The True Citizen | Beta Consul | FULL Half-Life Lore

The Half-Life 2 Beta had so many amazing characters and concepts that were cut or adapted during development. Luckily, we are able to see a lot of what was adapted from the Half-Life 2 Leak. One of these was the original version of Dr. Wallace Breen.
How was The Consul different to Wallace? Why did Valve change him?, and was this leader better or worse than the character we received? In this video, I explore the history, lore and development of The Consul from the Half-Life 2 Beta.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:49 The Fall of Earth & Rise of The Consul
03:21 The Fear & Propaganda of The Consul
09:21 The Fate of The Consul
13:09 The Consul & Dr. Wallace Breen
15:09 Legacy
16:54 Closing Thoughts
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Half-Life & Portal Lore Playlist: • The Borealis | Half-Li...
Standard Sources
Game Manuals
Half-Life Series Playthrough Research
Portal Series Playthrough Research
Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar
Half-Life: Alyx Playthrough
Portal/ Half-Life Fandom
Old Valve Forums
Marc Laidlaw's Twitter
Breengrub Twitter
Reddit AMA (w/ HL: Alyx Developers)
Portal 2
Aperture Desk Job
AUDIO USED
Half-Life 2: OST: Escape Array
Black Mesa OST: Catalyst
Half-Life 2 OST: Lab Practicum
Black Mesa OST: Xen
Half-Life 2 OST: Triage At Dawn
#HalfLife #Beta #Consul

[@Skyrionn]

Which version do you prefer?. The Consul or Dr. Wallace Breen? The true citizen likes and shares the video for engagement!

[@IAhmadGT]

yay Im a true citizen!

[@VindensSaga]

The Consul. As much as I liked and enjoyed the retail I think the beta was superior and would have been too.

[@youliver9700]

I like Wallace Breen's voice actor more then the consul but I prefer the Consul for the darker tone

[@Sapphiregamer8605]

Breen

[@robottoucaninc.6752]

the consul is far more menacing

[@Jasmine__135]

personally, I'd like to see a full rundown of the beta story, even if its fractured and scattered. would make for interesting visual mock-ups and interpretations

[@Skyrionn]

A full rundown is on the list of videos to make. The small issue I have is that there were so many different variations of the story. I'll see what I can do though ☺

[@dermerchify]

@@Skyrionn thanks btw you are such a great channel and endlessly entertaining

[@EmperorHeadass]

I feel like the fractured and scattered nature of the early storyline would perfectly add to the "creepy factor" of the HL franchise and a potential story breakdown video. It'd leave the viewer uncertain of what events would truly transpire, leaving us to create our own positive or - most likely - negative scenarios. Considering that the beta was so much darker... It's easy to believe that there truly is no true victory for humanity over the combine, especially in a more grim scenario. The idea that humanity is doomed is actually my favourite theme in HL2. It's the idea of a "hopeful hell" where lost souls fight a losing battle only to ultimately fall. But they tried and that's all that matters in the end.

[@nada6991]

@@Skyrionn man idc if it’s 3 or however long it would be the coolest video ever

[@dsemirugosus]

If only they don't get stuck in development hell

[@togrulhuseynli7600]

Despite BETA being fractured, you really made it sound like complete and it didn't feel like anything vital from the lore was missing

[@Skyrionn]

It took a while to put the script together for this one because I wanted everything connected and grounded in the HL2 reality. Thanks for noticing.

[@anouktruog5882]

'Beta Consul' has the same ring to it as 'Better Call Saul'

[@primkup]

"Hi, citizen! Did you know that you don't have rights? Combine says you don't, and so do I!"

[@paleimitator]

Ah, yes, my favourite Breaking Bad spin-off show, Beta Consul

[@imembridibuddha]

Oh for crying out loud. lol

[@Edward-it9cr]

that's a groaner right there

[@AJ-po6up]

I really like the consul he feels more evil and cunning than Breen, I don't know why but Breen always looked kinda goofy to me and he had a sort of "kind grandpa" face that even made me feel sad for taking him down while with the consul I probably would've loved every second of it.

[@umamifan]

The consul just look so menacing. He really got that "idgaf what happens, the means justifies the ends" kind of vibe to him. Dr. Breen is just comical, but realistic. Breen's "kind" looks and low voice helped him earn the title of administrator. Sure, he was at the right place at the right time to get that kind of luxury, but his charisma definitely helped to at least some extent. But the consul... Definitely seems like something that would be implemented if the Combine decided to be incredibly serious and liked the consul due to similarities in coldheartedness. Right now, it just feels like the Combine treats Earth as a little "side project" of theirs. If both the Xen wildlife and Combine were just instantly teleported out of the solar system, I doubt they would care to even go back for Earth. I think that's how irrelevant it is to them. They just stick around because of status quo.

[@aquatic4760]

Consul just seems like a really generic evil character tbh

[@AJ-po6up]

@@umamifan Yeah the Consul feels like he would go more in line with what the Combine wants for their group, the real motive of Breen/Consul was after all to become part of the Combine officially and join them and he was even willing to go through genetic modification to do it, Breen doesn't really fit into the Combine imo but the evil Consul certainly does, he's ruthless, only cares about himself and his experiments and he's the kind of guy that you wouldn't even doubt concocting the plan of attracting the Combine to Earth on purpose as part of a scheme to become part of them and the de-facto ruler of Earth and to obtain their knowledge, Breen instead looks like a normal scientist old guy that was caught in all of this by accident.

[@sharky1583]

The Consul is literally a nazi, the Breen has the kind grandpa look, and he literally looks like my 71-year old uncle.

[@user-tzzglsstle585e38]

@@AJ-po6up I like Breen better because of this, he doesn't look stereotypically evil and yeah; he looks like some scientist that got caught up in this, well because that's what literally happened. I like that his design has more nuance to it like actual humanity rather than being "evil dictator-looking guy doing evil things".

[@SirGingerOfKnight]

Your use of "The True Citizen..." had "all hail hypnotoad" vibes :D

[@Skyrionn]

I guess it kinda did! Did it work?

[@Still-Standard-2004]

love your stuff man@@Skyrionn

[@lunathecrusader]

The true citizen subscribes to Skyrionn....

[@Skyrionn]

The best words.

[@paw5409]

@@Skyrionn I love your content man

[@ericdellenback6047]

@@Skyrionn The true citizen is already subscribed to Skyrionn.

[@WorstLandsknechtEver]

I did as a true Citizen would do

[@ShubhangSaurav]

The true citizen has already complied and has subscribed 🫡

[@DrHotelMario]

Breen's motivations are endlessly fascinating to me. My interpretation is that Breen made some sort of deal with the G-Man to create the resonance cascade, and bring the Combine to earth. He was rewarded with power and knowledge, but ultimately G-Man collected his debt using Gordon in HL2. I think Breen was ignorant and deluded about the Combine, and what they were truly doing to Humanity. I think he genuinely believed they were the next step for Humanity, if even just as a coping mechanism. Breen stuck me as a megalomaniacal narcissist, who ultimately couldn't cope with the reality that he sold out his species, so he denied reality entirely.

[@scarletcrusader5431]

I adore these Beta lore videos, please keep up the amazing work Skyrionn

[@Skyrionn]

There's more to come!

[@scarletcrusader5431]

@@Skyrionn Looking forward to them!

[@frostburn2982]

Can't wait for a full release of a fanmade beta HL2. Definitely would be worth playing

[@samiamtheman7379]

Honestly, outside of from some cut enemies, some different characters, and darker look to it, it's not that much different from what we got except for the fact that humanity isn't being slowly genocided by the Combine. At least, not to the extent we see in the released game.

[@operationd--msday]

@@samiamtheman7379 so darker look but lighter tone in a way?

[@XENON2028]

well you can just download the leaked beta, compile the WC mappack, put the maps in and play. it is very buggy though and you will have to make use of the console A LOT to get around

[@clonetrooper75]

theres several mods that aim to do this, raising the bar: redux seems to be our best bet so far

[@karolzolkos5818]

Gordon having to actually talk to the Consul sounds really cursed.

[@RandomNoNamePT]

From what we know in the beta, Gordon would've been MUCH more expressive, even mentioning him being "In shock" when he saw The Consul on the slideshow Eli Maxwell was showing him.

[@RandomNoNamePT]

From what we know in the beta, Gordon would've been MUCH more expressive, even mentioning him being "In shock" when he saw The Consul on the slideshow Eli Maxwell was showing him.

[@ScoutTim66]

Me explaining all the half life 2 lore to my Friends from memory even though they are going to forget it the next day:

[@Stumpgod11]

This really reminds me of the film equilibrium. Great video as always!

[@Skyrionn]

I'll have to look the film up!

[@arandomuser1723]

@@nikola5670 2002

[@XanderNiles]

The Consul is like a more menacing, darker and mysterious character than Breen. Though, we have a lot hints of what the intentions of Breen were but c'mon I'd have loved to see the Consul in his mutated form. It would have been epic. Anyhow, fascinating lore. 👍

[@atariboy9084]

What I would like to see as not many on the Half-Life fan pages talk about are the voice actors who plays each of the characters like Dr. Wallace Breen voice by the late Robert Culp who I grew up watching him on films and TV shows from the 70s and 80s.

[@maxstirnersego]

That reminds me. A while back I actually emailed Mark Laidlaw about who the voice for the consul was either himself or Kelly Bailey

[@lowrezbs8882]

Beta is more atmospheric than what we got during release.

[@plaguedoctorjamespainshe6009]

The game gets +5 atmospheres for every child slave it has

[@lowrezbs8882]

@@plaguedoctorjamespainshe6009 exactly

[@MFODelta-3]

The true Citizen knows that chocky milk is better than the Normal milk

[@Eliasdbr]

I like to believe that HL2 beta happens in a more advanced time, when the combine had a lot of time to settle and Gordon Freeman appeared a couple more decades later, hence the darker tone, and heavier surveillance. As to the working children and the suppression field, I think that in beta, there wouldn't be a suppression field at all, they would use the children to do forced work, now that humanity is more controlled in this reality

[@camman1056]

I like to think that Breen spoke with an advisor and they showed the true force of the combine empire. I think what conquered earth was their scouts basically. Think about what they send - mostly simple alien animals that have been grafted with technology. I think what they sent through the portal was basically cannon fodder to see what was on the other side and earth was so weak it only needed the threat of the main force to subside

[@SgtBean]

Love the beta content!!! Another great video sir

[@Skyrionn]

Appreciate it!

[@weavorjjohanna5619]

9:12 that caught me off guard tho, jesus, the way you transit it into your own words legit make me thought the video is sentient

[@TechSpiritedZ]

The true citizen watches Skyrionn. The true citizen subscribes to Skyrionn with post notifications. The true citizen presses the like button on Skyrionn’s videos.

[@Vantud391]

Although Beta had some cool things, I'm still grateful that HL2 end up as released version.

[@businessburd2071]

I 100% agree, I think people get too caught up in the concept art and forget the amount of good in Half Life 2

[@codymcgrath2.3bviews3secon7]

Thanks for the continued great videos my friend! Also an update my Son Charlie was born two days ago!

[@Skyrionn]

Congratulations Cody! Honestly so happy for you! Thanks for watching as always

[@codymcgrath2.3bviews3secon7]

@@Skyrionn Thanks my friend and thanks for the great content as always!

[@theworstisover1323]

As per usual amazing work. I'm watching it for the 4th time since it posted since I keep realizing I missed something in a previous watch! I can not imagine the work you must put into this!

[@Skyrionn]

Wow, four watches! That's commitment. Thanks for watching the videos. I do appreciate it.

[@013wolfwarrior]

He really does comes across more as a an piwefull figure and not just the combines lap dog/mouth piece like Breen does. I half life 2, but I really am curious the what if that the beta would have been. Not to mention the f-ing Cremator is so F-ING COOL. I still really hope it gets officially added as an enemy to a game.

[@RandomNoNamePT]

The Cremator was cut from Half-Life Alyx too, guess we won't see them until they're cut content again in Half-Life Barney in 4025

[@shadyelmarid4457]

I always love your content! I wish I was part of the team working on anything Half Life related. Keep it up! 🤘🏻

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks for watching! Hopefully we get something half life related soon

[@shayan235]

Great work. I wait alot for your half life lores. Thanks

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks for watching them!

[@8bitbrento]

Anyone else out there always felt that the Consul was modelled after Ralph Fiennes?

[@TheConsuI]

Despite being a year late, this video is my favorite on the platform.

[@breakawayta1651]

The True Citizen knows you touch up on the lore of our benefactors with your standard issued Skyrionn broadcast as you eat your rations.

[@ratheonhudson3311]

The true citizen turns on notifications of this channel

[@Skyrionn]

*Additional rations granted*

[@fadhilahzaidan4946]

I found this character way more interesting and more fitting to the Half-Life universe than Breen,even when he speaks,he speak like an actual dictator.

[@SalesmanWave]

Wow, what a unique take, definitely haven't heard this a million times before.

[@randomperson-uj4bp]

What?

[@residentevil1.5nerd]

Thanks for this Video. I have been fascinated by the Half-Life 2 Beta for a while. I find in interesting of what was cut and what was left in. I personally loved the idea of the Consul. He just feels more terrifying than what we got in the final product in the form of Dr. Wallace Breen. I wish a few more ideas were left in from the Beta. Like the Manhack Arcade, Air Exchange, Wastelands, and more of a Industrial version of City 17. These are the reasons why I would have preferred the 1999 - 2002 versions of Half-Life 2. I love this video man. 10 Beta points out of 10 Beta Points would be a True Citizen again. Beta approved.

[@ju_scy]

Incredible video, I just love listening to your voice and your contents.

[@Skyrionn]

Thank you so much 😀

[@gibusgaming5866]

A consul is actually a title for a Roman leader, consuls would always work in pairs, and both shared equal power and ruled over Rome together. They were democratically elected by a senate. In times of war the consuls would transfer their power to a dictator, to lead for (if I am correct) a maximum of 6 months. If the dictator was able to solve the problem the consuls could not the dictator would step down and a new set of consuls would be elected to rule over Rome again. However if they do not solve the problem a new dictator is elected for another 6 months. So the title of "Consul" not only implies that there is another second Consul, but there could possibly even be a dictator that could be placed into power by the combine. And not just that, since the existence of both 2 consuls and a dictator that could be placed into power implies that there is an entire senate that the combine has at it's disposal.

[@feredom]

High quality content. Good job, you are amazing.

[@Skyrionn]

Wow, thanks! Super kind of you to say!

[@paragonrobbie9270]

The delve into the HL2 Beta is as addicting as it is depressing. Depressing, not in terms of the story itself, but the fact that I end up liking what we never got more and more. I know Valve changed a ton of stuff because of leaks, but it feels like they did it at the detriment of their own creation. Not everything in the Beta was superior, but it really feels like a majority of it was, the Consul included.

[@InvictusMatrix]

Concepts will always look better than the finished product, it happens with just about every game.

[@ShadowSumac]

It wasn't changed because of leaks.

[@TheColombianSpartan]

"The true citizen subscribes to Skyrionn" Yes my lord.

[@brothers_of_nod]

The Consul was perfect for the oppressive atmosphere of the beta, he fit into his world in every possible way.

[@jdogdoggo]

please never stop making half-life 2 and portal lore videos 🙏

[@owenbrandon8370]

good work man! i like your beta videos

[@Skyrionn]

Glad you like them! There's more to come!

[@Hyperion-5744]

It would be cool if we get a version of half life 2 based on the beta. Good video skyrionn.

[@IAhmadGT]

Very Cool video my dude!

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks!

[@babufacio_____wczesniejvin2847]

Meaby the idea of Consul and his character would return and be expanded in future? Maybe like Boris in HDTF who was Breen's right hand and administrator of City 9?

[@Poppy101DJ]

another great video!!

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks Chuck!

[@robinisaksson158]

The true citizen picks up that damn can

[@Skyrionn]

100%

[@chimmy883]

i cant wach this video yet but it looks sooooooooooooooooooo cool wow i cant wait keep up the good work

[@naiyamay2356]

Banger video as always

[@Skyrionn]

Appreciate it

[@somejaek]

1000th Dark and Gritty I've heard from a Half-Life 2 Beta video

[@Skyrionn]

meme

[@breadtoast1036]

i like beta version due the feeling of actually dealing with a force from a different dimension, it feels more realistic in that, to the combine we are so beneath them in in terms of technology and possibly culture in their eyes, that they view us as sentient livestock waiting to be used for a purpose, much like how humans view cattle or chickens, could kill them all or domesticate them and keep a steady supply manpower while you drain other resources then once drained move on to next dimension

[@shifty1927]

Just finished the cremator vid.🔥🔥 Had to come watch this after you mentioned it.

[@Skyrionn]

Welcome welcome. Explore the whole channel and stay. There's more to come too!

[@allyski5914]

PSA: If you wanna play a banger mod that takes place in a HL2: Beta-like setting, "Raising the Bar: Redux mod" is a fantastic mod in development thats currently playable up to Ravenholm

[@onurpro9514]

The consul looks like Patrick Stewart lmao 🤣

[@mombulu02]

Beta versions of this game seem to have greater parallels to 1984 than the later variants, the imagery and the symbolism especially. Edit: Admittedly I hadn’t got to that part of the video yet, but yes, Skyrrion makes exactly that point. Next time I’ll watch the whole video lmao

[@Skyrionn]

I'm glad you came back and added that to your comment haha!

[@xboxdrumstick]

love your videos

[@Skyrionn]

Thank you!

[@ratheonhudson3311]

In HL3 we have a Dune crossover when Sandworm Consul speaks to the Combine to make the Freeman un-free

[@evgeniptolemy5570]

The Consul looks like a cross between Ralph Fiennes and Kevin Spacey. Do what you want with this information.

[@Skyrionn]

I can't unsee it

[@evgeniptolemy5570]

@@Skyrionn 😂

[@mysterythekitsune2988]

Wish we got the wasteland in half life 2 was kept love t explore the ruins of the wasteland.

[@Skyrionn]

The wasteland, although bleak, looked great. I think I agree with you.

[@mysterythekitsune2988]

@@Skyrionn Heck yeah high way 17 showed the idea but not to the fullest would love to explore areas of the dry out ocean. especially approaching the nova prospect and Depot facilities would had been cool if we had to go into the depot air firstwhile exploring the wasteland and beached ships and submarines and dead fish, then nova prospect.

[@Man_Aslume]

The true citizen finds out where your dad is coming back from home

[@valles383]

bro i was watching a video about hl2 beta glad that i have more content about the beta

[@Skyrionn]

There's more to come!

[@Shadow-Company-Operator]

The true Citizen conserves precious Skyrionn Videos.

[@Skyrionn]

*Additional Rations Granted.*

[@imonke5303]

I have that beta map of the old citadel on gmod, fkn love it

[@Skyrionn]

It's a great map. I love the skyboxes.

[@shadowman8535]

14:35 The consul looks really... dont have words to explain what im thinking

[@rommdan2716]

I would love to see Breen and The Consul interact, both are similar but very different in key factors, a debate between the two would have been very intellectually engaging.

[@Skyrionn]

I'd have loved to see something like that.

[@Stop_Motion_Hub]

7:17 HE SAID IT! HE SAID THE THING

[@thesmilingman7576]

11:40 I guess this evolved into Breen becoming an advisor after the main game

[@kittersir]

what's that first map that appears on the start of the video? really looks dark and griddy with the consulcast screen

[@doctortinkle7294]

I so wish we got a darker HL2

[@jjohnfnchf7535]

I havent watched much of your videos but considering there are about three unique half life betas (2001, 2002, 2003) which one do you follow? 2001 and 2003 are miles apart and 2002 is sort of a combination of the two that misses the mark on some of the most appealing story pieces and themes found in 2001. An example would be things like city 17 in 2001 and 2002, both share the combine arcade, both share the consul, both share the air exchange plot etc etc, but the city has been sort of lowered and missing its skyscrapers by 2002, more similar to 2003 and release half life 2, the construction site is gone and the canals have been moved to still be inside the city, in fact I think the huge wall present in 2001 c17 that the canals took place outside of is completely gone. Do you just kind of mix all three together or whats the deal

[@thecrownedninja3121]

I guess the combine like to "combine" their forces with other planets

[@operationd--msday]

Yes that is what the name means. Also known as the Universal Union.

[@Skyrionn]

It has many meanings. Another is the "Combine Harvester". They harvest the species to come across for new soldiers in their army.

[@diet_dr.demoncore]

is the name a reference to the character from the Hyperion Cantos series of books by the same name? The two characters have a bit similarities, considering they both act as turncoats to an invading, "alien" force at some point

[@onyxthegemlord2847]

Sounds like he was in control of the Combine rather than the other way around like Breen was.

[@boyboilNEO9055]

I think a sense of mystery could've made him go from a unlikable villan you forget about 2 weeks later to someone you want to know more about find his real name who is he

[@Cheese-mf3nt]

If the strider on the frame saw itself there it’ll be like “hey thats me!” 1:20

[@Gruff.]

i finnaly found the name of one of the songs in the background its called triage at dawn!

[@Skyrionn]

I put all of the songs I use in the description near the bottom haha! I hope that helps.

[@danmoar94]

I think it's always more interesting to have a villain who has a more layered character than just being pure evil. Dr. Breen was at least somewhat sympathetic because you got the sense he just took the opportunities that were presented to him rather than it being what he truly wanted. He was just the right man in the wrong place.

[@zorgapb4691]

So wait, when you encountered the Consul in the citadel, in one version of the story (concept art where Helena holds Alyx at gunpoint) he was still human at that point, and in another version of the story he was already a robot without arms in that machine (concept art at 12:10)?

[@breadtoast1036]

nice job repeating what he said in video in question form

[@zorgapb4691]

@@breadtoast1036 I didn't repeat, i asked a question because i did not understand

[@johnroyal4054]

The true citizen washes behind his testicles

[@testingsomething6859]

I almost laughed at you acknowledging the fact that the Half-Life 2 beta became a meme for being dark and gritty.

[@kronos_1337.]

dark and griddy

[@pemo2676]

wow patrick stewart really took the 7 hour war into his own hands

[@MannFace51]

8:16 Are you implying that his *lower half* would appear somewhere else? 0_o

[@youngdonald4109]

i like breen better, his speeches about lungfish, the burgess shale and the importance of collaboration really spoke to me, really high iq stuff you dont get very often

[@Skyrionn]

That's a very good point. It's a shame we didn't get to the stage where we saw if The Consul made similar speeches.

[@Rairosu]

Imagine the last remaining combines in our world in current HL2 met with a alternate reality of this Iteration of HL2 heh.

[@mike1564]

bitter coleslaw

[@ziadconnolly057]

while i think a bunch of the half life conceptual pieces were definitely a bit too disturbing to really even be considered for a non-horror focused game, Half Life 2's beta is the epitome of "aww why could this not have worked out!?" (yes i know about the leak before anybody asks)

[@ismJoboi]

The true citizen always follow the rules of being said

[@DukeOnkled]

What bothers me is that such an advanced collective as the Combine should have known by now that rule by fear and violence is untenable in the long run. It is far more beneficial to have the populace believe that they are living well, to make it so that not only do they not need to rebel, they do not WANT to. It's a shockingly juvenile mistake from a supposedly endless empire.

[@the_swordman1]

I might be wrong here but wasn't there a 1848 like trailer for Half Life 2 where the normal citizens watch Dr. Breen on a huge screen and Alyx comes in the room and smashes the screen with a crowbar. This trailer might have been a fanmade trailer but I can't remember if it was fanmade or if it was official.

[@StationaryGamingReal]

It was for the Half Life 2 on Mac ad. It was a play on the same ad that Apple had used for Mac.

[@WorstLandsknechtEver]

1984*

[@thomasvleminckx]

1848?

[@user-cj4mg1jv8e]

"beta consul" sounds like a better call saul reference

[@Skyrionn]

It's all I hear now

[@Freemelon07]

Ohh so THAT'S who Samuel is. I'd heard of him and seen his facemap, but was like "who's Samuel..."

[@Skyrionn]

Yeah - I learned that while putting the episode together too!

[@Xsar1942]

Love ur vids

[@Skyrionn]

Thanks!

[@flonga1]

I look forward to the people who made Black Mesa, make a HL2 Beta Full Version.

[@Skyrionn]

I'd love that

[@Cuburt_.]

Ight all I wanna know how did he get these cinematic shots on Gmod (or whatever that is)

[@Ubreakable-lr2dk]

now we gonna down the rabbithole real deep

[@Skyrionn]

This is gonna be a huge rabbithole

[@rascal3554]

Who would've thought, One scientist with a crowbar would spell doom for high tech aliens? Wrong man at the right place, I suppose.

[@Skyrionn]

He sold out his own race sadly

[@ProfessionalEepyHead]

No way better call Saul

[@TroublesomeTruckYT]

I realize in the background of the consul speeches you can hear someone translating the speeches into Bulgarian.

[@QaspectQ]

Maybe Valve took an inspiration from the 1984 book.