A Dangerous & Very Efficient Clean-up Crew | The HECU | FULL Half-Life Lore

The HECU (Hazardous Environment Combat Unit) are an iconic part of the Half-Life series. As Dr. Gordon Freeman ventured the halls of Black Mesa on his mission to stop the Resonance Cascade, these marines were sent in to clean up the situation. Even if their orders went against the morals of this Opposing Force.
Who hired the HECU? Was the Black Mesa Incident planned and how did the HECU spawn the creation of Hunt Down The Freeman? In this video, I explore the lore and story behind the Hazardous Environment Combat Unit in the Half-Life series.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:52 Early Years & Basic Training
06:41 The Secret Plot & Lead Up to The Black Mesa Incident
10:16 Early Hours of The Black Mesa Incident
15:14 The Fall of the HECU & Black Mesa
20:49 Legacy
22:25 Closing Thoughts
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AUDIO USED
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Black Mesa OST: Xen
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#HalfLife #Lore #HECU

[@Skyrionn]

What did you think of the HECU when you fought/ played as them?

[@newcastleman86]

It was crazy fun to fight them in Half-Life. I haven't played Opposing Force. Hopefully they update the game like they did with Half-Life.

[@newcastleman86]

@@grahambbeck I did play blue shift remake. It was really good. I’m ready to play more when it comes out. Can’t wait for the remake of opposing force. Thanks for letting me know.

[@ic0nic707]

@@grahambbeck I think you’re confusing Operation Black Mesa and Guard Duty for the Black Mesa: Blue Shift mod.

[@aiiden3606]

I played as a HECU in a black mesa mod called "military". It was fun but also sad, because we witnessed the fall of the HECU from the beggining to the end. We saw how they were brave enough to fight the aliens, with standard weaponry, such as the SPAS-12, MP5/M203, or even mounted weapons like the TOW launcher or the 50. Cal. In result, i enjoyed playing as a HECU marine, fighting constantly against BMRF Personnel and xen lifeforms, sometimes chasing Gordon Freeman.

[@Robin_lambda]

I kinda felt sorry for them in black mesa especially listening to the radio communications

[@thespacemarine247]

Ah yes, the clean up crew SO GOOD they needed another clean up crew *for* the clean up crew.

[@Skyrionn]

Not the best clean up crew really.

[@ProudAmericanMan]

@@Skyrionn clean up crew until crap hits the fan.

[@somedudethatripsplanetinha4221]

The clean up crew that failed to be a clean up crew so the clean up crew was cleaned by another clean up crew made to replace that clean up crew and be another clean up crew to clean up everything including the clean up crew

[@ryszakowy]

@@somedudethatripsplanetinha4221 lotta cleaning for an operation that ended in earth's downfall

[@aelix56]

My ass is heavy

[@irishgerman98]

“I killed 12 dumbass scientists and not one of them fought back! This sucks!” For some reason that one line always gets me 😂

[@mysterythekitsune2988]

probably hoping some would try to fight back or cause they we're expecting them too . as they probably were told that the scientists were doing questionable things that betrayed the united states of America and they were plot ing on some evil things so from the HECU point of view the science team were bad guys .

[@profess_re]

meanwhile, gordon prepares to destroy the entire us military with a crowbar without having any combat experience

[@themaxterz0169]

@@profess_re he does have the athletic and weapons training on him tho, alongside his PHD i guess

[@A_14761]

​@@profess_re meanwhile the plot made by VALVe

[@Arkhestra]

As a marine myself, reminder that the HECU were literally probably 18-21 year olds who just got the call after a weekend of barracks parties and watching 90's tv shows together

[@minicurtas5581]

Black mesa incident was the last normal day on earth

[@kimblandino]

Adrian Shephard was 22.. A good bit younger than Gordon (27).

[@AlastorTheNPDemon]

​@@kimblandinoDude, that really puts things into perspective. I grew up with these games thinking these characters were full-grown badasses with years of experience under their belt. I'm as old as Freeman now and I still feel like a damn teenager.

[@kimblandino]

@@AlastorTheNPDemon I think it even enhances the headcanon effect Shephard's young age and inexperience has over most players decisions where you wake up having been saved by scientists so you try to save them instead of kill them. Playing as Shephard you are still an idealistic young man full of piss and vinegar but with youthful inexperience of wanting to help and not harm etc. Really cool in retrospect

[@I_guess_kevin]

Well probably not 18, since they’re supposed to be Force Recon Marines that get transferred into H.E.C.U. Still, early twenties is young. Plus the lore of these guys only having “babysitting job” sort of OPs prior didn’t help.

[@somedudethatripsplanetinha4221]

*_MURPHYS COMBAT LAWS_* 1: You are not a superman 2: If it's stupid and it works, it isn't stupid 3: Don't look conspicuous-it draws fire 4: When in doubt, empty your magazine 5: Don't share a foxhole with anyone braver than you are 6: Never forget that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder 7: If your attack is going really well, it's an ambush 8: No plan survives the first contact intact 9: All 5 second grenade fuses burn down in 3 10: Try to look unimportant because the bad guys may be low on ammo 11: If you are forward of your position, artillery will fall short 12: The enemy diversion you are ignoring is the main attack 13: The important things are always simple 14: The simple things are always hard 15: The easy way is always mined 16: If you are short of everything except for enemies, you are in combat 17: When you have secured the area, don't forget to tell the enemy 18: Incoming fire has right of way 19: Friendly fire isn't 20: If the enemy is in range-SO ARE YOU! 21: No combat ready unit has ever passed inspection 22: Things that need to be together to work, usually can't be shipped together 23: Radios will fail as soon as you need fire support desperately 24: Anything you do can get you shot-including doing nothing 25: Tracers work both ways 26: The only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire is incoming friendly fire 27: Make it tough for the enemy to get in and you can't get out 28: If you take more than your fair share of objectives, you will have more than your fair share of objectives to take 29: When both sides are convinced they will lose, they are both right 30: Professional soldiers are predictable, but the world is full of amateurs

[@freakklomp]

and for this situation. 31. always have a cleanup crew to clean up your cleanup crew

[@PCV_Dawg]

Makes sense

[@ngixxjinx]

Pleasure meeen. Thank's.

[@timothytimothy4854]

Oh my god... This implies that the HECU operators who left black Mesa got executed upon arriving at their FOBs, imagine thinking you had survive the nightmare only to be interrogated and executed

[@AmericanGrunt.]

Damn I guess Adrian was lucky then

[@concept5631]

​@@AmericanGrunt.Not sure being put in a stasis sleep for 2 decades is better than being dead.

[@Maxy772]

@@concept5631statis is a fucking blink for everyone in it bro

[@Drakey_Fenix]

19:39 "Adrian was different to his comrades, he wanted to help as many people as possible survive this incident." This is a misconception, while it is true that the power goes into the players hand in how you want to deal with the situation, the lore reason is different. Adrian simply did what he thought was right. He didn't know what he was doing at Black Mesa due to his helicopter crashing before he could be given the orders about cleaning up the facility.

[@MyDogDoingStuffIG]

Well, whatever the player thinks is right.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Either way, we will never know the truth, what with him being MIA and also the whimsies of Multiverse Theory.

[@hmm8445]

There are 2 types of gamers 1. Helping and keeping your ai allies as long as possible 2. Killing everyone you see Iam #1 cause I feel like it's the right thing to do

[@LordVader1094]

@@hmm8445 3. You decide based on how they talk to you.

[@kolticc]

​@@LordVader1094 4. If they are useless then kill them for their weapon

[@UnrelatedAntonym]

I wonder if the HECU were to cooperate with the Black Mesa personnel, if they could have gone through and killed Nihilanth quick enough, maybe even minimizing the chances of the Combine finding Earth.

[@spacecolonyalliances.c.a1234]

They probably would have prevented so much, as it would have closed both the Earth side of the portal before a better control of the rift from Xen would have made, it may have actually been able to stop the portal storms which are what the Combine used to invade Earth.

[@zdice8846]

I bet quite a few HECU soldiers thought that too Considering they where essentially wiping out the only people capable of closing the portals

[@clan741]

The whole resonance cascade could of been avoided if the people on charge knew what they were doing to begin with. Every escalation can be summed up by stupid people in charge making the worst decisions. Even Breen when he joined the combine was himself probably one of the idiots in charge of Black Mesa that gave the fateful test a go ahead.

[@onerxowns2202]

Yes, exactly!!!

[@Skyrionn]

Gordon with an army of HECU. Absolutely. They could have saved the world from so much.

[@samuelantoniocastillomeza5034]

HECU had it the hardest since they became sitting ducks for every faction within Black Mesa. The hunters that became the hunted way too quickly. And congratulations for the 100 k subs!

[@user9267]

Same for the scientists though, apart from the guards they had zero protection.

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks Samuel. It turned so fast on them. Kinda sad really.

[@BisexualPlagueDoctor]

@@user9267the scientists knew the layout of the facility, knew where it was safest, where they could hide, where they probably would find marines and knew where it was logical to avoid once they knew what on earth was happening

[@LeonCat]

@@BisexualPlagueDoctor It gets worse if they've manage to find an HEV suit. If they wear one and go guns and blazing against the grunts, they're screwed. If they run into one, they'll just pray to god it's not Gordon Freeman.

[@jester4057]

There was mention in Half Life 2 about a faction called the "Conscripts" that were part of the Combine, essentially these guys were ex military forces from all around the world and were the lowest form of soldier the Combine had access to, even below Civil Protection. These guys while part of the combine, eventually started to rebel against them as they were put to service against their will, ultimately aiding the resistance. Sadly they were cut from Half Life 2 as a unit, but i believe they still exist in lore. Probably where most of these HECU fellas found themselves after the war.

[@Blurns]

Conscripts didn't really make a slight shred of sense story-wise, and cutting them was a good idea. They serve no purpose in lore aside from some terrible fanfic reasons for the HECU to still be a thing. Civil Protection is basically just the police department in newspeak terms. The soldiers out rank the CPs, volunteering to be surgically modified. Conscripts don't really have any purpose, either offer to let them join Civil Protection, or lump them in with the rest of the Citizens. You were never going to fight against the Conscripts, so you never saw them doing anything until late in the game where they fight along side you, so it makes sense that they were completely replaced by the citizens.

[@jester4057]

@@Blurns They still get mentioned in Half Life 2 so i believe they still exist. Conscripts make sense as a sort of midway stage between Human and Combine Engineered Soldier. Maybe making a Soldier is a relatively expensive process, and having cheap human labour and combat troops that already have some training to either stall attacks, or deal with less risky areas (some already have experience with Xen creatures) makes sense, at least to me.

[@fries3187]

The conscripts were cool

[@Blurns]

@@jester4057 Conscripts were never mentioned in HL2. In Nova Prospekt there was an announcement saying "De-service all political conscripts in block A2 - prohibit external contact." And when you get to block A2 you find a dead Vortigaunt. The mid-way between human and Combine Soldier is the Metrocop. You're just going through mental gymnastics.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

I still think they're canon, they're just not around during the madness on City 17.

[@ShyBiiteVT]

I feel at this point, we need another game featuring Adrian Shepard. It's clear his story isn't done with.

[@unfa00]

Half-Life: Adrian Coming to Steam Brick 2042.

[@Skyrionn]

We almost had one but it was cancelled sadly! Return to Ravenholm.

[@Lrofmaulol]

I thought about Hunt Down The Freeman, laughed, cried, and knew we're better off without.

[@zorgapb4691]

@@Skyrionn it was a spin off. Most likely it would've been non canon

[@everybodydothatdinosaur519]

One idea for this would be, as opposing force, he spawns back in as a combine soldier, for the first while, or as civil protection cop, before joining the resistance. The G-man naturally teleports him in to this position as random unnamed soldier #214 million whatever, so he's unnoticed as a spy. Even more interesting would be that he goes around setting up many explosive barrels and gun caches that Gordan Freeman will later use.

[@gamingmoth4542]

I feel like the Black Mesa incident could have possibly played out differently if the HECU weren’t ordered to “Silence Survivors” and instead were ordered to Rescue Survivors (or at the very least just direct them to safety). They probably could’ve kept a better level of control over the situation if they didn’t have to fight against the Zen creatures AND Doctor Freeman. Of course, the game wouldn’t be as fun if that was the case, but I’m just looking at it from a lore perspective.

[@unhingedhook]

I'm pretty sure the G Guy wanted things to go the way they did so the 7-hour war could happen.

[@dethklokicksbutt]

These videos bring me back to a more comfortable time in life. Man I wish I could go back and play through the Half Life series for the first time again.

[@julievonhaeften8323]

Whats stopping you from playing them again?

[@dethklokicksbutt]

@@julievonhaeften8323 Oh nothing, I just wish I could experience them like it was my first time playing them again. The first time is almost always the best

[@julievonhaeften8323]

@@dethklokicksbutt Oh okay, i understand you now, sorry.

[@danielasbjrnsson7500]

I feel you. There was something special about playing through the games for the first time, wondering what would lurk around the next corner, and what amazing places one would explore.

[@dethklokicksbutt]

@@julievonhaeften8323 No worries :)

[@danielasbjrnsson7500]

So basically there were five factions trying to kill each other: Black Mesa personnel, HECUs, Black Ops, Xen aliens and Race X. And then G-Man just nuked the place.

[@Skyrionn]

Basically yeah. It was always going to be a mess.

[@MoonLightFML]

Do not forget some Xen species were hostiles against themselves ( Bullsquid and headcraps for example)

[@danielasbjrnsson7500]

@@MoonLightFML Good point.

[@LCOfficerUNIT097]

It was a whole hoge-poge.

[@RobiePAX]

14:31 I feel like this part is a plot hole in respect to Adrian. Why Black Mesa security did not attack Adrian on sight hours into the game? HECU were killing everyone who is not them. Adrian didn't receive his orders so initially for all he knows his orders could be to fight back the invasion and keep personnel safe for questioning. What doesn't make sense is that even few hours later Barney's and Otis' still don't shoot Adrian on sight. They even help him like when Barney opens locked door for him after Adrian disarmed the nuke. By that time survivors saw HECU attacks, camera footage, bodies found shot dead by automatic weapons near military equipment. Even Gordon gets warned by personnel that HECU are hostile. I don't think I would open a secure door for a guy that will probably murder me right now as his buddies did with my colleagues.

[@ktxkg]

the only Barneys to cooperate with us are two guards at the end. one of them recognizes Adrian and says that he seems to be a good guy. before that all of them are either dead or refuse to open doors for us. and Otis... he's just Otis. I'm not sure if he's naive, friendly or just prioritizes his life over scientists'

[@sainsburyshopper]

The cleanup crew that failed to clean up, thus had to be cleaned up by the backup cleanup crew, who failed to clean up the first cleanup crew, thus both had to be cleaned up by the nuclear cleanup crew. The twist of HL3 is going to be that The Combine is actually one giant cleanup crew, and that Gordon is in fact a one man cleanup crew meant to clean them up.

[@XanderNiles]

It's crazy on how the HECU as a faction didn't carry over to Half-Life 2 but if I recall correctly, the remaining members died in the 7 Hours War or something like that. Anyways, gratz on reaching that amount of subs.

[@Lua-420Hertz]

There is a little demo mod called Through The City, a fan made sequel to Opposing force made in the HL2 source engine. Probly not going to go anywhere but it aint bad and even has decent voice acting. Would've be nice if we got a true sequel to Opposing force, or at least a remake like Black Mesa.

[@atomicspartan131]

I believe that the combine soldiers are made up of whatever soldiers were left after the 7 hour war, so chances are that some of the combine soldiers you fight were former HECU members

[@genericcreator6467]

@@atomicspartan131 that is correct

[@Clittleton1337]

@@Lua-420Hertz Search for "Operation: Black Mesa" ;) The last part of your comment is on its way

[@Lua-420Hertz]

@@Clittleton1337 you just made my day

[@aiiden3606]

Man's always doing the best hl lore, keep it up !

[@Djheffeson]

Yes! his videos make me to replay blackmesa and portal 1. Now I going to play portal 2 and half life 2 with the episodes

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks, will do!

[@MrPikaGammer]

15:40 don't you just love Half-Life's A.I. here you can see a dude fragging himself and his team because he wants to go out on his own terms.

[@diogenemj9406]

I always loved the messages written by the HECU on the walls of BM with obvious spelling mistakes. I have a video idea btw. How about the Black Mesa employees? I'd love to see one on the security guards.

[@JeanneHamada]

Mike here got his priority straight

[@Skyrionn]

I loved that too! "Yore Dead" That's the second suggestion I've had for those topics now on this video. haha

[@aandyherr817]

@@Skyrionn about that beer I owe ya, it’s me gordon! Barney from black Mesa!

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Gotta love Freeman's Mind tackling that certain misspelling.

[@EagleEye517]

"Yore dead Freeman"

[@memorydancer]

The fact that the H.E.C.U exists in the first place already points out the possibility of events (but not on the same scale), such as the Black Mesa incident, to have already happened before on the Half Life Universe.

[@NorthEevee]

I've been watching your videos for about 6 months now (I think) and I love the way you dig into the depths of Half-Life lore. I remember once posting how as someone with ADHD, I appreciate you quickly re-explaining some of the lore from other videos. It's great how you structure your videos that way and I kind of wish more lore channels would do that. Anyway, congrats on the 100K. Find a nice place for that silver play button. And let's hope there's still enough lore to cover in order to get that gold play button. Otherwise Valve has to release Half-Life 3 and we all know that's probably not gonna happen any time soon :)

[@Skyrionn]

I remember your comment! It was amazing then and this one is just another feel good comment. I appreciate your kind words. The Silver Play button is on the way. I do have a ton of topics and Valve related games to cover too. Who knows, Valve may drop a sequel to HL: Alyx at some point. Thanks for being here.

[@josephmontanaro2350]

My theory on why they were sent in is that whatever party wanted the resonance cascade and subsequent combine invasion to be successful (either on their behalf or to set the half life 2 rebellion and subsequent events in the half life 3 script in motion as a means to destroy the combine as a whole or whatever their goal was) involved them taking one of the premear units that could have helped turn the tide against the early portal storm incursions, thus preserving and allowing them to possibly train regular infantry units to better fight the non conventional battles to preserve human assets to better fight back in the 7 hour war or even somehow having the HECU itself play a critical role in stopping the invasion, I'd honestly love to see a "What if" mod where the nuke is deployed sooner and more HECU personel are able to escape black Mesa and then help route the combine in a critical battle followed up by them launching some kind of one way ticket Doolittle raid style attack on the combine homeworld, destroy the overmind and not only prevent the conquest of earth but indirectly liberate other subjugated species by destabilizing the combines portal networks assumed hub as well as decapitate their leadership similar to when earth's detachment of combine units were cut off at the end of the second game and during the DLC expansions, would be an intresting peek into an alternate 7 hour war and really show how their gear and training compared to more conventional marine and even army/national guard units, possibly even have some extra side missions focused on HECU "combat advisors" dispatched to NATO and even non NATO formations at other battles both during the 7 day war and the earlier portal storm bushfire conflicts against xen wildlife and some intresting new factions such as the reminents of the vortaguant people before the combine subjugated them in the original time line (perhaps they see the timeliness divergence and are fighting to keep their newfound freedom they would loose to the combine or even humanity if it was not subjugated), race X rougue elements lead by scattered warlords, hostile human factions (perhaps some kind if cult that is trying to rally behind the portal storms as a form of end of days, alternant timeline Breen and possibly rogue elements of the UN trying to side with the combine, a rogue state like North Korea trying to take advantage of the crisis for political goals and even just the simple rabble of civilian looters in small groups taking advantage of the social breakdown to anti government militias (perhaps ones even sided with alternate reality black Mesa survivors)blaming the crisis on the government, could have both a really compelling story campaign as well as some really fun one off missions that would both enrich the lore of this mod and give you some unique environments, enemies and gameplay elements to explore

[@fuzkforyou]

Too long. Didnt read

[@kail4997]

My personal theory is that HECU was never meant to fight off the alien force, but simply stall them until the warhead can be activated . Based on the fact that they were equipped with mp5 instead of larger caliber rifle rounds. Clearly insufficient to deal with armored combatants but deadly against civilians targets, not to mention it carry more ammo and is accurate to shoot down any runaways. Nor do they launch any direct assault to take back the facility, but set up bunkers and machine gun nest to stop alien from advancing. As much as I like HECU, the scenario you described is impossible. The human have too much of technology gaps to even fight combines in a full on wars, the HECU still use conventional weapons and training that barely puts a dent in the 7 hours war. The only thing set them apart from regular infantry is the introduction of PCV, but I doubt they can be produced in such high quantities and short notice. They will be nuked by combine citadel and synth armored unit. They can’t even beat xen force, and xen is easily overwhelmed by combine.

[@yankee_0013]

imagine not knowing what SHIFT+ENTER does

[@frazfrazfrazfraz]

Bro, separate into paragraphs PLEASE I promise you more people will care what you have to say if you do that

[@brothers_of_nod]

There were times I particularly enjoyed killing HECU members, then playing as them through Adrian, even still seeing some brutality, you can't help but form connection and care about the unit, likely helped that by that point, all Shepherd and his men really wanted to get out of that nightmare and survive, the same goal we view through Gorden's eyes for most of the base game.

[@mihneaanghelescu1190]

whenever i work on something on my pc i would always put your videos to hear on the background hearing your voice and the lore of half life it's relaxing keep up the good work

[@Skyrionn]

My favourite kind of person. I do the same thing too with video essays!

[@Xander_canadian]

The most believable fighting force from a Sci-Fi game just because of the equipment and weapons they use

[@patrickbateman312]

.... No?

[@Xander_canadian]

@@patrickbateman312 yes because of the PASGT helmets ALICE packs and webbing m16s and etc very reminiscent of US Urban Warrior training exercise equipment

[@patrickbateman312]

@@Xander_canadian lots of games use this exact same equipment. Other games use equipment from the contemporary period in which they were made. Not only the but the original HECU were armed with MP5s that somehow had 50 round magazines and m203 grenade launchers (impossible), spas-12s (never adopted by the US military, and an impractical and non existent camouflage pattern uniform.

[@patrickbateman312]

@@Xander_canadian also the M16 does not feature in any version of the game.

[@Xander_canadian]

@@patrickbateman312 and it's a video game bruh guns won't always be right

[@Gravity_studioss]

Fun fact: In the very first alpha version of the game the HECU were an elite security unit at Black mesa and were stationed at the Lambda Satellite complex

[@DankNSpank]

That would explain the presence of Apache helicopters on site that you see from the tram

[@LCOfficerUNIT097]

In the game they're also referred to as an "On Site Military Force"

[@knicker4]

Your channel gives me the same nostalgic vibes I got back in the day playing my first runs of the half life series. Amazing channel

[@pc14thenumber9]

The video you make about lore or stuff within the game is always something I'm interested to watch and learn. I usually just blaze through any game I do without try/fail to understand proper lore/logic behind any stuff in the game much, so this kind of video really help me to make me realize how much stuff I miss out and appreciate more of game Dev work to make the game feel good/alive. Thank you for making this video and truthfully any info/lore/history about any game other than half-life can also be a good to hear from your perspective and understanding in next YT video moving forward

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks bud! This is why I started the channel really. There were a bunch of games I played that you kind of had to search for the information inside and outside of the game to understand exactly what was happening with the story. Bioshock Infinite is a perfect example (and the reason I started looking mostly at lore). I love telling these stories and there are so many more topics to explore to. Thanks for watching and I'll see you in the next one.

[@moss2779]

Congrats on 100k! I've been watching your stuff for about three years now, and seeing your channel grow over time has been awesome! I look forward to what you make in the future!

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks Moss! I appreciate you being a long time supporter. The channel has changed quite a bit over the years but it's going strong!

[@Underqualified_Gunman]

i enjoy playing hideous destructor with an hecu themed run from time to time. always fun to set up a herp to cover you and hear it get kills in the distance. also the hlar from peppergrinder is always a blast to use for that odd mix of 9mm and underbarrel launcher.

[@squirrele.1266]

I wish you'd dive even deeper into these videos. It would have been fun to learn what type of equipment the HECU used specifically, things like helmets, their type of uniform, and other items like canteens if they have them. I also wished the Bradley and Abrams would have had more of a shoutout, those were 2 very crucial parts of the occupation of the BMRF. Otherwise, great video!

[@ic0nic707]

Uniform History’s channel has a good video on the HECU.

[@squirrele.1266]

@@ic0nic707 I was thinking of that when writing, it would have been better if he also explained it here too.

[@somedudethatripsplanetinha4221]

Ah the flashbacks when fighting the AFVs... Bradley's TOW missile was annoying first time, and in the next the autocannon was just plain out rage inducing.

[@squirrele.1266]

@@somedudethatripsplanetinha4221 Speaking of the Bradleys TOW, I heard it can be steered with the RPG laser.

[@emeraldminions4340]

amazing as always dude,keep up the great work! :)

[@TheBioshockHub]

💙 you brother, so proud of you for hitting 100K, you deserved it.

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks man!

[@thealex2971]

I kinda want to see a game made by the fans about 7 Hour War where you play as HECU Marine

[@rauls.g.2518]

It technically already exists, it's just dogshit :p

[@jakkaphatkaewthong3352]

let hope it wont be like HDTF if they do because yea....

[@StillTheBest1973]

Hell, what about a offical game Half-life : the seven hours Idk lmao I know valve would never make it but a man can dream

[@Queen_Miku]

That already exists but it's total shit lol

[@darobloxster]

​@@Queen_Miku HDTF?

[@Xynam0]

I love your stuff so dude, please keep up the good work 💙 Shepard is one of my favorite characters

[@Skyrionn]

Thank you! He's one of my favourites too.

[@501stcloneboi2]

Congrats on 100k. And honestly a video on HDTF would be interesting.

[@lenabreland]

Thank you for these videos. I just got half life 2 not long ago. I love the storyline! I’m currently on Ravenholm. Met Father Grigori. He’s a chill guy!

[@judsongaiden9878]

0:44 Two points. One: In the US, berets are worn with the insignia over the wearer's left eye and the draped material over the right ear (opposite of what we see there). Two: Berets aren't worn in combat. They mark the wearer as a priority target. 2:02 / 2:59 / 3:24 / 9:21 Unfold that stock, greenhorn! 3:18 M-203PI 11:50 "It is not - hands - that summon us. It is...desire." ~Pinhead, 'Hellraiser 2' 15:55 "YOU are the guardians of this realm?! I was expecting something more...impressive." ~Psycho Goreman, 'Psycho Goreman' 16:28 Ackchyually, "decimate" means "to reduce by one-tenth." In Gordon's case, it's more like he reduced their forces TO one-tenth. 16:34 "I love the SAW. The SAW's part of me. And I'm gonna make it part of YOOOOU!!" ~Buzzsaw, 'The Running Man' 17:48 Fun fact: The "7G" that you see on some doors in HL1 is a reference to Sector 7G of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant where Homer Simpson works. 18:38 A taste of their own medicine. Also, what was it Morpheus said about "one system built on another?" That's the nature of the state. So hypocritical that it pits its own parasitic whores against each other. 21:43 / 25:07 They can dish it out, but they can't take it in return.

[@Fade2BlackMCfade]

CONGRATULATIONS ON 100K!! Honestly gotta feel a little bad for the HECU they got hit by EVERYONE! May I suggest a video for the Nhialanth (yes I spelt it wrong just pretend I'm HECU

[@ww2doge319]

Your story telling skills are amazing I love your videos

[@DrBagPhD]

Congrats on the subs! Love this channel

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks for supporting the channel!

[@18pegi]

Its always a good day if i see a Video from you like this👍 great work. Keep it up

[@alcole-holic8779]

21:53 nice reference, very classy

[@codymcgrath2.3bviews3secon7]

Look forward to this later. Keep up the good work

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks, will do! Always great to see you here!

[@codymcgrath2.3bviews3secon7]

@@SkyrionnYeah also loving the format of vids like this

[@tuxness]

love your videos, so it was a treat when i just saw that you have a new one up!

[@Skyrionn]

Glad you like them! I'm trying to get back into a normal schedule again!

[@ewq0811.]

Congratulations on the 100k subs!

[@kail4997]

There’s a fan comic on steam focus on the aftermath of HECU in hl2 called “ a place in the west”. It happened at the combine city of America, and the last human city with HECU remnants.

[@JuliusKrieger]

Cool Video I like the way you explain things keep it up bro

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks bud. Happy to tell these stories.

[@twohorsesinamancostume7606]

Hey, Marine Combat Veteran here. I fully realize that the training in the game is for tutorial purposes but man is it goofy. You would never do basic training at the base that you're stationed to, everyone there should already know their job and be prepared to go at a moment's notice. Instead training at that point would be set up to reinforce what you already know to keep your skills sharp. In reality anyone who wants to become a Marine is first going to Parris Island or San Diego for basic training, a 13 week course to whip you into shape, teach you to follow fuckin orders, rely on your team and eventually give you the confidence to not panic and run when the shit hits the fan. If you make it through that you are officially a Marine, but still mostly useless which is why the next step is to train you for your actual job. If your MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) starts with an 03, congratulations you're going to be a Grunt and it's off to Camp Pendleton for Infantry School where you'll have the time of your life. If your MOS is not infantry you'll still go to Marine Combat Training since every Marine is still a rifleman and you'll learn at a basic level to pick up a rifle, close with and kill the enemy as needed. After that to your MOS school where you'll learn to do your job. This can range from truck driver to a Cobra Helicopter pilot to a forklift driver and everything in between. After that it's off to your Permanent Duty Station where you'll do your damn job. Now, there's a tendency in the Marine Corps to label anyone going to MCT as a POG, or Person Other than Grunt as if that's some negative thing. But as a Grunt who did multiple combat tours I can tell you that Grunts cannot do their job without support personnel doing their job. In fact in a modern military I'd say that 70-80% of people in the military are in a support role that is vital for the whole machine to function.

[@TheYellowMan4]

"I didn't sign up for this shit, monsters, hell yeah! But civilians? Who even ordered this damn operation anyway?"

[@UnicornstalkRGaming]

Imagine saying, "Soldiers choose to follow orders" Yeah, being told that a bunch of scientists just unleashed hell on earth because they didn't follow safety regulations Yeah I probably would dome a couple since I didn't have hindsight Especially if I met Xen creatures before meeting a human

[@Skyrionn]

When you put it that way....

[@rockhound3.14]

Yeeees awesome video as always

[@HebertVargas]

Another exciting video, congrats

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks for watching!

[@RetiredMemeLord]

"good soldiers follow orders!" HECU Sniper: sniper rifle goes brrrrrr

[@Skyrionn]

hahaa

[@CrysisYaDig]

lets gooooooo another great video 😅 I wish you used the new recent black mesa half life remake footage but still loved this one 😊 maybe you can make another HECU lore video in the future using Black Mesa footage :)

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks bud! It was one of those things I had to think about. I normally do use Black Mesa but I found that last time I combined both older style graphics with BM, the views just weren't as great so I stuck to just one style this time. When we get the Opposing Force remake, I may revisit this topic in part though!

[@misterskarbero5374]

i missed the 100k! :O Congrats man!!!

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks for being one of the original 100K.

[@hmmm.74]

Released just as I finished making breakfast - perfect timing😎

[@Skyrionn]

Perfect timing!

[@makarovbtw1]

keep up man i love it

[@axonek8682]

Just keep posting about half life videos it's rly valuable i liked so much ❤️🐐

[@Skyrionn]

Thank you! There's more to come :D

[@axonek8682]

@@Skyrionn oh yes always before sleeping i watch ur videos and make me felt in sleep by your a amazing voice when narate story and with nostalgia music

[@halosammy14]

Just pitching in with some minor trivia about these guys. For those of you unfamiliar with some finer details about the United States military, a debated topic regarding this unit concerns what branch it operates under. This, for the most part, was not only because the HECU used vehicles normally belonging to the Army and Air Force, but that the Marines didn’t have a special forces branch at the time Half-Life is supposed to take place. The most common theory is that the HECU is a multi-branch unit operating under JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command).

[@lambdaspecialist_source]

Waited for this one, even though I know a lot of the facts, I still like to just listen and relax.

[@Skyrionn]

I would expect nothing less from the LambdaSpecialist.

[@slothysfm1834]

ooooooohoooo really love this video like all the others i hope ya aint running out of topics to talk about. Dont really like the classic half life look since i prefer black mesa but with ya voice and storytelling you made it work awsome video man

[@Skyrionn]

I have so many more topics to cover! I normally do use BM, but Opposing Force doesn't have a remake yet so I just stuck to the one style. Thanks for watching as always!

[@lightyami5934]

wonderful video

[@Skyrionn]

Thank you!

[@A_14761]

Janitor: *clean* Insects, Mice, Trash, Dust: 😡🤬

[@tornadogamah]

I notice a lot of custom maps in your videos, like pre-combine C17 and pre-combine ravenholm in some other videos, etc. do you make any of these yourself or do you find them elsewhere like the gmod workshop?

[@Den59NY]

i really wish u more wiews and money man u deserve it take so much time and efford to cower this let me say thank for all of us wiewers to u

[@JamesTDG]

It would be interesting to have a dive in Left 4 Dead's lore. It is scattered everywhere and it would be nice to know the whole story behind this game I used to play a lot of back on my 360

[@onglogman]

I'm sure these videos are well researched and edited but I can't help but mention that the line "the crystal shattered flooding the room with exotic energy" is said at least once per video

[@Skyrionn]

Noted. I'll try and change it up a little bit.

[@lemons1559]

@@Skyrionn I do like that you mention it each time. That way people can watch the video and hear the full context without needing to watch 5 other videos for more info. It is an integral part of the story after all.

[@zach11241]

*Gordon starts the cascade* Xen: “We’ll clean this up!” *fails* Security Guards: “We’ll clean this up!” *fails* Scientists: “We’ll clean this up!” *fails* HECU: “We’ll clean this up!” *fails* Race X: “We’ll clean this up!” *fails* Black OPs: “We’ll clean this up.” *fails* Nuclear Weapon: “I’ll do it myself” *fails* Combine: “Guess we’ll clean this up....” *currently failing* Gordon Freeman: “My crowbar will fix this.” *currently succeeding*

[@jakedover5301]

I have thoroughly enjoyed half-life 1 and 2 and even played the expansion packs for 2. Over the past couple days I have been digging into the story and lore and had no idea that the combine were an alien race. It really reminds me of the tv series colony. Can’t wait to play half life again with this new knowledge. Can you play all the expansion packs on steam and does steam have a good FPS controller I wonder. Great videos. I’ll dig into the bio shock and ID videos as well.

[@leepik28]

"Lot o' good that Soldier trainin' did ya! I'm drunk!" - my cousing playing hl one evening

[@sirpoglet2764]

THANK YOU!

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks for watching!

[@Lostrico69]

Whats the name of the music that starts at 10:20 ? Awesome video btw! I love these HL lore videos

[@Lostrico69]

Its Joel Nielsen Xen Soundtrack 19 Resonance!

[@user9267]

Your like/view ratio is I think the highest I've seen... how are you not more popular?!

[@Skyrionn]

Hopefully the algorithm will pick it up at some point!

[@the100radsstalker93]

I just love the original HL marines.

[@diamondhamster4320]

A clean up crew that need a clean up crew too clean up which was also so ineffective that it needed an even bigger and better clean up crew.

[@Toasties.]

Yore dead, Skyrionn! I always loved that message. The goofy little mistakes made them feel like real soldiers.

[@Skyrionn]

I loved that too!

[@frostohh]

i know that Entropy Zero is a mod of half-life 2 but can you make lore on it? i recently played both of it and was super fun and i'd love to hear your lore about it

[@funnygamer361]

Speaking of hdtf, have you heard of the m3sa build? It's basically the original developers and some new ones attempting to fix the gameplay, but if they were to try to fix the story I think it will take a long time

[@generaltobias3777]

It's sad to think that most of them were likely caught and forced into becoming Combine soldiers, it is very possible Adrian is the last one alive, assuming he was put into stasis by G-man and is alive.

[@squirrele.1266]

Do you think you can do a video on Rosenberg and Dr. Keller?

[@bro22114]

Am i the only who call H.E.C.U as HECU (Hayzoo)? And yes I really love H.E.C.U Marine so much.

[@ThumbsUpWhatever1]

i called it "Heck-ooh"

[@hapokas112]

"Government cover ups were not in my job description."

[@MyDogDoingStuffIG]

7:16 it was the G-man!

[@luanfonseca5179]

4:55 "for any combat situtation they are ready" a scientist with glasses and a cool beard: oh i dont think so

[@razputin611]

Opposing force was such a fun expansion.

[@ZeMewo]

Thanks!

[@Skyrionn]

No problem!

[@MoonLightFML]

Did Gman created the rumors about an operation at Black Mesa ? Also, about the HECU who have escaped Black Mesa, at this time, the goverment already cast Emergency Broadcasts for all people living around Black mesa then in New Mexico then in all country, so i think they gave up the idea to kill witnessess sooner ( however, that was in Black Mesa game, so maybe non-canon

[@lindaroberts443]

Do a full Half-life lore on the hunters

[@jarnodatema]

News reporter: “So how did 1200 of the worlds leading scientists come to die in a tragic accident?” HECU spokesperson: “We believe it was asbestos. Keeps out the rats.”

[@packedphatrat]

Its a shame that the hecu was a cleanup force, and not used to support the facility personnel in containing the incident. The 7 hour war could’ve been prevented!

[@eidoneverchoosen1171]

Thats what they were supposed to do. But someone changed the orders.

[@SheolAbaddonus666]

I don't miss morning runs.

[@monsterenergypickles7434]

make a video about the gigantic lore of otis. could be a six parter, but that doesnt matter, otis is the true hero of black mesa.

[@MegaRagingBunny]

Fuck yeah! So fresh, its still warm!

[@Skyrionn]

So early too

[@patrlim]

18:28 you were out for blood

[@Skyrionn]

Still am.

[@Rizal96able]

People are talking shit on the HECU. Here's what I think: Lore-wise, they likely _were_ a "dangerous and very efficient clean-up crew". Have you people seen their equipments? Tanks, APCs, Helis, Ospreys, Artillery strikes, Aerial bombardments, tripmines, automated sentry guns. If we're talking earthly clean-up, these guys probably were the best at what they do. But what the HECU were up against, they were completely unprepared for. And I doubt no one could have done better. Otherwise, the earth wouldn't have fallen so quickly. No, they're not the "good guys". Part of cleaning-up involves killing everything on sight.

[@A_14761]

You are right Everyone acts like they are insects, trash or mice and say Janitors are evil

[@unkownunkown7752]

Probobly the remaining HECU got turned into Combine Soldiers.

[@darobloxster]

He said bops killed every remaining Hecu except Adrian

[@unkownunkown7752]

​@@darobloxster the ones that got out in time m8 not the ones in the facility that get stuck in door frames screaming for backup. He says that it's unknown what happend to the ones who pulled out and mabe joined the Resistance or the Metro Cops but the Combine turned every Soldier or people with combat training into Combine Soldiers.

[@darobloxster]

@@unkownunkown7752 ok

[@Skyrionn]

It'd make sense

[@randomstuff-dk1nn]

some didn't want to kill but they were forced to

[@shadymorsi4347]

18:28 he said it he said the line