Yeah, he figured it'd be hard to parse. Hell, Gordon himself barely comprehends it.

"No, It's not the Combine. These guys didn't like nihilanth as a threat, and they didn't like the Combine either, but I can't tell you what their actual motive is. I've never actually seen any of 'em save for the guy in the suit; hell, I don't even know what to CALL them.

I do know one thing, though. They can't interfere directly; that's why they get their hands on guys like me."