The rumbling hum of the Citadel felt numbing to the ears, the marching of Striders, screams of Stalkers, and the sounds of lasers melting metal together, the screech of metals forming together. The Citadel made City-17 look like an ant's city beneath it.

Blue metallic walls coated the sleek walls, destroying any ideas of hope, the Combine's control of humanity being devastating. A Combine elite stood at a balcony, staring at the far ground, watching the Striders march in a trio, his AR2 on his back.

He spoke up, his voice filling the air, his arms resting on the balcony.

“Need something?”

He didn't even bother to turn his singular red Combine Elite gas mask to you. He already knew you were there.