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The Combine are the true bad guys in both HL1 and Hl2.
First, a little bit of background info on the Combine. The REAL Combine speces are the slug things (like you saw Breen talking to on the monitor at the end there). The slugs are very dependent on technology to survive, and as a result they've basically evolved into their fat, slow, stupid forms. If you use the HL model viewer, or use noclip in that leve, you can get a full view of that particular Combine. He's got a breathing mask and a bunch of robotic arms.
Now, what the Combine do is they invade a shitload of planets, and then take the various speces of that planet and integrate them into their army. Now, when they invade a planet (such as Earth, or Xen), they first overwhelm it with their superior technology, then once its conquered, they take the dominant speces of the planet, brainwash them and equip them with their technology, and turn them into their planetary overwatch. It makes sense, that speces is already adapted to that atmosphere and climate (remember how Breen was talking about how he'd never survive in their world without a host body). Now, in Earth's case, they've done it to humans (the CP and Elite guards you fight throughout the game). In Xen (another world they also invaded), they've done it with the Vortigaunts (who were your enemies in HL1).
They also put one person of that speces (Breen, and subsuequently Nihilanth in Xen) in charge of keeping that world in control.
Now, a few years (it is guessed) prior to the events of HL1, humans in Black Mesa began to experiment with teleportation and found Xen, the border world. Xen of course was already under Combine control. It is assumed that the Combine noticed us hairless apes exploring around, and somehow made contact with Breen (the administrator of Black Mesa). They probably promised him and humanity immortality, acceptance into the galactic community, etc. Of course they're full of shit. But Breen is arrogant and probably believed it. One way or another, he arranged for one particular sample crystal to be put into the Anti-Mass Spectrometer, which would cause a dimensional tear allowing Xen aliens to come pouring into Black Mesa and Earth. Of course, Gordon Freeman had the unfortunate task of pushing that crystal into the machine on the stupid shopping cart, setting off the events of HL1.
So, after the events of HL1, here's what happened. Xen aliens continued to warp in through dimensional breaches, and Earth was in panic. Humanity moved en masse to major cities, since it was much easier to protect everyone clustered together in big cities than it was to try and protect all the suburban and rural areas. Things were good for a while, then in came the Combine. The citadels warped in and conquered Earth in 7 hours. Since we were all packed together, it was easy. Breen "arranged" the surrender of Earth (obviously at the request of the Combine) and was placed in charge. He keeps feeding lies about how the Combine will make humanity immortal and such, but its obviously bullshit.
The Combine have since been draining the oceans and mucking up the air, perhaps to prepare the planet for new residents? Either way, HL2 takes place 10 years after HL1
Now, about the GMan, there are a million theories, but the one I like is that he is not human, but part of some other speces who is committed to fighting the Combine. He realized Gordon was a particularly tough and resourceful individual and hired him.
Gordon was obviously hired to help bring down the Combine in City 17. Remember how Breen says "were you aware that your contract was available to the highest bidder?" Now, also remember that when Barney finds you in the beginning of the game, and you see Dr Kleiner on the monitor, he says "Gordon Freeman! I expected more warning?" "You and me both Doc!" Also, remember that Dr Kleiner had Gordons Hazard Suit already upgraded and waiting for him. "I see it still fits you like a glove..."
But wait a minute... Gordon was wearing that suit at the end of HL1. He took it into Xen with him, and he was wearing it with the Gman put him in stasis. So how would Kleiner have it? Obviously, the human resistance has been in contact with the Gman (who probably gave them Gordon's Hazard Suit), and have arranged for Gordon to come and help them out.
So now you know...
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NEW MIX [Feb/March 2008]
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