[Combine] 0001 – The End and New Beginnings

Title: The Combine Expands Across the Multiverse

Synopsis: John McClaine is a simple man, one who, after death, learned that his Earth, one of an infinite number, is apparently under the control of a 'Company' and, as he was now dead. His soul was automatically transferred to the Company via a contract with Earth's Gods; he was now contractually obliged to work for the Company, whether he wanted to or not.

So, this company gave him several choices for his future employment and service to the Company.

First, he had the option of the typical and cliché option of being reincarnated in a different world and having his entire life broadcast and sold for entertainment by the Company.

Second, become an Agent for the Company and be stuck doing paperwork for all eternity.

Third, become a Soldier for the Company.

So, as a gambit, John risked it all and asked for all three.

[Chapter Start]

Sitting in an average office, two people sat before one another. One appeared like a man, but wore strange robes and had blazing red eyes and two pointed ears, while the other seemed to be a flame in a humanoid shape.

"So let me get this straight, the Gods of Earth, wanting to go to a world that was far more technologically devolved than Humanity, sold us out to your Company?" The humanoid flame asked.

"That's right!" the humanoid creature responded cheerfully, "And because of that, every Human Soul of your Earth now belongs to our Company, and as such, every Human of your Earth, upon death, is automatically drafted into the service of the Company until they fulfill their contract of employment!" 

"And you said there were only three options in terms of employment with the Company?" The flame questioned.

"That's right! You can either enter our Otherworld Program, become an Agent for the Company, or enter the Company's service as a Soldier!" The creature responded.

"I see..." the Flame responded.

"So, John Henry McClaine, what will it be?" The creature asked, crossing its fingers and putting its arms on its desk.

"...Can I choose all three?" The flame asked after a few moments of silence, making the creature raise its eyebrow in confusion.

"Expand." The creature demanded.

"Could I be an Agent, Soldier, and enter the Otherworld Programm at the same time?" The flame asked.

“…You can, but it is not recommended for new employees. What exactly are you seeking?” The creature asked, straight to the point.  

“Can I be transmigrated to a new world, with a small military force, along with some technology and a way to traverse the multiverse, and at the same time, do odd jobs for the Company and, if needed, invade or destroy something?” The flame asked.

“So you’re asking to become, what, a Vassal for the company?” The creature questioned with a hum.

“Sure, though I want control over whatever nation I end up forming to a major degree. It’ll be hard if you guys are constantly pushing for direct reforms or laws,” The flame waved, leaning back into his chair.

“I see, that is possible, and we do have a contract for such a thing, but it will require that you provide a service or something of value to the company every year, or your contract becomes void and your empire assimilated into the Company,” The creature informed the flame.

“Perfect, now let’s discuss details and go over this contract,” the flame spoke with a hidden grin.

…

It took around a month of real-time negotiations, reforming and reworking the contract, but in the end, both the flame and creature representing the company figured they got the better end of the deal.

“Alright, with that, you’ll now have access to the Catalog of the Company as well as 2,500 Points as a starter fund before your journey and employment officially begins,” the creature informed the flame, John, as it summoned a computer before him. 

“And I’ll be able to access this catalog during my employment?” John asked.

“That’s right, you’ll also be able to receive your tasks and job offers from the Company or its clients as well. You’ll be required to fulfill a task for a client or the company at least once a year for the first ten years of your service, then more than three times from then on until your service ends,” the creature informed John. 

“Got it,” John answered before looking at the catalog shown on the screen. 

With 2,500 points as a starter fund, John first started by filtering the catalog to the self-improvement section. 

-500: Spartan 2 Physiology (Halo)

-250: Spartan 2 Specialized Training (Halo)

Satisfied with his purchases and left with 1,750 points, John ignored the modified looks that came with the purchase of Spartan 2 Physiology and moved onto the ‘Units’ tab, which would allow him to purchase specific soldiers or beings for his ragtag army. 

-150: Thirty Combine Civil Protection (Half-Life 2)

-300: Fifteen Combine Soldiers (Half-Life 2)

-120: Three Elite Combine Soldiers (Half Life)

-50: Two Combine Doctors

-25: One Combine Engineer

-50: Two Vortigaunts

Left with 810 points, I spent the rest of my points on items, blueprints, and equipment.

-50: Five Crates of Ammunition (Half-Life)

-10: One Crate of Manhacks and City Scanners (Half-Life)

-100: Crate of Radiation Scrubbers (Fallout)

-115: One Modified Combine Troop Transport (Half-Life)

-230: Two Modified Combine APCs (Half-Life)

-250: Combine Technology Blueprints (Earth Dimension)

-50: Modified Combine Armor (Half-Life)

-5: Combine Assault Rifle (Half-Life)

-250: Matter Reconfigurer (Fallout)

With that, I looked over my choices and clicked confirm, using all 2,500 points at once. 

The creature, having watched each of my purchases, hummed in thought, “Good choices, I’m assuming you’ve decided on your drop off location?”

John nodded, “The Metro Universe.”

“Metro? That’s an exceedingly rare pick, I’m excited to see where it goes,” the creature spoke with a smile before reaching over to shake John’s flame hand.

“Good luck, John. It’ll be a pleasure to work with you again and see where you go with this build of yours. I have the perfect job for you when you're ready.” The creature’s smile widened, taking up most of its face.

“I’ll see ya later then, I’m ready when you are,” John returned the smile. 

…

With a start, John, from one blink to the next, found himself in the flesh. 

Surrounding him were the wary and armed Combine Soldiers and Civil Protection. 

Looking around, John’s training from the imprinted knowledge of a Spartan 2’s training made him examine the situation at hand.

“You and you, search the boxes for the City Scanners and get them active. I want them scanning the area for hostiles,” John pointed to two Combine Soldiers, before looking to the three Elites in their white armor.

“You three, form your own teams and set up a perimeter, I want them APCs manned and ready to move out at any moment, as for you four, I want you to start loading all the crates onto the troop transport, we’re taking them with us,” John issues his orders to several more of the Civil Protection. 

He then looked to the two doctors and the engineer and ordered them to take shelter in the troop transport, as well as the two Vortiguants.

Not wanting to slow down, John himself began helping the Civil Protection in loading the troop carrier. At the same time, the Elite Combine Soldiers, along with the other soldiers, set up a temporary perimeter around the convoy.

It took around thirty minutes to load everything onto the Troop Carrier. Once that was done, John called everyone back and loaded everyone up in the APCs and the Troop Carrier, with him personally hopping in the lead APC alongside one of the Elite Soldiers and two of the normal soldiers. 

“Orders?” Asked the soldier in the driver's seat, the voice modulator making his voice sound more intimidating. 

“Drive forward, our destination is the ruins of Moscow, specifically the Library. Our target once we get there is to obtain documents on the Metro System beneath Moscow and a file on D-6, understand?” John asked, checking over his rifle. 

“Yes, sir,” the garbled voice echoed out, and the APC kicked into motion.

The convoy set off for Moscow. The question was, where was Moscow? John guessed that they'd find out, it was just a shame that none of them could speak Russian.