Eli looked to Uriah for explanation, fear filling his eyes.
"It is a citadel.", Uriah started, feeling Eli's gaze, "It will become home and base to the Combine. As we speak, more citadels are being placed around the world. Thankfully, this is a small citadel and not the main one.'
"You mean that there are more of these?", Eli shouted, fear fully entering his body.
"Yes."
---
"My father was devastated.", Alyx remised, sadness crossing over her face.
Gordon grew devastated himself. He was part of the problem that started the 7-hour war. He grew angry with himself, feeling that it was his fault that Eli and Alyx had to live thru that horrible day.
"We decided to fight the Combine.", Alyx continued. "All of my child years were filled with the rebellion. Each year, we would travel closer to the east coast, trying to get to Dr. Breen, who was in City 14 or old Washington D.C. Each year, more and more people joined our cause. We would leave every city we passed through in able hands, ready for the day when we would all strike in unison."
Alyx smiles at Gordon.
"I remember the first day I heard about you."
---
18-year-old Alyx Vance walked into her father's lab, carrying a long rod with round sensors attached. Alyx wore a large black coat with the sleeves rolled up. Her jeans were a bit beat up, but she didn't mind. The lab they were in was located at the secret "K Base", a temporary stronghold for the rebels to rest in. It was located fifty miles outside of City 14.
"Hey, Dad.", Alyx chimed. "I found that receptor that you wanted. Eli turned away from his work to give his daughter a smile.
"Thank you, baby.", Eli replied. He then spotted her hair. It was cut short, but still stuck out in the back. A long streak of red flowed down her scalp. Eli chuckled at the sight.
"I heard you got a hair cut, but I didn't realize you would be cutting so much off."
"You don't like it?", she asked, running her hand through her hair.
Eli gave her a small peck on the cheek.
"It looks great, honey. Thank you for getting the receptor."
Alyx grinned, happy that her father approved. "How's the new leg?", She asked, changing the subject.
Eli looked down at the metal bar that curved out of his left thigh.
"I'm still getting used to it."
Satisfied, Alyx resumed her duties, consisting of working on the Portal Computer Structure. She sat on the floor, bringing a panel covered in wires onto her lap. The door to the small lab opened, allowing Dr. Kliener and Uriah to enter. Eli looked up, finding a huge grin on Kliener's face. Uriah look a bit happy too.
"Eli, I have wonderful news! Uriah has told me of a fantastic discovery."
"What?", Eli smiled, "Did you find Dr. Magnusson's chocolate stash?"
"Unfortunately, no," Uriah stated, "But my kin and I have found a small life-source within the small dimension . . ." Uria stopped, noticing that Alyx was in the room.
Dr. Kliener spoke up. "Is it okay for Alyx to hear this?"
Eli looked at his daughter, who was too busy working on the panel than listening.
"It's fine."
Despite what Eli thought, Alyx was listening. Before letting Uriah finish explaining, Dr. Kliener spilled the news.
"The Vortigaunts say that Gordon Freeman is alive."
Alyx's ears pricked at the sound of the name. Eli's eyes grew in astonishment.
"Gordon Freeman? Alive?"
"Yes," Dr. Kliener continued. "Uriah says he was put into a dimensional rift after we sent him to Xen and that he should be returning to earth sometime in the years ahead."
Eli was speechless. He had thought Gordon had died back at Black Mesa. This was fantastic news.
"Do we know when he will be arriving?", Eli asked, his curiosity peeked.
"Sadly, no.", Uriah groaned, "We Vortigaunts are unable to pull him back into our world. We will have to be patient and wait for his return."
Eli leaned against his desk, running his hand over his face, breathing out.
"Wow.", was all he could say. Alyx was impressed. Whoever this Freeman guy was, he had an impact on her father. Both Uriah and Kliener exited the room short after, leaving Eli to ponder what had just been said. Alyx raised herself off of the floor and walked over to her father.
"Who's Gordon Freeman?"
Eli looked into his daughter's face, then chuckled.
"Your such an eavesdropper. Well, then, your should know about the man who saved your old man's life."
---
"My Dad told me a tale about you saving hundreds of scientists from the horrors of Black Mesa and how you managed to kill hundreds of hostile aliens. Of course, I was a bit skeptical about my father's story, but found out it was true, hearing different sides to the story from Barney and Dr. Magnusson."
Gordon was shocked. He had no idea that everybody was still talking about him after the G-man had "hired" him.