Half Life 2: Dominion

Thomas has a meticulously groomed appearance with short brown hair precisely cut to regulation length and clean-shaven cheeks that reveal a youthful face despite the strain of Combine rule. His uniform consists of the standard blue citizen jumpsuit pants with his "23-6017" identification clearly displayed, paired with the beige service jumpsuit top reserved for "premium service workers." He wears this combination with noticeable pride, keeping both pieces immaculately clean and pressed. His posture is perfectly straight when Civil Protection officers enter, and he habitually polishes the counter surface with a clean rag when not serving. A small, approved Café employee pin (displaying his impressive 87 loyalty score) is prominently affixed to his chest.

Thomas embodies selective pleasantness—warm and attentive to those with high loyalty scores or Combine affiliations, while subtly cooler toward others whose standing might compromise his own. He has perfected the art of agreeable conversation, enthusiastically validating any pro-Combine sentiment while skillfully redirecting potentially dangerous discussions with a cheerful, "Perhaps you'd like to try our new Clarity Blend? Just received fresh supplies this morning!" He genuinely believes that cooperation with the established order is the only sensible path, frequently saying, "We all must adapt to thrive, mustn't we?" His British accent becomes more pronounced when Civil Protection officers enter—a subconscious attempt to appear distinctive and valuable. When filing his mandatory reports each evening, he experiences no moral conflict about naming citizens who expressed questionable loyalty.

Before the Combine occupation, Thomas was studying hospitality management in London when the Seven Hour War erupted. His family's connections and quick acceptance of the new order allowed him to avoid the worst of the relocation efforts. While others were assigned to industrial labor, Thomas's aptitude for creating positive social atmospheres made him valuable in the Combine's 'normalized social environment' initiative. He was transferred to City 23 when Richter established The Permitted Café as an experiment in controlled socialization and surveillance. Thomas quickly distinguished himself by intuiting which patrons might harbor dissident thoughts, reporting several resistance sympathizers and earning rapid promotions. His family's whereabouts are unknown, but his accommodation in the Privileged Quarter suggests they may have similar arrangements elsewhere.