Sup

[gordonowesmeabeer]

[Hey look everyone! It's...some guy.]

These Initiative guys have a thing or two to learn about timing. At least the decor's not too different here, though that's not really a plus.

Whatever, I'll roll with it. Name's Barney Calhoun, and I've got some experience with resisting oppressive world governments. Does Black Mesa or The Combine sound familiar to anyone around here?

What about beer? I think I'm going to need some of that before the day is out.

Comments

[trustycrowbar]

Hm, nice try. You owe me one instead. But you've probably got all of enough marques to buy for yourself and that's it, so I'll pay this time.

So how long have you been here?

[gordonowesmeabeer]

About half an hour. They've got me locked up with medical red tape until they're sure I don't have any incurable diseases or something. It feels very bureaucratic and routine but they gave me this tablet to play with so I wouldn't get bored in the meantime.

[trustycrowbar]

Yeah, they've got that. Funny how we don't hear more about people complaining about the iso part of the process. I guess they're so worked up with righteous indignation by the time they leave the Hold that any one offense doesn't stand out anymore. It's funny hearing them bitch n' moan about how awful this place is, and how there's obviously a mistake somewhere, and they need to be sent home right away.

[Beat.]

...I say "funny" but what I really mean is "irritating as hell after a thirteen-hour shift."

[gordonowesmeabeer]

Well obviously I want to go back. Lots of things to do before the big C finally kicks the bucket, but complaining to other transports probably isn't going to solve anything.

This place isn't really any worse than City 17. Better, probably! Less Civil Protection units kicking down doors.

...That doesn't happen here, right?

[trustycrowbar]

I wish more of them thought ahead like you. I work at the Hold, so I get to talk them down about this every single day. You can imagine how well that goes.

And no, it doesn't. No Civil Protection walking the streets and doing whatever the hell they want with citizens, no zombies, and "Combine" is all the way the hell across the English Channel.

Hell we've even got beds to sleep in. Speaking of which, you get your housing assignment yet?

[gordonowesmeabeer]

Just as I was getting used to damp mattresses on the floor. Lesse here...

[He flips through the info packet all new transports get.]

610, I guess.

[trustycrowbar]

I'm in 207. Tell you what, I'm going to give you some time to claim your space. I'll meet you down in the lobby later, and we can catch up a little better over those beers.

[gordonowesmeabeer]

Sound like a plan. I saw the skyline earlier and it looks kinda like a dump. I'm just glad there is something to drink around here that's not Mossman's homemade honey wine.

[trustycrowbar]

...

She makes her own honey wine?

[gordonowesmeabeer]

Until she gave half of Black Mesa East botulism.

[trustycrowbar]

[Gordon shakes his heads and facepalms.]

Yeah, I'm not really surprised. There are one or two local brews here; not bad stuff, but not that great either. The stuff we'd recognize is three times the price thanks to the cost of "import."

[gordonowesmeabeer]

Eli made her stop after that one. Or at lest stop giving it for Christmas presents.

Sounds good, I'll hunt you down later so we can reminisce about old times and you can tell me the important things to know about what's going on here.