CHAPTER 6

That week it rained. Hard. "Well, at least your rust strategy won't seem too obvious," Alyx remarked to Chell on the third day of nonstop downpour. Their preparations were progressing smoothly. Chell could be surprisingly quiet. When she felt like it. One time she snuck up behind Gordon and startled him so badly he passed out.

One day, Gordon woke Alyx up very early. Too early.

"Mmf. Goway," she muttered sleepily.

"We've got to go," Gordon replied.

"No." Alyx insisted.

"Yes," Gordon insisted, dragging her out of bed.

"Fine!" Alyx grumbled. "Wake up, Chell!" she shouted, slapping Chell in the face. Chell jerked awake violently and sprang out of bed.

"Let's go!" she cried. "Wait. Go where?"

"We just got up," Alyx pointed out. "Gordon and I are still in our pajamas." Chell looked over at Gordon and immediately fell backwards onto an empty cot laughing. Gordon was wearing his houndeye footie pajamas, which, together with the snark slippers and the headcrab nightcap, made him look ridiculous. Gordon sighed and left the room. He returned in his HEV suit, holding a hivehand.

"AHHHH!" Chell screamed. "What is THAT?!"

"It's Jeffery! He wanted to come along!" Gordon replied defensively.

The plan went with a hitch. They got past the sensor perimeter and cameras without any difficulties and snuck up to the main entrance. Which was locked. "No problem," Alyx whispered, pulling out her multi-tool.

"No." Gordon whispered back.

"What?"

"A couple of things. First, that isn't a normal Combine door lock. Second, they'll notice if their door lock suddenly fails. Third, it's a stupid and idiotic idea and you're going to wait or so help me I will tie you to GLaDOS," Gordon shot back. So they had to wait for the guard shift to change (even Overwatch troops need rest every now and again) so that they could sneak in after the retiring shift.

"Thank goodness for stupid Combine," Alyx murmured. "There's maps everywhere." The nearest map featured a bright red pin near the main entrance that read 'YOU ARE HERE'. In the middle of the map was a large box labeled 'DATA VAULT' in bold black lettering.

"Hey, look," Chell remarked. "They left us the codes." She pointed to a sticky note in the lower-right corner of the map. It read, 'Good Morning, Overwatch! Today's security code is 00FF89. Destroy all resistance. Have a nice day!'

They headed deeper into the compound. They eventually reached a locked door flanked by two guards.

"Great! Just great! How will we get in now?" GLaDOS said. She didn't have to whisper because she had a volume control. Chell hated being quiet. When she didn't feel like it.

"Don't worry. I got this," Chell muttered. She produced a dingle ball from somewhere and threw it down the hall away from the guards. It hit the ground dingling madly. "What was that?" the first guard barked.

"Dunno. Why don't you go check it out?" his buddy suggested.

"Fred heard a weird noise the other day. It turned out to be Freeman. Poor Fred lost both his legs to a flying chair. You're coming with me in case I need backup. Besides," he said as he headed down the hall. "Just think! If it is Freeman, and we catch him, we'll be promoted!"

As the guards walked away, Gordon and co. ran up to the door. GLaDOS punched in the code. It worked. The door opened. They snuck into the vault.