Delorisa Inn, Front Entrance
Echo-10 walked out of the inn towards his team. Echo-9 had picked up a lead that lead them straight to the Delorisa Inn, in a lower-class district of Numbani. Unfortunately for Echo Unit, they missed their targets. According to the Inn keeper, the Michaels checked out of their room less than two hours prior to Echo's arrival, after staying there for a good four days.
Echo-1 was antsy. He wants the two brothers and he wants them now. The disgruntled captain had not been able to get over the humiliating failure he and his team received at the hands of their objectives. He wanted to personally put a bullet in each of their heads, then dump their bodies out in the wild to be eaten by lions.
He spotted Echo-10 approaching, his sense of anticipation grew with each step the other man took. Once he was close enough that they were sure no one would hear them, Echo-1 spoke up.
"They in there?" He was anxious and his voice showed it. He really wanted them dead.
"Not anymore. The old man in there said they checked out two hours ago." Echo-10 reported.
The captain grunted loudly in frustration. 'Dammit! Lucky bastards!' he thought, then turned to Echo-8 with a glare.
"What took you so long to crack that signal!?" He demanded loudly of his subordinate.
"Sir, the signal was complex and the one I scanned off the elevator system was little more than residue." The tech explained himself.
It did little to alleviate the frustrated captain. "Echo-8, are you telling me that this is gonna happen every single time we get a lead?"
Echo-8 smiled. "No. sir! It's only a one-time deal. It was a direct signal this time, and now that I cracked it, next time we'll get instant results."
Echo-1 began to come around.
"Is that so?" He asked.
"Yup. What's even better than that, each time we scan their signal, we gain a more potent sample size. This will make finding them easier each time we do."
"Meaning?"
"Next hit will give us enough of a sample size to do a live scan. This means I can scan the signal directly and not search through networks and what not. The hit after that, we'll be able to scan for the source directly instead of waiting for the signal."
Echo-1 raised an eye brow in intrigue. "And after that?"
Now Echo-8 was grinning. "We'll have a live lock on their computer. We'll know exactly where they'll be at any given time."
Now it was Echo-1's turn to grin. "Now we're talking. Good work, Echo-8." He then addressed the rest of the group. "Looks like patience is the key here, people. If Echo-9's plan pans out, then we'll soon have those little shits right where we want them." He chuckled.
'Then I get to have my fun with them.'
Watchpoint Gibraltar, Main Lab
"Winston?"
Winston was sitting in his lab, working on his shield generator when he heard someone call out his name. He lifted his head and smiled at the sight of a blonde woman pulling along a large travel case in one hand.
"Angela! My word, it's been too long!" The scientist said as he stepped away from the work bench and approached the doctor. The two embraced as the medical professional and former Overwatch agent spoke with a German accent.
"Indeed, it has. Mein Gott, you have not changed since I last saw you! How are you?" She asked with sincere enthusiasm at seeing her longtime friend.
"I'm great, thanks. What about you? How was your trip?" Winston replied, returning the enthusiasm.
"It was fine, although I would have arrived here sooner if they did not delay my connecting flight back in Paris, Aber was soll man machen?" […but what can you do?] Angela ended with a shrug.
Winston chuckled. "Well, you're here now and that's what's important, am I right?"
"Yes, you are." Angela smiled at her furry companion.
"Of course I am, Hehehe."
"Indeed." The former agent giggled before looking around.
"Is anyone else here? I seem to remember you saying that Lena was here when we last spoke."
"Lena was here but she left for the UK yesterday. You know Tekhartha Mondatta?" Dr. Zeigler nodded. "He's giving a speech in King's Row, so Lena went to see him and make sure nothing happens to him."
"I see." Angela nodded.
Athena chose this moment to chime in.
"Winston, Dr. Zeigler? I have just received word that former agent Jessie McCree has rejoined the cause."
This left the two pleasantly surprised.
"Mcree! That's great news! I didn't think he would actually come back." Winston spoke, astonishment clear in his voice.
"He used to be a member of Blackwatch so having him with us is a definite victory in and of its self." Added the good doctor.
Winston sighed in satisfaction. "You, me, Mcree, Tracer, Genji and his brother Hanzo…even Athena! We're definitely off to a great start!" Winston couldn't be happier. His family was coming back together again.
Angela raised her brows upon hearing a familiar name.
"Genji? As in Genji Shimada?" She asked.
Winston nodded. "That's right. Former Blackwatch operative Genji Shimada. He's rejoined us as soon as he got the recall."
"Mein liebes Genji." [My dear Genji.] Nostalgia dripped from her voice as she recalled the cybernetic human whom she saved from death's grasp when they found him all those years ago, fatally wounded by his own brother. She personally performed the surgery that brought him back as the man he is today.
"He was such an honorable man, yet he was assigned to blackwatch. He would come by the medical wing often after a mission or training. He never said anything about it, but I believe he was worried about the augmentations failing. It took a considerable amount of time to get him to open up and admit that he was not comfortable with his new body, at the time."
Winston scoffed. "Uncomfortable is putting it mildly. He would also stop by the labs to have the implants checked out. At first, we thought it wouldn't hurt to keep tabs on everything, seeing as it was mostly new tech. After a while though even we could see his real intentions." Angela nodded in understanding before the simian scientist continued. "Anyway, that was all in the past. He's now gotten over his issues from what I can tell." This left the good doctor with a smile on her face.
"Oh, that is wonderful to hear." Winston noted the relief in her voice. A thought soon occurred to her. "Pray tell, Winston, where is Genji?"
The question in turn reminded Winston that he needed to check in on the Shimada brothers and their current assignment.
"That reminds me." Said Winston. "I need to check in on their progress."
Dr. Zeigler furrowed her brow in confusion as she watched the intelligent ape head over to his console.
"Progress?" She asked, following closely.
"Yes. You see, Genji hasn't arrived yet. I had to send him and his brother, Hanzo, to Numbani in Nigeria on a rescue mission." Winston answered. The doctor was all ears, now.
"Rescue!? Rescue whom!?"
"Two civilians. Did you hear about the battle in the Numbani Heritage Museum over a week or so ago?" Angela nodded. "While me and Lena were fighting Widowmaker and Reaper, there were these two boys who helped turn the tide of the fight to our favor." He paused.
Stepping up to the console, Winston reopened the Michaels' profiles to show Angela. Her eyes widened as she gasped in horror at the sight of little Danny.
"Nein. Kein kind." [No. Not a child.] She whispered.
Winston shared the sentiment.
"Sadly, yes. They're brothers. What had happened was that the older one, Jessie, managed to grab Doomfist's gauntlet before Widowmaker, and used it to incapacitate her. That's when things went south for her and Reaper and forced them to retreat. Obviously, they weren't happy, so they sent a hit squad after the two boys to make an example out of them. As soon as I found out, I sent in Genji and Hanzo to help them."
Angela could only nod as she listened to her furry compatriot.
"When they arrived, however, they found their apartment demolished." Dr. Zeigler couldn't help another gasp as she lifted her hand to her mouth. Winston continued. "Don't worry, Angela. The two boys are alive, and from what The Shimadas reported, Jessie and Danny Michaels were able to fight back and escape with their lives. They even cut down most of the unit sent after them."
Angela let out the breath she was holding in a sigh of relief, the hand covering her mouth dropping to her chest. "Gott sei Dank." [Thank god.]
Before anything else could be said by the two, a beep diverted their attention to the console. Winston turned and got to work responding.
"Speak of the devil." Winston muttered as he answered the incoming call from Genji and Hanzo. "Genji."
"Reporting in." The cyborg ninja replied.
"Any news?"
"Talon is getting closer. We followed them to a motel where the targets were staying."
"Were?"
"Hanzo managed to get close enough to overhear. The targets had left prior to Talon's arrival by two hours."
Winston and Dr. Zeigler smiled as Hanzo picked up where his brother stopped.
"However, from what I heard, next time those two will not be so lucky. They have a stronger signal now that they have broken the encryption, and whenever the civilians use that signal, the assassins will know where they are, and they will get closer each time. The hunt has begun and the targets' time is running out." Hanzo finished grimly.
Winston adjusted his glasses. "That's not good."
Genji spoke up again. "We will continue surveillance. If they ever find the targets, then we'll make sure they remain safe." He finished with certainty.
Winston grunted in satisfaction. "Good. Be sure to keep me posted." He looked back to Angela, his mind turning over for a moment before coming to a decision. The doctor watched as the scientist turned back to the console, wandering what was on his mind.
"Genji, be advised. I'm sending in Mercy to assist you."
For an ever-so-brief moment, there was silence on the other end of the line.
"Mercy? Dr. Zeigler is there?" Came Genji's accented voice. Angela took this moment to speak.
"Yes, Genji. How are you?" She asked, happy to be talking to her old patient once more.
Genji was just as happy as he replied. "I'm doing well, doctor. It's good to hear from you again."
"Likewise, and please, call me Angela." She replied back with a giggle.
"Of course, doctor." Humor was present in Genji's voice.
Angela rolled her eyes but kept her smile as she looked back to Winston. "When should I leave?"
"Whenever you're ready. Sorry for having to send you out so soon, by the way." Winston ended apologetically.
Dr. Zeigler just shook her head as she spoke with determination.
"Think nothing of it, Winston. There are innocents in danger, and one of them is a child. I wouldn't have been able to rest knowing I could do something to help them. I will head out as soon as I can." She then turned to the open comm. "I will be there soon, Genji. Keep up the good work." With a curt nod back at Winston, the good doctor turned around, retrieved her luggage, and headed out the door, each step taken with a purpose.
Winston smiled at the retreating doctor.
"She hasn't lost an ounce of that passion." Nostalgia echoed once more in his words.
"Before our shutdown, there were many who saw Dr. Zeigler as an angel. Her compassion and humanity saved as many lives as her medical skills." Genji chimed in once more.
"Indeed…anyway, she'll be there soon. In the meantime, you two keep close to that hit squad. I'll let you know of any development."
"Understood."
On that note, Winston terminated the call then sat down on his tire. His mind wandered. His family was coming back together. Old agents are reporting in, still wanting to make a difference in the world. It warmed his heart knowing that they had not given up on humanity, despite everything that has happened in the last six years since the fall of Overwatch. They were still willing to make the sacrifice to protect their people, and Winston was going to make sure that it means something.
Numbani Port
Genji got off the comm. with Winston. He was happy to hear that Mercy had rejoined their cause. Before he could follow that train of thought any further, however, he sensed a steady gaze upon him. Turning around, he finds Hanzo with his usual straight expression, amusement barely noticeable in his eyes.
Genji stared back confused for a moment before asking.
"Nani?" [What?] He asked his stone-faced brother.
"Isha wa subarashī josei no yō ni kikoeru." [The doctor sounds like an amazing woman.] Replied the elder Shimada.
"Kanojo wa iru." [She is.]
"Kanojo wa tenshidatomo omowa remasu ka?" [Do you also think she's an angel?]
"Watashi ga yarimasu. Naze kiku nodesu ka?" [I do. Why do you ask?]
This time, Hanzo didn't reply. Genji just watched, completely befuddled, as a small smirk formed on the elder Shimada's expressionless visage before he walked back to the Talon occupied warehouse that they were investigating. The cyborg ninja followed. He did not get the point of Hanzo's questioning but decided not to pursue it in favor of focusing on his mission at hand.
'Nan demo.' [Whatever.]
Echo-1 was nursing a headache. It's been a couple of days since their miss at the Inn and him and his team were laying low at their warehouse while they waited for Echo-9 to get a hit on the Michaels' location. He was leaning back in his chair, rubbing his temple, when Echo-8 called out from across the small building.
"I GOT A HIT!"
Echo-1 was on point instantaneously.
"Saddle up, people! We got little shits to shoot!"
Numbani Shopping District
"Money in the bank."
"Is that right?"
"Yup!"
"What is it this time?"
"Some girl wanted to learn about robotics for some reason. Never said why."
"Ignorance is bliss, I guess,"
"Eh."
Jessie and Danny Michaels were walking around the shopping district, getting some fresh air. The motel they ducked into the day before was giving them cabin fever. The elder Michaels decided on the location under the logic of safety in numbers; they can hide in the crowd.
Jessie would have preferred to stay back in their room, but Danny was not the kind of kid to stay at home and do nothing, and Jessie didn't want to see his little brother get turned into a shut in, so here they were.
He also hadn't been able to come up with a plan to get themselves out of their predicament. He didn't want to risk the airport or train station out of fear that the assassins were casing the exit routes out of the city, waiting for the brothers to make an attempt so that they can catch and kill them. At the moment, leaving the city will be their last course of action.
He was currently considering calling in favors with people he knew back when he was enlisted.
They were walking around when Danny's voice broke him out of his thoughts.
"Hey Jess. Do you think we can buy a car?" Asked the ten-year-old.
"Why do you wanna get a car?" Came Jessie's skeptical reply.
"I just think getting a car would be cool. We could modify it, and make it the coolest car in the city."
Jessie ruffled Danny's hair with a chuckle before speaking.
"I don't think blowing our savings on a car is a good idea, little buddy, especially if we're gonna build it up."
Danny returned a friendly shoulder bump. "Yeah…I know. I just wish we could."
"I know."
Danny's expression then turned serious.
"You think they'll find us here?" He asked in worry, looking up to his brother.
For his part, Jessie discreetly scanned their surroundings for any signs of trouble.
"I don't know, little buddy. If we stick to the crowd, we should be fine, though."
Danny faced ahead again, a look of apprehension still set in his youthful features. He swallowed once and took a deep breath, trying his best to calm his nerves.
Jessie couldn't blame him for being scared. He was, too. He was scared for Danny's welfare more than his own, and both brothers were scared of losing each other.
"C'mon, champ. Let's get some food."
"They should be in the area, sir." Reported Echo-8.
"Everybody, fan out. Our objectives are around here somewhere, and until confirmed visual, weapons cold and radio silence. Rendezvous here when the job is done. Not before. Do any of you speak English?" Asked Echo-1, much to the confusion of his new team.
"Yes, Sir!" Came the chorused reply of Echo unit.
Echo-1 seemed pleased. "Good. That means you understood me and my orders. That also means you'll understand this. There are currently two graves to be filled. For anyone of you who doesn't follow these specific orders, your own graves will be added to the lineup. So, don't disappoint me."
As expressionless as they may seem, Echo-1 could still feel the trepidation in his team. They did not want to disappoint him, which is good, because he was planning to follow through with his threat should they have messed up.
"Now. Hop to it, people, and bring me their heads!"
Jessie and Danny stood outside their restaurant of choice. They had just filled up on good food and the younger Michaels was typically happy as he let his stomach settle, both leaning against a wall. Meanwhile, Jessie was smoking one of his cigarettes. Halfway through their meal, his old soldier's instinct flared up and he could not help the worry that crawled into his very being. Something bad was about to happen. Not wanting to ruin his little brother's appetite, though, he kept things to himself.
Now, while Danny was regaining his composure, His panned his military-honed gaze around the surrounding street, or potential battlefield as he currently saw it. He kept up his nonchalant façade. If the enemy was near, Jessie did not want to tip them off.
A loud, heavy belch caught him by surprise. His eyes immediately snapped down to Danny, who bore the most satisfied expression a ten-year-old could have.
"Check, please." He sighed.
A small chuckle slipped out of the older Michaels, shaking his head at his brother's antics. When he looked up, though, his smile and demeanor dropped like a sack of bricks.
A man wearing the same coat as the hitmen from their apartment was walking towards them.
'They found us.' The statement ran through his head, setting his body and mind to overdrive.
Jessie quickly faked a yawn and stretched to hide the sudden frown he had. Knowing that the incoming killer had probably seen them, the ex-Lieutenant didn't want to give away that he had seen the killer as to try and gain the element of surprise.
Donning a relaxed expression once more, Jessie patted Danny's shoulder to get his attention.
"C'mon. Let's take a walk; work off the grub." Danny looked up at his guardian with smile and nodded, blissfully unaware of the sudden danger they were in.
As they began their walk, Jessie caught sight of the killer upping his pace as not to lose them. He reached into his jacket to check for his weapons.
'Knife, sidearm, rif-' He didn't have his rifle. Jessie's blood ran cold as he remembered leaving his new rifle, equipped with armor-piercing rounds, back at their motel room, thinking that a small excursion such as this did not necessitate him bringing it. It was also bulky and would have proven difficult to keep hidden.
With only his knife and pistol, he would need to get creative.
"Echo-12 confirming visual." The coated killer, spoke into a hidden mic in his collar.
"Acknowledged. Where are they?" Came the captain's voice.
"Basorun Avenue, Heading North."
"Converging on your location, Echo-12. Maintain visual but keep your distance. Remember, target has six confirmed kills. Don't slack or it becomes seven." Echo-1 ordered.
"Copy that. Maintaining cover."
"Good. We'll be there soon. Out."
Jessie needed to find a way to pacify the current threat. He cannot just turn around and open fire due to non-combatants, as well as the other hitmen that maybe nearby.
And, of course, the ever-present Danny.
For now, they kept walking. An open glass door gave Jessie a quick peek behind him. The hitman was not getting closer, but he was also not falling behind.
'Looking for a window. I can use that.' He thought as an idea began to formulate within his mind.
They were coming up to one of the many side streets in the district and Jessie spotted a dark alley where he can execute his now fully formed plan. They were on the cross-walk when Jessie spoke up, catching Danny's attention.
"Hey champ. Let's see what's down here." He spoke casually. Danny looked down the new street. He noted the lack of pedestrians, then looked up at his brother, confused.
"I don't think that's a good idea, big bro." He spoke hesitantly.
Jessie just shot him a confidant smile and said, "Trust me, little buddy."
Danny sighed. "Okay."
They turned down the side street. The Michaels' real destination was dead ahead.
'Showtime.'
Echo-12 continued his pursuit of his objectives and he kept his distance like he was ordered to. He trusted that Echo-1 knew what he was doing when he gave the order keep a distance. He also had respect for the target's capabilities considering he managed to take the lives of six of his team members.
'Your luck runs out tonight, asshole.' He smiled at the inevitable fate these two would be facing.
His smile dropped, though, when he saw the brothers take a left down a side street. He immediately keyed his comms.
"Be advised, targets now heading west down knight street."
"Maintain visual." Came Echo-1's voice.
Echo-12 continued the chase, wondering why the Michaels would turn down this road. There was nothing but apartments. What he did know was that there was a noticeable decrease in pedestrian traffic, which would not bode well for him. He begrudgingly gave his query some more space. He did not want to risk spooking them.
A minute later, Echo-12's confusion turned to worry as he watched the two brothers turn down a very dark alley. He could sense that something was not right. He activated his comms once more as he approached.
"Sir, the targets are headed down an alley way."
"Perfect. Follow them in, weapons hot. They're not getting away this time." Echo-1's voice was dripping with maniacal glee. Echo-12 began to question the captain's better judgement.
"10-4."
He soon rounded the corner and came to a dead stop. Alarm bells were going off in his head at the sight of the empty alley before him.
'This can't be good.'
He reached into his coat and produced his sidearm, the silenced pistol held in a death grip. After a careful scan of the area ahead of him, he began to slowly step into the darkness with his weapon held at the ready.
The deeper he in he went, the more anxious he became. He knows there was something here. He knows the brothers are still here. The darkened alleyway was relatively long. Even if the targets made a run for it at a dead sprint, Echo-12 would have seen them before they reached the other end. They did not, however. They just disappeared. Echo-12 was sure that they saw him now. They saw him and turned the tables against him; brought him here.
He fell for their trap.
He wanted to call for backup, but did not want to risk tipping off the targets, in case they could hear him.
A minute later and he was one third of the way through the darkness. Echo-12's light footfalls were the only sounds he could hear.
"Come out, come out wherever you are." He whispered to himself, eyes sharp, ears open, and muscles tense.
*Tinck*
Echo-12 spun around and quickly fired off two rounds at the source of the sound. His shots ended up hitting the side of a dumpster with a harmless *thunk*. Echo-12 released the breath he was holding when he saw that there was nothing there.
He sighed. 'Getting a little twitchy, tonight.' He thought to himself.
All thoughts came to a grinding halt, however, when he felt cold metal press into the back of his head, and with a muffled bang, Echo-12 would never think again.
"Man, he was twitchy."
Jessie did not waste time. He quickly searched the body for ammunition before checking Echo-12's gun. The gun was a similar model to Jessie's own but was equipped with an advanced safety system. The grip features a scanner that is programmed to the owner's hand print. If anyone else tried to use the gun, it will not fire and release the magazine. This means Jessie can't use the gun, and there was no time to have Danny attempt to hack it. He did however confiscate the silencer. The attachment was universal and would fit his own pistol.
All in all, he gained four magazines of armor-piercing rounds and the aforementioned silencer.
Pocketing his bounty, the older Michaels quickly dragged the dead Echo-12 towards the recently perforated dumpster, then proceeded to lift the stiff inside, being careful not to get any blood and grey matter on himself. After he shut the lid, satisfied that nobody will find the body or see the blood until daylight, he went to check on his little brother.
He found him right where he left him. The crate they hid behind only had three sides. It was deceiving because it was placed in such a way that to anyone approaching, it looked like a regular four-sided crate. This left a nice little gap that the two brothers wedged themselves into to hide. As for the distraction tactic, it was simply a small rock tossed overhead by Jessie.
Danny had his eyes closed and his fingers in his ears. When he felt someone tap his shoulder, he opened one eyelid to see who it was. At the sight of his brother, he opened the other and took his fingers out of his ears. He was still bewildered as to why his brother pulled them into this alley in the first place.
"What happened?" He asked.
Jessie nudged him towards the other end of the alley, walking behind him to make sure his ten-year-old little brother does not see the mess he made.
"Had to take out the trash." He answered in stride. "C'mon. We gotta get outta here."
Danny started to worry. "What? Why? Did they find us!?"
"One did, and when there's one, there's more." Jessie answered seriously.
"They really are roaches." Grumbled an irritated Danny.
"No kidding." Jessie sighed.
A.N.: My apologies for the huge delay, but I ended up hitting a bit of rut with my writing. When I finally got over it, I ended up writing this chapter over five times, and each time I did, it wouldn't come out write. Add college into the mix and it's just one big nasty pot of gumbo.
But, praise the lord, I finally got the chapter done, and I am personally loving it, and I hope all of you do to.
The next chapter will be a direct continuation to this one. It will also mark the end of the FIRST ARK.
As before, all translations done through Google Translate.
Cover art wanted.
