Overwatch AU. A story taking place 7 years ago from the main Overwatch timeline however instead of the Kings Row Uprising of the Null Sector extremists lasting for 28 days – it has lasted for nearly 2 months. Jack Morrison and Ana Amari tried their best to send out their formed strike team of Reinhardt, Mercy, Torbjörn and Tracer, however the British Government has convinced the UN that Overwatch would be an interference and has placed severe sanctions and observations on their every move.
This AU doesn't follow Overwatch – but instead follows its covert operations counterpart, what would happen when Overwatch was rendered useless and prohibited from taking part in any intervention, watching as one of the world's prized modern city's burn to the ground?
9:37am, Overwatch Swiss Headquarters
Morrison looked outside his office window, UN Military police had kept their gaze on every entrance, every compound and every depot they had. What Tracer said to him earlier gave him every reason to dispatch her and the strike team to Kings Row – but orders are orders.
The graying commander placed a finger on the communications tablet on his desk.
"Ana…call them off. They're not going."
"What? Jack! You of all people should know that the people of Kings Row need us now! More than ever! People are dying!"
"I know Ana! But we can't risk the severity of our current situation to worsen, Overwatch will be persecuted for breaking the legislation of the United Nations!"
"Jack…Commander…You don't seem to realise that if you don't send out Reinhardt and the others, Kings Row will fall – and the hostages will all die!"
Jack leaned back against his chair and let out a frustrated sigh. She was right, he knew she was right. But what could he do? One step outside the Headquarters and they can be persecuted of going against legislation and the authority of the UN, one glimpse of militaristic activity and boom, Overwatch will be forever ruined in both name and reliability.
"Ana…the strike team will not be leaving the premises. As Reyes said, though as sarcastic as he may be – the British government would have to control it themselves."
"You have no idea what you are doing…Commander. Captain Amari, out."
The call ended and Jack was left broken, it was for the best – Overwatch needed to remain a beacon in this world, the sacrifice of lives would have to be necessary, for the sake of the survival of Overwatch. Morrison sat up from his chair and left his office, walking down the empty halls and towards his quarters. He needed sleep. This whole charade has lasted for too long for him to actually care anymore.
11:23am, Overwatch Swiss Headquarters
"You're certain he's ready for the field?"
One of the Blackwatch scientists nodded, "Certain commander. His vitals are stable, his speed, his stamina, his strength – it's nothing like we've ever seen before commander."
Reyes placed a hand over his chin, his eyes looking forward as the cybernetic ninja infront of him was displayed infront of him – the cyborg's limbs were held in place by metallic restraints, machines were carefully adjusting the plates and cybernetics against the man's limbs.
"Shimada…hmph. A useful weapon." Reyes turned to another scientist, "When is the full set ready?"
The scientist responded, "It isn't ready commander – we'd need another two weeks in order to refine his armour."
"We don't have two weeks Doctor. I guess we'll just have to make do with what we have."
"Commander. You aren't seriously suggesting that we send him out in his current status. His left shoulder and heart are completely exposed to-"
"Have the cybernetic enhancements been installed into his system yet?"
"Y-yes commander, since yesterday – but I advise you that he isn't read-"
"Then that's good enough for me. He can take care of himself in the field. Inform the depot that we'll need a ship. I'm taking the Shimada with me, and no one else – it would be suspicious if we dispatched an entire squad accompanying me now wouldn't it?"
As the Blackwatch Commander left the room, the quiet chatter amongst the scientists erupted across the room.
"Is he seriously going to Kings Row?"
"Why is the commander bothered?"
"That cyborg isn't ready…"
"What's the purpose?"
Yet all these questions were yet to be answered – the one true holder of those answers was making his way to the across the Overwatch Headquarters and towards the depot. The problem that went through Reyes' mind were the UN military police that surrounded their headquarters – they sure knew how to keep an area sanctioned. Luckily for Reyes, Blackwatch had its own way around the premises.
Gabriel tapped his earpiece – issuing an order, "Transport Genji inside the ship quietly, we don't want Jack, Overwatch or the UN to notice what we're doing. And tell McCree to rendezvous in the subway tunnels. This 'Uprising' has gone on long enough."
Gabriel ended the call and headed towards the depot where the Blackwatch hovership was prepped and Genji was transported inside – he was still temporarily 'shut down' and his cybernetics were still being worked on by mechanical devices. He stopped at the entrance of the drop ship where two Blackwatch soldier's stood at attention.
"You sure you don't want a few more guys to tag along with you boss?" One of the soldiers asked.
"Yeah commander, ain't it a bit risky to send you out to the fray?" Another remarked.
Gabriel merely shook his head and smirked, "I know you boys are itching for a fight – but that time will come sooner than you think. But for now – ninja boy in there is all the help I will need."
And with that, the Blackwatch commander embarked on the ship with the cyborg ninja across him. The ship's engines stirred, the secret exit opened.
"Kings Row pilot…and make it quick." Reyes said sharply towards the cockpit.
"Copy that commander. Systems are green, ready for launch."
The ship took off with detrimental speed. The secret entrance closed as soon as the ship left its mouth. Overwatch Swiss Headquarters and the UN had no chance of discovering what Blackwatch's actions were doing – nor did they have the chance to catch up now. It was too late to stop them:
Overwatch Archives, Records analysis: Blackwatch interference – AKA. Blackwatch Operation:Authority has begun.
Morrison kept denying the incoming calls from Reinhardt and Tracer – both of them knew what was at stake, that the city was slowly burning to the ground and the survivors of the uprising were getting killed or injured. But the Strike Commander shook his head and shut down his systems immediately – permanently ignoring the pleads of his subordinates.
A knock came at his door – a voice crying from behind it, "Jack! Open up! You can't ignore that the situation is detrimental! People are dying Jack!"
Morrison opened the door and peered from inside, Ana was accompanied by Tracer ( she was quick…too quick) in her full cadet uniform, ready for her first mission. Jack swung open the door fully and sighed.
"My decision is final. Ana I told you to abolish the operation."
"But commander…" Tracer said in an innocent tone, "This is my home we're talking about here. I can't just sit idly by and do nothing about it while it crashes and burns."
"I'm sorry Tracer. The UN's authority is final – and the British Government doesn't even want us there anyway."
Ana scowled and crossed her arms, "Listen to me Jack, I know it's your decision in the end. But you have to understand, lives are at stake."
Morrison was just about to respond before he intercepted a call through his earpiece.
"Hang on a second…" He tapped his earpiece, "Commander Morrison…"
"…"
"…"
"What?!"
Jack, Ana and Tracer walked towards the Blackwatch sector of the premises – bursting through, Jack walked up to one of the soldier's and grabbed him by the collar.
"Where's Reyes?!"
The soldier shrugged, "I'm not sure 'Commander'. He just said he was going to take a walk."
"That's bullshit! I demand an answer!"
"Look 'Commander'. You might be the leader of Overwatch and all – but in reality, you aren't exactly the Commander of Blackwatch are you?"
Jack looked around – the black breastplated soldier's looked back at him with cold stares. He had no authority over the covert ops of Overwatch, they ultimately answered to Reyes alone – they offered him that much respect.
Jack let go of the soldier's collar, he was going to approach this another direction but Winston and Mercy came in behind them with worried looks on their faces.
"Commander!" Mercy exclaimed, "Genji…he's…he's gone!"
Morrison looked back with widened eyes – the whole situation turned into a roller-coaster of dysfunctional options.
"He's not in his quarters – nor is he in the training and evaluation sector!"
Jack looked forward again. The Blackwatch soldier's slowly turned around and carried on – even in the presence of Overwatch's commander. Their loyalty lies with the man who offered them a second chance.
Soon another transmission came through Morrison's earpiece.
"Commander…we've just received a departure."
"What? When?"
"Ten minutes ago sir – they're heading towards Kings Row, it's a confirmed Blackwatch hovership."
Jack slowly looked back at Ana, Tracer, Mercy and Winston. Nothing but a shocked expression was written over his face. His mouth uttering chilling words.
"Gabriel…what did you do?"
"Should I alert the UN, commander?"
"Negative!" Morrison immediately replied with a stern tone, "We're just going to have to let it go."
If the UN receives word of Reyes' departure, then not only will Blackwatch be shut down – but Overwatch with it.
"Tracer…Ana. It looks like you two can relax. 'Overwatch' is there to help." Morrison said grudgingly as he held his hands behind his back and walked out of Blackwatch's sector and left towards his quarters.