What does Breen know? *Ending Spoilers*

[jabberwock95]

"Someone who has already proved himself to be a worth pawn for those who control him. So how about it Dr. Freeman? Did you know your contract was open to the highest bidder?"

Those ominous words should sound familier. And they beg the questions: How much does Breen know about your 'employment'? How does he know it? What were you actually employed to do? Have you succeeded?

I for one was wincing when Alyx said "No! Gordon would never do anything like that!". Kinda makes you feel like a complete sell-out, doesnt it?

So, this thread is for the huge questions of:

What did the Gman want you to do in City17?
Did you do it?
Why did the Gman want it done?
How much did/does Breen know about your 'employment'?
How did/does he know?
What did the Gman mean by 'interesting offers' for your 'services'?
Why is he now considering them?

Those are just example questions, feel free to just generally speculate. I look forward to seeing some other views.

 

[JamesPicard_007]

Personally I've had the thought that Gordon is now an unwilling mercenary of sorts. At least since the revealing of this "contract".

 

[danmccormick]

Spoilers like crazy here!

(before i get started this is all on Gman and Gordon, 'cuz breen is just a nut butler...ahem, excuse that one...) Alot of people have speculated, and it is well known, that GMan is basically (these are my words) pimping out Freeman to the highest bidders, and people have believed that these bidders are universal beings who need a mercenary. In other words I'll lay it down in a nice order, of beliefs (these are what Ive seen around the fanciful interweb(yeah, thats right, i said it))These aren't in a particular order, but just a list...enough rambling!(and I'll answer a few of your ?'s here)

1. Gman is an intergalactic employer, currently working on Gordon Freeman. (it has been said, remember now these arent facts just speculations) that Gman might be a alien himself, it is even given in a slight foreshadowing, if you will, in the Prima Strategy Guide for HL2, here is the Gman's exact word for word description in that guide. 'The so-called "G-Man" is a mysterious agent who may or may not represent a rogue government. He has a gravelly, mocking voice that tends to put emphasis and inflection in odd places-a voice that speeds up and slows down unpredictably, as if he is not quite comfortable with human speech.'

See what I mean?

2. The well known phrase preluding Jabber's post, has also been said to be on a intergalactic (well, more interplanetary) scale. Where the highest bidders are those creatures, or beings from other planets, who are bidding for a...well more or less mercenary who can take on any task needed (who can you trust more than a single man who has single-handedly saved a whole planet from global domination...twice!) And G-man is...the auctioneer of sorts who, as I said, might pimp out Freeman, and even use the time-stasis (yeah, you know the thing that happens after both games, where G-man puts you up, so you dont age and can be ready for your next adventure to save Earth.) to get Gordon's interplanetary travels to not take a toll on him.

3. As for the question where you asked what G-man wants you to do in C17, it has been said that it is another, maybe final test, to see if you know what your doing and are worthy of a mercenary status. So both games, taking down the Combine, and Xen are like prerequisites to being taken on by G-Man

4. I'm sure you got the point of your 'services' as Jab put them, by my over use of the word 'mercenary', so I won't go there. But I too am still dumbfounded by what possible payment(or other offers) can you, or G-Man get for this?

5. Just for the hell of it I'll talk about Queen, err uhh, Breen. I'm not sure about him really but heres what I've gotten out of it. So we all know he used to be 'The Man' at Black Mesa, if you know what I mean. So, that kind of means he might have some connections (well of course he does) to the Xen and Combine, seeing as he was the propriator of the Black Mesa Research Facility, right? So it says through the game, if you pay attention to detail and environmental clues, that Breen sells out to the Combine, and begins the propoganda that the Combine will make Earth better. So they give him a seat near the top (literrally at the top of the Citadel!) and let him kind of watch over and be invulnerable to the rebels (see how that worked out). So to me, seeing as he talks to the Advisors, (in the Prima guide it even says they have telekinetic, and psychopathic abilities), he can kind of tell Breen what is going on with G-man and the rest, so that is the way I can get that Breen might possibly know. So this means that he will know a substantial amount of information, right? Well, thats what I've inferred, but then again, I'm crazy! :rolling:

6. Finally, here is what the G-man says at the end of the game,(I'm reading from the strategy guide here, and I'll write out what it says, again, word for word, for the entire ending scene.)

The top of the fusion spire begins to pulse, crackle, and detonate. The spire then bursts outward in a gigantic explosion, and Alyx can just be heard over the top of it: "Come on Gordon! We've got to get out of here! Maybe we still have...."

Alyx stops talking. The fireball freezes a second before engulfing you. A gaunt man in a gray suit appears, and finishes Alyx's sentence for her:"...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 timespan." the man continues. "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 extraordinary times."

Time and space congeal into an inky blackness. The G-Man continues, "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 apologize 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..."

The G-Man pauses to gaze at you.

"I'm really not at liberty to say."

"In the meantime..." his voice trails, as a door of white opens, "This is where I get off."

The G-Man strides though the doorway.

Everything fades to black.

----------------------End!----------------

By reading that, you can infer that he is implying that he will awake you again, whenver he find the next suitable cause for you to be around to take on. So the next time a global apocalypse, or a global domination is going to be arousing, he will choose when you awake you from your time stasis, and put you back into the playing field. As I said that is what I get from it, and again, I'm not the most...sane...person out there, but all well.

I'm gonna have to stop there, I gotta go, but I'll be around. But I hope that answered some of your questions, and I know some controversy is gonna start from this post. All well, whatever. As I said those excerpts were from Prima's Official Half-Life 2 Strategy Guide

I just noticed how much I wrote, and man, I deserve an award or something! Haha :E

 

[jabberwock95]

What I dont like is the constant feeling of manipulation of the world around you, by the Gman. Its as if he is somehow preventing you from seeing the big picture.

I wonder what sort of 'offers' he is considering? Given Gordons talent for mass murder, it cant be anything nice.

"This is not some.. agent provocateur or.. highly trained assassin we are discussing. Gordan Freeman is a theoretical physicist who had hardly earned the distinction of his PhD at the time of the Black Mesa incident. I have good reason to believe that in the intervening years he was in a state that pre-cluded further development of covert skills..
the man you have consistently failed to slow, let alone capture, is by all standards simply that, an ordinary man!" - Wallace Breen

I love quoting, and it certainly doesnt seem like Gordon is working for Breen if he is provoking that sort of a reaction.

 

[L337_Assasain]

I'm sorry to say, but it's just sort of stupid and cheesy to think that the G-man is using Gordon as a mercenary. There is something very BIG going on, and the combine and xen are linked, and are very similar. G-man could just be using Gordon to stop the combine, who may or may not have conquered xen. G-man may be part of a race who has encountered the combine once before, and so he's using you to defend earth from the same fate. If Gordon were a mercenary, then who has payed for your services in hl2, and 2?

 

[kupocake]

"Someone who has already proved himself to be a worth pawn for those who control him. So how about it Dr. Freeman? Did you know your contract was open to the highest bidder?"

I'm of the opinion that people breathe too much into this line. If Breen's supposed to be eluding to your employment with the G-Man, the delivery sounds completely wrong. It's just a throwaway comment made by a clueless pawn.

 

[danmccormick]

yeah sorry, i didnt mean for it to pass off that he was working for breen, I meant to say that G-man might be working with the Combine, as they may be contacting him about the Freeman info(about his mercenary-ism), and they could be providing Breen with the information G-man gives him, and seeing as Breen knew him before, he is slowly getting more and more information about Gordon. And seeing as Breen is sitting on a throne of...excuse me but sh*t, he may see Gordon as a threat of his fall...and ultimately he is. So after having his research facility basically totaled by freeman, as well as the earth. Breen seems to be quite...enraged at Freemans continual interference of his controlling nature. So, perhaps breen had this reaction because he knew that a once lowly scientist would ultimatley, and for the second time, be his demise. :naughty: ...I dunno if it makes sense when reading it but it makes sense in my noodle

QUICK ANALYISIS IF I CONFUSED YOU (this is if you base it off of the theories I provided)

Freeman performs his 'duties' -->by watching him, G-man gathers information about his performance --> G-man passes information onto the beings that wish to learn information about the upcoming mercenary -->Combine get their hands on the information --> Because Combine are the ones who allow Breen to be in throne, they have access to communicate with him --> Breen recieves information, along with the information he already knew (due to the BMRF years) --> Me writing out my patented, Ghetto-Time Line! (j/k)

But thats a break down...BWAH! :burp:

BMRF-Black Mesa Research Facility

Oh yeah, and it is relatively cheesey, but thats what I've seen all over the place so far. It is kind of a original idea though, think of it, A man who makes you fight wars, and single handedly take down globally dominating alien forces...2 times, as just a preliminary to any other work you have to do, and afterwards giving out your performance to alien bidders, looking for a 'pawn' to do their bidding, all without the pawn having any idea what hit him. Its complex...bbut I agree very cheesey indeed

 

[BlowOffSteam]

What? You mean Half-Life 2 had a plot?

Haha, I'm just kidding. It's nice to see someone who paid attention to what was going on in the game.

The story of Half-Life is told through revelation: we are informed of crucial plot elements bit by bit, each building up to the final explaination, while leaving the entire picture in a constant state of ambiguity. I predict Half-Life will probably end this way as well, leaving the final call up to speculation. Many great movies have used this story-telling device; Akira and Donnie Darko for example.

Because Half-Life is told through these mysterious blinds, it's very difficult to construct a theory which is both easily understandable and clearly evidenced. The details of the entire storyline have to be collected, dissected, and then analyzed to find feasible explanation. Finally, the conclusion must be rearranged in a logical structure. The problem usually comes with this last step: organizing your theory in a convincing, clear-cut manner. The nature of these stories is to build one piece of crucial information upon the other. To provide evidence for any deduction, you must point to the specific quote or event that proves your point. It is almost impossible then to arrange the evidence and analysis for a revelation story in any other order than sequential.

However, I will do my best to explain my take on the story. I don't exactly have all of the time in the world though, so I probably won't be able to evidence all of my deductions. I'm assuming you have played both Half-Life 1 and 2, and have a fairly good recollection of what happened.

Like G-Man said, "The right man in the wrong place" can be very beneficial. Gordan is the right man; this time, City 17 was the wrong place. Last time, it was the Xen planet.

So why would G-Man want us (Gordan) at his disposal? Well, lets look at the facts. Last time, we destroyed the Xenian leader: Nihilanth. This time, its the Human leader: Dr. Breen. What do these two have in common? They were both the leaders of their planets, placed in power by the Combine. Who are the Combine? We're not really sure, except they sure do seem to like to take over planets, and obviously have the power to do so. G-Man has now twice assisted us in striking huge blows to the Combine. Not only that, but he has made his assistance completely invisible to the public eye; Earthly or otherwise. To everyone else, it looks like Gordan Freeman, a mere "rogue physicist," from Earth no less, has been undermining the efforts of the Combine empire single-handedly. The Combine are probably turning into the laughing stock of the universe; its they're an Olympic athlete, and have lost a race to a highschool ameteur. Twice.

G-Man's deleterious actions against the Combine are consistant. His apparant objective is to make fools of the Combine. His motive? We don't know for sure, but one possibility is that the government/organization he works for wants to seriously degrade the Combine for political reasons. The Combine are a superpower - at least by Earth's standards. G-Man and his associates want to take them down. Then again, perhaps G-Man is a freelance agent: "So how about it Dr. Freeman? Did you know your contract was open to the highest bidder?"

Whatever G-Man's particular motives, Freeman is evidantly an extremely valuable asset to G-Man. It was quite fortunate to G-Man that he discovered us during the Black Mesa incident. We (Gordan) have quite a predictable nature, and G-Man is playing us like a video game.

 

[danmccormick]

It's nice to see someone who paid attention to what was going on in the game.

Thanks I guess, oh and guess what, I haven't beat the game :cheese: can't get it to play HAHA!

But as you can see, there is a substantially large plot here, in comparison to other fps' (not your standard, KILL KILL KILL plot) it has ALOT of behind the scenes aspects. Like I said most of what I posted in the bigg'un were not my ideas, they were things I picked up from others, and from the time I have played the game, it makes sense. As far as I know, there are ALOT of possibilities, so we'll have to keep our eyes, and ears, open. :thumbs:

And your right, it does seem as though we are being played be G-man, it seems as though he knew we would play the role of 'Hero' again, and not just go into a whacked out mode after finding yourself time hopping, and sit in a corner, sucking on your thumb while your huddled up, muttering wtf to yourself over and over (yeah, thats what I would've done) So like I said G-Man is our...we'll theoretical pimp, he expects us to get the job done, and get the goods back to him. (in this case it's most likely information)

And L337, thats exactly the question, who, or what, is really benefitting from the actions of Dr. Freeman, and your theory could be true, but there has to be evidence, though it does sound very probable. But as I said, perhaps those who are looking to get the mercenary (still following the first theory) are paying off G-Man to get any, and all information for them to use.

G-Man, as you said, and I did before, seems to be from another planet himself, and this site alone has threads speculating time travel as a possiblity for the g-man's interference, saying perhaps, he is a human from the future, and I've thought maybe it is true, thats why there is the time stasis and time halting that G-man uses. Idk, as I've said, these are pretty much all theories.

 

[BlowOffSteam]

Thanks I guess, oh and guess what, I haven't beat the game :cheese: can't get it to play HAHA!

Ouch... I'm sorry about your loss.

But anyway, it is highly unlikely that G-Man would sell us (Gordon) out. Freeman wasn't really of much interest to begin with. He was a normal guy, with a normal background. The only thing extraordinary about him was... as I said before, he was "The right man in the wrong place" (G-Man says this). The wrong place being Black Mesa. Gordon could have been anyone, so long as he did what he was supposed to. In fact, he was anyone; anyone who played Half-Life. He's a "puppet," a tool. The big guys, the Combine, want him dead because he's causing a disturbance.

However, as we know, G-Man is the one behind these disturbances. G-Man places us (Gordon) in situations in which he knows he can control our actions. G-Man is carrying out his agenda vicariously through us (Freeman). We're perfect for the job. It appears as though we, the insignificant rogue physicists that we are, are bringing down the Combine.

Our insignificance is precisely why Breen hates us so much. He is the one who coined that phrase, "rogue physicist." How could such an ordinary guy repeatedly persist through such extraordinary circumstances? (Breen basically says this to the Combine soldiers at Nova Prospekt through his television appearances - he scolds the Combine for their failure to capture Freeman). What he and everyone else don't know is that we've got G-Man helping us. Hell, most Gordan Freemans don't quite even realize that either.

I want to note one other statement made by G-Man in his closing dialogue: "these are extraordinary times." This may suggest that intergalactic war or hostility is afoot. In all practicality, G-Man is an alien. He posesses technology/powers unheard of on Earth (for example, the ability to slow/control time). So it would be relatively safe to assume that when he says "these are extraordinary times," he is referring to the conditions native to his home - a home occupied by quite a few different races of intillgent species. We know at least the Xen, the Combine, and G-Man's race are in existance.

 

[BlowOffSteam]

Woops... didn't quite understand what you meant the first time around. I thought you were argueing that G-Man was going to sell out Gordon to Breen. What you actually meant is that G-Man was going to sell Gordon's services to other employers. I suppose that could work... I'm pretty stuck to the idea that there's significance in Gordon's insignificance; G-Man is using Gordon to humiliate the Combine as a universal power. If that were the case, G-Man wouldn't want anyone to know about his affiliation with Gordon. But then again, he does say that "highest bidder" bit... I think both outcomes are possible.

 

[BlowOffSteam]

Oh my god... sorry for the triple post here. I didn't realize that first quote was by Dr. Breen: "Someone who has already proved himself to be a worth pawn for those who control him. So how about it Dr. Freeman? Did you know your contract was open to the highest bidder?"

That would imply that G-Man's affiliation with Freeman was publically known... The mercenary idea does seem the most logical, then. You're pretty much G-Man's bitch (although you don't really know it), and he gets paid to use you for someone else's bidding. Whoever is paying G-Man then is the one who's got beef with the Combine. Of course, that's if what Breen is saying is true. Breen isn't quite the most honest of all people, so I wouldn't be suprised if that statement wasn't entirely truthful. G-Man's motives for using you as his "pawn" are probably more significant than money. Either way, he's probably working for some kind of government/organization who has beef with the Combine. I would like to think it was for a noble cause

 

[LoneDeranger]

Oh my god... sorry for the triple post here. I didn't realize that first quote was by Dr. Breen: "Someone who has already proved himself to be a worth pawn for those who control him. So how about it Dr. Freeman? Did you know your contract was open to the highest bidder?"

That would imply that G-Man's affiliation with Freeman was publically known... The mercenary idea does seem the most logical, then. You're pretty much G-Man's bitch (although you don't really know it), and he gets paid to use you for someone else's bidding. Whoever is paying G-Man then is the one who's got beef with the Combine. Of course, that's if what Breen is saying is true. Breen isn't quite the most honest of all people, so I wouldn't be suprised if that statement wasn't entirely truthful. G-Man's motives for using you as his "pawn" are probably more significant than money. Either way, he's probably working for some kind of government/organization who has beef with the Combine. I would like to think it was for a noble cause

One of the HL2 books (I think the strategy guide) actually uses the word mercenary to describe Freeman.

 

[SupaKoopa]

One of the HL2 books (I think the strategy guide) actually uses the word mercenary to describe Freeman.

and there's nothing said by any of the resistance people to indicate that you're NOT a mercenary. after a 10-year absence, they don't seem to be asking the type of questions you'd expect to hear...just some mild surprise at your arrival. either they find nothing odd with missing out on 10 years of existence, or they know what happened to you. again, the crowbar and modified Mark V hazard suit are evidence that they were in contact with the g-man.

 

[Mister_Pie]

One theory that I like (and did not come up with) is that the resistance hired Gordon.

The main evidence being the reactions of Eli and Alyx during the final moments of the game when Breen brings up your contract (they seem to want to change the subject). Not to mention the fact that the gman seems to be in contact with resistance members (ie when you see him talking to one of them through binoculars).

 

[danmccormick]

yes, the strategy guide does say that he is somewhat of a mercenary. But I'm iffy on the whole resistance buying you thing, though it is possible. Seeing as they do use you to their advantage. As for the modded Mark V and crowbar, barney and the Doc were around when he was, and they might have seen, or even been visited by the G-Man informing them that he is still alive perhaps? Or just out of Kleiner's own scientific interests he might have fixed up the suit. I dont know (obviously). Wait a second, I just popped open the guide and this is the last paragraph in Freemans bio, and read this little part I underlined.

'After battling through a paradimensional rift to a final audience with a figure known only as the G-Man, Freeman agreed to work for him, hoping to become an aid to humanity in the process. It has been years since Gordon's former (and surviving) colleagues have heard from him and the world has certainly changed since then.'

...I don't wanna! haha, but see it says as of now he is working for him. Interesting...hmmm.

Aaanyways, G-Man talking to the resistance member could back up the resistance buying out Freeman. But here's a larger question, where on earth would they get that kind of money? I mean, G-Man doesn't seem like the type to, give charity, if you will. And why would he waste time on Earth again? I mean, if it follows the interplanetary mercenary theory, wouldn't he go somewhere where Gordon could be of more use?

Back on track of the suit and crowbar, Barney (or as I know him by, The Calhouninator) may have scrounged up a crowbar for you seeing as he kinda knew how much you liked it (well at least I did), and if you were in a different dimension (as the bio suggests) could Kleiner have actually modeled a whole new model after yours, seeing as you were in a different time-stasised dimension, with your gear?

But koopa you do bring up a valid point, the suit and bar can also show that G-Man could have been in contact with the resistance and others, which could also be used as a backing for the resistances purchasing of Freeman theory. God, so much crap is goind down here, my noggin hurts...yup I said noggin.

Meh, so many questions and theoretical explanations (most with backing). Oh and BlowOffSteam, thanks for your...sentiments lol. Ahh this sucks ;(


oh yeah, and if I can find more information on his possible mercenarism in the guide Ill post here.

 

[Punky]

Remember when Barney calls Kliener at the beginning and says Gorden is here. Kliener says something like "I would have thought we would have gotten more notice" This phrase and the conversation in Breens office make me almost 100% sure Gordon was hired by the resistance. Plus G-man was talking to that british resistance dude.

 

[ranmafan]

Well, let's assume this:

Gordon cares for Earth and its people. (Well, at least some people.)

G-Man strikes a bargain with the resistance. I give you Freeman's help, you gain freedom, happiness, and everything Gordon would like you to gain.

In return, G-Man gets a happy and well-adjusted Gordon who's now more willing to do whatever he's put through. For what reasons however, remain unanswered for now...

It's not always monetary gains... perhaps the G-Man sees some benefit in having Gordon aid the resistance? Perhaps... there is a larger entity paying off the G-Man to rid the Earth of the Combine (or just get rid of the Combine, period.)?

The means to the ends isn't always clear...

 

[danbob1088]

Dont complain lol

I have heard so many people around my school complain about the ending...but when an ending leaves you like this...


It is one of the best stories of all time. Ending and all.


My thoughts are that the G-Man is the leader of a faction group rebeling against the Combine. He directly supports the cause on Earth by sending Gordon. Thats my short and sweet theory, dont have time to go into detail.

 

[JustinSane]

I believe that G-man actually doesn't have too much hand on the course of events ie. he's important, but not so influential, he's a go-between, just passing and carrying on orders given to him by his superiors. Though he probably does this willingly but it's obvious that G-man doesn't really make the calls or decide things ie. he doesn't decide who gets to hire Gordon nor any other events. Yes, he may have taken some direct actions that have had consequenses (probably the BM incident) but it wasn't his decision, he was just carrying out orders.

 

[Brian Damage]

I dunno...

Fist of all, Kliener's statement about "getting more notice" makes me think that he was expecting that if Gordon ever showed up again, he'd be causing chaos (he probably has a reputation for it) across the country as he made his way to his friends. Obviously, this didn't happen, as the G-Man dropped him off fairly close to Kliener's lab.

And that stuff Breen says... if Breen knew that Gordon was open for hiring, why did he seem so surprised when he first saw him in his office during the messed-up teleport? Maybe he only found out afterwards... maybe Gordon's only open for employment to the various resistances on the Combine-occupied worlds? The rest of the stuff he says seems more along the lines of "Either you work for me, and tell the resistance to back off, or I'll kill you."...

I doubt money is involved, though... what would an entity like the G-Man, with such odd powers, do with cash? I'd say maybe Gordon gets hired out to whoever can make the best deal with the G-Man or his employers. Something like resources, or maybe it's an agreement to become part of their empire once everything is over, instead of the Combine one.

 

[JustinSane]

Oh and about that "Highest bidder" - stuff and the resistance not affording it; have you taken in consideration that there might factions / groups / persons that share the same intrests as the resistance, somebody who can afford to fund hiring Freeman, but somebody of whom the resistance has no clue of.

 

[dougjp]

Veeelie Interestingk Lots of good theories here.

Mine is that the G-Man controls the planet and Breen is just one of his (larger) city managers, so on the surface he's part of the G-Man's inner circle and knows everything.

However Breen is a sweet talker with a swelled head ("its the only city that's 'safe' "), got the combine working for him and became entirely too powerful and important. The G-Man was too slow to deal with this and now has a problem to get rid of him. The G-Man cannot stand anyone with power like him, and besides, his way is to work in the background to achieve his purposes, just like in HL1.

The G-Man has kept Freeman supressed and knows what buttons to push when he lets him out. He knows Freeman will fight for the little guy and as a by-product of that, will destroy Breen. The G-Man will appear to his other managers to have had nothing to do with that. The moment Breen is destroyed, Freeman is back in the G-Man's confinement so yes, Freeman accomplished everything he was meant to. And is taken out of the picture presumably so that the G-Man can install a subservient manager for City-17.

Which begs the question, is HL meant to be only a trilogy? How many cities are there, 1,2,3,4,5 etc? How many problems can arise on this planet for future installments? HL3 may only be at the beginning of a long list of games, lets hope so! :bounce:

 

[LoneDeranger]

Here is the exact quote from the guide:

"Your tasks end with a tumultous ascention of the reactor spire, where Breen is stopped and the shocking conclusions of your mercenary activites are revealed."

 

[Qhartb]

In a similar vein as seeing the G-Man and Cubbage through the binoculars, in the train car where the Vortigaunt charges you, the Vort (and prehaps the resistence member) were watching the G-Man on TV.

Also, Breen's address in Nova Prospekt said "I have good reason to believe that in the intervening years he was in a state that precluded further development of covert skills." This means that he knows that you've been in stasis/timewarp/asleep/whatever since Black Mesa, which would suggest some knowledge of the Gman or his organization.