"A Red Letter Day"

"A Red Letter Day" is the second chapter of Half-Life 2. It mostly consists of character interaction and plot exposition, and sets your goal for the next two chapters.

This article contains spoilers. Read at your own risk!

Having found his way to Kleiner's Lab, Gordon Freeman meets Alyx Vance and Dr. Kleiner in person and receives his HEV Suit. As a field test for Isaac Kleiner's recently completed teleporter, Alyx and Gordon are to teleport to Black Mesa East, the Resistance HQ. Alyx Vance successfully teleports to Black Mesa East, but just when it is Gordon's turn, the teleporter malfunctions, randomly teleporting Gordon to and fro between several random locations, including Black Mesa East and Dr. Breens office. Finally, Gordon is deposited outside Dr. Kleiner's lab and Dr. Kleiner shuts it down.

With the teleporter out of action, Gordon has no choice but to set out for Black Mesa East the old-fashioned way, through the city's canal system. To make things worse, Dr. Breen recognised Gordon when he was accidentally teleported to his office, and has ordered a city-wide sweep to find him. Barney Calhoun gives Gordon a crowbar, and sends him on his way. Template:Endspoiler

Walkthrough

"A Red Letter Day" is mostly about character introduction and storyline development, rather than combat. For most of the chapter, you cannot die or get hurt.

Once in the lab, watch as the scene unfolds. There are quite a few interesting things around the lab, such as a miniature teleporter near the entrance that can teleport small objects (but it breaks after a few uses), and some of the information that is discussed here is actually quite interesting, so pay attention. Once Barney opens the HEV Suit's container, walk in to pick it up. The suit can draw power from things like batteries and energy dispensers. The more charged the suit, the more damage it absorbs. Use the charger nearby to charge the suit up. Just press and hold the use key (E) while in front of it until the dispenser is depleted.

Now you get to see Kleiner's teleport. Just as Alyx is about to teleport, though, a plug will fall out. Simply pick it up with the use key and plug it back in. When prompted, press the use key to throw the switch and activate the teleport. Alyx will then be teleported to Black Mesa East.

Now it's your turn. Once the teleport comes down, get on in and brace yourself. Shortly after Barney throws the switch, Lamarr falls out of a vent nearby, damaging some of the equipment and destabilizing the teleport! You are then teleported to and fro between several random locations, including Wallace Breen's office in the Citadel.

Finally, you find yourself outside Kleiner's lab and the teleport is shut down. Drop down and run in between the large generators, and head right up through the small passage and up the stairs. Once you go through the door and round the corner, you’ll see the massive structure of the Citadel. Barney will also appear to provide you with some guidance and your first weapon of the game, the reliable and iconic crowbar. Bash through the wooden planks blocking the way ahead and head through the service tunnel. Remember, at any time you can activate your flashlight in dark areas by pressing F (default key). Remember to only use it when needed, as it depletes your auxiliary power.

From here you’ll find a small hole to drop out of and onto the railroad tracks below. Once you’re down there, a couple of Civil Protection officers above will spot you and open fire, so go left and enter the red train car. Smash through the rubble and exit via the doors on the other side of the car. Look out! As soon as you exit onto the tracks you'll find a train is bearing down on you, so run in the opposite direction and take a left. Take another immediate left, get inside the green rail car, and climb up the ladder inside. Once you’re on the roof of the car, you’ll need to make a jump onto the roof of the car to your left and another jump right over the fence. Should you fall, simply retreat back to the green car and try again. You will need to hurry though, as Civil Protection officers are closing in. Once you make it over the fence, run straight ahead, smash through the blocked opening, and take a left down into the dark stairwell. The game will then load the next chapter.

Next Chapter: Route Kanal