Rock Creek Bridge

**XP Reward**:  ?
 **Block Bucks Reward**:  ?
 **Blocks Reward**:  ?

**Rock Creek Bridge** is a unique Grade 3 mission assigned by GeoCorp. This mission is added in version 1.3.3.

## Synopsis

GeoCorp finds out that the access to Rock Creek Bridge has been blocked and wants the player to find out what was happening. They also demand the bridge to be cleared so everyone else can use it again. The culprit, Wing-Nut, refuses to bulge and gives the player one choice - A payment of 100,000 BB, supposedly compensation for his maintenance fees. Depending on player choice, Wing-Nut is either bribed and leaves, or is defeated, clearing the bridge.

## Strategies

### The Easy Way Out

Bribing one's way out of this mission isn't difficult, as selling Erudite is one of the fastest ways to earn money, not to mention that 100,000 Block Bucks values little this late into the game.

However, while bribing him allows the mission to be cleared with terrifying ease, one would effectively forfeit a guaranteed opportunity for several powerful blocks - which would cost far more than 100,000 to acquire, not to mention the invaluable tactical advantages they may offer.

Another somewhat hidden strategy can be executed by a simple, fast-moving tech. As soon as one goes beyond the line, quickly drive off the bridge and into the canyon below. Wing-Nut will likely follow and his control block will self-destruct once it goes any lower than the bridge's surface, defeating him instantly. This method, however, destroys a significant share of valuable Wing-Nut's parts, and is therefore not recommended if one wishes to collect them.

### All Guns Blazing

Wing-Nut is a powerful opponent. He is equipped with 4 Hawkeye HG1 Cannon Turrets, 4 Mk3 Battleship cannons, as well as 4 GeoCorp Excavators. He does not have any active power blocks nor any homing weapons save for those DFA mortars, which are of little threat. However, this also makes a frontal assault difficult. Fortunately, he will only turn hostile upon crossing the line, leaving players with ample preparation time.

Since his firepower is enormous but doesn't have quite the coverage, one can theoretically build a tech that is light enough to get to the sides or behind him (small 2-cell high techs would be able to avoid the cannons), then add some other weapon blocks to slowly chip him while constantly compensating his rotation with additional movement inputs (adding a compact melee or ranged weapon, such as a drill or a Better Future FS laser, can be of great assistance here. Avoid weapons with splash damage as this might destroy some of the valuable blocks). From there, the fight should be easy. Once his explosive core is exposed, destroy it to finish him off. As long as he does not fall off the bridge, you can salvage most of him intact.

Aerial techs, be it a helicopter, plane, or hovercraft, can play it safe as Wing-Nut lacks proper engagement against flying targets. The Battleship guns can only hit ahead of him, the Excavators are melee range, the mortars barely do anything at all, and the HG1 Cannons take too long to rotate or fire while also having coverage issues.

## Trivia

* This mission cannot be cancelled due to it spawning specific, permanent terrain structures.
	+ The bridge itself has GSO's emblem and color scheme, implying that it was formerly maintained by GSO until GeoCorp took over. In the process, the bridge presumably went under their surveillance. However, from how Wing-Nut seized it for himself, it seems that they were either not in firm hold of the bridge either or Wing-Nut had his advantages.
	+ Considering that Wing-Nut is made of mostly GeoCorp blocks and also gives GeoCorp XP when destroyed, it would be safe to assume his act of taking the bridge and betraying GeoCorp.
	+ GeoCorp appears to be monitoring the situation, as they respond once Wing-Nut is bribed/destroyed, contrary to how they claim confusion in the mission briefing (They stated that they only know someone was blocking off the bridge's access and did not appear to tell how or why it was blocked), and are apparently unable to deal with Wing-Nut on their own. This implies Wing-Nut has enough leverage to block GeoCorp intervention, forcing them to hire a mercenary.
* It is the earliest opportunity to gain access to the Hawkeye Mk3 Battleship Cannon and the HG 1 Cannon turret even before the player can even have their Hawkeye license.
* GeoCorp's post-mission quote will change depending on if Wing-Nut falls off the bridge or not. If he does, they will say "He fell off the bridge". Otherwise, they will say "The Bridge is Clear!"
* It is the first case where a tech's control blocks can self-destruct. The second is the Bomber Command mission.
* Once the fee is paid, Wing-Nut says that he'll have to tell Mike. It is unknown who this "Mike" is, though he may be referring to Crafty Mike, who is a known con artist.
	+ This piece of dialogue wasn't added until some time after the mission's release, however.