There were only about eight people in the entire facility that he actually liked. All the scientists were stuffy, and uptight, and most of the security guards took their jobs far too seriously.
The voice of Gina Cross came up, announcing the current temperatures for the surface and underground Black Mesa facilities. She drawled on, going over the safety procedures that Barney had heard over a thousand times before.
"Yeah, yeah, keep your hands inside the tram," He mimicked, settling into his seat. Several minutes later, the tram slowed to a stop. A security guard, Stanley, Barney thought, walked to the door and opened it.
"Morning Calhoun," Stanley said, as Barney stepped out of the tram. He nodded, and Stanley led him to the door, unlocking it. Barney walked inside, entering the Security office.
"Hey there Calhoun," The officer behind the desk said, "Nice of you to join us."
"I'm here, aren't I?" Barney mumbled, walking past the desk.
"You want your assignment sheet Calhoun?" The officer called after him. Barney waved him away, announcing with sarcasm that he'd get his gun first.
Walking to the locker room, Barney saw the first friendly face of the day, belonging to Doctor Isaac Kleiner. Kleiner hurried towards him, scribbling something onto a clipboard.
"Mornin' Doctor Kleiner," Barney said, nodding his head. Kleiner looked up, surprised to see him there.
"Oh…hello there Barney. What are you doing in this sector?" The Doctor asked. Barney chuckled.
"Well Doc, I kinda work here," He said, obviously taking Kleiner aback. The doctor composed himself quickly,
"Oh yes, that's later…continue on, Barney," Kleiner said, continuing on. Barney, confused, decided to forget the conversation and keep walking. He stepped into the locker room, stopping at his locker. Opening it, he removed his vest and helmet, putting them on quickly. He grabbed his baton with a sigh.
Gordon stepped off of the tram, walking to the security checkpoint. The guard let him in with a polite nod. Gordon returned it, and stepped into the main office of Black Mesa. An officer in the Blue Shift Security Force sat at the desk, typing into a computer. Gordon walked to the desk.
"Good morning, Doctor Freeman," Officer Ellis said cheerfully.
"Good Morning, Ellis," Gordon returned, "What's on the list for today?"
Ellis typed into the computer for a moment, before glancing back at Gordon. "Doctor Kleiner wants you in his office first thing. He says you'll be busy till noon. At one, you've got the monthly budget meeting."
"That it?" Gordon asked, groaning inwardly about the day's events.
"Yep. Sorry man," Ellis replied, with a reassuring smile. Gordon returned it, and headed off toward Doctor Kleiner's office. He walked down the hallways, passing Doctor Simmons. With a nod of hello, he entered his mentor's office.
"Hello there, Gordon!" Kleiner said, getting up out of his chair and ushering his friend inside. In front of colleagues, Gordon and Kleiner had a very professional relationship, referring to each other by their titles and last names. But, behind closed doors, the two were very good friends, and on a first name basis.
"Hi, Isaac. Officer Ellis said you wanted to see me?"
"Ah yes. You know of Gina's work with the new Hazardous Environment Suit? Well, she believes it to be finished, and it is to be tested today. However, she asked that you specifically be the one to test it. I believe she's got her eye on you, Gordon," At this Gordon chuckled, but Kleiner continued, "You and I are due in the Black Mesa Hazard Course, about four minutes ago. We should hurry."
Kleiner led Gordon out of his office, hurrying down the hallways. Gordon passed the mess hall, and looked inside, gazing longingly at the coffee machine. His dorm was out.
Gordon stood at the beginning of the Black Mesa Hazard Course, flexing the gloves of the HEV Suit. It fit quite nicely, apparently having been adjusted to his size. Gina had not only built the suit, but she had built him a suit. He grinned, stepping into the course. Doctor Kleiner's voice came over the intercom.
"Hello Doctor Freeman, this is Doctor Kleiner. With me, are Doctors Vance, Rosenberg, and Walters, as well as Security Officer Otis Manning. Are you ready to proceed?" Gordon said yes, and Kleiner directed him into the Hazard Course.
"All right Doctor Freeman, first we will practice movement in your suit. Please jog through this next tunnel," Gordon did, and wound up in a new room. A series of tubes stretched across lengths of the room, at various heights above ground.
"Doctor Freeman, please jump through the first tube, crawl through the second, and run through the third. Good," He said, as Gordon did. He exited the room, to find himself in a very long corridor.
"Now, I understand you are in excellent physical condition? This hallway stretches for one half of a mile. I want you to sprint it." Kleiner said.
"Oh come on, Doctor-" Gordon began, but Kleiner cut him off.
"Now, now, Doctor Freeman. I know you can do this. Go ahead."
Gordon sighed, and set off, running as hard as he could down the corridor. The suit fit wonderfully, fitting his every curve, moving with him. Soon however, he began to run out of air. His legs began to burn. The pleasant voice of Gina Cross came out of a small speaker.
"Administering pain reliever. Pumping air." As soon as she said this, Gordon felt his legs begin to feel normal again. Air pumped into his lungs, filling them again. Gordon managed to run the last of the hallway.
"Thank you Doctor Freeman. Now, step into the next room please."
Gordon did, and saw a vat of bubbling green fluid below him.
"All right, this is where the course becomes hard. Doctor Freeman, I want you to step over to the suit charger, charge it, and then submerge yourself in the vat."
"Hell no!" Gordon cried after several seconds, stepping back from the tank.
"Doctor Freeman-" Kleiner interjected, but Gordon cut him off.
"Look Doctor Kleiner, I'm always willing to help out, but I'm not putting myself into…that!"
"Gordon, I want you to listen to me," Kleiner said, his voice softening, "In all the years we've known each other, I have never put you in any position you were not comfortable with. I promise you, you will not be harmed. The suit will protect you. Please Gordon, do this for science."
Gordon hesitated, Kleiner's words rushing through his head. The man had a point; Gordon could not see him putting him into any harm's way. After several minutes, Gordon stepped forward.
"Good!" Kleiner exclaimed, "Now, please step over to the suit charger, and place your hand on the pad."
Gordon did so, lifting his palm and placing it on the indicated pad. He felt a tingling sensation, and heard Gina say 'Enabling Heads-Up-Display'. An instant later, two numbers flared up on the lower left corner of his vision, one above the other. The top number was fast filling. The bottom was 100.
"You will notice two numbers now. Those are your HEV and HEV charge indicators. When the suit is charged, you are fully impervious to harm. It activates an energy field around the suit, covering every part of your body, including your head. The Mark IV suits do not have this, relying more on the helmet to protect against the elements. This is a major improvement " As he spoke, the top number settled at 100. Gordon felt a gentle push on his hand, removing it from the pad. The charger went dark.
"Once the charger goes dark like that, it is empty. You can no longer use it until the battery, ironically enough, recharges. However, this takes several hours. The charge count in your display will diminish to zero before the suit itself can take damage. This is represented by the bottom number you can see. Once both numbers reach zero, you yourself are vulnerable. Now, Gordon, please submerge yourself in the vat."
Gordon stepped forward tentatively, slowly approaching the vat. The green fluid bubbled menacingly. As he reached the edge, he dipped a toe into it. Immediately, his foot began sweating. He whipped his foot out, crying out at the intense heat.
"Lowering suit temperature," Gina's voice said, and immediately his foot returned to normal temperature. He cursed, loudly, before giving a look at the observation window. Before he met anyone's eyes, he closed his own, and stepped into the vat.
He felt like he was on fire, but only for a moment. Gina announced that she was lowering the temperature, and Gordon felt like he was back on the surface. He would not open his eyes, yet he could see the two status numbers, noting the top rapidly diminishing. When it reached 40, he realized he had to get out of there.
From the observation window, Doctor Isaac Kleiner watched the vat anxiously. He had told Gordon that he was in no danger, but if that suit power became depleted…he didn't want to think what would happen to his friend if that happened. He felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder, and glanced at it. The dark skin identified it as Eli Vance's, although Kleiner knew that already. There were only two people in the entire facility that came as close to being friends with Gordon as he had; Eli, and a security guard, named Barney Calhoun.
Of course, almost everybody liked Gordon, it was hard not to. He was polite, kind, and damned good at his job. He was also quiet, and rather shy. Gordon was a bit on the nerdy side as well, which just about every scientist at Black Mesa was, or had been. Many, Kleiner and Eli included, had hated primary school, being the main target of dozens of bullies throughout the years. Despite all the evidence to the contrary, Gordon had adamantly disputed being subject to the same treatment. When asked why, he would quickly change the subject.
It had almost been a minute since Gordon went under, and Kleiner began to go from anxious to genuinely worried. He felt Eli squeeze his shoulder reassuringly, and knew that the other man was worried as well. Suddenly, and to everyone's relief, Gordon broke the surface of the vat, and hurriedly climbed to the opposite catwalk. He sat back on the metal grating, panting. Kleiner let out a breath he did not realize he had been holding. Eli, laughing with relief, patted him on the shoulder. Rosenberg turned to Otis, and nodded.
"Very good!" Kleiner almost cheered through the radio. Gordon slowly stood, a hint of a relieved smile playing at his lips. His suit charge had stopped at 8. Silently cursing himself for panicking, he swore never to do it again, ever. It had almost gotten him killed just now, and he planned on living for at least fifty more years. At Kleiner's urging, he walked into the next room.
"OK Gordon, this will be the last test. Do you see the HEV charger on the left wall?" Without further instruction, Gordon placed his hand on the pad, and felt the same tingle. A moment later, he watched the number cycle back up to 100. This time, however, the charger didn't go dark.
Gordon jerked his head to the side, hearing a door open. Otis Manning walked out, his hands on his belt.
"Otis…what are you doing?" He asked.
"Your suit will keep you safe, Doctor Freeman. I promise," The security guard replied. Before Gordon could question him, his pistol was drawn.
"Whoa!" Gordon screamed, standing back and throwing his hands up in the air.
"Sorry, Doctor Freeman," Otis said. His finger squeezed the trigger, blasting a bullet out of the chamber. It zipped across the tunnel, impacting on Gordon's chest. He flew back, falling to the ground. The number had diminished to 75.
"What the hell!" Gordon demanded, getting to his feet. Otis had holstered his pistol.
"I'm truly sorry, Doctor Freeman," Doctor Rosenberg's voice said, "But it had to be done. The suit had to be tested for anyone dealing with Anomalous Materials as well as our security personnel. You may exit the Hazard Course now, Officer Manning will show you the way."
Half an hour later, Gordon was out of the suit. He stood in Doctor Kleiner's office, waiting for the scientist to return. While he waited, he walked over to Kleiner's espresso machine, pouring himself a cup. He drained the cup, and set it down, as Kleiner entered the office.
"I'm am so sorry for that Gordon, I truly am. Had I known all that the course entailed, I would never have let you go through with it." He stammered, obviously feeling very guilty.
"Don't worry, I'm not mad. I know that it had to be done." Gordon said. Kleiner smiled.
"That's the spirit!" He said with elation, patting Gordon on the shoulder.
"So when's this damn meeting?" Gordon asked, trying to change the subject.
"The budget meeting?" Kleiner asked, checking his watch, "Oh dear, we have ten minutes. Come on, we should hurry."