"Before we begin allow me to express my personal gratitude for your actions today … is it Miss or Mrs Oxton?"
"Miss." said Lena. At the moment she was sitting down on a hard wooden chair in the village's only tavern. Her shirt was soaked through with sweat, smudges of dirt covered her face while parts of her jacket had been torn by branches or possibly bullets. She wasn't sure which.
A pair of Russian men were seated on the other side of a round table. The officer, a Captain Alekhin of the Russian Defense Force, was a tall man with broad shoulders and his subordinate was roughly the same shape and weight as one of those barrels behind the bar.
"Miss Oxton." The captain continued speaking through his translator. "If you hadn't been here then the Omnics would have killed everyone. What you did today saved hundreds of lives and for that I thank you. However, that is my personal opinion and one my superior officers do not entirely share."
Alekhin pulled a recording device out of his pocket and set it down on the table between them. "I've been ordered to ask you a number of questions and report back before evacuating the people here." He sighed once and shook his head before turning it on. "Overwatch is no longer sanctioned by the United Nations and was disbanded years ago. However, there recently have been rumors and stories that Overwatch may be returning. Is your presence in Siberia related to Overwatch in any way?"
Lena shook her head before answering. "No. It's like you said, Overwatch was disbanded and is no longer active. I'm here of my own accord."
"Very well." Relayed the translator. "Then may I ask why you are in Siberia? We're a long ways from London and I can't help but feel your presence here is significant."
"Overwatch may be gone but I still believe in its mission." explained Lena. "When I joined I did so because I wanted to make the world a better place and I've kept trying to do that even after Overwatch was disbanded. As for why I'm in Siberia the answer is simple. Your Omnium is active again for some reason and I came here to find out why. If the Siberian Omnium can be reactivated then so could the others."
The captain leaned back in his chair, a look of surprise on his face that transcended their language barrier. He rubbed at his chin as his words were translated. "You mean to say that even a former agent of Overwatch doesn't know what was responsible for the Omnic Crisis? There has been a great deal of speculation about what started the war, but that question has never been answered."
"The Omniums were shut down before I joined Overwatch." explained Lena. "Whatever happened during those raids was classified and the files erased. I should know, I've tried to find out, but the people who do know weren't talking. I heard plenty of rumors while I was in Overwatch and I even tried talking to Jack Morrison about it. He never gave me a real answer though."
"I see. It is much the same among members of the RDF. Well then the greatest mystery of our time continues." Alekhin turned the recording device off and placed it back into his breast pocket. "I'm supposed to detain you so you can be sent back to England, but you have this strange ability called 'blinking' that was too much for us to handle. Before we go there's someone who wants to see you."
He beckoned with his fingers towards the front door and a pair of figures moved towards them. The taller of the two was a man who looked like he had spent the last five years behind a desk while drinking and eating more than he needed to. The second was wearing enough fur lined clothes that she looked more like a bear cub than a young girl. "This is Marat Vasilek, the village's police officer and his daughter Irina. Mister Vasilek organized the villagers after the attack began. He wanted to speak to you before we leave for the south."
Marat looked down at his daughter and whispered something before letting go of her hand. Irina hurried up to Lena's chair while her father headed towards the bar. The girl looked up at Lena before saying something in Russian. Lena hesitated visibly and looked over at the translator. He started then cleared his throat before translating. "Daddy says you scared the bad robots off."
"I..." Lena's mind flashed back to the events of only a few hours ago. Blinking through the frozen forest while trees were turned into shrapnel around her, Bastions exploding when her shots penetrated their armor and found the shells inside. "...Yes I scared the machines off."
Irina put her hands on Lena's chair and clumsily pushed herself up until she was sitting on Lena's lap. Once there she reached into one of her pockets and pulled out a bruised violet flower with rounded diamonds for petals. She held the flower to Lena with a smile. "Daddy said I should give you this for scaring the machines off."
"Aww why thank you Irina, that's very sweet of you." Lena gave the girl a grin while taking the flower and sticking the stem behind her ear. "How does that look?"
The girl shrugged dismissively and climbed down off of Lena. "I have to go find my mom now. Daddy says we're going on a trip." She waved one hand at Lena before walking away.
As his daughter left Marat approached the table with a round tray in his hands. He set it down and Lena leaned forward to get a better look at what he had brought. A short stubby bottle of clear liquid stood on one side next to four shot glasses and a small smattering of pickled cucumbers. Marat pulled a chair away from a nearby table and sat down with the three of them. He glanced at the translator before speaking. "This isn't much but it's the best I could do on short notice." The police officer waved at the cucumbers. "This is Zakuksi. After you down your vodka inhale then eat one before you exhale."
Marat picked up the bottle and twisted the lid off. As he filled the glasses Lena could smell the indelicate scent of rubbing alcohol in the air. He lifted his glass towards Lena and the other two men followed suit. "To the Calvary, for being here when we needed her."
The vodka was flavorless save for the taste of burning as it went down. A second later and she was bent at the waist, hand pressing against her accelerator as she coughed. After a few moments Lena was able to sit upright though her eyes were still watery. She eyed the bottle warily before grabbing one of the cucumbers. "Well I wasn't expecting that. Guess I'm better at dealing with Omnics than your vodka."
Once her words were translated the three Russians started chuckling and after a moment Lena joined them. Alekhin said something and waited for his words to be relayed before the men took another drink. "I'm sure it makes me a poor Russian but I'd gladly trade being able to stomach vodka for the ability to fight the Omnics like you can, Miss Oxton." The captain set his glass back down and took one of the remaining pickles. "I regret not having more time for toasts but the evacuation should be almost complete and we must be on our way back south. The power and water to this village will be turned off at this time tomorrow. However, I'm told the cabin across from this building is where travelers stay on the occasions they visit this place. Good day, Miss Oxton."
With that Alekhin and his translator stood up and left, the policeman not far behind them. Lena sat there for a moment before pushing her chair back and heading for the front door. In middle of the street there was a small gathering of people to get into the back of a truck that had been built for carrying troops. Each person in the group had a single suitcase they tossed up before climbing inside. Russian soldiers carrying rifles were standing around in every direction, almost all of them looking out towards the forest with alert gazes.
A woman standing in the crowd looked towards the bar as Lena followed the Russians outside. She nearly dropped her suitcase and her eyes widened before she started pulling on the sleeve of a man next to her. The man turned his head to see Lena standing there and a wave of furtive glances and hushed whispers spread through the group. Lena gave the group an awkward wave before folding her arms and leaning against the bar's brick wall.
Going into the guesthouse that Alekhin had mentioned was certainly tempting but she couldn't do it. Not yet. She hadn't seen Amelie since that conversation in the forest but she knew the woman was still somewhere nearby. Lena had heard the sniper's rifle at work throughout the battle. Once all these people were gone Amelie would come out. Until that happened Lena needed to stay someplace where she could be seen.
The soldier directing the civilians yelled something and started waving them towards the truck. A couple of minutes later and all of them were onboard. A tank with Captain Alekhin sitting next to the turret drifted up and he looked down at her. "Well, Miss Oxton," he said, his English clearly accented. "I hope you find the answers you seek. Russia can protect itself from the Omnics, but I wonder if the rest of the world can say the same." He bumped his fist against the turret and yelled something in Russian. The soldiers on guard turned and made their ways to the trucks before the convoy got underway.
Soon enough a voice she had been expecting came from the alleyway to Lena's left. "Do you know what the difference between this village and the other one is?"
"Me."
Amelie stepped out of the alley, rifle in hand. "Correct, cherie. If you hadn't been here then all of these people would have died. You were the difference." Amelie reached up to brush her fingertip against the flower that the little girl had given Lena. " Remember their faces and know they owe their lives to you."
Lena remained silent for a moment before pointing at the cabin in front of them. "The captain left the power on for us. I don't know about you, but I haven't had a shower since Venice."
Amelie started walking forward immediately, her hips swaying provocatively as she crossed the street. After a moment she looked back at Lena, an almost girlish grin on her lips before she sprinted forward and into the cabin. Lena pushed herself off the wall and she made her way to the cabin, albeit much slower than Amelie had. By the time Lena had made it inside the other woman was nowhere to be found. Her clothes, on the other hand, were. Amelie's catsuit and boots were sitting the middle of the floor along with one other item. A metal ring with a leash made of leather riveted to the edge of the collar. The last time Lena had seen this had been back in that chateau. Amelie had put it on her while she was unconscious. The sound of water beginning to run came from a doorway left open a few centimeters. An invitation.
Lena pulled her gloves off before unzipping her jacket and tossing it to the floor. She reached up to the side of her accelerator and pushed open a hidden panel. Lena flicked a switch and the device hummed briefly as it changed to a different mode. Normally it only had to project a field large enough to envelop her body but at certain times it had to be taken off while still keeping her within range. Taking showers had been the original reason for devising this mode and she was about to do that. Just, not alone.
Her hands began undoing the various buckles and straps that ran all around her torso and legs before it came loose. Lena discarded everything but the front metal segment, that she kept in one hand while picking up the metal ring in her other and walking forward.
A clear glass door separated the shower from the rest of the bathroom and Amelie was standing on the other side. A shower-head hung straight down from the ceiling and water was pouring out of it. Her hair was already slick and sticking to her shoulders and back. Rivulets of water streamed down over her breasts and flat stomach onto her thighs, eventually finding their way to the floor. Amelie's lips slowly broadened into a smile and she beckoned Lena to come join her with a single finger.
Lena set the accelerator down on the sink's counter along with the collar. Amelie's smile widened at the sight of the metal ring but said nothing. Lena grabbed a hold of her shirt's hem and pulled upwards, peeling the sweat-soaked shirt before she threw it aside. She reached behind her, unclasping her bra before shrugging it off then turned around. Lena's cheeks blushed as she bent over and undid her shoelaces, her impromptu striptease continuing. She stepped out of her shoes and began pushing her yellow leggings down, her round bottom swaying from side to side as she wriggled out of the snug garment. Her panties fell to the ground a second later and she grabbed the collar before stepping into the shower.
Once Lena had shut the door and turned around Amelie leaned in to kiss her. Her heart began pounding at the feel of those soft lips finally pressing against hers. She slid her arms around the violet skinned woman and pulled her into Lena's chest. As the kisses deepened she began murmuring between them. "I almost... died today. That machine would've... killed me if... you weren't there." Lena pulled her head back to take a breath and meet Amelie's gaze directly. "It made me realize what you said was true. Death could come for people like us at any time." She stretched up on her toes and craned her head forward, running her tongue up the side of Amelie's neck, provoking a delighted shiver.
"So why wouldn't we find pleasure where we can?" Lena huskily whispered into Amelie's ear. "You were right in thinking that I'm attracted to you because I absolutely am." She snapped the collar shut around Amelie's neck and grabbed the leash in one hand.
"But you missed two things cherie. I hate you. I hate Talon. I hate Akande and everything your organization stands for. But you're also right about another thing. Overwatch is gone and the Omnics are attacking which means I need you and you need me."
Lena slid her free hand down to Amelie's bottom and squeezed, feeling the flesh sink beneath her fingers. "The other thing you missed is who I am. I'm the Hero. I'm the one whose supposed to save the world. This collar does belong on one of us, but it's not me."
The two of them stared at each other for a moment, Amelie taken aback by the sudden change of demeanor while Lena mentally urged the other woman to yield. Then Amelie's legs were bending beneath her as she knelt on the floor. "Is this what you want?" she asked, her usual haughtiness suddenly nowhere to be found.
Lena put her palm against Amelie's forehead and pushed until the other woman was lying flat on her back with knees bent. She turned the water off before lowering herself down until her pelvis was only centimeters away from those marvelous lips. "No, this is what I want." Lena pulled on the leash, raising Amelie's face up into her groin.
Amelie's lips parted and her tongue poked out, the tip just barely grazing the folds above her. Lena trembled at the light touch then again as it began to slowly flick up and down. After a minute Amelie curled her arms around Lena's legs, her hands coming to rest on top of Lena's thighs. Then her tongue pushed through the outer folds in search of more sensitive regions.
Lena moaned and she leaned forwards, one hand pressing against the shower wall. This wasn't her first time with a woman. That bridge had been passed long ago and she had even been on both sides of this position previously, but it had never felt this good before. Amelie's tongue was as perfect as the rest of her, brushing against all the right spots without needing to be told where they were. Lena moaned again as a pressure she had never expected Amelie Lacroix to cause beginning to build in her belly. Encouraged by the sound Amelie pulled her tongue away then squirmed upwards as she latched her lips to the top of Lena's labia. Amelie's tongue pressed against Lena's clit before she gently pulled the folds up with her mouth and let go only to do it again a moment later.
Her fingers tightened on the leash and Lena's eyes began to flutter shut as Amelie continued to repeat the cycle. Bit by bit muscles all over her body were beginning to tense up and that pressure was climbing higher and higher. Lena dropped the leash and put her other hand against the wall as she started squeezing her legs inwards against Amelie's face. Amelie's hands gripped Lena's legs even tighter and she pulled on those folds once more, but this time she didn't let go.
As if on cue Lena felt that pressure suddenly breach and ecstasy spread outwards in every direction from her core. Her legs began to quiver uncontrollably and the strength fled from her arms. After a moment she tried to stand up but her legs did their best impression of a noodle and bent beneath her as she ungracefully sank back down to her bottom.
Amelie rolled over and crawled up to Lena, the leash dangling freely. "Mmm that was delicious... still planning to kill me cherie?" She practically purred with a broad grin on her face.
Lena dropped her head back against the plastic wall and took a long, deep, shuddering breath. "We'll settle things someday... but if you keep doing that then I'll keep you around longer."
Amelie chuckled dryly. "If you say so. For now though I have a favor to ask... Mistress."
Mistress huh? Well I guess we did just do that... "What is it?"
"You can do whatever you want to me. Just please reward me for saving your life."
A window popped up on the computer screen and a woman with violet skin appeared in it. "Lacroix reporting in."
"You're late. How is your assignment progressing?" Akande was seated behind a desk with a large computer monitor on it. Behind him stood a figure in a black cloak and white mask.
"I had to wait until she was asleep before I could get back to the plane. She is back in the village at the moment. Our operation here went off splendidly. The people know she is the one who saved them and my presence went undetected."
Akande moved the window containing Lacroix's image to one side and he refreshed the internet browser in the background. Various sites popped up in the search result, most of them containing the name 'Lena Oxton' though a few also bore her code-name as well. "So I see. The news reports of what happened are beginning to circulate on the Internet. What of Oxton herself? Has her attitude towards you changed at all?"
"She continues to say that she plans to kill me eventually, but Oxton was still willing to be physically intimate. I don't believe she will ever be fully on our side but I can continue to mold her if that's your order."
"Do what you can, but remember that she can never reach the Siberian Omnium. That will be all." Akande tapped a button on his keyboard, terminating the conversation.
"Is this charade really necessary?" growled Reyes. "It would be far simpler to just hand her over to O'Deorain like we did with Lacroix."
Akande steepled his fingers as he stared at the picture of Oxton from some awards ceremony that a news site had posted. "Perhaps in the short run yes, but there's the bigger picture to consider. Oxton choosing to work with us of her own free will is the best solution. If we brainwashed her like you've been suggesting then it would only be a matter of time until Winston found a way to reverse the procedure and uses what she knows to come after us."
"Winston." Reyes spat the name out and shook his head as he began pacing. "You spend far too much time worrying about that monkey."
"And you fail to recognize that he is our most dangerous enemy. He stopped you from retrieving the list of Overwatch agents and the Doomfist gauntlet. He bested me in Numbani and put me in prison. That, 'monkey', as you call him, was the one who designed Oxton's accelerator. He's as intelligent as any person alive and stronger than any man could be." Akande scowled as he squeezed his right hand into a fist. Even with the Doomfist Gauntlet Winston's rage had proven too much to overcome.
Akande closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath to calm himself. "Amari and Morrison have become renegades. Ziegler is a brilliant doctor but she was never a true warrior. Lacroix is handling Oxton and now it's only a matter of time until Winston tries to find her. When that happens we'll be waiting and once Winston is gone there isn't anyone who could bring Overwatch back."
"Oxton will turn on us if she finds out we killed Winston." Reyes pointed out.
"Perhaps, but if that happens our best assassin will be there to deal with her."
Akande clicked on the search's top result. The thumbnail of Lena expanded and a short article appeared. 'LENA OXTON SAVES VILLAGE IN RUSSIA. OVERWATCH RETURNING?'
He closed the page without bothering to read anything more than the headline. "No. No it isn't."
So this is the end of A New Heading. If you made it this far, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it.
