Sorry you guys have been having to wait so long for the next chapter, but now that I'm done with school I'll be updating this fanfiction more often. Also, this chapter will be pretty short compared to the others I've done so far but hopefully you'll like it ;)
Chapter 31: Bigrock Area
As soon as the sun rose over Rottenburg, Gerald and Patten were ready to leave to Bigrock. Everyone was tense, but especially Mickey. He couldn't look Patten in the eye as he embraced his cousin one last time. Then Patten got onto Krasnoye, the leader of the Red Army Robins whose bandolier of golden bullets shined in the light of dawn with Gerald sitting in the front. After one last glance, Krasnoye took off. With his wings beating rapidly, the large bird flew over mountains, forests, and canyons which all seemed like a blur from Patten's perspective. It also made him sick, so he dared to not look down too much. Then after several hours of flight, they reached Bigrock which stood out like a lighthouse in an ocean of sand and rocks. The satellite radio tower stood firmly on top the main building despite the visible rust and there was a series of smaller buildings that led right up to a sandstone cliff with a large cave that had mine-carts lined up along a track that ran throughout the Area.
The people below consisted of male and females of the Soldier Class, who upon seeing the Red Army Robin with its passengers circling above them immediately took out their Shovels and Shotguns and pointed them at Krasnoye. To not alarm anyone, Gerald landed the bird in front of the red brick building with the faded logo Mann Co. on it with his hands up as he stepped off Krasnoye. Patten did the same as they were approached by two Soldiers with identical faces and matching BLU uniforms.
"Uh, hello," Gerald said sheepishly. "We have come from Rottenburg and would like to speak to the Sergeant."
"We have you surrounded, at least from this side!" shouted one of the Soldiers. "Now give me one good reason why I should let you speak to the Sergeant, Herr Doktor."
"Gray Mann's Robot Army may be on the move, and the Sergeant must know about it."
"The Sergeant won't see anyone at the moment as he is still grieving over his son Benjamin's death." The Soldier paused briefly. "Besides, we know Gray Mann's forces are coming this way already. In fact, our forces are currently fighting Robots that appeared at the Lakeside Base a few days ago."
"Lakeside. That isn't too far from here," Gerald muttered to himself. "Tell me, how are the Soldiers faring there?"
"Not too good, I'm afraid. Captain Franklin sent a message claiming that most of his men are dead and he has decided to retreat for the time-being."
"And who is Captain Franklin?"
"The Sergeant's younger son and now the heir to Bigrock. His latest message said that he should be arriving soon."
The sound of a Bugle interrupted the Soldiers as everyone rushed to the cave where the noise was coming from. As the two Soldiers left to manage the crowd, Gerald and Patten used this opportunity to enter the main building. Inside, they were greeted by two other Soldiers at the Upgrade Station, whom they told the same story to and from there they were taken up two flights of stairs towards a large office. Inside, the room was decorated in war posters, medals, and opposite the main door stood a large rectangular desk occupied by a single Soldier who wore a faded RED uniform with a grisly white beard and mutton chops while he held the broken Bugle that belonged to Benjamin in his hands.
"Sergeant Donathan," one of the Soldiers said as he saluted. "Gerald the White and Patten the Scout are here to see you."
"Gerald the White?" the bearded Soldier muttered, looking up. "I thought it was Gerald the Red."
"It's a long story, Sergeant," Gerald replied.
Donathan looked back at the broken Bugle, made an audible tsk sound and said, "Well what do you want? To remind me that my son's body is buried at a goddamn dam?"
"I was not present when it happened so there was nothing I could do, but you must not let grief consume you. The Soldiers told me Lakeside has been taken and it won't be long before the Robot Army marches here."
"You think I don't know that?" Donathan snapped. "I'm well aware Lakeside has been taken by those walking tin-cans, and so I'm going to take it back."
"But your son has just arrived. You can't force him to go back there at this point! That would be suicide."
"And who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do? This is my world. You are not welcome in my world. Now get out before I crack some skulls around here!"
"Please don't make Gerald go!" Patten pleaded. "He's only trying to help! I'll…I'll work for you under the Mercenary Oath!"
Both Gerald and Donathan looked at Patten with surprise. Then Donathan put the broken Bugle on his desk and marched over to Patten. Once he was in front of Patten, Donathan leaned down till Patten bent over and said, "What did you say?"
"I'll work for you under the Mercenary Oath if you let Gerald stay here," Patten said nervously, then he glanced up at Gerald. "He's said what he wanted to say, right, Gerald?"
After a brief pause, Gerald nodded. "I belief so."
Donathan looked between the two Mercenaries and then he put his beefy hand on Patten's shoulder. "Very well. You two may stay here for as long as you like. But if you try to get in my way again, I'll have you thrown out the minute I hear about it. Do you understand that?"
"Yes, sir." Gerald and Patten saluted and then Patten stayed behind while Gerald left.
End of Chapter 31