That one theory about the Citadel being alive. I remember hearing about this and it still genuinely intrigues me. There's a theory that talks about the Citadel, even in the leaks, being some sort of large eldritch creature or organism turned base by the Combine. The most common claims to prove this theory are the yellow pipes with veins, it's moving 'ribs', and the strange sounds it emits inside. As for the leak version it mainly involves the strange organic looking structures, the way it looks and how it moves. But even since the reveal of HLA this has been debunked as the citadel is just a regular metallic structure. But what do you guys think, you think it's possible that there is some sort of living element to the citadel? I know that the alive part would most likely be in the leak. (The oldest post I can find of the theory, I remember seeing it discussed in youtube comments too.) reddit.com/r/HalfLife/comments/e…
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I’m sure the technology was acquired by another species a long time ago to build these Citadels. While I do believe it’s just a metallic structure internally and externally, many of the organic parts you see may be in fact be for system critical components that use flesh, or as means for transporting organic material for the production of Synths.
I like this idea. Another theory I have in mind is that these tubes and such are apart of a dismembered beast and they use said pieces as electricity or a source of energy much like the core.
An interesting idea given how much of the Combine’s weaponry are living creatures (Striders, Gunships, Dropships etc). On the other hand they also have plenty of mechanical stuff too (APCs, Scanners, Walls). I think it’s mechanical.
It's entirely possible that the Combine use the removed nervous system of some gargantuan creature whose planet they overtook to make the complex wiring and piping and structure of the Citadel installed after the base structure.
Very interesting theory !