Yeah, I actually wanted to rewrite Full Life Consequences into something somewhat decent. Yes, I'm that bored.
And now for the first time, we are bringing you the full story of what happened on that fateful day! We are bringing the evidence based only on secret testimonies of the miserable souls that survived this terrible ordeal. My friends, we cannot keep this a secret any longer! LET US PUNISH THE GUILTY! LET US REWARD THE INNOCENT! My friends, can you stand this tale of interdimensional warfare as has never been read before?
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"Should have chosen a major, John. You could be doing what I'm doing right now. That being working on experimental teleportation technology and theorem, using a alternate dimension full of floating islands. Hey, look! I just violated the Espionage Act of 1917 by saying that to you! Eh, who's going to know that I possibly disseminated vital information?"
As Gordon Freeman handed his staff identification card to the red-haired guard sitting behind the desk, he took a closer look at his brother. John was a slim, broad-shouldered ruddy-haired man who tended to keep his weapons close and his enemies closer. After John nonchalantly looked over the card and handed it back to Gordon, he waved Gordon on.
"Yeah, and I could also be eaten by a alien. I see what you guys bring back and it's not pretty. Not exactly a choice career path."
As Gordon walked onward towards the entrance to the lower parts of the facilities of Black Mesa, John reclined in his chair. He had little to do today, except a required training session with the new vests the eggheads were rolling out to replace the body armor the guards already wore.
"At least I'm not that idiot Calhoun at the very least. Amazing that the human body can survive after the frontal lobe's been removed via Bullsquid jaw. Even more amazing that the idiot scientist didn't see that coming."
As he heard the sound of his cochlear speaker implant being remotely turned on, he snapped to attention. It would seem that Gina was itching to get this over with, a sentiment he completely shared.
"Security Officer Freeman, would you please report to Sector A for training in the use of the Hazardous Environment Ballistic Vest? As you know, the HEBV is a replacement for your current body armor."
Sighing as he lifted himself out of the chair and doffed his personal armor, he made his way to Sector A's training facilities. It continued to amazed him that anybody would spend that much money just to create a death course of hazard only to train their employees. But then again, Breen was always a bit kooky.
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"Now, let's review the functions of the HEBV MK 1. The HEBV is a suit of highly advanced body armor, built for use in the highly hostile environments you will be encountering in this facility's employment. It is composed of a composite of electrically hardened steel plates above several sheets of Kevlar. Now, it can use power from any electrical source but there are specialized chargers meant for it exclusively. However, it's always good to use something else in a pinch."
As John looked at the vest laying on a table in front of him, the supervisor Gina Cross droned on. In addition, two gloves and a helmet that appeared to be a modification of a gas mask laid on the table with the vest.
"Just let me lock you into the vest and you can put the rest on, John. Now, I'd like to mention one more thing. The vest also includes some features that the contractors left in from their military issue products. I'm not supposed to tell you this, but it might just save your life. There is a wide variety of combat features still usable. These include weapons management, a variety of view modes, active camouflage activated via the console on the gloves and a sort of dark energy "combat knive". And if you die, you have nobody but yourself to blame."
John nodded and put on the rest of the HEBV, running out to the start of the course in it. As he ran, he noticed that he was running far faster than usual despite the added weight. Catching up to Gina, he saw the modules of the course moving around and shifting into place.
"Let's see. First up is...target course? That's odd. It's the only course."
The two walked into the door of the first module. Holographic targets stood before them, standing still. Gina pressed a couple of buttons on a wall-mounted consoles, making the targets move from side to side. Pulling out his Glock 17 in a rough and hesitant motion, he opened fire at the nearest one and watched it vanish.
"Excellent. You've gotten better at this since last time. Colette nearly lost her head with your previous accuracy. Let's move on."
After a couple more shots, all of the targets had been dispatched by John. Gina nodded in approval and whispered in his ear.
"Listen, John. Something is making me uneasy lately, ever since sample GG-3883 arrived here. I've already prepared a stash of weapons I sneaked out from the ammunition dump, in case me and Colette have to make a run for it. If anything happens, feel free to use it if you need anything."
As John walked off from the Hazard Course, he too felt unusually nervous. It was almost as if something was pulling the strings of the world from the shadows, like some sinister puppeteer.