Author's Corner: Sorry that I haven't updated in awhile. double release to make up for the wait, if anyone actually reads this twice. As always, leave a review, even if you only have "Good" to say about the story.
Starts with a shot of Strike-Commander Morrison in his office. He is going over a set of papers. The office looks different from in uprising, as there are five pictures on Morrison's desk. A picture of a young girl, a picture of the same girl with Strike-Commander Morrison in formal wear, a picture of the girl receiving the Overwatch Uniform, a picture of the girl receiving a badge, and a picture of the girl with an Overwatch Squad.
As Morrison sets a piece of paper down, the door to his office slams open. In the next panel, we see that Dr. Zeigler has slammed the door open, and is panting, out of breath.
Morrison: What is it, Dr. Zeigler. You must have a good reason for interrupting my work.
Dr. Zeigler pants for a little bit before composing herself and responding.
Dr. Zeigler: The remains of Strike Team Delta have returned from the raid.
Morrison pauses, then looks at Dr. Zeigler.
Dr. Zeigler: He is currently in the hanger.
Morrison rushes past Dr. Zeigler the second she says "He". as he sprints out the door, the picture of the young woman with an Overwatch Strike Team falls to the floor. In the next panel, Dr. Zeigler picks up the picture to see that the glass has cracked directly over the young woman's face.
On the next page, Morrison reaches the hanger to see one of the men from the strike team in the photo sitting on a crate surrounded by medics and agents. As Morrison crosses the hanger to the man, the crowd parts for him. When Morrison reaches the man, he stops in front of him.
Morrison: Special Agent Aidan William Sampson, Report.
The man flinches at Morrison's snarl, but starts to talk. As he talks, the panels change to a black outline as they start to show the past.
Sampson: my team reached the target quite easily. We encountered no resistance during arrival.
Completes the transferal to the past, with the six members of the strike team walking through a ghost town. The Young woman at the front speaks.
?: This is too quiet.
One of the three men who is not Sampson responds to the comment
?: Guess we should just be prepared for a fight, then.
As two of the agents laugh, including the man who spoke, and the one other woman besides the leader.
?: Agent Rose, Special Agent Fisher, remain silent unless communication is necessary.
Agent Rose and Special Agent Fisher shut up. The group continues to the mouth of a cave. As The young woman, identified as the commander of the team, lights a flashlight, a hail of bullets starts to rain down from all sides. Agent Rose and one of the unnamed agents immediately fall as the other four scramble for cover.
Agent Rose: Ahh!
Commander: Cover! Cover!
As the agents scramble for cover, the last unnamed agent gets shot through the head and collapses.
Commander: Rose, Williams, and Sorensen are down. We need to get back to the bird, now!
The agents use a covering fire system to run back to the plane, but as they approach the bird, Special Agent Fisher takes a bullet to the chest and slumps over. The Commander checks his vitals as Sampson stands guard, providing covering fire on the mass of talon agents aiming at them. The Commander stands up after a moment and motions for Sampson to move on. When Sampson get to the ship, he starts the launch sequence before he realizes that The Commander isn't in the plane. Stalling the launch, he radios the commander.
Sampson:Delta Three to Delta One, come in Commander.
The Commander's voice crackles in over the radio.
Commander: Order #505, Special Agent Sampson. Get to base, and tell Central Command what happened. They need to know.
Sampson: Get to the bird! I can't just leave you here!
Commander: Someone's gotta distract these F^(#%*\ from the launch. I'd look like a pretty shitty commander if I was the only one to come back, eh?
Sampson: Alyssa…
There is a pause in the chat, as the commander, now identified as Alyssa, shoots a burst of fire at an enemy.
Alyssa: You will launch that bird if I have to kickstart the engines from the outside, goddamnit! Get out of here!
Sampson: Understood, Sir. Launching. Delta Three out.
Sampson turns in his seat in time to see the door of the plane closing, Alyssa visible in the distance, her back to the plane. She breaks for cover as the door closes. Sampson turns back to the controls, and launches the bird. Alyssa watches the Plane fly away. In the plane, Sampson slumps in his chair, silently crying.
Move back to present at the hanger. Morrison is kneeling next to Sampson as he finishes his story.
Sampson: I don't know why she did it, SIr. I would've waited for her to get on the plane. We didn't know if they had anti-aircraft weapons, sir. I should've.
Morrison: Stop making excuses, Special Agent Sampson. It's no one's fault. Bad luck is all.
Sampson: But sir!
Morrison: Don't.
Morrison turns and leaves the hangar, passing Dr. Zeigler on the way out.
Morrison: Don't disturb me unless the base is under attack.
Dr. Zeigler pauses, then nods. Morrison enters his office and sits back down at his desk. He starts to go through papers, but stops. He picks up the picture of himself with Alyssa. For the first time, the caption of the picture is visible.
Jack Morrison: Alyssa Morrison…
Morrison sighs and slumps over the desk, still holding the picture in his hand, the other arm keeping his head from hitting the desk.
Morrison looks up as the door opens. Special Agent Sampson is standing in the entrance, a sheaf of papers in his hand.
Sampson: My resignation, Sir.
Morrison grabs the papers as they are offered to him.
Morrison: Thank you, Aidan.
Sampson stands in front of the desk nervously, obviously wanting to speak.
Sampson: I'm sorry, sir.
Morrison: It's not your fault. Alyssa couldn't fly a bird. She chose the person with the highest chance of survival to survive. That was you.
Sampson hangs his head at Morrison's statement
Sampson: I'd feel better if you did blame me, sir.
Morrison: I can't blame you for following orders. You're a good soldier, Aidan. It's a shame to lose you.
Sampson starts to leave the office as Morrison signs a few papers.
Morrison: Would you want to take part in one last mission before you resign?
Sampson starts, before composing himself.
Sampson: What mission, sir?
Morrison: When a member of Overwatch dies, a public funeral is held in the Liao Cemetery. I want you to organize the funeral.
Sampson goggles at Morrison as he continues.
Morrison: You'll have a budget of fifty thousand to work with for the funeral. The latest it can be held is in two months. I trust that you will perform to the best of your abilities.
Sampson snaps back to attention as Morrison hands a new sheaf of papers to him.
Sampson: Yes, Sir. I won't let you down.
As Sampson exits, Morrison looks at the picture of him and alyssa again. End comic.