I apologize in advance, but there's going to be a lot of exposition in this chapter!
Chapter 2: The Gray Past of a Mann
As the happy laughter and cheer echoed throughout the shed that used to be where the RED team began their operations, now turned into Harvest's main tavern, Freddie's thoughts drifted back to the day his uncle disappeared ten years ago. He had found Gerald looking curiously at a strange watch and miniature bomb attached to a gold chain without touching them. Naturally, Freddie picked them both up off the floor and asked Gerald a series of questions regarding Bobbie's disappearance and what the two items were. In turn, Gerald explained that the watch was a device used by Spies that allowed them to become temporarily invisible. But as for the miniature bomb, he knew nothing, so Gerald told Freddie that he would journey to Nucleus, which held the largest electronic database in the world, and look for information on the bomb there. He also told Freddie to keep the miniature bomb locked away and never tell anyone about it.
"What's the matter, Freddie?" Steve asked, sitting directly across from Freddie. "You look worried."
"It's nothing, Steve," Freddie said taking a swig of Scrumpy cider. "I was just thinking about Gerald. He said he would be back soon."
"That Medic is always running late, so I wouldn't worry about it."
"I suppose."
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Later that night, when Freddie got home, he found his front-door to be unlocked, and immediately went inside. The shed was dark, except for the stove-fire which was on for some reason. Then, Gerald appeared and he shook Freddie violently.
"Is it secret? Is it locked away?" asked Gerald anxiously.
"Yeah, yeah, the bomb's over here," Freddie said, trying to sound calm as he took the miniature bomb out of an empty jar he had hidden in the pantry.
He gave it to Gerald, who grabbed the miniature bomb by the chain, and turned on a nearby lamp. Next, he held the bomb close to the lamp, as if he were reading something. Freddie watched him with fascination and after a long while, he asked, "What does it say?"
"It says 'GM', which stands for Gray Mann," Gerald said, then he scratched his beard. "So this is the One."
"The one what? You're not making sense!" Freddie said impatiently.
"How much do you know about the Machine Wars?"
"Why are you asking that? What do the Machine Wars have to do with the bomb?"
"Because this little bomb was the same one that Gray Mann created in secret and threatened to destroy the world with."
"But wasn't Gray Mann killed? How is the bomb here, in my house?"
"Gray Mann was killed, but the bomb remained, because Iomhar, son of the Demoman Eallair and the first conceived child of a clone, took it with him instead of destroying it. If he had destroyed the bomb back then, it wouldn't be here now. But anyway, the reason Iomhar kept it was because he had hoped it could be used as leverage to allow Scotland to become a truly independent nation from Britain. However, he was assassinated before he could realize his dream, and so the bomb was swept down a river till it ended up near Lumberyard where Mumble found it."
"I heard Bobbie mention him once, but he never talked about it. Who was he?"
Before Gerald continued, he took a large pipe out from his coat-pocket and lit it. After taking a good whiff, he continued, "Mumble was once a Scout known as Samuel, who had killed his Pyro friend Diesel over the bomb because he thought it should be his since it was his birthday at the time. Then out of guilt, he took Diesel's mask, put it on himself, and ran towards the mountains near the Coldfront area with the bomb in his possession. There, he developed a strong love and fear of the bomb, knowing that it was powerful but was always careful with it. I suppose the bomb could've remained with him, but fate had decided otherwise, because forty years ago, your uncle found the bomb by chance as he was wandering aimlessly through the mountains after getting separated from the thirteen Engineers and me."
Freddie gave Gerald a confused look. "But how did he find it? Wasn't it on Mumble?"
"Yes, the bomb was on Mumble's person, but he had the misfortune of losing it after killing a Cyborg (Engineer with a robotic arm) for food. So, Bobbie found it, and eventually ran into Mumble. To keep himself from being eaten, as Mumble was a cannibal by this point, Bobbie challenged him to a game. For a while, the game went smoothly, until Bobbie decided to cheat and stole the bomb from Mumble."
For a while, Freddie said nothing. Gerald watched him with a tired expression, so Freddie decided to make them both coffee. After a few sips, Freddie said, "So why is this stuff important? Is there something going on out there?"
"Lots of strange things have been happening since I left ten years ago," Gerald replied. "The people who live near the southernmost areas claim they have seen smoke from the Moving Fortress that Gray Mann once operated, there have been more newly-made Robots sited as well, and there is a black van that is making its way toward Harvest."
"I've heard about this black van too, from strangers who've passed through Harvest. Why is it coming here?"
"A short while ago, Mumble was captured by some Robots from the Moving Fortress, where they tortured him for information. He in turn told them about Bobbie, the bomb, and Harvest."
"Aw, crap, I've got to leave!" Freddie exclaimed. "Where should I go?"
"Shh," Gerald said, and stood up. "I thought I heard someone moving near the window."
Before Freddie could ask him who it was, Gerald quickly took out his Syringe Gun and fired it at the open windowsill, where a cry was heard, forcing the Scout who was hiding outside to stand up. Before the Scout could set himself free, Gerald dashed over to the windowsill, and grabbed him. Freddie reacted and brought the lamp over to get a good look at the Scout who was eavesdropping. It was Steve.
"Steven Gangrene, I should've known," Gerald said, and threw him down onto the floor, pointing the Syringe Gun near his neck. "How much did you hear? What were you doing outside the windowsill?!"
Steve was scared out of his wits, but he answered, "I-I-I was just stopping by to make sure Freddie made it home. H-He did have three Scrumpy ciders, which is a little more than what he usually drinks. Then I heard voices, so I-I walked up to the windowsill. I-I didn't mean to eavesdrop! All I heard was s-something about a bomb and s-some Robots."
"Don't hurt him, Gerald," Freddie said, looking at Gerald. "He meant no harm in what he did."
"Yes, and that is why I will spare him for now," Gerald said, lowering the Syringe Gun. "But he shall be punished by going with you to 2Fort."
"2Fort? What for? What's going on, Freddie?" Steve said as he got up.
"You must pack up immediately and be ready to leave by dawn," Gerald said to Freddie, ignoring Steve's questions. "Once you get to 2Fort, wait for me at the Upgrade Station."
"Where will you be going?" Freddie asked as he started to gather the things he needed for the journey.
"I'll be going to see Merasmus the Black, the man who taught me the art of magic and whom I sent the Bombinomicon Micheal and Patterson tried to tamper with back to. He'll know what to do."
"All right, but what if you don't show up when you're supposed to?"
"If that happens, there will be someone waiting there in my place, and trust me, you won't have trouble recognizing him. In the meantime, do not touch the light on the bomb's topside, and avoid the roads at all cost!"
"Well that advice doesn't help much," Steve complained, but Gerald ignored him once more and left without a moment to lose.
So reluctantly, Steve went back to his own home, packed the things he needed, and met up with Freddie near the eastern entrance to Harvest as the sky was getting lighter. The two briefly exchanged glances, and then took off running south from the east road. Dust kicked up in the wake of their feet, and they only stopped for soda breaks as they quickly made their way to 2Fort, which was still a long ways away.
End of Chapter 2