City One

Hit most heavily by the initial portal storms, City One is far from a stable location for a city. Constant blackouts, heating implications, xenian infestations trouble the city on a day to day basis; and most of it's population live in small tenements. The resistance in City One is incredibly prevalent, occupying the impassable urban rubble in the heart of the city, with rival factions vying for control of significant locations like 5th Avenue.

The resistance network known as "The Patriots", a handful of Americans that banded together with a hidden stash of firearms are making their presence known. They are mostly seen as terrorists by the Combine occupation forces, but to the citizen; the declaration of independence still lives in the hearts of the people - for their motto: "Freedom shall not be infringed."

The Union has plans to make good use of City One's infrastructure and skyscrapers, but has many hurdles to overcome first. The Empire state building has been completely converted into a lightning harness where energy is transferred to power Combine zones where it is limited. The twin towers memorial, ground zero, remains untouched by the Universal Union.

Before the Seven Hour War, a massive channelling of alien parasites during the Black Mesa Incident had covered most of the world in their endless numbers. New York was the perfect breeding ground. Here, the western reaches of New York holds its breath as zombies manifest these streets in their entirety. East of Manhattan leads into Brooklyn, which is the gateway to the largest zone of New York that is currently covered in the undead. A resistance network named "The Patriot" is also active in the vicinity. North of Harlem, the infected reign in their high numbers. The only hope is to stem the tide by holding the gates of Harlem at all costs. The Jersey Estate is also a position in New York that survived in the Union incursion. This particular zone is under strict quarantine due to concurrent necrotic infestations that cover the Western Quadrant of the city.

Wall Street appears to be a main hub of citizen activity. The once mighty businesses that financially flourished here have been overtaken by the Civil Administration Board. Downtown New York heavily manifests the population of roughly a couple of hundred thousand people. The population often fluctuates. Worst of all is the Statue of Liberty. The shining statue of freedom that it once was is frankly damaged beyond repair, where the ruin still stands broken and decaying. Yet to some, there are whispers that the light of the torch still shines briefly. But by who? How? The Combine? The Patriots? Nobody can know for sure.