Chapter 25

Things have been quiet for last two days since Eichenwalde, Torbjorn, Reinhardt and Winston have been busy upgrading and fixing Balderich's armor which took longer then expected due to 3 years of inactivity and lack of maintenance since the original owner died. McCree and Hanzo were playing Checkers nearby, Hanzo was winning by three to two rounds. Tracer and Genji were out training testing each other's endurance to see who can outlast the others in speed. Soldier 76 has been more social then when he originally arrived he was still wearing his combat Pants and boots but he isn't wearing the jacket anymore, he is at the kitchen counter making himself some fresh Black Coffee; at the table sat Junkrat who was tinkering with one of his Highly volatile explosives while sharing some tea with Mercy who brewed some earlier this afternoon. Roadhog was in the Living room flipping through channels as nothing was worth watching, Bastion was outside near the cliffs overlooking the sea with his Ganymede who was making a new nest on Bastion's shoulder.

"Agh...Its been Rather boring these past few days, eh mates?" Junkrat said in a tired tone as he sets his tools and project down on the table and leans back against the chair. Soldier 76 Poured a mug of Coffee and looked at Junkrat. "I don't mind, better then getting shot at every five seconds." 76 removed a small portion of his mask to reveal only his bottom lip with the same scar running down and ending at the tip of his chin. "Besides We're still too small to consider ourselves as an organization, not to mention that we're now Twelve members then we were before."

Soldier 76 Sips on his coffee, Junkrat looked slightly displeased. "Are ya actually counting the Scrap heap that's outside Plotting to kill us?" Mercy looked at Junkrat and looked Displeased with his tone. "Jamison, that's all in the past, besides it was all caused by their God Mode programs that made them into Dangerous war machines, you can't Blame every Omnic in the world for what they did not Mean to do." Junkrat only shook his head. "I still don't trust them, Call me a Racist all ya want, I don't like it... they took our homes in the outback and we fought back." 76 bluntly said. "Yeah... and you Lost half the outback from a freak Nuclear explosion that made your country almost uninhabitable thanks to the "Australian Liberation Front" who were a bunch of pissed off Australians who lost their homes to the Omnics thus causing the Meltdown of the Core that lead to the Outback becoming Junker land... or am I wrong?"

Junkrat looked Fumed as he stood up. "What gives ya the fuckin' right to tell me about my home's Fuckin' History!?" 76 was unintimidated by Junkrat's response. "Its the truth Junkrat." Junkrat was seething at this point. "Yeah?! well...YOU DON"T KNOW WHAT SHIT I'VE BEEN THROUGH!" Junkrat screamed at the top of his lungs, Mercy stood up and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, Junkrat looked at Mercy and calmed down. "Jamison, No one aside from Roadhog knows what you went through... But what 76 was trying to explain is that not all Omnics are as bad as you make them out to be... this one saved your life back in Eichenwalde and it saved Reinhardt from being killed by Blackhardt... Do you understand dear?" Mercy's Soft voice echoed in Junkrat's ear, He was angry that she would take 76's side but sighs. "Yeah, I understand... But I still don't like it." Mercy nods her head. "I understand, no one here is going to change your mind... you just have to learn it on your own, and maybe come to terms that bastion could be a friend rather then an enemy." Junkrat nods his head and crossed his arms. "Alright, Sheila..." 76 sighs a bit now that the argument has been defused though he wasn't out of the fire yet. "And 76, Perhaps you wouldn't mind being a little less judgmental of other people?" Mercy crossed her arms, knowing that 76 didn't start the argument though gave the cause for it. "What? I was just saying the truth." Mercy shook her head. "Maybe so, though you never experienced ever losing a lot of loved ones and losing your home to a Catastrophe like what happened in the Outback's of Australia... People have lost their homes and their lives for something that was a mistake even for the right reasons... 76, I want you to apologize to Junkrat... I'm going to Join Genji and Tracer outside.

With that said, Mercy Grabbed her cup of tea and left the kitchen leaving the Junker and soldier alone. After a few minutes of awkward silence Soldier 76 sighed and said. "Sorry about being blunt about your...uh... Predicament, I guess I haven't took to account that you lived through it." Junkrat looked at 76 then chuckled a bit. "Water under the bridge mate, Australia is...a very touchy Subject for me and Roadie there... Not only did we have to take everything in sight to make ends meat, but also that we have to survive through trades... ya ever seen Mad max?" 76 looked at his coffee and sips it casually as he nods. "The Mel Gibson ones and the Fury road reboot." Junkrat nods. "Yeah, its something close to that... 'cept the brood mothering thing the water shortage... Our Land is just littered with Omnic scrap that could be worth something and irradiated water, weather included." 76 could only nod as he listened to Junkrat's version of life in the outback. "I see... It must've been hard for you." Junkrat merely Shrugged. "Could be worse I bet... Agh, Enough talk about home, I'm gonna go and see what the old geezers and Gorilla are up to, Later mate." Junkrat grabs his tools stuffs it in his pack, picking up the Bomb and his canteen of tea, leaving 76 alone in the Kitchen.

Genji and Tracer were found resting after a very vigorous race around the base, Tracer won using her Blink ability. Mercy Walked up to the two and smiled warmly. "Glad to see you both are in shape, I worry that you both might be overexerting yourselves." Tracer looked at Mercy and laughed. "No, we're fine Love, just a friendly racing competition." She elbows Genji's shoulder, he looked up towards Mercy and stood up bowing at her. "My friend is right, Miss Ziegler, after all we must be in top shape for our next mission, and to show that we can endure anything." Mercy giggled. "Well I'm glad you two are doing well none the less, I wish 76 was more like you two." Tracer and Genji in unison asked. "In what regard?" Mercy Shrugged a bit. "Mainly in the attitude department, He is a good Soldier and a very good team mate, However... If I can confide in you two.. he's very...distant."

Genji saw this opportunity and Spoke up. "Well, Miss Ziegler, 76 is a very good teammate, I agree, however, I believe that he is a very dangerous person to keep around base... even more dangerous then Junkrat." Tracer quirked her eyebrow. "Are you jealous of 76, Genji?" Genji turned his head quickly on the question. "No, I am not, Miss Oxton, I just believe that 76 isn't all he seems to be... Think about it, a soldier with a very secretive past, he is a soldier as he states and not to mention he keeps to himself often... I wouldn't be surprised if you let a Talon agent join amongst our rank." Tracer and Mercy Gasped. "That's Crazy Genji, Sure he is secretive and a very dangerous man, but I can tell you that he isn't a Talon agent, You with me on that love?" Tracer crossed her arms as she asked Mercy, though Mercy looked down thinking about Genji's observation. "Love?" Mercy snaps out of it and looked at Tracer with doubt in her eyes. "I... I don't know, Genji could be right."

Genji moved in for the kill. "Miss Ziegler, I have known you longer as any of the veteran of Overwatch, You and I have this Unbreakable bond ever since you Saved my life... Do you trust me?" Mercy looked at Genji and then her hands, the tea was already cool to the touch. "I... I do, Genji." Genji smiled under his mask. "Good... I know My words may seem strange, but understand that I have doubts about 76... He could be a danger to Overwatch... So I ask.. that if you're ever alone with him, Leave immediately and come to me, I'll be there to protect you from him." Mercy smiled at Genji and sets her cup of tea down on one of the crates and hugged Genji warmly. "Thank you, old friend... I'll take your advice to heart." Genji hugged her back, letting his arms wrap around her waist embracing her. They both break the hug and Genji removes what looked like an a sonic Amplifier attached on a leather band. "Press this button when 76 is alone with you and I'll head to your position with haste." Mercy looked at the Amplifier and nods placing it around her neck. "Thank you Genji, I'll keep this with me at all times."

Tracer looked at the two and crossed her arms. 'Somethings not quite right here... 76 may be a scary bloke, but I don't see him just killing talon agents and aiding Overwatch like this.' Tracer thought to herself. "Anyway, I must get back to my office, I'll see you both later." Said Mercy as she grabs her cup of tea and pats Tracer's shoulder and hugging Genji. "Arigato, Miss Ziegler." Tracer nods her. "Cheers love." Mercy walks away from the group and towards the base. Genji stretches his arms. "well I must get going now, I have to do some meditations... I'll see you around, miss Oxton." He bows politely to Tracer and then proceeds to leave her alone. "yeah, see ya, pal." Tracer crossed her arms and leaned against the box thinking to herself.

Junkrat walks inside Winston's Workshop, Torbjorn, Reinhardt and Winston were still doing some upgrades to Reinhardt's armor, McCree and Hanzo were Playing Blackjack, this time McCree was winning judging from the large stacks of Chips on his side. Junkrat jumps in Winston's Seat and tinkers with his Bomb, Athena's voice pops out. "Junkrat, It is not wise to prepare explosives in Winston's quarters, Not without his permission at least." Junkrat looked at the computer, scoffing. "Oh please, I'm an expert of this shit, I know what I'm doing." Athena began to pull up random Movies and news reports. "That logic you have said gives proof that you might cause havoc in the room." Junkrat looked at the pop-ups and groans. "yeesh, Don't ya ever shut up?" Athena retorted. "Only if you stop Playing with explosives Junkrat." Junkrat mutters angrily as he pockets his explosive, he crossed his arms together while crossed his prosthetic leg over his normal leg, shaking in annoyance. "Fine... Damn A.I. Rust bucket." He muttered the last part that Athena was unable to understand what he said but ignored it. "Thank you, Junkrat." Just as She appeared she disappears and shuts off.

Junkrat looked around, his foot shaking violently Until he pressed his peg-leg against a button and a virtual globe of earth pops up. "Ooo~ what have we 'er?" Junkrat looked behind him to make sure no one was looking as everyone was minding their business, Junkrat smirked and began to scroll around the earth with the mouse cursor.

Roadhog was Asleep on the couch with the T.V. Shut off, snoring loudly. Bastion entered the room and Beeps curiously at the large man, scanning him for a moment until he sees 76 alone drinking coffee, Bastion walks towards 76 in a robotic way that it almost looked like marching. 76 noticed the Automaton walking towards him, At first 76 was suspicious and grabbed his mug of Coffee ready to use as a weapon. Bastion saw this and instead of retaliating to the move that may come, he merely spoke. "Beep vweep, Doot." 76 sighed heavily and picked up the mug drinking it calmly. "Sorry... I'm just a bit on edge today."

Last night, Winston gave everyone a minor upgrade to all the team members that made their ears emit a frequency that allowed them all to understand Bastion, as Torbjorn does not wish to Translate for the old unit, he was however willing to help the others understand him.
"Zweep beep tviir?" Bastion whirred Curiously. 76 merely shook his head. "No, its not about you... I've been just thinking about myself." Bastion tilted his head. "Doot Zeeet Boop?" 76 turned his head face to face with his old life's nemesis, the very beings he was trained to defeat when he joined Overwatch, now speaking to it. "Tell me Bastion... How Do you live with it?... to know that you were gone for so many years, came back from whatever hell you dug yourself into and to see your life changed forever... How do you live with it?" Bastion looked down to the floor to see Ganymede hopping around pecking at a piece of bread crumbs that fell on the floor. "Zweep Vrr Doot Voop, Reeev beep boop, Tweeyr Zweep Boop, Dun boop, Reee Whiir." 76 chuckled a bit. "That simple, huh?" Bastion nods his head and chuckled. "Zwe zwe zwe." 76 and Bastion kept on talking for a bit about life, Roadhog was still asleep, ignoring the Robotic sounds in the kitchen.

Junkrat was looking through the globe and found some interesting places on it. "Heh, I remember Stealing from that place... Oh Thats my favorite, Stealing the crown jewels, perfect day it was." Junkrat was in memory lane, Enjoying his old heists and his old mayhem filled life. "Well, Might as well call it a day." He was stretching his whole body, loud snaps could be heard from his back and then a very relieved Sighs comes out of his mouth. Junkrat stood up from Winston's chair when he noticed a blinking light orange light. "what the?" Junkrat looked up to where the light was blinking from only to be located at...Antarctica?

Junkrat pokes Winston's shoulder. "Oi Mate, I think Ya may want to check this out." Winston blinked for a moment and looked at Junkrat and smiled. "Ah, Jamison, When did you come in?" Junkrat shook his head. "Never mind that, But ya may need to see this." Junkrat pointed to the virtual globe. Winston looked at where Junkrat was pointing to See the Blinking Orange light. His eyes light up in surprise. "No way..." Winston Drops his torch and climbs towards the computer and checks out the light. "Its an S.O.S Message... From Mei...By Science..." Junkrat scratched his head. "Whos Mei?" Winston looked at Junkrat with a hint of sadness and embarrassment. "I'll explain when the others arrive..."

He turns back to the computer. "Athena, get everyone to meet me in the Briefing room."