This is a fan piece to close the story arc for HL2 EP 3.
Preface
If you somehow landed on this site by searching the HL2 EP 3 term, be aware that the following contains spoilers, as some of the content is driven by story from previous HL2 episodes.
Story
After fading from black, Gordon sees Alyx and several other rebels pushing a critically injured Eli Vance on a stretcher into the White Forest Complex Infirmary. While Eli is not expected to survive, Alyx is optimistic holding her father’s hand, coaxing him to survive. Gordon follows the parade and is subsequently stopped by Dr. Kleiner, Dr. Magnusson and a Vortignaut. They inform Gordon that the combine are on their way and that the contents on the Borealis must be salvaged before the Combine have a chance to obtain, “what may be critical to our survival”. The Vortignaut informs Gordon that mystery abounds and to be careful of the road ahead, alluding to the presence of the G-Man in the recent developments.
Alyx returns from the infirmary in tears, informing Gordon that her father is likely paralyzed, but alive. The Vortignauts can be seen from a large portrait window, attempting to heal Eli. A few moments later, a Vortignaut wearing a lab coat delivers some grim news that Eli is conscious and wishes to speak with Gordon, but is quickly slipping into indefinite sleep. Alyx rushes back into the room and Gordon follows. Eli whispers, “Gordon, come closer”. When Gordon gets closer, A Vortignaut delivers a constant pulse of energy, allowing Eli to hover near Gordon’s ear, “you must destroy what ever is on the Borealis, to prev… preven… unfors.”
Eli has slipped into a coma.
Alyx once again attends to her father.
Dr. Kleiner enters into the room with Magnusson, informing Gordon that he must be on his way and that while it is difficult, the assistance of Alyx will be necessary. Magnusson, in a turn of character approaches Alyx and places both hands on her shoulders, “it would be my honor to watch over you father, but the time is now and we need you.”
Wiping her eyes, Alyx looks at Gordon and lowers her head looking at the ground, quietly telling Gordon, “come on, let’s get moving”.
As they walk back towards the hangar, the sound of a helicopter starting up can be heard. Dog is present with a few rebels in the hangar and it seems to raise Alyx’s spirits. She moves to the elevator with Gordon and proceeds to the hangar floor.
Alyx approaches Dog, requesting that he take care of her incapacitated father and the rest of her White Forest friends. Dog raises himself up, looking upon Alyx. One of the rebels tells Gordon, “come on Mr. Freeman, the chopper is ready to take you both north.”
Upon taking off, the view from atop the White Forest Complex is that of chaos and destruction from the previous events of Episode Two. The helicopter is able to cover ground quickly, moving from the White Forest further north. The terrain changes from forest scape to tundra. Alyx speaks about her father and how distraught she is over the events that just took place. Her solace is turning gradually into anger and a taste for revenge, vowing to return what happened to her father ten-times over. It isn’t too long after she says this that an alarm sounds inside the helicopter. Alyx steps forward, with easily enough room to move around, asking the pilot, what is it. Frantically, the pilot responds with “I don’t know”, before the aircraft is hit resulting in loud pound. To the left and to the right, two Combine gunships can be seen pacing the aircraft. Below, Gordon is able to see a long line of Combine forces, including many striders.
Alyx quickly grows concerned, urging the pilot to take evasive action. Just then, the helicopter is shot down into icy waters.
Fading from black, Gordon and Alxy find themselves under water, off the coast of an icy shoreline. As Gordon swims to the surface, Alyx attempts to pull the pilot out of the aircraft, but is unsuccessful and swims to the surface. Both Gordon and Alyx swim to the shoreline and look out into the icy waters, where fire dances on the water from the wreckage. Alyx’s frustration quickly grows and has an outburst of anger toward the Combine, pulling out her sidearm firing into the air before collapsing to her knees, crying out, “how many more? HOW MANY MORE?”
Alyx’s shots have alerted some Combine who are already present on the island and her mourning is interrupted by crossfire. Gordon is able to neutralize the threat and Gordon and Alyx proceed on to searching the island for suitable shelter or a way off.
As snow begins to fall, Gordon and Alyx make their way up a daunting cliff side. There is little presence of human activity and little evidence of struggle with the Combine. As Gordon and Alyx reach the plateau, they encounter a group of people not associated with the resistance, but are in retreat of the Combine. Gordon and Alyx are not known by these people and are scrutinized by the locals. Their village is fenced in, only a few houses dotting the plateau, but there is a small radio tower outside. The locals tell Gordon that the radio tower is actually a positioning device that was used for air travel years ago, but now all it’s good for is listening to static. Alyx asks the owner of the house that contains the radio equipment if she may use it to contact the resistance in White Forest. Feeling easier about their two visitors, the locals allow Alyx access to the equipment. While she goes inside and begins to fumble with the radio stack, she tells Gordon to keep on the outlook for Combine.
After saying the word, “Combine”, the locals become anxious. Gordon leaves the house, where whispers of a possible Combine infraction may occur. Out in the distance, the sounds of a gunship can be heard. The locals leave into their houses and the sounds of doors can be heard closing. Gordon retreats to a small shed with frosted windows. The gunship can be seen circling the village, but it would seem that the gunship is unable to detect any presence of Gordon, Alyx or humans in general. The uninterested gunship continues on, leaving the plateau.
Gordon exits the shed, where an armed local calls to Gordon, but doesn’t know his name. He tells Gordon that the people of his village are in danger and it is obvious that you and your friend have brought problems with them. He suggests that Gordon and Alyx get on their way. However, he is generous, offering Gordon some insight as to where they may be able to find transport back to their friends. He points Gordon further north, but warns of treacherous terrain and the occasional head humper. Alyx comes running out of the radio house, telling Gordon that she has raised White Forest, but they have come under attack. She’s been instructed to get to the Borealis and return with anything that may resemble some form of helping the resistance. She’s skeptical that anything of use may be found on the Borealis and mumbles, unforeseen consequences before collapsing.
The screen cuts to a bright white setting, fading the G-Man into play. A single Vortignaut stands between the G-Man, Gordon and Alyx and a dialogue can be heard. The Vortignaut informs the G-Man that he cannot detain the one free man and that he cannot detain the quintessential daughter of the one Eli Vance. The G-Man straightens his tie, looking at Gordon and then Alyx before turning his attention to the Vortignaut. “I am simply here… To help Gordon on his way.”
Alyx looks to Gordon shocked, before looking at the G-Man saying, “you… How could you?”
The G-Man replies, “your father was… admired.”
His focus returns to Gordon, “Mr. Freeman, your performance has been remarkable. But, my employers are becoming restless with your… Friends. I will see you soon, Mr. Freeman.”
The G-Man turns around, exiting a black door.
The scene quickly turns from white back into the village, where Gordon and Alyx are left standing between between two houses, facing into an endless abyss. They continue on the path forward, quietly.
To Be Continued… More Ep. 3 to come.