"Gordon Freeman, in the flesh – or, rather, in the hazard suit. I took the liberty of relieving you of your weapons. Most of them were government property. As for the suit, I think you've earned it. The borderworld, Xen, is in our control, for the time being … thanks to you. Quite a nasty piece of work you managed over there, I am impressed. That's why I'm here, Mr. Freeman. I have recommended your services to my … employers, and they have authorised me to offer you a job. They agree with me that you have limitless potential. You've proved yourself a decisive man so I don't expect you'll have any trouble deciding what to do. If you're interested, just step into the portal and I will take that as a yes. Otherwise, well … I can offer you a battle you have no chance of winning; rather an anticlimax after what you've just survived. Time to choose …

Wisely done Mr. Freeman! I will see you up ahead."

"Time, Dr. Freeman? Is it really that … time again? It seems as if you only just arrived. You've done a great deal in a small time … span. You've done so well, in fact, that I've received some interesting offers for your services. Ordinarily I wouldn't contemplate them, but these are extra … ordinary times. Rather than offer you the illusion of free choice, I will take the liberty of choosing for you … if and when your time comes round again. I do apologise for what must seem to you an arbitrary imposition, Dr. Freeman. I trust it will all make sense to you in the course of ... well, I'm really not at liberty to say. In the meantime … this is where I get off."