Day 9

More bodies have been discovered, not all of them human. Five were wearing Aperture Science uniforms, one of whom was an armed security officer. In an opposite corner of the hold, a creature almost two metres tall and clad in a metal helmet and chestplate was found partially buried under snow and ice. It weighs over three hundred kilograms, and the presence of a third arm on its chest suggests it is a native of Xen. We have not yet attempted to move it, but this afternoon we organised a sea burial for the humans we have so far recovered.

Day 10

We have begun to transport artefacts back to the Aurora. Davids has also managed to force the door leading to the bridge, so we can finally get at things like the ships log. We have enough food to last another six days, but a predicted storm will force us to leave early.

Gordon knelt down over the tarpaulin. Alyx, sensing his shadow passing over her, opened her eyes.

"Hey."

"Hey...uh...sorry."

She smiled.

"It wasn't your fault."

Gordon glanced down at her midriff. "Does it hurt?"

Alyx snorted. "Gordon, we don't all wear a hazard suit. Of course getting shot hurt. Lucky we've got some strong painkillers."

Gordon smiled, and stood. Barney had walked over, rubbing his jaw in consternation.

"We need to get going. The Combine are bound to overcome their shyness sooner or later."

D-9 detached the detonator unit from the Bodypack charge, rigging the device for remote detonation. He then leant the case against a bulkhead, and retreated to his position at the window. With him was an OSIPR pulse rifle that he had found discarded by the burnt out helicopter. It had been warped and badly damaged by the flames, but D-9 would not be using it as a weapon.

A few quick re-wirings later, and he was set. The rifle had joined the silver case back at the bow, now with a few after-production modifications. D-9 unholstered his pistol and tightened his grip on the detonator. Any moment now. It was vital that the humans, and especially Freeman, were distracted, if only for a few seconds.

One of the medics waved to Barney.

"Okay Barney, we'd better go. Alyx should be good for transport."

Barney lowered his binoculars, passing them to Gordon. "Take a look. The Combine are still hanging around, about ten miles off. Thanks Gabe, we'd better get at least three to carry that stretcher."

Gordon scanned the distant icefloes. Vague shapes, some slow, some fast, flitted about beneath the fog. "What are you up to..."

D-9 squeezed the first trigger on his detonator. Below the thin decking of the bow, the energy ball priming system on the OSIPR began to whine.

Gordon lowered the binoculars, casting about for the source of the sound. To him, it sounded as though some aircraft was approaching, low and between the bergs. The whine grew in pitch and intensity, then, with an almighty thud, the bow disappeared in a cloud of billowing smoke and flames. He and the other rebels threw themselves flat, fumbling for their weapons. Only Gordon, assisted by his suit, managed to stay upright, the Magnum clutched in his hands.

Behind them, D-9 emerged from the bridge at a run. He dived forward, and slid across the icy deck towards Vance. She had sat up when the charge had detonated, staring out at the bow. Alyx's scream was muffled by thick body armour as the Elite wrapped his arm around her head.

Gordon, gun in hand, yelled to Barney. "We need to get off! That was some kind of Combine missile!" Barney was standing stock still, looking back towards the bridge. As Gordon watched, he raised his hands, removing his submachine gun from beneath his parka and laying it on the deck. Gordon spun, raising the Magnum to fire.

"Drop the weapon."

Alyx's frightened eyes peered out from behind the soldier's black glove. A Combine Elite was crouched behind Alyx, one puffy white arm coiled around her throat. Slowly, Gordon let the Magnum slide down his fingers, until it fell to the deck. There was an answering clatter from behind as the rest of the rebels dropped their weapons.

The Elite jerked his head at the side rail. "Now, get out of here."

Slowly, the Elite stood, dragging Alyx to her feet. Tightening his grip, D-9 pulled his pistol from his belt and dug it into Alyx's back, daring the rebels to make a move. Together, the pair began to inch back towards the bridge. D-9 pulled his captive in through the door, then kicked it shut behind him. The dull boom echoed out across the ice field.

Gordon hardly dared to breathe. "No. C'mon Alyx. Get out of there."

Barney slowly bent down, and retrieved his gun from the deck.

"Gordon, we need to go. If they hit the sub then we're all dead. You coming?"

Gordon clenched and unclenched his fists, staring daggers at the closed bridge access door. He had never felt so...helpless.

Barney's face appeared in the red haze that had begun to cloud his vision. "Alyx can look after herself! She's probably safer than we are! Now move!"

The Freeman gave Barney a look of pure venom, but turned and ran for the railing with the rest.