Chapter 5: The Pep Talk

Gordon drew out a long breath. Needless to say, he was becoming nervous. Dr. Wallace Breen, the administrator of Black Mesa, had requested his presence in his office. He was now in the elevator, lifting towards Breen's personal office. After a few more seconds of waiting, the elevator slowed to a stop, allowing the doors to part open. Gordon immediately moved forward, not paying attention. His shoulder bumped into a man trying to get into the elevator.

"Oops!" Gordon called out. "I'm sorry."

The businessman just smiled before passing by Gordon into the elevator.

"That's quite alright."

Gordon somehow felt chilled to the bone by this comment. Before he could react, the elevator doors closed shut, hiding the elderly man. He shrugged and turned back down the hall. After passing countless offices, Gordon found himself in front of two Plexiglas doors. He pressed a doorbell near the entrance. The doors opened.

Gordon stepped in, finding himself within a small waiting room the color of cream. At the far end of the room was a desk holding a receptionist. The leather sofas surrounding the desk were the same color of the room and were accented by two ferns at each end. The receptionist looked up, spotting Gordon.

"May I help you?" She asked, her voice dry.

"Oh, yes. I have a appointment with Dr. Breen."

She pointed a pen at one of the sofas. "Sit, please." Gordon obeyed.

He knew why Breen called him here. Black Mesa was about to test their pure teleport crystal in a few days. Breen was taking a huge interest with this certain project. There was no room for error. Gordon felt a bit apprehensive. He had never met the administrator, but had heard rumors and stories.

A small door next to the desk suddenly slipped open. The receptionist directed her gaze to Gordon.

"You can go in now."

He nodded, lifting himself off of the couch.

---

Gordon was amazed by the grandeur of Breen's office. The room itself was round and surrounded by an assortment of shelves. The walls looked like black metal, accompanied by the black carpet. The only light shining in the room was from four long windows showing a view of the outside desert. Breen stood behind his desk, gazing out into the barren wasteland. He turned, grinning at the sight of his guest.

"Ah, Dr. Freeman." He moved towards Gordon, holding his hand out. The younger scientist shook it politely. "Happy you could make it."

Gordon bowed his head slightly. "Pleasures all mine, sir."

Breen waved his hand at a black chair and Gordon quickly sat down. The elder man then walked over to a liquor cabinet, retrieving two glasses and filling them with a crimson liquid. He then handed one glass to Gordon, who reluctantly took it.

"I have called you here today," Breen started. "To wish you good luck. Am I to understand, you will be the one 'in the barrel' as the guards would say?"

Gordon smiled. "That is correct, sir." Breen simply nodded.

"How long have you been serving here, Dr. Freeman?"

The young scientist just relieved a sigh. "Well, it will be four months next Tuesday."

Breen nodded again. "It has reached my ears that your are one prone to excellence."

Gordon modestly chuckled, taking a swig from his glass.

"Is it true?" Breen asked, his brow rising slightly. "From the files I have read, you have been doing exquisitely during your short time here. Aside from a few tardy absences, I believe you are the right man for this project."

As he listened, Gordon could feel embarrassment arise within him, seeing that Breen knew about him being late on occasion. Breen sat against his desk, smiling at his guest.

"You a man of few words, aren't you?" No answer came. "I like that." He rested his glass on the desk, waving for Gordon to come closer. He rose from the chair and stood in front of Breen. Suddenly, Breen's face turned dark.

"Now, I want you to listen." Breen cocked his head to the side, angry. "If in anyway, you fail to proceed with the test, you will be pressed with so many charges so quick, you won't even see your mother before you rot in hell."

Gordon's eyes widened, but Breen didn't seem to care.

"You understand that?" He said with a snarl. Still extremely confused, Gordon slightly shook his head. "Now get out of my office."

Gordon rested his glass on the desk, before walking out of the office, glad to be away from his boss. He made a mental note when traveling back down the elevator: to never find himself on Breen's bad side.

---

Gordon was walking across on of the full underground parking lots, trying to find his car. He was still a bit shaken with the meeting he had earlier with Breen. After scouring the area for a few moments, he spotted his vehicle: white station wagon. He was about to reach the car when a small squeal sounded behind him. He turned, only to find himself tackled to the ground. He looked down at his chest to see five-year-old Alyx grinning atop him. He resounded a weak "ow" causing the little girl to giggle.

"Guess what?" Alyx called out.

Gordon's eyes grew wide in fake surprise. "What?"

Without saying a word, she produced a chocolate bar from her pocket, half melted from the heat and the cramped space.

"Oh. Very nice."

Alyx smiled and took a bite out of the bar, spreading liquid chocolate all over her lips. She offered the bar to Gordon, who waved it off. He gently pushed the girl off of his chest so he could sit up. He spotted Azian walk up to the pair, smiling.

"Alyx," She scolded. "You have to be careful with Gordon. He's fragile."

Gordon laughed, rising up to his feet.

"Hello, Azian." He said, pecking her on the cheek. "What have you guys been doing?"

"Oh, me and Alyx went shopping. Just needed some groceries."

The adults looked down at the girl, who was devouring the chocolate a bit too fast.

"And chocolate, I see." Gordon chimed, chuckling with Azian.

"What are you doing?" Azian asked.

"I just needed to get something out of my car. Then I was gonna go back down and see if I could get in a few more system checks with Eli."

Azian nodded. "Okay. Well, Alyx and I have to get back. When you see my husband, could you tell him to come home on time?"

"Most defiantly." Gordon watched as the Vance women walked out of the lot and towards the housing units. He went his separate way, moving towards the nearest transport line.

---

"And thats about all I can tell you." Gordon finished. "Three days later, the Resonance Cascade came to pass." His brow frowned. "I'm sure your father gave you the details to that event, so I won't elaborate."

After a few moments of silence, Alyx smiled.

"Wow. Your life was pretty boring."

Gordon looked at his companion, shocked. But shock turned to delight when he saw the grin on her face. He laughed.

"Yes. I guess it was."

The pair, amused by the revelation, settled down after a few moments of mirth. Gordon then directed his eyes on Alyx.

"Whats your story?"

Alyx's smile turned upside down at that moment.

"I'm sorry." Gordon said compationatly. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want too."

Alyx shook her head.

"No, no. It's fine. I guess I could tell you about my life . . ."