"There you go, just like that" Eli mused, watching Alyx build a small house out of sticks. Eli looked up at the Warehouse door for the tenth time, hoping that the scout party he sent out would come in safely. He gave out a long sigh. Alyx looked up at her father and smiled. Eli smiled, his spirit lifted by his daughter's grin. Suddenly, the warehouse doors flew open and a group of six civilian's ran up towards Eli.

"They're surrendering.", one scout spouted between raspy breaths.

Eli's eyes widened. If he had another leg, he would have ran out of the building to see for himself.

"Dr. Breen is broadcasting as we speak."

Now Eli was stunned.

"Dr. Breen? How . . ."

He thought that his old administrator had died at Black Mesa. In a hurry, Eli snatched up his make-shift crutch and limped towards an office door. Eli knocked on the door, telling Dr. Kliener to "get out here". Kliener appeared from behind the door.

"Izzy, I need you to stay with Alyx. I need to go check on something."

Kliener was about to protest because of Eli's condition, but decided not to prolong an argument. He nodded in submission.

Eli then bent over to lightly kiss Alyx on the forehead and went out into the war zone, followed by two soldiers.

Eli silently crawled in between the book shelves, trying to get a better view of the outside street. He and the two soldiers had found a demolished bookstore to hide in, so they could recon the area. Eli reached the end of the shelves and was able to see what was happening outside. The Combine were herding Human soldiers into big, black cargo vehicles. A long line of humans stretched far down the street, each one lacing their fingers over their heads. The small tripod aliens, called Hunters by the Vortigaunts, were guarding the sides of the line, making sure no one would escape. Eli was astonished. "How could the Combine have taken over the city in a matter of hours?", he thought. As if to answer his question, a loud voice boomed all across the city's many speakers. It was Dr. Breen.

"I have spoken with both sides about the travesty that would come with war. The Combine are willing to spare the lives of earth's people, but only under the condition that it's inhabitants would behave peacefully. I urge the men and women resisting to lay down their arms. This order not only comes from my lips, but from the mouths of our world leaders. It is the only way to survive. We flourish on this concept of life. Let's not end it now, when we have the chance to grow with each other."

Eli couldn't take it anymore. He started to crawl back, starting to get sick in the stomach. He motioned his escorts to do the same. Dr. Breen had given the world to the Combine on a silver platter.

---

Dr. Kliener looked up as Eli entered the warehouse. He noticed Eli's face was grim.

"What is it, Eli?"

The elder scientist glared at Kliener.

"Dr. Breen," Eli started, fury choking his throat, "Has managed to surrender earth."

Dr. Kliener gasped.

"Dr. Bre . . .How?"

"I don't know. But I bet he's working with the Combine."

Eli rested his crutch against a table before sitting, letting out a long sigh. Kliener stood, stunned by what was happening.

"Wha . . .What do we do now?"

Eli started rubbing the back of his neck, thinking.

"We'll wait for Uriah to get back. Then, try to escape the city. If we stay here, the Combine will find us."

As if on cue, the doors opened and Uriah entered the room.

"Eli, I have good news."

'Good news?' Eli thought. 'We just surrendered to a hostile alien race. What good news could Uriah possibly have?'

"I have found some of your friends." Uriah stated.

"Well, I can't speak for these dull bums.", a familiar voice rang out from behind the door, "but I'm defiantly Eli's friend."

It was Barney Calhoun.