Shepard returns to trekking through the Black Mesa facility after being left behind at the extraction point. He fights his way through the Xen aliens into a blast furnace area that had become infested with new and stronger type of Headcrab zombies known as Gonomes. Using a crate of explosives, Shepard uses the flames from the blast furnace to blast open an entrance to the next area.
Arriving at a different section of the facility, the corporal comes across a dying HECU soldier who in his last breath warns Shepard to run before the "things" that attacked his squad kills everyone. Said things turn out to be Pit Drones, short bipedal creatures of Race X that attack their enemies in groups. Shepard fights through the Pit Drones towards a power generator to shut it down in order to climb a wire that was electrified up to the next area of an elevator shaft. He then traverses through a Black Mesa office area, and eventually comes across another military radio. Shepard manages to radio several other HECU soldiers that were left behind, which they arrive at the corporal's location to form a new squad. Amongst the soldiers is an engineer, who opens up a locked door for Shepard's squad to reach an elevator that will take them to the next area.
This Chapter contains examples of:
- Almost Dead Guy: Upon escaping the blast furnace Shepard comes across a dying HECU officer who attempts to warn him of the Pit Drones.
- The Engineer: This is the first level where the squad Engineer comes into play. His introduction basically shows off his primary skill for the team, which is to open locked doors by cutting around the edges with a welding torch, and then kick it down.
- Late to the Tragedy: Near the end of the level Shepard is forced to traverse through an abandoned barricaded office area where Black Mesa Personnel had attempted to hold out against the alien attack leaving only a Sole Survivor.
- Shout-Out: The entire scene with the Pit Drones walking above the ceiling and above mentioned barricades appear to be a shout out to Aliens.
