User:Party Escort Bot = Beans/Mini-Wiki 1/Timeline: Difference between revisions

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[[Richard Keller]] is born. According to the ''Half-Life'' PlayStation 2 manual, he is said to be 55 in ''[[Half-Life: Decay|Decay]]'', set in 200-.

[[Aperture Science]] is rated #2 among the Top 100 Applied Science Companies by the Mechanical Engineering World Journal

It is during this decade that the [[Black Mesa Research Facility|Black Mesa facilities]] are built<ref name="P2CEG">''Portal 2 Collector's Edition Guide''</ref>, before being purchased and refurbished later by [[Black Mesa]].

Aperture Science constructs [[Pump Station Alpha]] and at least [[Test Shaft 09]] Chambers 01 and 02.

[[Aperture Science]] constructs at least [[Test Shaft 09]] Chamber 26.

[[Aperture Science]] constructs [[Test Shaft 09]] Chambers 27 and 28, and begins forming control groups for experimentation with cranial microchip implantation.<ref name="P2OG" />

[[Aperture Science]]'s [[Test Shaft 09]] "Zulu Bunsen" is condemned and sealed off.

[[Colette Green]] is born. She is said to be 37 in ''[[Half-Life: Decay|Decay]]'', set in 200-.

[[Gina Cross]] is born. She is said to be 31 in ''[[Half-Life: Decay|Decay]]'', set in 200-.

Aperture constructs [[Pump Station Beta]] and begins Propulsion Gel testing.

[[Aperture Science]] constructs at least Chambers 01 and 02 of the Propulsion Gel Testing Facility.

[[Gordon Freeman]] is born. He is said to be 27 in ''[[Half-Life]]'', set in 200-.

The earliest known use of a [[Portal ARG|bulletin board system]] by Aperture Science.<ref name="ARG">[[Portal ARG|''Portal'' ARG]]</ref>

[[Aperture Science]] constructs at least Chamber 05 of the Propulsion Gel Testing Facility.

*[[Aperture Science]] constructs the elevator out of the Propulsion Gel Testing Facility.

*Due to financial difficulties and possible legal problems arising from testing prominent citizens, Aperture Science begins using homeless people as Test Subjects.  

*The object of testing and experimentation at this time is Propulsion Gel.  

*Complementing the Propulsion Gel testing, Aperture Science also begins experimenting with human deconstruction, enhancement, and reconstruction procedures.

[[Adrian Shephard]] is born. He is said to be 22 in ''[[Half-Life: Opposing Force|Opposing Force]]'', set in 200-.

Cave Johnson receives the answer to a confidential letter titled "Human Enrichment & Testing Initiative, Resource Acquisitions", describing the four types of Test Subjects and their behavior.<ref name="ARG">[[Portal ARG|''Portal'' ARG]]</ref>

*[[Aperture Science]] constructs the Conversion Gel Testing Facility's enrichment center, and now performs tests on its own employees. By now, [[Cave Johnson]] has spent $70 million on moon rocks to grind up and turn into [[Conversion Gel]], and as a result of exposure has himself become gravely ill and addicted to pain medication.

*[[Aperture Science]] constructs [[Pump Station Gamma]] and the Conversion Gel Testing Facility.

*This is the oldest known date of the [[Enrichment Center Test Subject Application Process]] being applied to Aperture Science's Test Subjects. It is operated by version 1.07 of [[GLaDOS]], later "1.07a" and "1.09".<ref name="AS">[[ApertureScience.com]]</ref>

The [[Aperture Image Format]] is created.<ref name="ARG">[[Portal ARG|''Portal'' ARG]]</ref>

After a decade spent bringing the Disk Operating System parts of [[GLaDOS]] to a state of more or less basic functionality, work begins on the Genetic Lifeform component.<ref name="AS">[[ApertureScience.com]]</ref> During that time, the Aperture Science Red Phone plan is implemented in case GLaDOS appears to become sentient and godlike, requiring an employee to sit by a red phone on a desk in GLaDOS chamber's entrance hall.<ref name="Pcom">''[[Portal]]'' commentary</ref>

Aperture Science releases several testing elements, such as the [[Excursion Funnel]], a tractor beam-like funnel made of liquid asbestos; the [[Thermal Discouragement Beam]], a laser to be used with a [[Weighted Pivot Cube]] to destroy Sentry Guns and activate some buttons; the [[Aerial Faith Plate]], a catapult plate flinging into the air Test Subjects or any other object upon contact; and the [[Pneumatic Diversity Vent]], a variant of the Vital Apparatus Vent used for distributing objects to Test Chambers.<ref name="GI">[http://gameinformer.com/mag/portal2.aspx Game Informer, April 2010 issue]</ref><ref name="P2 IGN p2">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq2mZoKkqMw&hd=1 Portal 2 Demo (Part 2) - E3 2010] on IGN's YouTube channel</ref><ref name="P2 IGN p3">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGlyQmmvj0w&hd=1 Portal 2 Demo (Part 3) - E3 2010] on IGN's YouTube channel</ref>

Soon after [[Gordon Freeman]]'s employment, he is instructed by Gina Cross' hologram counterpart for an [[HEV Suit]] Training Exercise in Sector A's [[Training Facility]]. This is ''Half-Life'''s ''[[Hazard Course]]''.<ref name>[http://www.moddb.com/mods/black-mesa-hazard-course/news/word-of-god-has-spoken Thread on the ModDB forums]</ref>

This is the "year" during which the [[Black Mesa Incident]] occurs. Deliberately kept vague by the ''Half-Life'' team,<ref name="ML Vault 1998">[http://www.valvetime.net/threads/marc-laidlaw-vault.114535/page-6#post-3141727 Facts about the date issue on the ''Marc Laidlaw Vault''] on the ValveTime.net Forums</ref> it could be any date from 2000 to 2009.

Deduction points at "May 16, 200-" for the precise date of the incident. What follows are the different facts and clues leading to that choice:

 

 

*On March 24, 2010, an updated and expanded [http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/03/24/Aperture-Science_3A00_-A-History.aspx Aperture Science timeline] originally given on [[ApertureScience.com]] in 2006 and submitted by [[Erik Wolpaw]] was published on Game Informer. Several dates were changed, and the last paragraph was expanded with facts suggesting that the Black Mesa Incident had occurred in 1998, the same date as that of ''Half-Life'''s release, instead of the original "200-". However [[Marc Laidlaw]] dismissed "1998" as the date for the Black Mesa Incident, as the date "200-" given when the first ''Half-Life'' was released is the only correct one.<ref name="ML Vault 1998">[http://www.valvetime.net/threads/marc-laidlaw-vault.114535/page-6#post-3141727 Facts about the date issue on the ''Marc Laidlaw Vault''] on the ValveTime.net Forums</ref> For convenience and consistency, that "1998" will always be replaced by "200-" on the wiki, even with the dates pertaining to Aperture Science.

From Shephard's diary entries: "Another typically hellish day at base camp... I'll be glad when this is over and I can get assigned a mission. There has been [[The G-Man|this really weird civie]] spotted at the base. Rumor is he's from some government branch looking to recruit; others say he's with some secret research group. I would jump at the chance to join. It would be cool just for the change and the adventure."<ref name="Op4 instruction manual">''[[Half-Life: Opposing Force]]'' instruction manual</ref>

From Shephard's diary entries: "I finally saw the government guy today. I am not sure he is a g-man, but he was wearing a really uptight suit and carrying a briefcase. He looked more like a lawyer or insurance agent to me. I did notice him checking me out. Several times throughout the day I spotted him just watching me during training. I wonder what he's up to..."<ref name="Op4 instruction manual">''[[Half-Life: Opposing Force]]'' instruction manual</ref>

From Shephard's diary entries: "For weeks our drills have been the same crap day after day. Today we assemble for the morning run and our drill instructor tells us we have one week to become experts at indoor strategic combat. We will be spending every day this week at the combat simulation facility. As far as I know this a specialized training not taught in boot camp. What I want to know is if this is to test our ability to adapt or if we are being readied for a specific mission? Time will tell..."<ref name="Op4 instruction manual">''[[Half-Life: Opposing Force]]'' instruction manual</ref>

From Shephard's diary entries: "The rumors have been flying since our indoor combat training began. Most of my peers are convinced that we are being primed for a mission. No one can agree on what the mission is. I have heard the name Black Mesa Facility thrown around a lot, but I have no information about the place. The rumors are that some top-secret research is going on there. Doesn't sound too exciting to me..."<ref name="Op4 instruction manual">''[[Half-Life: Opposing Force]]'' instruction manual</ref>

From Shephard's diary entries: "The rumor has been confirmed. We are being trained for a mission at the Black Mesa Facility. All I know is that the place is being used by scientists who are doing some kind of new research. I can't imagine what we would be needed for. We were told today to be ready in case it happens tomorrow. I don't know what "it" is, but the whole thing is a little strange. I kind of hope it doesn't happen; the mission doesn't seem to have much excitement potential. I'd rather hold out for something with more likelihood of combat."<ref name="Op4 instruction manual">''[[Half-Life: Opposing Force]]'' instruction manual</ref>

The untested AI of GLaDOS is activated for the first time as one of the planned activities on Aperture's first annual bring-your-daughter-to-work day. Upon being activated, she almost instantly becomes self-aware, takes control of the [[Aperture Science Enrichment Center|Enrichment Center]], locks everyone inside, and floods the Enrichment Center with a deadly neurotoxin, but is halted when she is quickly fitted with a [[Personality Core|Morality Core]]. She then begins a permanent cycle of testing, aimed at beating Black Mesa in the race to develop functioning portal technology.<ref name="AS">[[ApertureScience.com]]</ref><ref name="GI timeline">[http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/03/24/Aperture-Science_3A00_-A-History.aspx Aperture Science: A History] on Game Informer</ref>

While concluding his work at the [[Wikipedia:University of Innsbruck|University of Innsbruck]], [[Gordon Freeman]] receives a letter from the Black Mesa Office of the Administrator's [[LM]] confirming he is hired, commencing his position immediately but no later than [[#May 15|May 15]].<ref name="HLim">''[[Half-Life]]'' instruction manual</ref>

[[Barney Calhoun]] receives a letter from [[L.M.]] about his May 15 reassignment to Blue Shift.<ref name="HLBSim">''[[Half-Life: Blue Shift]]'' instruction manual</ref>

[[Colette Green]] receives a letter from the Black Mesa Office of the Administrator's [[LM]] saying that sample [[GG-3883]] will replace sample EP-0021.<ref name="HLimPS2">''[[Half-Life]]'' PlayStation 2 instruction manual</ref>

Barney Calhoun is performing a [[retinal scanner|retinal scan]] and has his salary increased. His two-day Security Guard Training is scheduled.<ref name="HLBSim">''[[Half-Life: Blue Shift]]'' instruction manual</ref>

First day of Barney Calhoun's Security Guard Training under [[Miller]]'s [[Holographic Instructor]] counterpart, in [[Sector A Training Facility]]. This is the ''[[Half-Life: Blue Shift|Blue Shift]]'' ''[[Hazard Course (Blue Shift)|Hazard Course]]''.<ref name="HLimPS2">''[[Half-Life]]'' PlayStation 2 instruction manual</ref><ref name="HLBS">''[[Half-Life: Blue Shift]]''</ref>

Second day of Barney Calhoun's Security Guard Training.<ref name="HLBS">''[[Half-Life: Blue Shift]]''</ref>

[[Walter Bennet]] is being instructed by [[Gina Cross]] for an [[Anti-Mass Spectrometer]] Overload Simulation.<ref name="HLimPS2">''[[Half-Life]]'' PlayStation 2 instruction manual</ref>

Colette Green was to be instructed by [[Isaac Kleiner]] for an Anomalous Materials Handling, but it was postponed to June.<ref name="HLimPS2">''[[Half-Life]]'' PlayStation 2 instruction manual</ref>

*[[Barney Calhoun]] is assigned to a 09:00 - 22:00 Blue Shift assignment until [[#August 15|August 15]] and reports at [[Sector C Test Labs#Area 3 Medium Security Facilities and High-Energy Particle Labs|Area 3 Medium Security Facilities]] at 09:00. Other unknown security guards are assigned to Red, Orange, Yellow, Green and Indigo Shifts in specific areas of Sector A, B, and C. For that timespan, the Violet Shift is on standby.<ref name="HLBSim">''[[Half-Life: Blue Shift]]'' instruction manual</ref>

*The latest date as to when Gordon would begin his employment at Black Mesa.<ref name="HLimPS2">''[[Half-Life]]'' PlayStation 2 instruction manual</ref> ''Half-Life 2'' and its episodes implied that Gordon was already working for a time at Black Mesa before the incident: Barney tells Gordon he owes him a [[beer]] and reminds him who he is when first meeting in the City 17 Trainstation, and Alyx tells in the City 17 Underground that Gordon and Barney would compete in the air ducts to get into Kleiner's office whenever he got himself locked out. Dr. Breen describes Gordon's time at Black Mesa as being a "brief tenure."  

[[Gina Cross]] is being instructed by [[Richard Keller]] for a Mark V [[HEV Suit]] Prototype Testing.<ref name="HLimPS2">''[[Half-Life]]'' PlayStation 2 instruction manual</ref>

[[Gordon Freeman]] is being instructed by Gina Cross' hologram counterpart for an [[HEV Suit]] Training in Sector A's [[Training Facility]]. Prior to beginning the training, the scientists monitoring Gordon mention that the sensors in their equipment are not working.<ref name="HLimPS2">''[[Half-Life]]'' PlayStation 2 instruction manual</ref><ref name="HL">''[[Half-Life]]''</ref>

More system crashes occur throughout Black Mesa (the [[security guard]] in the Sector C lobby states he has had a system crash "about 20 minutes ago").<ref name="HL">''[[Half-Life]]''</ref>

Barney Calhoun starts his tram ride from the [[Black Mesa Research Facility#Area 8 Topside Dormitories|Area 8 Topside Dormitories]] at Black Mesa,<ref name="HLBS">''[[Half-Life: Blue Shift]]''</ref> to start his second Blue Shift day at Area 3 Medium Security Facilities in Sector C.<ref name="HLBSim">''[[Half-Life: Blue Shift]]'' instruction manual</ref> He arrives there some time before 9:00.

After his HEV Suit Training, Gordon Freeman starts his tram ride from [[Black Mesa Research Facility#|Level 3 Dormitories]] at Black Mesa. He is 30 minutes late.<ref name="HL">''[[Half-Life]]''</ref>

*The [[Black Mesa Incident]]. Around 9:00, Freeman conducts an experiment on sample [[GG-3883]] in Sector C's [[Anti-Mass Spectrometer]]. The experiment goes wrong and triggers a [[Resonance Cascade]], teleporting [[Xen]] creatures to [[Earth]].<ref name="HL">''[[Half-Life]]''</ref>

*Overnight, Freeman successfully launches the [[rocket]].

*Adrian Shephard and his squad are attacked by [[Alien Craft]]s and their Osprey crashes. As Gordon Freeman fights his way across the surface towards the Lambda Complex, Shephard is left behind (this matches the message addressed to [[Cooper]]). [[Race X]] creatures appear sometime later.

*Freeman defeats the [[Nihilanth]] and frees the [[Vortigaunt]]s. He is then placed in stasis by [[the G-Man]].

*Black Mesa is destroyed by an [[Mark IV Thermonuclear Device|atomic bomb]]. Shephard is also placed in stasis by the G-Man.

Barney Calhoun's Blue Shift was to end on that day.<ref name="HLBSim">''[[Half-Life: Blue Shift]]'' instruction manual</ref> It ended earlier due to the incident.

*[[Portal Storm]]s rage on Earth while [[Xen]] creatures continue to be teleported. The governments and United Nations provide the protection centers located in major cities worldwide.

*The [[Aperture Science Enrichment Center|Aperture Science Enrichment Center]] remains in lockdown, with employees still trapped inside. The number of Aperture Science employees also likely diminishes, until there are only a few of them left.

*The [[Combine]] launches an assault on [[Earth]]. Earth governments and the United Nations enter into war against them. The [[Seven Hour War]] occurs. Earth surrenders to the Combine after seven hours, and Wallace Breen, former Black Mesa Administrator, is appointed Earth Administrator.

*In the [[Aperture Science]] computer-aided [[Enrichment Center]], [[Chell]] is awoken by [[GLaDOS]] who makes her perform seemingly routine tests. However Chell soon learns that the Aperture employees are long dead or escaped, and that GLaDOS is seemingly the only being left in the decaying facility. After much promise of cake at the test's conclusion, Chell is met with an incinerator, which she narrowly escapes, and works her way through the maintenance areas, despite GLaDOS's protests. Eventually, Chell finds [[GLaDOS]]'s control room, and manages to escape death by neurotoxin by detaching GLaDOS's [[Personality Core]]s, and partially destroying her as a result. Chell is forced to the surface by GLaDOS's explosion, only to be dragged away from freedom and back into the facility by the [[Party Escort Bot]]. Unknown to [[Chell]] however, [[GLaDOS]] is still alive.