The Adventures of Hercule CubbageChapter Three: Paternal Bonds

Hercule Cubbage raises a finger and says: I am Hercule Cubbage, son of Colonel Odessa Cubbage! Alyx Vance crosses her arms and replies: Oh, yeah, I can see the, uh... resemblance. To which Hercule notes: Well, I'm glad to finally meet someone who knows -- Lucy cuts him off with a worried look, saying: Wait, you're Alyx Vance? From Black Mesa East? We are on our way there. Alyx starts to turn as she replies to Lucy. Then I'm afraid I have some bad news for you. Follow me.

Alyx leads Hercule and Lucy in. They stare at the place as Alyx tells them: You wanted Black Mesa East? Alyx raises her arms as she shows the place, a downtrodden tunnel with a few refugees and a Vortigaunt using its energy to kickstart an old generator. Alyx says: This is what's left of it. Chapter title: Paternal Bonds. Lucy raises her hand to her head with a worried look, while Alyx looks depressed. Lucy asks: Oh, no... what happened? Alyx replies: The Combine attacked. Only a few of us managed to escape. They took my father. Hercule looks to Alyx and tells her: I'm very sorry to learn that, Miss Vance. If anyone can relate, it's me. Look, I don't mean to sound insensitive, but I am a tad under the weather. Mind if I call it a night? I could use a change of clothes and a mattress.

Alyx points Hercule towards the makeshift rooms in their temporary camp, to which he smiles in return. She tells him: Sure, go past the comm room, through there. And call me Alyx. Hercule replies: Brilliant. Thank you, I will reciprocate your kindness. As Hercule leaves, Alyx turns to Lucy and says: You look like you also need a break. Hungry? Later, Lucy and Alyx are sitting on a couch in a small room. Lucy has a Combine ration on her lap, but she isn't eating. Instead, she's talking to Alyx, saying: I can't believe this. I've spent my entire life looking for a safe place. I thought I had finally found it... and it's gone. There are no safe places, are there? It's all hopeless. Lucy puts a hand on her head as she turns to Alyx and apologizes. Oh, God. I'm sorry. You've had it worse, and you don't even know me. Everyone who knew me is dead. Alyx keeps a calm and friendly look on her face as she tells Lucy: It's okay, don't worry. You're right, no one is safe outside their cities... but isn't that a fair price to pay for freedom? Isn't it better to risk your life than to be a prisoner? Lucy smiles as she thinks on Alyx's words, saying: Yeah... of course. Thank you, Alyx. I'm gonna get some sleep. I'll figure things out tomorrow. Good night. Lucy leaves. Alyx stays behind, all by herself. She stares at a picture on the desk in front of her: the picture of her parents, the only thing she managed to carry out from Black Mesa East. She touches her mother's pendant on her necklace with a sad look on her face.

The next morning. Pitch black darkness as someone faintly overhears a conversation. The conversation starts to grow clearer as the person opens their eyes. The conversation starts to become clearer, with someone saying: That's why I called you, Leon. I was hoping you still had the scout car we left with you last Summer. The one my dad rigged with the Tau Cannon. The person waking up is Hercule Cubbage, who, in his drowsiness, wonders who is talking. He overhears: Yeah, good idea, hold on a sec. Hercule mumbles: Whuh...? Hercule gets up from his mattress. He walks out of the room, hearing someone on the radio saying: Okay, Alyx, we're all set.

It's Alyx Vance talking on the radio in the comm room. As Hercule walks in, she tells the people on the radio: Thanks, Leon. Gordon, I haven't driven the Coast in over a year, but I have no reason to think it's gotten any safer. Meet me in the depot where the trains unload. Take care of yourself and I'll see you in Nova Prospekt. Bye for now. Someone on the other end replies: Bye, Alyx. Alyx looks to her side towards Hercule as he tells her: You didn't just say you're going to Nova Prospekt, right? Hercule continues: Because that would be suicide. Alyx turns to him and defensively replies: I'm doing it to rescue my father. Wouldn't you do the same? Actually, last night you said you can "relate". What did you mean by that? Hercule tells Alyx: Ah, yes. Well, I am also on a rescue mission. Doctor Breen threatened my father, the One Free Man, on the telly yesterday, so I'm going home to help. Alyx makes a face as she replies: You do know your father isn't the "One Free Man", right? Angrily, Hercule counters with: What?! Preposterous! Of course he bloody is! He... Alyx finishes his sentence: ... told you that himself, didn't he? Typical Odessa. Sorry, but you're thinking of Gordon Freeman. Listen, I need to sneak into a nearby Combine freight station to hitch a train ride. If you're so intent on reaching the Coast, come with me.

Hercule is speechless for a moment. He then walks out, telling Alyx: Bah! I am not going to stand here and listen to your lies! I'm making my own way to the Coast! And I'll be taking some equipment, too! Good day, Miss Vance! A few moments later, in the storage area, Hercule is rummaging through a weapons cache and grumbling to himself. Insult my father, will you... Argh, there's nothing remotely useful! Hercule casually tosses away a grenade as Lucy walks in and calls out to him. Cubbage? Lucy asks him: What's wrong with you? Hercule snaps back: Oh, I'll tell you what's wrong, Lucy. What's wrong is Alyx Vance saying my father is some kind of phony! Spreading bloody lies right in my damn face! Lucy replies: Hey, calm down. If you're sure it's all a lie, then why are you so worked up? Hercule looks down for a moment as he says: Because... Because I... Hercule turns around and stares at Lucy, a sad look in his face. He mutters: Because I am not sure.

Hercule notes: All these mentions of that "Freeman" chap... I'm not daft. Maybe my father lied to me. Maybe he's lied my entire life. Hercule looks to Lucy and says: If so... then I don't even know why I'm doing this. He looks down as he mumbles: I don't even know who I am anymore. Lucy tries to calm him down, telling him: Look, it's none of my business... but it sounds to me like you have a bit of a complex. I don't know your father, but who he is should not define you. You need to be your own man. Hercule is once again left speechless for a moment as he stares at Lucy. Uh... I... I should go apologize to Alyx for my behaviour, I -- !! He suddenly spots something that catches his eye. He stares at it in disbelief as he says: Oh, my God. I can't believe it.

Meanwhile, Alyx is holding her robotic pet Dog's head as she tells it: No, Dog, you can't come with me, but it'll be fine. I want you to take care of yourself. Get to Doctor Kleiner's lab and wait for us there. She hands Dog the old family portrait, telling it: Keep this safe and give it back to Dad when you see him. Dog replies with a robotic noise of agreement as Alyx rubs its head, telling it: Good doggie. Hercule then walks into the room, followed by Lucy. He's holding a makeshift Resistance crossbow with a smile. He tells Alyx: Excuse me, Alyx... is joining forces still on the table? I found this amidst the supplies. I hope you won't mind me taking it. I built such a beauty myself once upon a time. It makes me very nostalgic. And besides, I've already stuffed my trousers with bolts. It'd be a bit awkward to put them back.

Alyx smiles as she looks at Hercule. She asks: What do you think, Dog? Should I bring him with me? Dog makes an enthusiastic robot sound in response. Alyx continues: Well, Dog likes you, so... yes. Hercule smiles as he replies: Great! Lucy looks at him and says: I'm coming, too. Hercule looks over his shoulder at her with a surprised look. He asks: What? Really? Why? Lucy tells him: I decided I don't want to sit around. I'll help you get to your father. Hercule replies: Er, okay. Welcome aboard, I suppose. Alyx grabs her handgun and reloads it as she tells them: Well then, if that's settled... let's get this show on the road.

Later, Hercule, Lucy and Alyx are making their way out of a sewer tunnel, Alyx leading them in front. She tells the two others: Come on, we're almost there. The trio approach an old warehouse, as Alyx notes: Okay, this is it. Alyx looks out of cover at the entrance, spotting three Civil Protection officers talking and another above them behind a force field and holding a mounted pulse rifle. Alyx notes: Damn it, they have a mounted gun! This isn't going to be easy... Hearing that, Hercule places a piece of rebar on his new crossbow, which heats it up. Hercule looks through the crossbow's scope as he says: Allow me.

Hercule fires the piece of rebar as a projectile from his crossbow. It hits the metro cop on the mounted gun right in the eye, killing him immediately. Immediately, Alyx pops out of cover and fires on the three other Civil Protection officers. The first dies as the rest start firing. The second is soon brought down as well thanks to the rapid fire of Alyx's gun. The last one is soon dead as well. Alyx, Hercule and Lucy move into the warehouse. Alyx praises Hercule: Nice shot! Hercule smiles and makes a pun: Thanks, I am to please. Lucy groans in response: Sigh. Really, Cubbage? As they approach the train tracks, Alyx spots a Combine train. A Razor Train! Alyx and Hercule smile, while Lucy looks to the side. Alyx says: We're in luck! This should make it easier to get to the Coast. Lucy notes: What's that sound? A whirring sound starts to sound closer and closer.

A Combine Hunter-Chopper flies down in front of the three. Lucy comments: Oh, boy. Suddenly, its gun starts revving up. Hercule only has the time to say: Get --

Hercule completes his phrase as he pushes Alyx and Lucy towards cover. -- Down! The three of them hide behind a container as the chopper hovers nearby. Alyx mockingly asks Hercule: I don't suppose you have a rocket launcher? Hercule jokes in return: I knew I forgot to pack something. Hercule looks at Alyx and, with a more serious tone, tells her: All right, Alyx, I shall buy you some time. Get on the train and leave while I distract the Hunter-Chopper. Alyx asks: But what about you guys? Hercule retorts: I'll figure it out. Allow me to repay your kindness. Confused, Lucy asks: Wait, how are you going to "distract" a chopper? Hercule points to something nearby. There's a Combine armored personnel carrier parked nearby. Lucy looks back at Hercule with a shocked look and says: You can't be serious.

The Combine APC flies out of the warehouse with Hercule at the wheel. The APC drives off shooting its gun at the chopper to call its attention. Still in the warehouse, Lucy bemusedly notes: I can't tell if he's brave or reckless. Maybe both. Alyx looks at Lucy and asks: What's the plan? Are you coming? Lucy pauses for a moment, then says: ... No. I know it sounds crazy, but I'm going to stay. I better make sure he doesn't get himself killed. Good luck, Alyx. Alyx replies: You too, Lucy. The two women run off in separate directions.

The Hunter-Chopper chases down the APC on the train tracks, both firing at each other. The chopper comes close to hitting the APC, but misses. In return, the APC manages to hit the chopper, causing a small explosion and pieces of it to fly off burning. The chopper speeds up and flies over the APC.

The chopper drops down a mine. The mine starts beeping as it falls on the ground in front of the APC. Inside, Hercule notes: Oh, right. Those. The mine explodes next to the APC, throwing it slightly off balance. The chopper takes advantage of the distraction to rev up its gun again. It starts firing, but by then Hercule has regained control of his vehicle and evades it as he fires back.

Meanwhile, Alyx is finishing hacking the terminal for the Combine razor train. She smiles as she notes to herself: All set for Nova Prospekt. Thank you, "son of Odessa Cubbage." The train honks as it starts to depart after Alyx gets in. At the same time, the chopper keeps dropping mines on the path of the APC. One of the mines manages to hit the APC, making Hercule curse: Agh!!! Bollocks! The APC keeps firing at the chopper as the train crosses its path. Hercule drives behind the leaving train and fires again. He hits the Hunter-Chopper, which has another small explosion and sounds an alarm.

The chopper flies away of the APC for a moment. It then starts to bombard the ground below with many mines as it sounds a klaxon. Hercule notes: Ah, great. Now a hot shower. Just what I needed... Hercule tries to outspeed the chopper, but it flies over it as it drops more mines. Hercule tries to evade the mines in the APC while the chopper prepares to shoot again. Just then, someone else fires on the Hunter-Chopper, distracting it. It turns to face the source of the gunfire. It's Lucy, using the mounted gun to fire on the chopper.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Hercule Cubbage fires a rocket from the armored personnel carrier. It hits the enemy chopper, causing it to explode in a fiery ball. The chopper crashes down onto the ground, dead. Lucy sees the destruction they just caused and comments. Whoa! She smiles at Hercule, who approaches in the APC, and tells him: Nice job! He replies: Thank you. I owe it to your little distraction back there. Lucy asks: So, what now? Hercule tells her: Just hop in and I'll drive us. Next stop --

The armored personnel carrier drives off with Hercule and Lucy inside, as Hercule finishes his thought: -- New Little Odessa. End of chapter 3.

Next comic:

Chapter Four: Memory Lane

1 thought on “Chapter Three: Paternal Bonds”

George_Stukas

October 2, 2023

Poor Hercule! Good thing he has a friend in Lucy. And he can at least admit he’s insecure in his beliefs after Alyx’s bombshell – it takes a strong man to do that!
And the layout really helps with the story. Look how isolated he is in those frames of the right, becoming smaller and smaller islands in an ocean of white…

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