Shadow Mellka decided to go get something from Mercy next, maybe she will find more DNA in the medical bay as well. She walked into Medical bay and saw Mercy looking at a screen of an xray of Atticus, who was standing behind the screen, and Ana standing next to Mercy watching as well.
Mercy: Very powerful bone structure, nice immune system, organs functioning perfectly…yep Ana I think that it will work.
Ana: Good. Atticus can you be a sweet and step from behind the screen?
Atticus: No problem luv.
He moved from behind the screen and stood in front of the two of the ladies. Ana went over to the table behind her and started to put on some sort of gauntlet. Shadow Mellka stepped into the room watching them all.
Shadow Mellka: Hey Mercy, what're you two doing to the big guy?
Mercy: We are testing to see if Ana will be able to heal you all while we are out on missions. Also, her healing comes with a nice benefit if everything goes as planned.
Shadow Mellka: Benefit?
Ana: Don't worry you will see.
Ana chucked and picked up her biotic riffle and slid in one newly batch of a nano boost into her gauntlet. The three of them left the medical bay and started to head to the training room. Shadow Mellka grabbed one blood sample from Atticus that Mercy took and put it into her pocket before quickly catching up with everyone. Once they got into the training hall Mercy began to take notes as some training bots came out and Atticus cracked his knuckles.
Atticus: Alright Amari, whatcha gonna do?
Ana: I'm going to inject you with a nano boost. It will shock your adrenaline systems and cause you to move faster, hit harder, and take more damage. So, are you ready?
Atticus: I was born ready!
Shadow Mellka: Uh, is this safe?
Mercy: From the digital data, yes. From actual testing…this is the first one.
Atticus got ready to attack the training bots. He was focused and everything seemed quiet. He was eager to crush them underneath his hands. Suddenly everything seemed to have stopped. He suddenly felt a burst of energy. He looked down to see he had turned blue and arcs of electricity were going all over his body. He looked back at the training bots as everything started to slowly return to its normal speed. He heard a voice that seemed to have echoed in his head.
Ana: You're powered up, GET IN THERE!
He smirked and charged at the bots swinging faster than he ever has before easily destroying each and every training bot.
Atticus: HAHA I AM UNSTOPABLE!
He continued to attack them all until he destroyed the last one and the nano boost wore off. He breathed heavily and chuckled at the immense power he felt.
Atticus: That…was amazing! I never felt so powerful! It was like Beatrix boosting me, but better! Hell, I feel great!
Mercy: Good, it seems that the nano boost works on you perfectly.
Ana: But we're are not done. We will have to test everyone to see if it works perfect, or if I will need to make adjustments to it.
Mercy nodded at Atticus continued to laugh. Shadow Mellka smirked evily knowing who she needed to get DNA from next. She left the training room knowing she would have to strike another time. On the other side of the base, some of the Battleborn were getting to know the newest Overwatch agents that had arrived. Kleese was currently talking to Symettra, not knowing just how much she was capable of.
Kleese: So, let me get this straight. You can create whatever you want, including teleporters and shield generators, using only light?
Symettra: Yes. Is that so hard to believe?
Kleese: It's hard to believe on this planet. No advance but I am clearly more advanced than any of you here.
Ghalt: Kleese this is not the time to be arrogant.
Kleese: It is not arrogance, it is facts. I am simply giving the fact that I am smarter than her, and she cannot create anything from light. Sure, maybe some things, but not anything.
Symettra: How about I just show you?
Kleese: Oh, this will be good. I want you to create a second chair for me with turbo thrusters and a turret that comes out from its back
Symettra nodded and began to inspect his chair. After a moment, she brought her hands together and began to spin them around over the floor slowing lifting them up and spreading them out. Soon an outline of Kleese's chair could be seen and it slowly came into reality. It was an exact copy with larger thrusters and a turret attached to its back. Kleese's jaw dropped as Symettra chuckled and sat down in the chair that she just created.
Symettra: Do you believe me now?
Kleese did not say anything and simply stared in amazement.
Ghalt: Dude…you just got told.
Symettra laughed and stood up making the chair disappear as she walked off. On the other side of the room Bastion was sitting by himself and let out a sad beep. Hana and Toby noticed going over to him. However, Hana was a little hesitant but eventually followed Toby.
Toby: Hey big guy. What's wrong?
Bastion: Beep beep, zwee, booop…
Hana: Uhhh do you understand him?
Toby: Yeah, it's something along the lines of "Nobody is being my friend."
Hana: How do you understand him?
Toby: You learn a thing or two when you mess around with robotics. Anyways, I'll be your friend big guy.
ISIC: Same.
Marquis: I suppose it could be interesting.
Kid Ultra: A hero could always use a partner.
Kid Ultra, ISIC, and Marquis were listening to the conversation and decided to join in.
Hana: Yeah you don't seem to bad. I bet you're pretty sweet.
Bastion: Doo doo beep beep zwee boop. [Thank you everyone. I'm so happy]
Everyone laughed and began to conversate with Bastion who was happy to finally have some friends. Back in the center of the room Orisa was telling the story about how she was built to Shayne & Aurox, Boldur, and Ambra.
Ambra: So, you were destroyed…then built to be even better to protect your city from unknowable terrors? How noble.
Boldur: Buldur thinks robot is great warrior. Very powerful, but Boldur must see you fight.
Shayne: I think she is more than capable. What do you think Aurox?
Aurox: As long as she helps us win, she is alright with me.
Orisa; Thank you everyone. I will do my best to keep you all safe and help you defeat this new threat.
Ambra: Oh, sweatie I have my complete confidence in you.
Orisa changed her eyes to make it look like she was making a happy face as everyone with her laughed. Everyone continued to talk amongst eachother as Tracer and Oscar Mike walked in. They sat down in two chairs that were in the corner of the room and began to talk amongst themselves.
Oscar: So, what do you think we should do? How do you think we help Mellka?
Tracer: Well firstly, we need to actually find out what's wrong. Maybe it's a side effect from the Varelsi portal?
Oscar: That could be true, but, how do we fix it? It's not like we can drain the Varelsi out of her. Can we?
Tracer: Maybe Winston can figure something out. But we cannot tell him yet.
Oscar Mike: And why is that?
Tracer: It would surely cause panic. After all, how would you act if one of your allies came to you and said that your friend may be evil?
Oscar Mike: One of my allies did come to me and said one of my friends is evil.
Tracer: Oh right.
Oscar Mike: I care about Mellka too much to just leave her this way. I'll find a way to save her myself if I have to.
Tracer: Care too much? Don't you care about all your friends?
Oscar Mike: I do. But I'm in love with Mellka.
Time seemed to slow down for Tracer. Her heart began to pound as she heard those words. At that moment, she realized that she did develop feelings for Mellka and that she was not the only one. What was she going to do? How would she try to fix this love triangle that was forming?
Tracer: Oh r-really? That's g-great. I gotta go now Oscar. T-Talk to you later.
She tried to smile as best she could and then immediately rushed off as her face started to blush wildly. She rushed to her bedroom and closed the door behind her trying to calm down. She sat on her bed tried to push the thoughts out of her head but she could shake the thoughts of her and Mellka being together and the rage of her being with Oscar Mike. She tried to push those thoughts out of her head as there was a knock on her door. She recomposed herself and then went to open the door. It was Mercy who smiled and waved at her.
Tracer: Oh Angela, what brings you here?
Mercy: Just going around giving everyone a warning.
Tracer: Warning? For what? Is everything alright?
Mercy: Yes. For now, at least. Just telling you be prepared for anything because Ana and I are testing the nano boost on the Battleborn to see if it is safe to use on them.
Tracer: Oh…this should be interesting. Wait, shouldn't you have their doctor help you as well? She technically knows more about their biology and could aid you majorly luv.
Mercy: Never.
Tracer: What? Why?
Mercy: I will never share a lab, or take any medical advice from someone as sadistic as that so-called doctor that they have.
Tracer: You cannot take that into consideration luv. We are all one big team now, we have to share ideas and strategies.
Mercy looked down placing her hand on her forehead letting out an annoyed sigh. She then looked back up at Tracer.
Mercy: Very well. But I will only work with her as long as Ana, and somebody to keep her…composed are present.
Tracer: See? That wasn't so hard, was it?
Tracer smiled as Mercy turned around and walked off. Meanwhile on Rendains ship, the copies that Cipher had created were all standing next to eachother not moving at all as Rendain stood in front of them with a smile on his face.
Rendain: Members of my shadow legion. You stand on the precipice of our ultimate goal the-
Oni: Destroying this systems star and conquering more galaxies with even larger armies!
Rendain: Next time you cut me off you will die. And yes, that is correct. How did you know?
Siren: We are born from Cipher, but independent. We know his goals.
Blinker: He was born from you lord Rendain. Meaning we know yours.
Oni: You quest for unquenchable power is within all of us.
Rendain smirked and looked at all of them. He knew he could rely on these new soldiers to get something done.
Rendain: Good. Now where is your newest member?
Siren: She will be here any second lord Rendain.
Just as she said that the doors of the room slid open as a silhouette of Thorn could be seen. She stepped into the light and started to walk towards Rendain while everyone got a good look at this new Thorn clone. Her skin was dark gray with cracks going all over it, her eyes pure while and glowing a little. Her hair a shade of purple, and her armor and bow an even darker shade of purple. She walked towards Rendain and keeled in front of him.
Rendain: Another one that cannot be used as a spy. Such a shame. What is your name?
She looked up at him and smiled.
Barb: I am Barb. And I wield the bow Kreshek Reborn. It is an honor to serve you lord Rendain.
Rendain: Good. You will all continue our training. A week from now we will head to New Tempest to defend it from the Battleborn. Luckily these humans and omnics will not start to arrive until a day after. Plently of time. And hopefully Shadow Mellka can get more DNA so that I may grow my legion.
Blinker: With all due respect boss, we need a team name. And nother lame like those Wankers called Overwatch.
Rendain: Of course not. You are born from shadow, and raised by war. You were born for battle but you nothing like the Battleborn or Overwatch. You, my shadows, my clones, my legion. You will strike fear into the hearts of all that encounter you. They will fear your name. You will be known as Dark Helix. Dark for the shadows you are, and a Helix because you are copies of the two organizations we will destroy.
Oni: Yes, together we will take them all down!
Siren: But we need more DNA. Shadow Mellka doesn't seem to be doing a good job.
Blinker: Of course not. The bitch can't exactly get around undetected.
Rendain smirked and started to walk off to find Cipher.
Rendain: Then she will bring us someone who can.
The next day in the Overwatch base everything was the same routine. Breakfast, relax, training. However, Shadow Mellka had gotten a new target. She went into the lounge area and found Pendles sharpening his kama. She went over to him and sat next to him.
Shadow Mellka: Yo Pendles, whats up?
Kama: Just sharpening my blades. Gotta keep em pristine whenever I envenomate them. What brings you here?
Shadow Mellka: Nothing just wanted to ask you something. I hardly know you.
Pendles: Alright whatcha wanna know?
Shadow Mellka: Do you ever shed? Or have you evolved not to? Also, why only one arm?
Pendles: Well why not? And yes, I shed. Every time I shower.
Shadow Mellka: You shower?
Pendles: That was rude. Yes I shower, that's my bone kama and my venom that you're always smelling.
Mellka: Oh ok. Well I'm grossed out. Take care.
Shadow Mellka waved and then got up leaving. Once she got out of the lounge she rushed to Pendles room and went inside. Tracer saw this and decided to follow her when she got out. Tracer hid and waited to see what would happen. Once Shadow Mellka came out she started to walk towards the exit as Tracer followed. Shadow Mellka got outside the base and went away quite a distance and just stood still. Tracer continued to watch wondering what was happening. After about a minute, a Varelsi portal opened up and Tracer threw what looked like a dried-up piece of skin into it. Tracer continued to watch in shock as it looked like something started to come through the portal. A Varelsi skulk started to come out as Tracer went wide eyed and quickly rushed out taking out her pistols.
Tracer: Mellka watch out!
Shadow Mellka jumped a little and turned around seeing Tracer. She quickly sliced the Varelsi skulks neck as it disappeared and the portal closed. Tracer dropped her pistols and ran over to Shadow Mellka tightly hugging her.
Tracer: What was that?! Are you ok?!
Shadow Mellka: I'm fine I'm fine don't worry.
Tracer: Why did you come to a portal?!
Shadow Mellka: I-I…I was in a trance! Im guessing it may be side effects of being in their world.
Tracer: What about what you threw in? That dried up skin?
Shadow Mellka: Skin? I don't know what you're talking about. I don't rember anything while I was entranced.
Tracer simply hugged her tightlying as Shadow Mellka let out a small sigh hoping that her lie will keep her cover. Back on Rendains ship, Cipher had absorbed the dried-up skin that Pendles had shed and shot out another tar ball that slowly grew taking the shape of Pendles. As the tar slid off Cipher got a good look at his newest recruit. His clothing was pure black with bones on the trimming of it. Even his kamas were bones. His skin was a dark red but had white paint on his face and some on his arm. He slowly started to stand hand chuckle looking up at Cipher.
Cipher: Good. You must already know what to do. Don't disappoint me. Welcome to Shadow Helix. I shall call you…Basilisk.
Basilisk bowed his head a little.
Basilisk: It is an honor to serve you my lord.
Cipher: Now go do your mission.
Basilisk snickered and in a puff of black smoke he was gone. A few minutes later he was standing outside the Overwatch base as night time approached. He sliced at a rock making the top half of it slide off and onto the ground.
Basilisk: The hunt…begins.