She was in a car with Angela and Akande. The meeting was going to be settled around a dinner in a well known restaurant of Numbani. « Shouldn't these things be talked about in meeting rooms? Amélie asked.
- Talking over a dinner often helps calm people down and enjoy their time, Angela answered. Since there is a lot of tension, we decided to invite them and receive them by ourselves. »
She was wearing a short light blue dress straight out of Angela's wardrobe. She couldn't remember the last time she wore a dress, was it at her wedding? She never liked wearing them, but important reunions meant she had to look good. Angela was doing the same, with a beautiful white robe with curls on her shoulders. Akande was sitting at the front of the car with his white tuxedo. She had already seen him wearing that before.
They went through the city center and onto a calmer side of the city until they arrived at a large building with an elegant facade. They got out of the car and Amélie noticed Angela looking on the other side of the streets and onto the rooftops. When she asked her about it, she turned back saying : « Our men should've been there already. »
Akande didn't seemed happy about it either, but they entered the restaurant anyways. The servants brought them to a table where a small group of people were waiting for them. Many of them were rather old, men and women of darker skin tone alike. Among them were a few Omnic whose emotionless face seemed rather frightening.
They sat in front of them and, after a few minutes, the food was brought. Although Amélie didn't feel really safe around these people, the constant presence of Angela and, especially, Akande was enough to remind her that they were not defenceless. « You're late, one of the members of the council said.
- We had to make sure everyone was ready and on board. Our apologies, » Angela answered politely.
One of the women did a head sign towards Amélie. « And who is it that you're bringing to this reunion of ours?
- Amélie Lacroix, daughter of Sylvain Lacroix. She's here to accompany me. »
The members of the council whisper among themselves, making Amélie uncomfortable. Angela took her hand under the table to reassure her.
The food wasn't bad, although Amélie had grown used to more substantial meals. Her plate was nearly empty, with a small fish filet and a sweet sauce to accompany it. Although she did understand that the point of this meeting was to talk more than eat, so she didn't complain about anything and simply listened.
« I would like to let you all know that the hospital has never been as safe, Angela started. No only that, but I've made sure that every nurses and doctor at our service is as efficient and willing to work as possible.
- We supposed the specialized OR-15 your brought within the hospital's walls are making sure to intimidate attacks from your personal enemies, one of the woman said.
- Indeed, with the rework we brought to their energy barrier, they can completely secure all corridors from any attacks, she said while ignoring the last part of her remark. Not only that, we also made sure they are ready to help our nurses with physical tasks such as moving patients to different rooms and helping those in need to walk up to their respective rooms. Although they haven't been through a real conflict and, let's hope it never comes to it again, I am certain they will be able to hold attacks and let us evacuate in time. »
None of the members of the council answered, looking at one another. « Of course, one of the Omnic said, those changes wouldn't be necessary if the head of the hospital wasn't the target of a terrorist organization. »
Angela looked at Akande, who took the lead. « We are currently working with Overwatch to find Talon's new headquarter to attack and destroy it for good. The last attack on the group was very successful as we were able to arrest or terminate nearly half of the agents that were deployed in Numbani.
- Yes, and of course you did this by being one of their leaders and stabbing them in the back.
- I chose a side that was more keen to my interest. Do not push me to change again. »
His voice was insisting, nearly menacing. Amélie could clearly feel the tension between him and the council, who started whispering with one another once more. Angela, while seing this, tried to bring back the conversation. « Although Overwatch's reputation has gone downhill since the fall of the Swiss headquarter, they have now regrouped and are working actively on the destruction of Talon. We have a few agents of our own who are cooperating with them on the subject. Although you seem to label this organization as my personal enemy, I have to remind you that Numbani has been attacked by Talon many other times before my arrival at the city which was meant to help rebuild the damage they had caused onto your city.
- Of course, and for that we are grateful. However your image has drastically changed since you decided to work with the Doomfist, doctor Ziegler.
- I can understand your distrust of him, but Mrs Ogundimu saved my life and helped me escape Talon's headquarter. Him and I share a common goal and we have decided to work together to realize it.
- At what is that goal, Miss Ziegler?
- To make the world a better place. »
The council had a sarcastic laugh. « Besieging a city is not a way to make to world a better place, nor is putting armed Omnic inside hospitals. You should know about this. »
- We have discussed about it together for a long time. We need to always be ready for the alternative of conflict while remaining pure in our intensions. »
The council whispered, every time they did this, Amélie would get more and more nervous. What were they hiding from them?
As the discussion went along, Angela tried to bring the information that Sombra had told them this morning. « While researching for the Talon agents, one of our own agent discovered something rather intriguing and, may I say, concerning. She found that the lunar colony has been sending continuous information since the first signal it sent about a month ago.
- We have heard of these radio waves. But there is nothing to worry about. Radio waves are all around the world at all time, they aren't dangerous to human beings.
- It is not the concern of men that we are talking about. Those radio waves started around the same time as the current rising in Omnic violence around the world. »
One of the Omnic from the council turned to her. « What are you trying to say, Miss Ziegler?
- Although we did find a relation, we cannot be sure it is causal. All we know is that different wavelength can affect Omnic behaviour.
- So you think that us Omnic can be removed of our humanity simply through the use of radio waves from the moon? »
His voice sounded menacing and angry. Angela frowned. « It is no secret that the Omnic crisis was brought to global level through the use of a wireless communication. It is not impossible to think that these waves could be interfering with the minds of thousands if not millions. »
Akande got up and replaced his tie. « You will have to excuse me, ladies, gentlemen. Amélie, may I have a moment to speak to you?
She was surprised to hear that, but he seemed insistant, looking down on her while offering his arm. She looked at Angela, who didn't seem to understand what he was trying to do. She decided it was best not to doubt him. She excused herself, got up and grabbed his arm and they left together.
Akande brought her outside the restaurant and lighted a cigarette. « Look up. Tell me what you see, » he told her.
She remembered Angela looking for the roof on the other side of the street and did the same. « There's nothing.
- Exactly, there's nothing.
- What about it?
- We had agent on this roof ready to take orders ten minutes ago. Where did they go?
- I don't know… I have no idea what your plan is.
- You want to know the answer? I do not know where they are. That means we are in danger.
- We are? »
He got closer to her. She didn't like the smell of the smoke and tried to back away, but he grabbed her wrist and brought her closer. « You need to do something for me.
- What?
- I will have to go and contact Sombra about what's going on. If things go sour, you are the only one who will be able to protect Angela.
- You mean… I don't have anything to defend myself. »
He brought her closer and she felt cold hard metal touch her hands. « Put this in your handbag. »
She tried to look down, but he took her chin with his other hand and lifted her up. « Do not look at it. »
She could feel the barrel of a gun and her heart started beating faster. « You don't mean…
- If things comes to a boiling point, I may not be able to come back. Take my earphone. If I can't make it back, Sombra will tell you and Angela. If that happens, run.
- You can't leave us…
- I have to find out what's happening. I hope you still know how to pull a trigger. »
He gave her an insistant look, she sighted and nodded. « Let's hope this isn't farewell. »
He left her alone in front of the restaurant and disappeared into the night. Amélie had already hid the gun in her handbag and got back into the restaurant with shaky legs. When she got back to the table, one of the members of the council look at her and asked. « Where's the Doomfist? »
She tried to use his family name, but couldn't remember what it was and panicked. « Mr…
Angela helped her out. « Mr. Ogundimu? »
- Yes… Mr. Ogundimu had an important call to do. He will come back soon. »
She sat back next to Angela and held her bag tightly onto her. It felt a million times heavier with the weapon inside. One of the Omnic, the one who talked about the radio waves with Angela, was looking at her in a deranged way. His metallic face were showing green lights all over it. « And why would a formal leader of Talon want to privately talk to a former agent of the same organization? »
She looked up to him and her heart missed a heartbeat. Angela took her defence. « They are no longer affiliated with Talon. I made sure of that.
- Did you, doctor Ziegler? You have surrounded yourself with your kidnappers quite well indeed. In fact, the official criminal report of your kidnapping gave us details about how the agent known and Widowmaker tortured and tried to assassinate you. »
Amélie felt sweat going down her forehead as the rest of the council started staring at her. « Of course, the Omnic kept going, if it hadn't been for those same criminal records, we would not have been able to identify this agent as the formal wife of Gérard Lacroix, who was also his murderer.
- Whatever you heard about Widowmaker, Angela said, it is no longer of importance. Misses Lacroix has been operated and her forced service in Talon's rank is now over. She is under my responsibility and care and I intend to rehabilitate her back into society.
- You can wish what you want, but she is a murderer has she has to face justice.
- As the doctor who performed brain surgery on her, I can assure you that she had been brainwashed and subject to many mental reconditioning which enter the domain of mind control. I have looked for it myself with my lawyer. As a direct witness of it, I can assure you that Amélie is innocent and must not be taken responsible for her actions, as someone under mind control cannot be charged with the crimes he or she committed if that individual has been shown to no longer being under this condition. »
She had a dead serious look that tried to pierce the one of the Omnic, who did not budge. « I then supposed that you have forgotten about the multiple heinous crime that she has committed that have induced lots of anti-Omnic crimes all over the world.
- The true responsible is Talon. They are our real enemy and we have to fight them together.
- And I assume you will befriend all of their agent and offer your body to them until they are all on your side? »
Angela frowned as the rest of the council disapproved of that last remark. « Our apology, Miss Ziegler. Our friend and leader Aorry sometimes gets out of control when he is in an argument.
He turned to Amélie and, for a short moment, she saw the light on his face flicker to blue. « You are not welcomed in Numbani, assassin. »
Amélie got up and looked at him. For a moment, Angela and the rest of the council we expecting her to walk away, but she held herself up and sighted. « I am no longer Widowmaker. I will fight until the end to undo what I have done, for that you have my word. »
She sat down and tried to reach out for Angela's hand under the table. They heard voices coming from the restaurant's entrance and, among them, Akande appeared in sweat, with parts of his tuxedo covered in water and dirt. He was speaking to one of the servant, although they could hear it from the table. « We need to evacuate now. »
Amélie and Angela shared a look and the rest of the restaurant started talking all together. Akande walked up to them with large steps. « There are unknown remotely controlled aircraft flying over the city. We have to evacuate and get to safety right now.
- Are you afraid, Doomfist? » the Omnic told him.
He got up and looked at all of them. « You are not going to leave this restaurant until we have what we are looking for. »
The rest of the council seemed more alarmed than anything as they exchanged a look. « What do you mean? Angela said. What are you looking for?
- Justice.
- What? »
He looked at Amélie and his lights turned blue. « Remember your wrong doing. They are just as much a part of you than the rest of your being. Others won't ever forgive you for it, and so will you. Remember the spider that you are. Remember the cold of your blood. Remember the ones you harmed, the ones who suffered, are suffering and will suffer because of your actions. Remember everything. Always. If you forget, the rest of the world shall crush you and spill your blood like you used to spill theirs. Remember, spider. »
The council looked alarmed and Amélie was horrified.
The Omnic reached out from under the table, pulled out a gun and aimed it Angela. In the blink of an eye, a shot echoed in the restaurant.
Amélie didn't know how quickly she got her gun, not how she could get it ready so fast, but she had shot the Omnic in the head, making him violently fall on it's back. Around the room, other Omnic's lights started turning blue as the rest of the restaurant started panicking alongside Angela and Akande, who grabbed her and got her out of the building running.
