The sun started peering through the barred window waking Starkiller out of a sound slumber. Though he never slept for much at a time, he did feel more rested than ever before. He sat up in the bed noticing Lena slumped over the desk with her head resting on her folded arms. She was clearly in a deep slumber. She seemed so peaceful at this time, which mesmerized him. Since their first encounter in King's Row, he thought there was something..odd about her. He wasn't exactly sure what it was. Perhaps the passion she had in her, maybe the fact that she asked questions before shooting? It was completely against what he was trained to do in Talon. He looked down at his hands, his eyes tracing up his arm seeing his tattoo on his arm. He touched it tracing the insignia. "S-13". He was getting starting to get lost in his daydream about who he really was. Though the question never popped into his head until he was brought here.
It had been a few days since he was brought back from London. He still wasn't too sure what to make of this Overwatch organization. Besides Lena and McCree, who were the only ones willing to stay with him in the detention facility, everyone here basically seemed to act the same as those in Talon. Being hooked up to machines, tied down for testing, locked up until further notice, for him it was hard to decipher between the two. Though Angela was a tad more gentle when it came to the tests, he still saw her as not that different from the red haired Talon scientist. She was quiet when doing her tests like Moira was, though she did seem to be cautious if she saw him in any discomfort which, compared to his time in Talon, wasn't all too often.
The door suddenly opened as Angela came walking in with Winston and Jack at either side of her. "I guess she was here all night again?" She asked looking over at Lena who was still sound asleep.
Starkiller responded by a quick shrug of the shoulders. He always tried to distance himself from them since his outburst when he first woke up in Gibraltar. At least if Lena and McCree weren't around, or awake. Jack opened up the cell door motioning him with a twitch of his head for him to exit the cell. He was slow to get up but finally managed to exit standing in front of the other two.
"How are you feeling today?" Winston asked adjusting his glasses.
"Same as always." He responded. Angela sighed a little annoyingly, this was the same response he had given every day. She looked down at her charts before slamming the notepad on the desk Lena was sleeping on startling her awake.
"We can't help you unless you work with us." She said in a stern tone.
"You'll forgive me if I'm slow to abide by your orders, the last time I followed a doctor's orders," he motioned to his scars. "I became this."
"We understand your hesitation to be cooperative, but your not exactly in a position to barter in any way." Winston said.
"Not to mention the fact that we still don't know if you still have ties with Talon." Jack said circling around him.
Starkiller let out an audible sigh, "Very well. What do you want?" He asked Angela.
"We just need a blood sample, then we won't bother you. You must still be exhausted." Angela responded. Starkiller nodded and stuck out his arm for the Angela to proceed with her sampling. She had Starkiller sit down as she took his arm and laid it on the desk. "This will only take about ten minutes or so."
She stuck the needle in his arm finding a vein and started to drain the blood in the vile slowly. Starkiller sat there with a blank expression on his face before he looked at Winston who was looking at schematics of some kind. "Those blueprints, is that whats inside of me?" Winston looked back at him as he nodded in agreement.
"We are getting closer to understanding how you, tick for lack of a better term." He said. "These are from the results of the body scans." He lowered himself and showed him the schematic. "See these are engineered to clamp to vital parts of the body, mainly the spine to connect to the nervous system. this is likely why you can better control your, ahem, powers when you react more than think about what you do." Winston said pointing to different parts of the device. "Though the more we study these devices throughout your body, the more we see that they are integrated with your body in such a way that removing them will be difficult without severe repercussions."
"You mean it will kill me."
"To put it bluntly, I'm afraid so."
Starkiller looked at Angela who was still concentrating on taking his blood. "So then what is this for?"
Angela looked up briefly before concentrating back on her task at hand. "This is to hopefully discover who you are. Or who you were. The blood type will hopefully be on record and we can find out where you are from."
The response surprised Starkiller slightly. Sure they tried to find out who he was before, but he thought they just wanted a guinea pig to run more experiments on. At least that was the impression he got from being locked in their prison. "Thank you." The response made Angela pause for a moment before finishing up her work.
"Ok, we are all done here." She said packing up her equipment and placing the vile in her coat pocket. They all started to go back to the elevator doors when Lena finally piped up from still trying to wake up. "Mind if I show him around?"
"You want to what?" Jack questioned turning around with an astonished expression on his face.
"I'll keep an eye on him, and I think it might be better than having him cooped up down here all the time." She said leaning forward on the chair trying to stretch.
"We don't coddle prisoners." Jack said. The statement drew some looks from Lena and Angela. Starkiller almost scoffed slightly returning back to his cell.
"We never did say he was our prisoner." Angela said. Starkiller paused and turned to look at Angela after that response. "I mean yes we have him here for the time being, but we never did say we were holding him captive."
"Just because he said he has no intent on leaving doesn't mean he's not a prisoner."
"It might not be such a bad idea." Winston said.
"You can't be serious." Jack responded throwing his hands up in the air. "Fine. But you make so much as a wrong move, so much as a wrong breath, you will be dead before you even get to question what happened."
Starkiller simply nodded in agreement. Jack grunted in displeasure and the other two followed him into the elevator.
"At least you don't have to stay down here all the time now." Lena said getting up from the chair. Starkiller just watched her move around the area before she noticed his gaze on her. A grin started cracking across her face, "What?"
"There's not another person in the world like you is there?" He said.
"One of a kind, love."
"You do know no one here wants me around."
"That's not entirely true." She said with her voice trailing off knowing he didn't believe her.
"Besides you and the cowboy, no one wants me here."
"Angela wants to help you, Winston has just a natural curiosity for things he doesn't quite understand. So there's two more." She added.
"And what about the other 30 or so people here. I heard what they said when the cowboy was taking me down here. They all want me dead, gone, or somewhere not here."
Lena motioned him to follow her. "Look give them time, I know you were in a no win situation. But they only see what happened from here, and most of them have a hard time learning perspective."
"Their concern isn't unwarranted though."
"Yea I guess."
The two made their way into the elevator.
"You don't have to do.."
"I swear if you say that one more time I'm gonna slug you right in your mouth." She said jokingly putting her fists up in a fighting stance. "People around here know what Talon is capable of, some of us have even dealt with them first hand, give us a chance we might surprise you."
"I feel as though it is me who needs to be given a chance." He said looking at the floor numbers change.
"Well I already know where our first stop is going to be." Lena said as the elevator doors opened. He looked at her waiting for an answer. "The showers, you reek." She snickered a little covering her nose exaggerating a bit. He looked down at himself seeing the white shirt he was in was fading to a dirty white. He hadn't changed out of his clothes since being brought here.
"Fair enough. I don't have anything else to wear though." He said pointing at his attire.
"I can wash them quick while you take a shower. We can go back to my room cmon." She tugged on his arm dragging him along. As soon as they would pass anyone in the hall, Starkiller felt all eyes pierce him, at times making him feel slightly uncomfortable. The events he had to endure at Talon were some of the most gruesome some would say, but this feeling he was getting from the judgement in every one's eyes following him was another kind of discomfort. Walking through the hallways trying to dodge everyone's gaze was becoming increasingly difficult. The two turned a corner walking past Fareeha who proceeded to throw a shoulder into Starkiller as she walked by, staggering him back a little.
She turned her head as she continued walking. "Freak. You don't belong here." Starkiller stood there with his back against the wall as he looked down at his arms examining his scars.
"Don't mind her, shes a little rough around the edges, you know? Always trying to be the tough one." Lena said tugging on him to continue their path.
"I don't think that was an act of toughness, almost felt like a threat."
"Yea she does that from time to time." She said opening her room up. "She was military so she's very by the rule books and all, viewing stuff very black and white she does."
Starkiller followed her inside as Lena closed the door behind them. "Isn't everyone here military in some form though?"
Lena went into the bedroom as she hollered back at him still standing by the door. "Well not necessarily. The big guy you saw earlier is a scientist, Angela's a doctor."
"So two people here have no military affiliation." He said starting to examine her apartment looking quarters.
"Kinda difficult not to have military people here with the work we do, you know?"
"I suppose."
"Well bathroom is just over there, you can wash up while I take care of your clothing situation." She said coming out of the bedroom with a towel in her hand. Starkiller took his shirt off and handed it to her as he entered the bathroom. As he walked away, Lena saw the scars on his back that varied in size and depth it appeared. The most apparent one being one that went down the length of his back trailing where is spine was. Hearing about what Talon did was one thing, but actually seeing the aftermath was another. Starkiller closed the door behind him and entered the shower turning on the water and let the refreshing water clense his body. He stood there letting the refreshingly hot water bounce and run down his back closing his eyes and letting his body relax. The soothing feeling of the hot water running down his body was foreign to him. He felt like he could melt away in the sensation.
Lena threw the shirt away and started to dig through some old drawers looking for other clothes for him to wear. But the only thing she had that wouldn't look ridiculous on him was some old standard clothing Overwatch gave out to everyone that was a one size fits all. She picked up the shirt and shrugged her shoulders. "Guess this'll have to do." A knock on the door caught her ear as she opened it to see Ana standing there with something in her hand.
"Captain Amari, what can I do for you?"
She put her finger over her mouth signaling her to keep quiet. "Take this, its a tranquilizer dart gun." She handed her the small weapon that could easily fit into any pocket. "The sedative in there is strong enough to put down an elephant in seconds."
"I don't think I'll need this." Lena replied chuckling
"I'm serious. Angela has informed us his genetic mutation has progressed at an exponentially high rate, I'm not so sure bullets will stop him should he try anything. There is an alarming similarity in his powers to that of Reaper. The only thing we can do is temporarily sedate him at best." She placed the dart gun in her hand. "I'm only looking out for your safety, there's no telling what hes capable of."
Lena closed her hand around the gun looking back to Ana. "What do you think of him?" Ana seemed unfazed by the question already having her formal response prepared.
"Jack has granted him permission to go about the base under supervision, obviously he feels he is still a threat in some way."
"I asked what do you think?"
Ana let out a sigh. "I know you struggle to see the danger of people or situations, but he's from Talon. Whether he knows it or not, he could be indirectly putting us all in danger just by being here." Lena folded her arms waiting for her to finish. "But he hasn't shown any sign of aggression. I still want you to be prepared for the worst."
"You always are captain." Lena joked back. She closed the door and still heard the shower running and placed the dart gun in her pocket, not really feeling too good about having it on her person, but better safe than sorry. She knocked on the door after a little while to check up on him. "You doing ok in there?"
Just then she heard the shower stop and some shuffling about in there. The door opened with Starkiller having the towel wrapped around his waist, showing off his upper body to Lena. She stopped herself from staring too much. "Um this was all I could find for you." She said clearing her throat and handing him the shirt. "These shorts are too big for me so you can make do with these." Starkiller examined the clothing before putting them on. The shorts were not as bad of a fit as he thought, the shirt was a bit snug though. They hugged his body to the point where his muscles were protruding through showing off his toned body. it was white and had a small Overwatch logo on the front top of the shirt and on the back.
"You don't think people will take me wearing this the wrong way do you?" He asked looking at the shirt on his person.
"I think it suits you." She said biting her lip a little scanning his body a little more in the outfit. She caught herself again before he noticed though. "Cmon I could go for a good cup of tea." The two exited her room walking to the the mess hall. When they entered, Lena waved to the usual bunch she hung out with. Hana Song, and Lucio dos Santos. "Hey guys!"
"What's shaking Lena?" Lucio asked still bobbing his head to the music he was playing.
"Sit here, I'll go get us some tea." Lena said to Starkiller. He sat down as the other three stared at him.
"Whats up dude?" Lucio finally asked breaking the silence. Starkiller wasn't exactly too sure how to respond but shrug his shoulders slightly.
"Going ok I guess." He said back.
"So is it true?" Hana asked. Starkiller raised an eyebrow not sure what she was talking about. "You took on Reaper and Doomfist?"
Starkiller looked down at the table before nodding his head slightly. "Yea, I lost though."
"Well that can't be true my man." Lucio said
"Why's that?"
"You're still breathing." Lucio said
"From what I saw you were in a good position before I butted in." Lena said sitting down handing him a mug full of tea.
"Well that doesn't seem out of the norm. Lena's always messing up the groove." Lucio joked around.
Starkiller smirked a little taking a sip of his tea.
"Oh you're just jealous you still can't beat me in a race." Lena said back.
While Lena and Lucio were enjoying their friendly banter, Hana was taking her time studying Starkiller as he sat in silence. When he raised his arm to take another sip of his drink, she noticed the tattoo on his arm. She didn't say anything but Starkiller caught her eyes studying it.
"It says S-13." He said showing her for a moment.
"What does it mean?" She asked.
"Wish I could tell you. Don't really remember much of anything besides being stuck in Talon."
"I can tell you what it means. It's a brand to show everyone he doesn't belong here." Everyone turned looking at Fareeha standing at the end of the table. Starkiller chose to ignore the comment but Lena decided to chime in.
"Oh shove off. Can't you see he doesn't belong with them anymore?"
"Only time will tell. Just know I have my cross hairs on your head." She said before turning to leave.
"You wouldn't get the chance to shoot." Starkiller muttered under his breath taking another sip of his drink. She paused and turned around piercing him with her look
"Is that a threat?" She asked raising her tone.
"It's a matter of fact."
This only provoked her more as she drew her pistol and pointed it at him. "Lets test your theory." She fired at his head but as soon as she did, he vanished and appeared behind her, and had one of Lena's pulse pistols pointed at the back of her head.
"Stop!" Lena got up and yelled drawing the dart gun she had received from Ana earlier ever so slightly out of her pocket. Everyone had stopped to see all the commotion after the shot was fired. Starkiller noticed the new weapon in Lena's hands before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
He flung Lena's pistol on the table before returning to his seat. "I don't wish to hurt anyone here. But let me be clear, I won't hesitate to protect myself should I need to. As you can see I'm more than capable of doing just that." Fareeha and everyone else were stunned and shocked at how quick he could maneuver. He took one last sip of the tea before getting up. "Thanks for the drink, but I think it would be best if I return to my room." He put a sarcastic spin on the last sentence. As he walked towards the elevator to return to what was pretty much his domain.
"You don't have to stay there you know. Its not right to stay isolated from everyone like that." Lena said following him towards the elevator. She had a look that showed distinct disappointment, but also a bit of fear at the same time.
"It's clear not many, if anyone, trust me. I shouldn't be walking around like I belong here. The looks alone show I'm not welcomed here." He said summoning the elevator. "Or like I'm a rabid animal that will be put down should I act out." He added looking at the gun in her pocket. Lena noticed that he was eyeing the dart gun.
"Its not what you think." She pleaded getting into the elevator with him. "It was just to diffuse any situations that may get out of hand."
"You guys don't think I can control myself, is that it?" He asked. His frustration was starting to come to a boiling point. "I've been clear with my intentions since being dragged here to begin with. Obviously your disregard for that being the truth shows where you stand with me."
"Don't lump me in with everyone here." Lena barked back at him. The elevator doors opened as the two stepped out in the detention area. "How can you lump me in with them when I'm the one who brought you here in the first place. I'm trusting you even after you tried to kill me, and killed three others!" She yelled at him.
"I never tried to kill you." He said turning around walking towards her as he backed her into a corner. He snatched the dart gun out of her pocket. "I'm suppose to believe you after you carry around stuff like this for me only?" He threw it to the other side of the room away from them. "Is this what you guys think of me? Some time bomb ticking waiting to snap and kill you? Huh?" His aura was starting to glow the louder he got. "Answer me!" His eyes glowed purple as the aura engulfed him. When he saw the fear on Lena's face from his snap, that's when he brought himself out of it. He stepped back away from her leaning against the cell door and crumpling to the ground with his back still against the door. Lena slowly crept closer to him.
"I'm.. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." He mumbled out.
Lena walked up and sat next to him on the ground. "You aren't completely wrong. But you aren't right either." She put a hand on his leg trying to comfort him. "Do you trust me?" Starkiller looked at her but hesitated to answer for a moment before she asked again. "Life on the line, gun to your head, do you trust me?"
"Yes." He answered. "What about you, do you trust me?"
Lena nodded her head slowly. "You've already saved my life. Don't ever think I'll forget that. I owe you." She offered a little smile to try and comfort him.
"I don't feel like I have place in this world." He said. "Talon injected me into this world with no other purpose than to be their weapon, now that I'm damaged goods to them, what do I do now? Where do I go now?"
"Your place is with us, and your purpose is to help make this world a better place. Ultimately the choice is up to you. Make the most of it love." She responded.
Lena started to move closer to him. Her eyes were begging him to return the favor. Timid at first, he started to move his face closer to hers. Only inches apart from hers, he was too afraid to go any further.
"This is wrong." He said starting to pull away. He felt her hand grab the back of his neck to stop him from pulling away.
"Ever since my accident, I've always felt out of place as well." She looked down placing her hand in his. "I'm desperate for another's touch. I need help feeling grounded in this place." She looked back up at him. "Help me feel like I belong." She whispered. She brought him closer to her and just before she was about to embrace his lips, a voice interrupted them.
"Awe how sweet." The two of them pulled away from each other and rose to their feet looking to see who was there. But they couldn't see anyone.
"That voice." Starkiller muttered under his breath. "I know that voice."
"Bingo amigo." Sombra said as she uncloaked herself. Before either Starkiller or Lena could react she started typing on her pad and instantly hacked Lena's chronal accelerator crumpling her to the ground gasping for air as she was on the brink of fading away. "Don't move. Any sudden moves and your little girlfriend here will be gone." She held her hand over what looked like a killswitch button on her pad.
Lena was still gasping for air clearly in a great deal of pain from her accelerator malfunctioning. Starkiller put his hands up to show his surrender. "What do you want?"
"I'm just here to finish a job. Tie up some loose ends, know what I mean?" She said so sadistically walking around the room. She walked over to Lena and reached down to pick her up.
"Don't touch her!" He yelled out. Sombra cocked her head to the side and had a devious grin over her face. "I'm the one you want, just leave her out of this." She didn't say anything back but started walking around the room circling Starkiller. She enjoyed playing with her prey. "How did you even know I was here? As far as Talon knows I'm dead."
Sombra started to chuckle and shake her head. "You have no idea how deep the roots of Talon go in this world do you?" She came face to face with him. "Talon has more control in this world than anyone realizes. How do you think they've stayed hidden all this time from Overwatch?"
"I wouldn't know, Talon didn't exactly let me in on their day to day activities."
"I suppose the best Moira could have done with you could only go so far. After all you were just the latest in a long line of failed experiments." As Sombra rambled on Starkiller saw Lena starting to crawl slowly towards the dart gun that was on the other side of the room.
"What do you mean long list?" He was trying to keep Sombra's attention just a little longer.
"Well 13, you weren't the first we had to put down."
"There were more like me? I thought I was the last survivor?"
"Of that batch, you were."
Starkiller narrowed his eyes looking at Sombra. "Batch?"
Sombra chuckled again taking the vile she had received from Moira out of her pocket and loading up a needle to inject Starkiller. "Yup. She really made a breakthrough with your group. Well I guess its back to scrap pile with you."
Just as she was about to inject Starkiller with the liquid, the sound of the dart gun firing caught Sombra by surprise as the needle hit the back of her neck. She jumped at the pain followed immediately by staggering around and collapsing to the ground. Starkiller looked to see Lena pointing the gun before she dropped back to the ground as her accelerator was still malfunctioning. He ran over and helped her up and sat her in one of the beds in the cells.
"Ah..get..Winston." She spoke through the pain she was suffering. He nodded and hit the comm link on the wall.
"Winston get down here. Lena needs your help. And bring Morrison. He's going to want to see this."
"I'll be there as soon as possible." He responded.
Starkiller went back and sat with Lena as she was still writhing in pain from the voltage going through her body. While he tried his best to comfort her, he looked at Sombra trying to figure out what she was talking about earlier.
