Seven Hours

Lore & Background

It is known that the Combine occupation of Earth is a brutal totalitarian police state, as depicted in Half-Life 2. The Combine control worlds of various dimensions and that they use transhuman soldiers and Civil Protection to police humanity. The Citadel in City 17 serves as the Combine's headquarters on Earth, and Dr. Wallace Breen acts as Earth's administrator. The Combine are draining Earth's oceans and resources, according to Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar. The suppression field, which prevents human reproduction, is projected by the Citadel.

Reader's Guide

It does not mention the United Nations, the Vortigaunts' subjugation during this specific timeframe, or any negotiation attempts.

Did You Know?

• The Combine's name is a tribute to Ken Kesey's novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which features a collection of authorities that mechanistically manipulate and process individuals.
• The towering Striders seen throughout Half-Life 2 are based directly on the Martian tripods from H. G. Wells' novel The War of the Worlds.
• Combine Advisors, the implied ruling class, have an appearance based on the Guild Navigators from the 1984 film Dune.
• The Combine Overwatch soldier was subjected to at least twelve redesigns before its final appearance was decided.
• Ellen McLain provides the voice for the Combine Overwatch announcer and dispatcher in Half-Life 2 and its subsequent episodes.