Both Eli and Kliener hurried to greet their friend. Barney was met with handshakes and questions.
"How did you survive? How did you get here?", Dr. Kliener asked franticly.
"Well, first of all, I used a gun. Second, I have been driving with these geeks in a van to get here." Barney explained, shaking a thumb at the small group of five scientists behind him. Eli recognized a few of his fellow scientists from the group: Dr. Forest, Dr. Magnusson and Dr. Keller were present and accounted for. Eli didn't recognize the other two.
Barney asked Eli and Kliener the basic questions, inquiring as to how the pair had escaped. They answered his questions to the best of their ability. As the conversation ensued, Barney noticed Alyx on the floor playing. After realizing that Eli's only family in the room was Alyx, his face turned emotional.
"I'm sorry, Eli." , he said, referring to Azian, Eli's wife.
Eli remained silent, trying to fight the emotions welling up inside of him. He walked up to Barney, giving a big hug.
"I'm glad your safe.", Eli whispered. As their embrace ended, Barney wiped a bit of moisture away from his eyes.
"So," Barney inquired, trying to keep his mind occupied. "what's the plan?"
"We are going to escape the city and head for the countryside.", Eli explained plainly.
"Great.", the security guard said, " As we came in here, we saw the aliens making a perimeter around the city. They're trying to keep everybody contained."
Eli thought for a moment.
"We're just gonna have to push thru their line. We can't escape by sea. The Combine patrols the water's heavily. So we are going to have to escape by land."
---
It was nightfall and the small group of seven scientists, three civilians, two soldiers, a former security guard, a little girl and a Vortigaunt stood in the shadows, waiting for a group of Hunters to pass their position. After being satisfied that the Hunters had passed, Uriah waved the group to proceed forward.
They were outside San Diego, traveling on the now empty highway and the rim of the Combine's defensive ring. The road was covered in abandoned cars, left by their fleeing owners. It was almost pitch black and the group was prone to stumble on an unseen vehicle. Eli's group was moving excruciatingly slow. However, they had to keep this stealthy pace, in fear that a Hunter might spot them. Uriah raised his hand, signaling the group to stop. The Vortigaunt stood for a moment, peering around their environment. Eli scuffled up next to his alien counterpart.
"What is it, Uriah?"
As soon as the last word was uttered, the red van next to them lifted up off of the ground revealing a Hunter hiding under the vehicle. Uriah pushed Eli to safety, charging up a blast of energy in the process. The Hunter gave out a lout screech before raising a "leg" to strike at the Vortigaunt. Uriah was faster. He grabbed one of the Hunter's legs and pulled, sending the behemoth to the ground. Uriah then plunged his hand into the Hunters face-plate, sending a bolt of green lightning thru the monster's body. After a few seconds of twitching, the Hunter lay limp on the ground. Uriah turned towards the group.
"The Hunters are no doubt aware of our presence. We must hast now, towards the hills."
The group ran, winding through the maze of cars. Uriah lifted Eli onto his shoulders and followed the group. The Vort could hear the screams of more Hunters behind him. His pace quickened. Dr. Kliener, trying his best to keep up, carried Alyx near the back of the fleeing group. Uriah spotted a group of palm trees at the side of the road and ordered the humans into the safety of the vegetation. They dived into the small forest, finding refuge in the shadows.
Three Hunters passed their hiding place, followed by a Combine gunship floating in the air.
"We shall stay here for a long moment,", Uriah explained, "then move towards the hills."
---
Eli's breathing began to become heavy as he climbed the next hill. He was finding it hard to climb with only leg. Dr. Kliener had offered his assistance, but Eli refused, wanting to grow some strength on his good leg. They were well outside of San Diego, which Eli could see was surrounded by large Combine ships. Eli was relieved to be out of the occupied city.
Uriah, now leading the team, sensed Eli's weakness.
"It is time for a rest.", the alien called out.
Everybody immediately fell to the ground, thankful to get of their feet after hours of hiking. Uriah walked over to Eli, wondering if the human's condition was alright. Eli struggled to seat himself on the grass as the Vortigaunt approached.
"Is your leg within healthy standards?", Uria asked, concerned.
"Oh, its fine.", Eli lied ,"I just need to get used to it."
Uriah lowered down to the ground, intertwining his "fingers" together.
"You have many questions," the Vortigaunt sensed.
Eli sat silent for a moment.
"How could I have let this happen?", Eli asked, looking out at occupied San Diego.
Uriah looked confused.
"This was not your doing, Eli Vance. You were only a piece to a larger plan." Uriah's gaze fell on the city.
"It is the doing of another entity."
Now Eli was confused. Before Eli could inquire, Alyx sat next to her father, twisting two blades of grass together. Eli wrapped his arm around her tiny shoulders and brought her close. This was his mission: to protect his daughter.
Suddenly, two flashes emitted from the sky. The group looked up at the air above San Diego. Two new Combine ships floated over the city, but these ships were a whole lot bigger than the original ones. They were long, black, shapped with sharp angles.
Uriah groaned, knowing what was about to happen.
One of the ships started to turn, making itself completely vertical in the sky. It then proceeded to glide towards the earth's surface. Eli watched as it gained speed, plummeting right into the cities center. He held Alyx tighter to his side. The ship impacted the earth's crust, causing the ground to shake violently under Eli's feet, five miles outside the city. The long ship began drilling farther into the ground, destroying the surrounding buildings. The second ship followed suit, turning vertical. It then moved over the first ship, ready to connect. The first ship ended the digging, allowing the second to connect overtop. The large, black structure stood in the middle of the city, touching the clouds in the sky.