Despite Gordon's protests, the medics had insisted that Alyx be placed in the submarine's infirmary for the duration of the journey, for treatment of her original wound, as well as hypothermia and burns to her hands. The supposedly rogue Combine had been shut away in the forward cargo compartment, under armed guard.
Gordon exhaled deeply, and continued his pacing of the submarine deck. He felt strange, almost naked without the familiar bulk of his Hazard Suit, and it was comforting to be behind at least some kind of metal skin. The thought brought a smirk to his face. The world beating, alien decimating Freeman needed a security blanket, albeit a steel one. Cute.
Something was still nagging him, though. That conversation with the crewman on the Aurora. The disappearances of the crew, the strange lights, the ship having supposedly shifted over a period of weeks. What was that all about, and why had they not seen anything like that while they were onboard?
The moon pool of Kraken Base was crowded when the Resistance submarine docked. Rebels, carrying experimental devices built by Dr. Magnusson's science team swept the hull for Combine bugs, both mechanical and biological.
Alyx, wrapped in a Combine-issue silver reflective blanket, stepped up onto the pier, where she was greeted by Barney and Dr Kleiner.
"Hey Doc!"
"Alyx, my goodness...I'm so glad you're alright. And Gordon," he added, as Gordon emerged from the conning tower of the sub. "I trust the mission was a success then? Alyx, you must tell me about your time onboard the ship. I must try to correlate-"
Barney put an arm on Alyx's shoulders. "Alright Doc, give the girl a break, will ya?"
Kleiner laughed nervously, and wiped fog from his glasses. "I'm sorry Alyx, I hope - good heavens!"
A collective intake of breath had gone up around the moon pool. All stared at the hatch of the submarine as the battered body of an Overwatch Elite was lifted out, followed by several guards.
Gordon grinned at Dr Kleiner. "Told you I'd try and bring back something interesting."