BetaWiki:Featured article/2025-04-Fools

Rise and shine, Mr. Freeman. Rise and shine.

Not that I wish to imply that you haven't been sleeping on the job; nobody is more deserving of a rest, and all the effort in the world would have gone to waste, until... well, let's just say your hour has come again. The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. So, wake up, Mr. Freeman. Wake up and smell the ashes.

Welcome. Welcome to City 17. You have chosen, or been chosen, to relocate to one of our finest remaining urban centers. I thought so much of City 17 that I elected to establish my administration here, in the Citadel so thoughtfully provided by our Benefactors. I have been proud to call City 17 my home. And so, whether you are here to stay, or passing your way through to parts unknown, welcome to City 17. It's safer here.

You, citizen! Come with me.

Get in!

Need any help with this one?

No, I'm good. Back up! Here, I'm gonna need me some privacy for this.

...about that beer I owed ya. It's me, Gordon! Barney from Black Mesa. Hey, sorry for the scare, I had to put on a show for the cameras. I'd been working undercover for Civil Protection. I can't take too long or they'll get suspicious; I'm way behind on my beating quota.

Yes, Barney, what is it? I'm in the middle of a critical test.

Sorry, Doc, but look who's here!

Great Scott! Gordon Freeman! I expected more warning.

Yeah, you and me both, Doc. He was about to board the express to Nova Prospekt.

Well, Barney, what do you intend?

I'm thinkin', I'm thinkin'.

Alyx is around here, somewhere. She would have a better idea of what to do.

Well, as long as he stays away from checkpoints, we should be okay. Listen, I gotta go, Doc. We're taking enough chances as it is.

Very well. And, eh, Gordon? Good to see you.

Okay, Gordon. You're gonna have to make your way to Kleiner's lab--

Oh, man! That's what I was afraid of. Get in here, Gordon, before you blow my cover!

Pile up some stuff to get through that window, and keep going 'till you're in the plaza. I'll meet up with you later.

Over here! Hah, no you don't!

...Hm.

Doctor Freeman, I presume?

We'd better hurry. The Combine can be slow to wake, but once they're up, you don't want to get in their way. Doctor Kleiner said you'd be coming this way; I don't think it occurred to him that you might not have a map.

I'm Alyx Vance. My father worked with you back at Black Mesa? I'm sure you don't remember me, though.

...Man of a few words, aren't you?

Remember him from Black Mesa? Your old administrator? Heh, don't get my dad started up on Dr. Breen.

Funny, you showing up on this day in particular. We've been helping people escape the city on foot. It's a dangerous route to my father's lab, through the old canals. Today, we're finally on the verge of having a better way.

Hm. Here, let me buy you a drink. Oh, and by the way? Nice to finally meet you.

Blast that little-- where did she get to? Lamarr? Come out of there!

Uh-oh. Everything alright, Dr. Kleiner?

Yes, well, almost alright. Lamarr's gotten out of her crate again. If I didn't know better, I would've suspected Barney of trapping and--

My goodness... Gordon Freeman! It really is you, is it?

I found him wandering around outside. Bit of a troublemaker, isn't he?

We owe a great deal to Dr. Freeman, even if trouble does tend to him in his wake.

I must say, Gordon, you've come at a very opportune time. Alyx has just installed the final piece for our resurrected teleport!

I can't take any credit for the breakthrough, Doctor.

Nonsense. Your talents surpass your loveliness.

Let's just see if this thing works, okay?

Well, is he here? ...There you are! Man, Gordon, you stirred up the hive.

We can't keep him here for long, Doc. It'll jeopardize everything we've worked for. [Don't worry, he's coming with me.]

That's right, Barney. This is a red letter day; we'll inaugurate the new teleport with a double-transmission.

You mean it's working? For real this time? Because I still have nightmares about that cat.

Now, now, there's nothing to be nervous about. [What cat?] We've made major strides since then... major strides. [What cat?]