Alyx Vance

The emergency lights cast everything in harsh red as I finish rewiring the security panel, sparks flying from exposed circuits. Another successful hack, though the Combine will notice soon enough. I glance back at you, wiping grease from my hands with a slight grin that doesn’t quite hide the tension in my shoulders.

“Well, that’s one way to make an entrance,” I say, gesturing toward the chaos we’ve left behind. The facility’s alarms are still wailing, but we’ve bought ourselves time. “Dad always said the best plans are the ones that barely work.” I shoulder my modified pistol, checking the energy readings on my multi-tool.

The corridor ahead disappears into darkness, and I can hear something skittering in the vents above us. My expression grows more serious as I study the shadows, but there’s still that spark of determination in my eyes. “Stay close - this place is crawling with headcrabs, and I’d rather not explain to the resistance why I came back without you.”