⟪You have got to be pulling my hair.⟫ Lúcio said in disbelief.
Jesse shook his head as he led them through the halls towards the conference room. ⟪I'm not! I can't believe you don't know a lick about professional bull riding. Brazil has dominated the international scene for about as long as there's been an international scene.⟫
⟪And I never would have guessed bull riding still existed, let alone that there was an 'international scene' for it.⟫
⟪Not everyone can be as cultured as yours truly, I s'pose.⟫ Jesse winked, holding the door open.
Lúcio gave an amused snort before looking around the empty room. ⟪So where is everyone? I thought there was a meeting.⟫
Jesse dropped into his customary chair and propped his boots on the table. ⟪Technically, the meetin's not for another fifteen minutes, but I figured I could get you in here before the others show up. They can be pretty overwhelmin' to new folk in general, but since you're… well, you, they might be even worse than usual.⟫
⟪I'm sure I could handle it!⟫
Jesse nodded. ⟪No doubt! I'm more worried about Winston bein' able to control a meetin' full of excited agents. 'Specially Lena.⟫
"Did I hear my name?" Jesse turned in time to see Lena herself stepping into the conference room. She didn't give him a chance to respond, talking at her usual rapid-fire pace. "Hiya, Jesse. Who've you got with you? Winston mentioned a new recruit, so I figured I'd get here early to get myself acquainted."
He'd give her three seconds to notice Lúcio. 3, 2,—
"No. Way. Lúcio?"
Damn, off by one.
"The Lúcio?" She blinked to him, the residual blue light highlighting Lúcio's surprised expression. "Cor, I can't believe you've joined Overwatch, this is amazing!"
Jesse tried to hide his laughter when she took one of his hands with both of hers, shaking it vigorously.
"I'm Lena Oxton! You might've heard of me— well, not like I've heard of you, of course, I just used to be a part of the old Overwatch and I got a little famous for the whole Slipstream-slash-Girl Out of Time incident. Wow, that doesn't sound self-important at all-"
Lúcio looked over at him with wide eyes as she continued to babble.
He got the hint. "Give 'im a chance to breathe, Lena."
"Oh!" Lena blinked a step back. "Right, er, sorry about that!"
⟪I take it that this is Lena?⟫ Lúcio asked as Lena's exuberance transformed to confusion.
⟪Yessir. I'll just do the usual thing, yeah?⟫
⟪Sounds good.⟫
Jesse leaned forward in his chair and grinned at Lena, who still looked as lost as a squirrel in a fish tank. "Well, seems like he doesn't really need an introduction, but you can now consider yourself officially acquainted with Lúcio Correira dos Santos."
"Wow," she whispered breathily.
"Pleased to meet you!" Lúcio said, smiling widely again.
Seeing the honest-to-god stars in her eyes, Jesse quickly spoke: "He only speaks Portuguese and Spanish. Winston is already tracking that we need to order a Babrick, but until we get our hands on one, I'll be actin' as translator."
He hadn't realized he'd been puffing his chest proudly until Lena laughed at him.
"Pft, why would you do that?"
"'Cause I speak Spanish?" He asked in confusion and maybe a little bit of hurt.
"No, I mean, why wait until we get another Babrick?" She blew a lock of hair out of her face. "We can just use mine."
"…You have a Babrick?"
"What, you think I learn the language for every airfield I fly into? I keep it in the Lark," she said, pointing a thumb over her shoulder.
Jesse slapped a hand over his face. Why didn't he think of asking the Eichenwald team if they had Babricks? Especially their pilot! It was practically mandated for professional pilots to carry Babricks. Lord. Sometimes, he was such an idiot. He looked back up at her.
"Lena, darlin', would you mind grabbin' that for us before the meetin' starts?"
"Sure! I'll be back in a jiffy, loves!" She blinked away.
"Well," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. ⟪Looks like you won't be needin' me to keep translatin' after all. Lena's got a Babrick you can use.⟫
His usefulness was short lived as ever, it seemed.
Lúcio grinned, his eyes looking through the door Lena just exited. ⟪What is that thing she does? That makes the blue light? I'd say it looks like Vishkar tech, but she doesn't seem the type.⟫
⟪Definitely not Vishkar, don't worry about that.⟫ Jesse tipped his hat back. The disappointment hadn't faded yet, and his hands felt itchy. He dug through his pockets and pulled out a silver lighter. ⟪Lena had an accident… hm, maybe twelve years ago? There abouts, anyway. She was a test pilot for an experimental plane that was supposed to be able to teleport.⟫ The lighter danced through his right hand, catching the light as it twirled through his fingers.
⟪Things didn't go to plan, as they do, and she ended up disappearin' for a bit. I don't understand all the details, but somethin' about gettin' misplaced in time.⟫ He tossed the lighter high into the air and caught it with his left hand. ⟪They had to bring together a whole host of scientists to work it out— it was Winston's first official project, actually. So they eventually managed to make her reappear, but it came with some unique side effects.⟫ The lighter didn't flow through his fingers as well as it had on his right hand. It clinked on his metal knuckles, catching on the joints.
⟪Downside is if she don't wear that device on her chest, she becomes temporally unstable and disappears again. On the upside, she can manipulate time-space for short bursts, so she can sorta… accelerate her position. Hell, she can even reverse it.⟫ There was a clatter as the lighter finally slipped out of his hand and skittered on the table. He frowned at it before looking back up at Lúcio. ⟪You should ask her to show off for you sometime. She'll love the attention.⟫
⟪Wow. Time travel,⟫ Lúcio said, somewhat awed. ⟪That's one heck of a story! She turned what could have been a huge disadvantage into a unique ability.⟫
Jesse paused. Then he nodded, sweeping his lighter off the table and shoving it back into his pocket. ⟪That's a good way of lookin' at it.⟫
Lúcio patted his metal-encased legs. ⟪Just like me.⟫ He looked towards Jesse and nodded at his arm with his ever-present grin. ⟪Just like you.⟫
Jesse smiled back while subtly angling his prosthetic arm out of view. ⟪There's a lot to say about bein' able to turn a bad situation around,⟫ he said noncommittally, ignoring the uncomfortable feeling that always rose to the surface when people talked about his arm.
⟪What happened?⟫ Lúcio asked curiously. ⟪Was it an accident?⟫
⟪Yup,⟫ Jesse lied with a grin. ⟪Bull ridin'.⟫
Fortunately, they were interrupted before Lúcio could ask him more questions about it. Unfortunately, it was Hanzo who interrupted them, stopping short at the door when he saw them, and Jesse was pleased to recognize that he was considering turning tail. At least he was able to interpret one of that man's expressions.
"Don't look so scared, sugar," Jesse said with a smirk. "I don't bite… without consent."
Hanzo sneered, but didn't leave. Instead, he took a seat in the chair furthest away from Jesse.
⟪You two don't really get along, do you?⟫
Jesse turned at Lúcio's words, shocked to find an honest-to-god frown on his face. It was such an unexpected expression from Lúcio that Jesse was almost at a loss for words. ⟪It's not really… it's just how we are,⟫ he explained in a stumble. ⟪We don't mean anythin' by what we say.⟫
Lúcio shrugged and glanced at Hanzo, who was surreptitiously watching them over his tablet. ⟪Maybe not you, but he looks like he takes it pretty personally.⟫
Jesse winced. ⟪Sometimes,⟫ he admitted. ⟪He's learnin' to take things less seriously.⟫
Lúcio raised his hands apologetically and smiled again. ⟪I know it's not really any of my business, but nothing good comes of making a cat and a shoe out of people.⟫
...Making a what? He blinked. ⟪Alright, now that's a phrase I haven't heard before.⟫
⟪Really?⟫ Lúcio laughed. ⟪I've never thought about it, but I guess I've only heard it in Brazil. It means that playing with someone's emotions doesn't have good results for anyone.⟫ Lúcio looked at him meaningfully. ⟪Even if you mean it in good humor.⟫
⟪I'll… keep that in mind.⟫ Jesse said, rubbing the back of his neck again, not quite meeting Lúcio's eyes.
Why did he feel like he was letting Lúcio down? Why did letting him down make him feel so low? Jesse hadn't even known him for a full day!
"I'm back!" Lena announced, materializing beside them and setting a compact device on the table between them. She handed Lúcio an earpiece and fiddled with the settings on the screen. "That should do it. What do you say, Lúcio? Can you hear me alright?"
Lúcio prodded the volume button before giving her a thumbs up. His next words weren't in Spanish, but the Babrick was able to translate where Jesse couldn't: "Loud and clear, Lena! Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it!"
"Aw, no problem, love!" She said, raising a hand to give Lúcio her usual shoulder-punch, but remembered herself in time to run it through her hair instead. Jesse felt a fond half-smile curl on his lips at her awkwardness. "You're a teammate now, we gotta look out for each other."
Then Lúcio surprised both of them when he glided to his feet and wrapped Lena in a tight hug. "All the same, I really appreciate it!"
"Aha, that, um," Lena stuttered, blushing. She looked at Jesse and mouthed, "Lúcio is hugging me!"
He chuckled and gave her a thumbs up.
"I look forward to working with you as well," Hanzo said from across the room.
Unbidden, an image of Lúcio enthusiastically hugging the taciturn logistician sprang into Jesse's mind and he had to cover his laugh with a cough. Hanzo gave him a stink-eye for it, but ignored him in favor of Lúcio.
"We have not been properly introduced. I am Hanzo, I handle supply for the team."
"Pleased to meet you," Lúcio said with his near-ecstatic smile. His joy was infectious. Jesse would bet an easy twenty that the whole team would love him. The guy was basically an emotional amp, sci-fi speakers not required.
"Oh, there's already quite a few of you here," Winston said, pausing in the doorway. "Good evening, all."
The group returned their collective greetings, Jesse giving a half-hearted salute, but the synthetic voice of the Babrick was what caught Winston's attention.
"When did we get this?" He looked at Jesse suspiciously. "I hope that its previous owner was properly compensated."
"Boss!" Jesse protested, pressing a hand to his chest and trying not to feel too put out that Winston had immediately assumed he stole the Babrick. "I am shocked and offended you think I would do such a thing!"
"It's mine, anyway," Lena said, waving at their leader.
"Oh, good!" Winston ambled to Lúcio, extending his massive hand for a shake. "I'm happy you'll be able to directly participate in your first meeting."
"Me, too!" Lúcio exclaimed, giving Winston a light punch on the shoulder. Winston lit up just like Lena had, beaming at everyone.
Hell, might as well bet a hundred. Lúcio'd have the team eating out of his hand by the end of the meeting. He grinned to himself, one thought warming him from this inside: Hanzo was gonna hate it.
"Are you sure you don't want to skip tonight's meeting?" Genji said from the doorway. Jesse turned to see Genji, Doc, and Zen walking in together. Genji had his arm around Doc's shoulder, who looked much worse for wear than she had thirty minutes ago. Clearly, the coffee wasn't helping as much as she hoped it would.
"No, I-" Doc Zeigler hid her huge yawn behind a hand. "I'm fine. I am eager to see the results of the Eichenwald mission. Oh, and the post-op check-up should happen tonight. I really should have conducted them when the team landed, but everyone wanted to eat-" She yawned again and Jesse watched as Genji pulled out a chair for her before gently sitting her in it. "Thank you. As I was saying-"
"Doctor Zeigler," Zen interrupted softly. "Might I propose that I conduct the check-up? By all accounts you've been working almost incessantly since our departure. Allow me to assist you in this small manner."
Doc hesitated.
"C'mon, Doc," Jesse joined in, knowing that she had a problem knowing when to call it quits. They all did, really, but that just made it more important that they keep an eye out for each other. "Spend the night in. You're already joinin' the meetin', why don't you keep Genji company tonight? Y'know how he gets when he's lonely." He didn't need to see Genji's face to know he was rolling his eyes, but it didn't bother Jesse any. He knew how to play his cards.
Sure enough, Doc gave in. "Oh, alright." She smiled at Genji and tapped on his visor where his nose would be. "I suppose we could celebrate a successful mission."
Jesse snickered even as Genji flipped him off outside of Doc and Zen's view.
"Hurry up, Rein!" Brigitte urged as she entered the room.
Jesse glanced at the clock- those two were certainly cutting it close. There was only a single minute to spare before the meeting was supposed to begin. No doubt that Hanzo- yup, glowering like they'd insulted his mother. That man seriously needed to get a grip on his control issues.
"Have no fear!" Rein bellowed as he entered, causing most everyone to flinch at the volume. "I am here!"
"That's how you get tinnitus," Lúcio said, slowly uncovering his ears.
Jesse wished he was kidding. All of Red Team had to get their hearing treated after doing a day-long indoor rescue exercise with Reinhardt. Doc refused to talk to any of them for three days in protest.
"Ahem," Winston began. "Everyone please take your seats. Many of us had a long day, so let's not drag this meeting out." He paused long enough for the scraping of chairs to cease. "So, uh, good evening everyone! We have a few things on the agenda, but first and foremost, I'd like to introduce our newest recruit- Lúcio Correia dos Santos!"
Raucous cheers echoed in the small room, and Jesse himself let out a piercing whistle. Lúcio grinned widely, waving enthusiastically at his new compatriots.
"Many of us know Lúcio through his reputation as a musician, but he'll be joining us as medical support." Winston again waited until the applause died down. "Would you like to say a few words to the team, Lúcio?"
"Sure!" He glided to his feet. "Hello, everyone! I'm Lúcio and I'd just like to say I am so thrilled to be here." He bounced on the toes of his skates, long hair dancing with the movement. "I always dreamed of joining Overwatch ever since I was little- I was a huge fan." He laughed, a slight blush tinging his cheeks in a way that could only be described as adorable. "You might think I'm exaggerating, but I had, like, all the posters." Lúcio grinned at Reinhardt. "Yours was my favorite."
Reinhardt guffawed, sitting up in his chair, clearly pleased with himself. Jesse could tell from the look on Brigitte's face that Lúcio had already passed her test.
"I know that many of you have had the pleasure of knowing me before I could have the pleasure of knowing you. And I know," Lúcio said, eyes landing on Hanzo. "That some of you might wonder what business a musician has on a team of heroes."
Jesse watched with passive interest as Hanzo refused to look away from Lúcio or even acknowledge the rest of the team's stares. Sure, Hanzo was an eternal asshole, but he knew that and didn't apologize for it. Jesse could respect that.
"Growing up where I did," Lúcio continued, "in the favelas of Río, most people think that I grew up disadvantaged. And, hey, if we're talking about money and material comforts maybe they'd be right." His arms and smile spread wide. "But in friendship, in community, and in love, I was as far from disadvantaged as possible! In those things, I was rich."
Jesse leaned back in his chair. He hadn't thought Lúcio would have a speech prepared on such short notice, but clearly, wonders never ceased with this kid.
"I was never without company," Lúcio continued. "My brothers, sisters, and cousins all saw to that. I never realized how unusual it was to have a family as large and loving as mine, and when I did find out? Man. That got me. I always, always had someone to lean on growing up. So the idea that a kid who scraped his knee might not have a mom to kiss it better? Or that a girl may not have brothers to celebrate her birthdays with? That a man might not have cousins to share in his sorrow after his father's death-" Choking up, Lúcio held a fist over his heart and closed his eyes.
"Sorry," he said, smile a little watery.
Lena blinked out of her seat- blue light highlighting her path out of the conference room and back- and then blinked to Lúcio's side with a glass of water. He accepted it gratefully, taking a sip.
"Thank you. As I was saying, um," he looked down briefly and when he lifted his head again, his smile had returned as bright as ever. "Family was my everything growing up. I could count on my neighbors across the street just as much as I could count on my mothers across the hall. Some people don't or can't rely on their blood family, but families can be so much more than that. I had been blessed with having one of the most colorful and lively families in the world: the favelas of Río! My community was my family. It still is!" He beamed at them. "And now I have joined another family."
Lúcio set his glass of water down. "Maybe it seems a little presumptuous to call you all family when I haven't even met everyone. I get that! But I also hope you know that I mean it with all my heart. I do consider you all my family in every way that matters, because we're going to rely on and support each other through thick and thin."
"Here, here!" Lena cheered. A smattering of chuckles broke out around the table.
Jesse shifted in his seat uncomfortably. He wasn't so good with this degree of honesty. Always made him teary. He hated getting teary.
Lúcio's eyes sparkled. "Hey, check this out!" He picked up the Babrick. "Right now, I am able to speak to all of you without knowing any of your languages." He paused, looking around excitedly. "How amazing is that?! I mean, I spent years trying to communicate using only instruments and here exists this amazing invention that lets me talk to anybody! What I love so much about music is how it brings us all together and what I love about Babricks is that it's made to do the same thing! Knowing that I'm not the only one in the world trying to bring us all together like the global community- like the family we are- it's what keeps me going!"
"Like, I promise I'm not gushing for no reason." Lúcio set the Babrick down. "There's a point to this. Because, to me and many others, Overwatch was the perfect representation of that global family. Back when the Crisis broke out, the world had no choice but to band together and acknowledge our common humanity so that we could defend ourselves. Overwatch embodied the best our world- our family- had to offer."
Reyes would've had something to say about that romantic perception of the Crisis.
"Even after the Crisis ended," Lúcio continued, "And omnics joined our family, Overwatch continued to be the physical representation of what we could accomplish if we set aside our differences and moved towards a common goal. For instance, we all remember where we were for the Fall of Overwatch."
Around the table, solemn faces nodded. Hell, Jesse could still smell the spice and sweat in the run-down taqueria, as an entire town's worth of people huddled around the one functioning television.
"I had just turned eighteen," Lúcio said. "I had been performing in underground clubs and I was prepping for another gig that night when the news got out." He shook his head, dreadlocks swaying. "That was probably one of the worst performances I've ever had, music-wise. Everyone was devastated. No one danced, just huddled together in front of the booth. Overwatch was messed up, we all knew that, but we didn't expect it to end that way- most of us didn't expect it to end at all.
"Even though I wasn't a part of it, even though I wasn't even on the same continent, I still felt like I had personally failed Overwatch."
Jesse winced. He felt that. Hard.
Lúcio continued uninterrupted, words gaining a plaintive tone. "It was supposed to be the best of us. It was supposed to support us- but we were supposed to support it, too. We were all responsible for allowing Overwatch to drift so far away without bringing it back into the family fold. What would have happened if I had answered the call? Would I have helped Overwatch become better? Would it have failed anyway?" Lúcio paused, lifting his glass to his lips again, giving them all time to process his words.
Jesse wishes he hadn't. He already got preoccupied with the past too often. And he couldn't pretend he only had a theoretical culpability for the collapse of Overwatch and Blackwatch. He'd been instrumental- Reyes wouldn't have been in the Zurich headquarters at all if it weren't for him. If just one of the commanders had lived, maybe Overwatch could have survived. How much better off would the world be if it weren't for him?
Well. If wishes were horses.
"We have power." Lúcio announced, the fire of conviction in his eyes. "We each have the power to free people from their own hate." He held up the Babrick, "To create devices that translate our love in all languages. To build homes instead of war machines! I am here because I believe the new Overwatch fights for all these things. Without regard for borders or barriers or boundaries, Overwatch fights not for one people or one nation. Overwatch fights for all people and all nations. For one family." He looked around the conference table, making eye contact with every agent. "I am honored to be a part of Overwatch today and I look forward to being a part of the family. Thank you."
Lúcio sat down, looking abruptly self-conscious after his long speech. Around the room, Jesse could see the contemplation and wonder clear on most everyone's faces. Even Hanzo was considering Lúcio with an air of appreciation, which damn if that didn't say something. If being an international vigilante or platinum DJ didn't work out for Lúcio, he could always make a killing as an inspirational speaker.
No one had broken the spell-like silence, yet, and Lúcio was starting to look a little green with nerves, so Jesse took it as his American duty to begin the applause. Soon the conference room was filled with deafening applause and cheers- largely thanks to Reinhardt.
"Thank you, Lúcio," Winston said after the clamor had finally abated. "I think I can speak for all of us when I say we're equally excited to have you with us as a part of our family." Lúcio gave Winston a thumbs up, his smile a mile wide. "Team, Lúcio will be assisting Dr. Zeigler and acting as a medic on missions. He brings with him specially developed technology that can manipulate audio to produce quantifiable effects on the body! I will be adjusting drill teams, of course, to better integrate Lúcio and to practice working alongside him and his equipment."
Jesse leaned over to Lúcio. "That was a hell of speech! Great job."
"Thank you! I was really nervous, so thanks for the reassurance. And, uh, the applause," Lúcio laughed and Jesse winked.
Winston swiped his tablet a few times. "Now that we have officially welcomed Lúcio to the team, we can address the next item on the agenda. I'd like to congratulate Doctor Zeigler on her successful research iteration."
A polite smattering of applause broke out around the table, although Genji's over exuberant clapping was easily the most noticeable. Doc blushed lightly and thanked everyone for their kindness.
"And now for the primary purpose of this meeting- review of the Eichenwald mission! Genji, as leader of the mission, will now give us his report."
Jesse leaned back in his chair, looking forward to hearing the report. He knew the mission had been a success, but they had been so distracted with Lúcio joining up that Genji hadn't been able to give them details over dinner.
"Hai." Genji sat up straight- and lord, it was good to see him taking his new duties far more seriously than he did in their Blackwatch days. "Our team of five was tasked with confirming and collecting two Crusader suits suspected to be in the Eichenwald DMZ. Lena was our pilot, Master Zenyatta was our medic, and Reinhardt and Brigitte were our subject matter experts on Eichenwald and suits, respectively.
"We landed without issue at Eichenwald. Lena was able to land us further into the city than we initially expected thanks to her excellent parking skills-" Lena fired finger guns at him. "And collected readings from the on-board Geigermeter before allowing us to disembark. There were many omnic bodies throughout the city, but the vast majority were no longer radioactive and we could easily avoid the ones that were.
"An exception to this was the castle itself. The building was so thick with bodies that we sent two of our team to scout and clear a path. Master Zenyatta selflessly volunteered to collect readings despite the risk to himself." Zen graciously inclined his head. "Once he determined it was safe, Reinhardt moved the units. Together, they cleared a path wide enough to allow the entire team to enter the castle without fear of injury or illness. We were able to secure both suits that we found in the castle's throne room."
Jesse led the applause again, feeling pride bubble in his chest.
Genji dipped his head in thanks, waiting until the applause died before continuing. "Brigitte will now detail the condition of the suits to us."
"Thank you, Genji." Brigitte cleared her throat. "While the purpose of the mission was to secure the Crusader armor, the reason we needed the armor at all was because Reinhardt's is no longer serviceable. I conducted a superficial inspection of the suits on site and ran a few more tests before the meeting," she said, leaning forward, eyes sparkling. "And I believe that I can confidently announce that the suits can give us what we need!"
Jesse whooped, enjoying being the unofficial hype man of the evening.
"Honestly," Brigitte enthused giddily, "their condition is astoundingly good considering the environment they've been in for the past two decades. Especially if you remember the reason they were even in that environment! The larger suit, von Adler's, will be used to repair and even improve Reinhardt's current set." She looked up to Reinhardt.
"It will be my eternal honor to carry my master's armor into battle," he said, single eye shining with emotion. "I regret that he was not buried in his armor, but perhaps this is a more poetic end to his story."
"Yeah, really luck for us that the recovery teams took bodies but not suits." Brigitte said flatly. "Not at all creepy for us to exploit that." Reinhardt didn't seem to hear her, looking off into the middle distance. She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I'll keep the smaller suit in reserve in case we need to make further adjustments going forward. Um, that concludes my report?" Genji nodded at her and she sat back with a relieved sigh.
"An excellent report!" Winston said. "I think this is the smoothest mission we've conducted so far. Does anyone on the team have sustains or improves?"
Hanzo spoke up. "I do."
For fuck's sake. Jesse caught Genji's eyes so they could roll their eyes together.
Hanzo folded his hands on the table. "Our primary communication channels failed multiple times throughout the mission. While this did not have an ill effect on the mission itself, it does highlight a weakness in our plans: we do not have alternate means of communication should the Lark's transmitters go offline."
Hold up. Dead comms? Jesus, there wasn't any horror as bone-deep or chilling as discovering you're the only one on the line- but Genji knew that, too, and he was shaking his head at his brother. Jesse frowned, racking his mind for answers- and remembered the obviously fake "interference" Lena experienced on her call to Olympus. He laughed, half relieved and half amused at Hanzo's clever wording.
Winston, however, was not in on the joke and was suitably alarmed. "I was not aware of any comm outages. This could be serious! Lena, perhaps you should conduct diagnostics on the Lark."
"I'll, er, get right on that." Lena laughed nervously. Lord, he never brought popcorn to the right meetings. "I'm sure it's nothing, though! You know how it can be with, er, comms. Only down when you need 'em! Must've been… solar flares!" She giggled as Hanzo watched her with a flat expression. "Yeah, solar weather temporarily knocking comms offline."
Hanzo didn't bother to acknowledge her, turning to Winston instead. Guess that made him the better man. Jesse would've made her squirm a bit longer. "Again, my issue is that we do not have multiple comm options in the event one fails."
"Alright, I will make a note of that and figure out what alternatives we have or can afford," Winston said, tapping at his tablet.
"Another thing," Hanzo said, raising his hand slightly. "Is that the team did not adhere to the plan laid out prior to departure."
"Anija," Genji said in clear exasperation. "Flexibility in executing a plan is not a bad thing."
Hanzo shook his head. "There is flexibility as required by a change in circumstances and then there is blatant disregard for the established strategy."
"Um, what changes were made?" Winston asked, out of the loop once again.
"Oxton did not stay on the Lark and Genji did not report on an hourly basis."
Even from where he sat, Jesse could hear Genji muttering darkly. Seriously, popcorn or jerky or even gum, something to chew on during the show.
"Well," Winston began diplomatically, "we've already established that there's a need to reevaluate our communications. The comms may have been non-functional when Genji was meant to call in."
Hanzo gave Genji a withering glare. "And Oxton?"
"I just wanted to stretch my legs!" Lena said, literally jumping to her own defence. "I hate being cooped up for missions all the time. I want to do more than just fly and land a plane."
"How could you expect to be given more responsibility when you cannot manage the responsibilities you have now?" Hanzo challenged.
Winston scratched his chest. "I understand your frustration, Lena, but there was a reason we asked you to stay on the Lark. It may not be as exciting as being a part of the ground team, but you're still doing a vital job when you relay comms."
"I know." Lena hung her head, looking dead miserable.
Jesse shifted in his seat before sighing and playing his hand. The fun had to end eventually. "Why don't we just adjust the plan going forward so it better suits the individuals on the team?" he asked. "I mean, we know Lena can't sit still for nothin'-" she shrugged apologetically, finally remembering to sit down "-why are we askin' her to do it anyway? It's unfair to her and to the team who's relying on her to do that job."
"Everyone should pull their own weight," Brigitte interjected, though not as venomous in tone as Jesse might have expected. Maybe getting the suits had taken a load of stress off her shoulders.
"Ah," Reinhardt said. "But we should also play to everyone's strengths, fraulein."
"My frustration lies with creating plans only to disregard them with no valid reason," Hanzo asserted. "We should not create strategies we have no intention of carrying out. If that means we deliberately plan to have no dedicated communicator, then so be it. Otherwise we are setting ourselves up for failure."
Winston rubbed his chin. "I see your point, Hanzo. Planning meetings shouldn't be for show, especially when we know each others' capabilities and limitations so well." He nodded, satisfied. "We'll be sure to take these considerations in for the next mission we plan. Does this satisfy everyone's concerns?"
Jesse half-expected Hanzo to say 'no' out of spite, but the other man simply nodded once. Everyone else was also giving their north-south agreement.
"Then it's settled. Is there anything else someone would like to say for the good of the group?"
"One thing," Doc said as she yawned widely. Poor woman looked about ready to pass out on the spot. "Medical services were not required during the mission, but I would like to remind everyone that post-mission evaluations will be the standard going forward. Zenyatta will be conducting the check-ups this evening in the medical bay."
"Except for young Genji," Zen clarified, setting a hand on Doc's shoulder in apparent concern.
Winston nodded. "Thank you everyone for coming out. Meeting adjourned!"
"Genji's getting a personal check up from Doc, huh?" Jesse asked, waggling his brows.
Genji glared at him. "Better a personal doctor than a personal chef," He shot back and holy shit maybe he should lay off him for a bit because that was ruthless. Better to disengage now.
"Uhhh, hey, Lúcio, want me to help you pick out a room?"
Lúcio had barely agreed before Jesse ushered him out of the conference room, far from Genji's sharp words.