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The Adventures of Hercule CubbageChapter Five: No Place Like Home

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Lucy and Hercule stare at a broken piece of a dead Combine gunship lying in the middle of New Little Odessa. Hercule asks: Not really something you see every day, is it? Lucy jokes: I don't know, I've spent a couple of days with you. This really shouldn't surprise me. Both Hercule and Lucy smile as he notes: Ha, point taken. Still, I do hope everyone's okay. Someone then sees them and says: ... Herc? Hercule looks in surprise at who called him. Lucy smiles warmly as she says: I guess you're about to find out. It's George, a refugee from New Little Odessa. He looks shocked at seeing Hercule. He asks: Good God... you're alive?

As Hercule and George stare at each other in surprise, Lucy asks in confusion: Wait, what? Chapter title: No Place Like Home. Hercule tilts his head towards Lucy and whispers. Er, right, didn't I mention? I'm long thought dead here. Lucy raises an eyebrow and asks: Why? Hercule tells her: It's a long story, just go with it. Hercule and Lucy approach George. Hercule smiles as he greets the man. Hello, George. It's good to see you again. This is Lucy, a refugee from the city. Lucy smiles and says: Hi. Hercule explains to her: George was practically a second father to me, growing up. He's been with us for a good while.

George approaches Hercule with his hand, as if to see if he's real. His face then lights up in a big smile. He exclaims: It is you! I can't believe this! First, Gordon Freeman saves us, and now here you are, alive and well! Oh, I can only imagine how Colonel Cubbage will react! Lucy reacts to the name Gordon Freeman as George continues his explanation. She asks: Doctor Freeman came here? George replies: Oh, yes! What you see around you is his handiwork! He took down a gunship all by himself! George then puts a hand on Hercule's arm. He says: But that's not important right now. Go see your dad, he'll be so happy to see you again, son. And welcome back.

Hercule leaves while George and Lucy stay behind, talking. Hercule's expression changes from happiness to dread at the prospect of facing his father. He approaches the old headquarters building of New Little Odessa, even more beaten up than he remembers. Inside the basement, Odessa is using the radio. While he fiddles with the knobs, someone calls out to him. Sir. Odessa looks towards the entrance.

Standing in front of Colonel Odessa Cubbage is his long believed dead son, Hercule. Odessa's face first registers the shock. He then laughs aloud in happiness. ... Ha! Ha! Hahaha! Hercule raises an eyebrow in confusion. ... Not the reaction I was expecting. Odessa smiles and moves away from the radio as he greets his son. Hercule! I knew you'd come back eventually! The men thought you were dead, but nothing can kill a Cubbage! Nothing! C'mere, give your old man a hug! Hercule, however, doesn't budge. He stares at his father with an angry look.

Odessa asks Hercule: What's wrong? You don't seem too happy to see me. Hercule simply states: I know you lied to me. Odessa asks: What? Hercule stares, seemingly angry, as he explains. I heard on the telly that "the One Fere Man" was in danger and came running -- but that's not you, is it? That's some bloke called Gordon Freeman. I found out the hard way, fighting to come save you. All those stories you told me my whole life... they must be lies, too. I thought you were a hero. I was afraid of disappointing you. But it turns out, you're a phony. Right now, all I want to know is... why? Hercule and Odessa stare at each other in silence, the space between them seemingly infinite.

Odessa raises a hand to his head. He clearly didn't expect this. He admits. Damn... Yes, I... I lied. Odessa heads towards a nearby chair as he continues talking. But no more. Full disclosure from now on. You deserve that much. Odessa sits down and starts to come clean. I didn't... earn all of my extensive reputation. I am ashamed to admit that I took credit for the feats of others at times. Lied to you, even. Odessa looks downbeat as he continues. Part of it was driven by my own ego, of course. I wanted respect, even if I didn't always deserve it. But it was also a duty. I found good men who had lost hope. They needed someone to believe in who was more than just a legend. And... I wanted you to have a father you could look up to. Hercule looks almost moved as he sees his father breaking down. Odessa lets his face sink into his hand as he finishes talking. What a fantastic job I did at that. I don't blame you if you hate me.

Then, Hercule puts a hand on his father's shoulder, who looks up with a surprised smile. Hercule gives Odessa a hug. He smiles over his father's shoulder, stating: I don't hate you. But I did miss you. As they break the hug, Odessa smiles and thanks his son. Thank you, son. We should celebrate! It's not every day one returns from the dead! Hercule's smile turns a bit awkward as he resists. Father, I don't think that's necessary -- Odessa cuts him off. Nonsense! I shall inform the men! Have you brought any guests? Hercule replies: As a matter of fact...

Hercule finishes his thought: ... I have. Meanwhile, Lucy is outside, watching the ocean. As she stares in awe at it, Hercule approaches her with a smile. Magnificent, isn't it? She turns to him and smiles back. Yeah. Your friend George showed me around. This whole place is amazing. She then asks: So, how did it go with your dad? Hercule replies: Not too bad. Certainly not as bad as I feared. As they both watch the ocean, Hercule speaks his mind. It made me realize something. I always idolised him as this impossible hero, but he makes mistakes. He's only human. So, now, I don't feel that pressure to live up to him anymore. I just want to become a man he can be proud of.

Hercule rubs his head awkwardly as he continues, saying: In fact, it seems he already is. He wants to have a party in my honour tonight, but I've done nothing to deserve it. Lucy interrupts him. Let me stop you right there. Are you forgetting about me? I had nowhere else to go. You brought me all the way from City Seventeen to a place I could only dream of. Lucy gets closer and puts a hand on Hercule's back. She says: Don't sell yourself short. I didn't need saving, but I'm still glad you came along. I guess what I want to say is... Hercule and Lucy share a moment as she smiles at him and admits: Thank you, Hercule. We see the beautiful blue sky overseeing the headquarters building as Hercule replies. You are most welcome, Lucy. I think we should both go get some rest. These evening parties can get spirited. I do hope you like tea...

Later that evening, the sky turns a shade of yellow and dark blue as Odessa Cubbage is overheard saying: I, your Colonel, would like to propose a toast. Inside the main building, the New Little Odessa rebels are having a drink at the table to celebrate. Odessa is standing up, surrounded by Hercule, Lucy and George. He says: As you are well aware, we have faced many hardships in our long fight for freedom. We have made many sacrifices and lost many people that were dear to us, with no end ever in sight. Odessa lifts a finger as he continues his speech: However! Today has seen a monumentous turn! Although we've lost good men from our Science Team, a hero has returned in this hour of great need to strike back against the Combine! That hero... Odessa puts a hand on Hercule's back, who looks awkward, and says: ... is my son, Hercule Cubbage, who single-handedly destroyed four Striders with only his wits and a crossbow as he returned from his previous undercover assignment in City Seventeen! Hercule comments under his breath: That's... not even close to the truth. Lucy smiles at the rapport between Hercule and his father as the latter finishes his speech: He is the example you should all look up to and trust to lead Humanity to victory! To Hercule!

All the rebels proclaim "To Hercule!" in unison as a toast. Then, suddenly, the entire room starts shaking from an earthquake, as the rebels try to make sense of it. Hercule starts to say: Father, come with me! Lucy -- The earthquake stops just as quickly as it began. Odessa looks around while Hercule starts formulating a plan. Odessa says: Wait, it stopped! Is everyone okay? What was that?! Hercule then starts giving orders to the rebels: Everybody, get outside! I'll go upstairs and see what I can find! Grab some guns, just to be safe!

Hercule, Lucy and Odessa start making their way up the building. Hercule exits to the balcony through the hole in the wall and looks up. He looks shocked and says: Oh, my God... Hercule is staring at a massive column of smoke rising over the horizon.

Lucy, Hercule, George and Odessa stand around in the balcony, staring at the smoke. Lucy comments: That looks far away. Where do you think it's coming from? Hercule replies: That's the direction of Nova Prospekt. Lucy raises her hand to her mouth in sudden understanding, as she notes: The Combine facility? But that means -- Hercule, still staring at the smoke, finishes Lucy's sentence: They did it. Alyx and that Freeman chap actually did it. George looks to the side in worry as a thought crosses his head, as Lucy watches him. He says: Oh, no. Lucy asks: What's wrong? George replies to her: N.L.O. has its own generator, but it only powers the buildings. For the thumper, we tap into Nova Prospekt's energy grid. We see the Combine machine that stops the antlions offline as George continues to explain. If Nova Prospekt was just taken down, then the thumper will have gone offline. And that tremor was strong enough to have stirred up the entire antlion nest. Whic must mean...

A massive wave of deadly antlions are making their way towards New Little Odessa. George finishes explaining: They're coming. Hercule looks towards George and his father, the latter of whom looks worried. Hercule comments: Lucy and I drove here in a Combine APC. It should be able to power the thumper if I connect them. George starts to answer: Well, yes, it might work, but -- Odessa cuts him off: No! You can't go! It's too dangerous! Hercule and Lucy look stern and self-assured, their minds made up. Hercule replies: There's no other way to stop them. I came here to protect you, it's about time I did so. George, sound the alarm and keep my father safe. Lucy tells Odessa: I'll cover him, Colonel Cubbage. He'll be okay, I promise. Hercule adds: Also, I shall need a close range weapon.

An alarm starts blaring at New Little Odessa. One of the rebels spots the antlions scampering through the sand and shouts: Incoming! George climbs back down and orders the troops: Attention! I need troops to protect Hercule while he fixes this mess! The rest of you, defend this base! Some of the antlions start flying up towards the base. Hercule and Lucy, both holding submachine guns, start running towards their armored personnel carrier. Meanwhile, the rebels defend themselves against the wave of incoming antlions. The vortigaunt fires waves of vortal energy at antlions, killing them.

Hercule and Lucy, accompanied by rebels, rush through the path to New Little Odessa. Hercule declares: There they are! The commandeered Combine armored personnel carrier is parked next to the Combine thumper; however, a wave of antlions is also fast approaching. A rebel accompanying Hercule and Lucy throws a grenade, shouting: Heads up! The grenade ticks down as it flies towards the antlions. The grenade blows up in the middle of the antlion wave, exploding a few of them. Lucy starts to fire her gun as she shouts to Hercule: Do it, Hercule! We'll keep 'em busy!

Hercule runs towards the armored personnel carrier. The rebels cover him, firing on the antlions. Hercule grabs a cable coming from the APC. Lucy keeps firing at the antlions. Hercule connects the APC cable to the thumper. Hercule looks up and shouts: It's done! The thumper comes back online. The thumper raises its piston into the air. The piston slams back down on the ground, creating a shockwave that forces the antlions to walk back.

Hercule walks back towards the rebels. Lucy is tending to a rebel who's lying on the ground. Hercule asks: That should hold them for now. How is she? Lucy replies: ... She's dead. Hercule replies sadly: Bloody hell... Let's head back. There's something I have to do. Back in New Little Odessa, inside the basement of the main building, George approaches Colonel Cubbage. He tells Odessa: The antlions have stopped. It seems Hercule maanged to turn the thumper back on. Odessa, relieved, replies: Thankfully. Any news regarding what caused this? George replies to Odessa: The vortigaunt has contacted the camp closest to Nova Prospekt. They say a big part of the prison exploded. Odessa says: As I feared. From what I've heard on the radio, the whole Resistance has taken this as a sign of uprising. The mad fools... Odessa and George turn around as someone talks behind them. Not at all, father. Odessa asks: Hercule? Hercule continues: They're simply seizing the first glimmer of hope in decades. The so-called One Free Man has finally opened the way. They're getting ready to walk it. And they'll need all the help they can get. I think our course of action is clear...

Hercule Cubbage is standing next to the stairs, wearing a rebel uniform and holding his crossbow. He has a confident and serious look on his face as he says: We're going to war. End of chapter 5.

Next comic:

Chapter Six: “It’s Safer Here.”

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