5.
"This was just a burst attack from the Combine. Surely they aren't doing this everywhere, are they?" Griffith's voice carried a long way; Gordon and Alyx could hear everything going on in the communications house from outside.
"That was a close one, Gordon," Alyx said. She was obviously still shaken by the surprise.
"We just weren't prepared for anything like that. We're lucky no one was killed. Coming away with just one injury is not bad. The vortigaunts can heal those ricochets like they were nothing. Barney's lucky I was behind him, though, or we might have lost him in the struggle." Gordon looked up at Alyx. "Thanks for keeping Wallace and the vortigaunts in check. We need to keep them safe."
"No problem, Gordon. I didn't think I was ready for action anyway."
Gordon went back inside with everyone else. He hoped that Alyx would be ready next time. When you're in a fight with large numbers of Combine like that, you can't afford to not be ready. If it weren't for the communications house, Alyx might have done something stupid. Stupid on a battlefield will get you hurt... or worse.
"I would like to commend everyone. This was a great test of our capabilities. We fought off over fifty Combine without a single loss. Next time, we need to be ready. If it weren't for Anderson, here, we might have gotten surprised," Gordon spoke proudly of the people in the resistance. "Our next obstacle is a small town Combine base north of us. Problem is, we have to attack from the ground. Recon shows they're super equipped with weapons that can down aircraft in seconds. Luckily, there aren't many Combine themselves, but unluckily, they have striders."
Striders were something Gordon was familiar with. He wasn't sure how many others had taken striders, but he had, and he could do it again. "How many of you have taken down striders before?" In the back, four hands shot up. Gordon recognized them as the ones that fought beside him in White Forest. "You, come with me, and we'll head on up and get rid of the striders. They're surveying the exterior of the base. Half of everyone else go with Alyx and Barney. You guys will pick off the Combine soldiers one by one. Everyone staying behind needs to defend against anything crazy that happens. Anderson, I depend on you to stay here and watch things. Keep the vortigaunts and Dr. Wallace protected. We need everyone alive."
With that, half of the group left the house and headed up the long dirt road to the next town. Gordon and the other strider killers ran on ahead. Almost as soon as they had disappeared from everyone's view, Alyx's group heard explosions and blasts from about a half-mile ahead. "We're going around the side! Come one!" yelled Alyx. She and Barney decided to flank the entire camp and do everything they could to disable the Combine. Soon enough, they all came up on some small buildings and large metal defenses. No doubt this was it.
"Everyone get down. Spread out along the sides. By this time, their attention will be diverted to the striders. If we can sneak in, we'll be good to go. Arms up! We're going in!" and with that, Barney ran inside, followed by Alyx and roughly fifty five other troops. Sure enough, they spread out and managed to get through the barricades without Combine detection. Like Barney had said, their attention was diverted to the front side, where Gordon and the striders were. Alyx's group charged forward, providing fire from the Combine's rear. Barney fired from the right.
The forces were picked off one by one. This time the resistance had gotten the surprise; the upper hand. All of the Combine were in one spot. Gordon and his small cavalry were beginning to provide forward fire. With the striders done, the Combine surrounded, and their guard down, they didn't even fight back. The resistance took care of them, again without any casualties.
Everyone gathered what supplies they could from the enemy base and started back. For a successful mission, the troops were surprisingly quiet. Gordon wondered why so.... But then again, even he got tired of fighting every now and then.
Once they were all back at the base, they loaded the helicopters with all the supplies they could and prepared to lift off. Gordon decided it would be a good idea to take a couple of vortigaunts with them for medicinal purposes, and Dr. Wallace came along as well, mainly to keep Dr. Kleiner quiet. The rest of the vortigaunts decided to stay, and so did a few troops, so they could defend communications and keep in touch with the resistance. After short farewells, the helicopters all lifted up once more into the air.
"Where are we going, Gordon?" asked Alyx.
"We're going as far north as we can. With the Combine taken care of here, everything will be okay until we can get to where Mossman is. There's something on that island. We need it." replied Gordon.
Gordon looked out the windshield of the helicopter to see the remains of the Citadel. He knew what it was. There was no mistaking it. His mind dashed from thought to thought about when he had to go in that Godforsaken place. He remembered when Dog tossed he and Alyx across the gap into the core of the Citadel. He swore he'd never go back in.
Alyx fought bravely today, he thought. Maybe she's finally back to speed. "You okay?" he said as he turned to face her.
"Yeah," said Alyx. "I was just thinking about the Citadel. And Dog. I hope he is okay. I told him to clean up the lab, where dad was. I told him I didn't want him hurt. He stayed behind for me..."
There was a pause.
"Gordon... we've really been through so much. You've gotten my back so many times. I don't know where I would be if I lost you."
Gordon looked up at her. "We all have our strengths, Alyx. Mine happen to be liberation, salvation, and saving you."
Alyx laughed and leaned over on him.
From the helicopters, they could see the sunset on the opposite side. Gordon couldn't help but think about the ash filled skies of City 17 and the words Dr. Breen had said so many times.
"Welcome to City 17. It's safer here."