SHORT STORY

Pauling's Punishment (Part Two)


Fernando had to hide in Mann Co.'s industrial realm, as he didn't want to risk being seen by any of the mercenaries. He hid in a corner, where it was almost pitch black. He waited for a few more hours before several minutes after midnight had already passed. At this time, Fernando expected his son and his companions to do their job right. He brandished his pump-action shotgun and made sure that it was fully loaded. He listened closely for any faint movement in the distance. Absolute silence had dominated Pipeline. Even the crickets stopped chirping. He could see that, up above, the crescent moon had been partially obscured by a thin blanket of clouds. He took a deep breath. He was now ready to take the first stage of vengeance.

He ventured through the Heart of the Factory. As he snuck past the basin below the railroad tracks, he gazed at every direction for any potential enemies. So far, he couldn't see any mercenaries from both RED and BLU. In fact, however, he didn't even see the RED Spy sneaking from behind because of his invisibility. Fernando made his way to the entrance of the RED barracks, until he immediately stopped moving his legs. He had an uneasy feeling that someone was watching him. He turned around just as Spy stopped walking. And now, they stood right facing each other, only that Fernando didn't know anything about Spy's invisibility. With his Butterfly Knife in his hand, Spy readied himself for swift action. Fernando's suspicion grew tremendously as he thought he could hear someone breathing. He slowly turned around, and that was when Spy turned off his invisibility and raised his Knife. Fernando made a quick decision. He turned back, dropped his shotgun, and grabbed Spy by the arm. The two began to fight each other with fists and knees. Fernando punched Spy in the torso, causing the Frenchman to take a few steps back. Fernando picked up his shotgun and pointed the barrel at his enemy's face. Spy brandished his revolver, but he couldn't pull the trigger in time. Fernando had fired a single round that led to the complete disfiguration of Spy's face. The Frenchman collapsed on the floor, lifeless for now. Fernando ran away, knowing that he had just set off an alarming presence in Pipeline.

A few seconds later, Spy respawned and exited the barracks. He readjusted his tie as he raced off to the bedrooms, warning the other mercenaries of an intruder.

The sirens howled all across Mann Co's terrain. The RED team gathered their weapons in their locker room.

As he loaded his Automatic Shotgun, Bodyguard blurted, "I do not understand! Why would an intruder try to attack us when the battles ended six hours ago?"

Sniper collected bullets for his Rifle. "Spy said that it's not from the BLU Team. It must be someone from outside of Mann Co., but he doesn't know who. Regardless, we have to find him. He could be a secret agent or something of that sort."

Engineer put on his helmet. "And it's just one person. It's not like he's the equivalent of Saxton Hale."

Sniper added, "We can only hope."

Demoman, Engineer, and Sniper defended the base. The rest of the RED mercenaries separated as they searched every stair, every corridor, and every crevice in Pipeline. This would give them a bigger chance at seizing the trespasser. In just a few minutes, several teammates from different locations had found an intruder of their own. They presumed them to be who they were looking for. But they couldn't be more wrong. The men that they had chased were Fernando's men. They became distractions for the RED team while he headed for the maintenance room. There, Miss Pauling loaded her revolver and waited for news regarding the capture of whoever had roamed around Mann territory without the Administrator's approval. Fernando snuck across the hallway that connected to the Maintenance Room. The front windowless door was closed.

He thought of turning the doorknob, but he imagined it becoming a trap set by Miss Pauling. He waited until he could hear footsteps in the other side of the door.

Suddenly, he could hear a recognizable voice.

"Don't even think about it! I'm armed, and I'm not afraid to strike you down!"

Miss Pauling pointed the barrel of her revolver to the doorknob. She waited until it would turn. Then, she would at least try to get a few shots at the hand that belonged to the intruder.

Fernando couldn't risk it. He walked backwards and headed outside, right on the battlements of the terminal.

Miss Pauling waited for a few more minutes before she could no longer believe that someone stood right at the door. With the revolver still in her hand, she turned the doorknob and looked out the other side. The hallway was empty.

Fernando waited in the darkness. He knew that if Miss Pauling revealed herself outside, his son would know what to do. It didn't take long for the woman to exit the Maintenance Room. She appeared careful and precise. Fernando remembered her very well.

He placed his shotgun on the floor and took a few steps forward, from out of the shadows. He revealed himself with his hands raised at shoulder level as Miss Pauling turned around and raised her revolver.

The Guatemalan man narrowed his eyes as he murmured, "Do you remember me, Miss Pauling?"

At that exact moment, something pierced through the woman's skin. She suddenly began to feel lethargic. She discovered what looked like a tranquilizer dart that was struck on her shoulder. Fernando looked up to see his eighteen-year-old son standing on the rooftop with a rifle in his hands. Miss Pauling tried to use her revolver against Fernando, but she collapsed on the floor as she lost consciousness.

Fernando picked up his shotgun and placed it in the holster behind his back. He picked up Miss Pauling in his arms and walked away from the battlements with his son following from behind a few seconds later.

Meanwhile, Fernando's companions had barely escaped from the RED mercenaries. They departed from Mann's domain just in time to join their leader. Right at the front entrance to Pipeline, a total of four cars arrived and parked in a brief moment, giving the intruders enough time to jump inside. Fernando brought the unconscious Miss Pauling inside one of the automobiles. They all drove off into the night, but not before Sniper and Femme Fatale caught a glimpse of the disappearing vehicles. The two of them stood right at the front entrance.

Femme Fatale asked, "What are we waiting for? Let's go after them."

Sniper walked back to Pipeline with the Sri Lankan woman following from behind. "We can't risk it, Victoria. We don't have a respawn system outside of Mann territory."

"But they have Miss Pauling! We have to go after them."

"It's too late. There won't be enough time to follow them once we take the Ford Broncos. We have to wait for the Administrator's approval."

"I don't think we'll have time to even hear her speak."


The RED mercenaries gathered in the lower basin of the Heart of the Factory. They waited for the Administrator's arrival, but with bitter impatience. Weatherman walked around in circles as he said, "We're just wasting our time. Why can't we just chase these intruders?"

Sniper replied, "We told you already. We can't leave this place because of the lack of a respawn system. And we have to wait until the Administrator gives us direct orders."

"Who would take Miss Pauling away from us?"

Spy examined his revolver. "The man looked Hispanic. He could be from the lower Americas, like Miguel."

Weatherman added, "He must have a personal grudge against the woman or something."

"It is a very good possibility, but we can't be too sure of it."

The Native American man grunted. "What's taking her so long?"

Sniper cleared his throat. "She's already here, mate."

The Administrator had arrived, but she wasn't alone. A middle-aged Caucasian man with a moustache and a casual business suit stood right alongside her.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I like you to meet Rolf Marcussen."

Marcussen waved his hand, but the mercenaries gave a silent response.

Femme Fatale asked, "Do you know what just happened a few minutes ago?"

Administrator nodded. "Yes, I am aware of it. That is why this man is here."

Scout felt a little confused. "Who is he, anyway?"

Marcussen answered that question with a mild accent and in a casual manner. "I happen to be Miss Pauling's ex-husband."

The RED mercenaries gave brief whispers.

Marcussen continued, "I know the man who has just taken her away."

Rocketeer remarked, "I hope he's not some kind of cannibal."

"Actually, I know the man personally. You see, his name is Fernando and he is from Guatemala."

Engineer scratched his head. "What the hell is he doing all the way here?"

Marcussen replied, "He's madman. He thinks he can get what he wants by playing a little game with me."

Weatherman grew even more curious than before. "What have you done to make him angry?"

"There is not time for me to explain. We must work together to bring back the Administrator's assistant."

"I think we just wasted our opportunity. We don't even know where Fernando and his men drove off to."

"But I do. I know Fernando well enough to see that he won't be leaving California anytime soon. He'll be staying here in the Central Valley. It's likely that he'll be heading north to Fresno."

"How do you know this?"

"As I said before, I know him very well. Now, please, we must act now. A rescue mission is imminent."

Demoman blurted, "But we might die out there. There is no respawn anywhere but here."

Rolf Marcussen gave the Administrator an inquisitive glance. Administrator replied, "It's quite complicated, really."

Marcussen muttered, "I see. Anyway, who would like to volunteer?"

Weatherman raised his hand. "I'll go."

Engineer added, "Count me in as well."

In just a few seconds, Weatherman, Engineer, Sniper, Outlaw, Femme Fatale, Spy, and Bodyguard had volunteered for their brand new objective of the night.

Marcussen gave a grin. "Good, this is enough to defeat Fernando and his men. That is, if you do your job properly."

Bodyguard brandished his Automatic Shotgun. "Do not worry, Mr. Marcussen. We will not let you down."

Outlaw still felt skeptical. "But what about respawn?"

Administrator replied, "You will not have to worry about permanent death. All you have to do is defend yourself against gunfire."

Weatherman carried his Lightning Launcher as he said, "Okay, Mr. Marcussen, where exactly do you think Fernando is going?"

Marcussen rubbed his hands together. "I have a feeling that the man knows much about farming."

TO BE CONTINUED...