Log entry 704. December 1st
Another dream about Einar tonight. Just his corpse, which is a blessing. I should go see Zenyatta about them.
Angela grimaced as she looked down on her writing, the last few pages had all been the same. Her log had become a dream journal. Dreams and thoughts to a person long dead. She decided it was time to change it up.
Things have gotten strange. The attacks happened, everyone remembers them. But it feels like the city has regained some sense of; well, normalcy. The State of Emergency is slowly gathering opposition, it's unlikely an extension will be put into effect. Lucky the legislative and executive are balanced so, if the state of emergency had been done by a stronger president then it could have dragged into a dictatorship. It still can of course, but for the time its stable.
Thousands died, thousands more have had their lives upturned, and yet here I am thanking that the state of emergency will be ended, before the authorities decide that the best way to protect people's rights are too take them away (well, take more away).
Angela looked down at the words she had just written. Her room; not the neatest to begin with, was a complete mess of writings and engineering books. A month from that horrible night, and things were still tense. But still, the plans to capture the omnic was going into affect. Continuing her writing, she focused her thoughts.
Seems like, because the Omnic is a bastion, we will be needing a little protection. Reinhardt and Lena will be accompanying us. Lena.
Her thoughts slowed as she considered what she wanted to write. Slowly writing down her thoughts, she began.
About Lena, I've been thinking. Just then the door burst open and Zarya stuck her head through.
"Group meeting. Usual place. Ten minutes."
"Bit last minute" Angela replied.
"The others knew since last meeting you ADHD fucker. I figured you wouldn't be on time unless I told you closer to the time"
"Oh, thank you. I'll see you in half a hour then" Angela replied. Zarya snorted and shut the door. Angela turned back to the book.
Things are starting to get better. She was upset when I told her about LaCroix and what happened after her harness broke, but I think she's starting to forgive me. All the same, not a great start. I've been avoiding her to. And I admit it's stupid of me. I need to make it up to her.
Angela closed the electronic book and began down the halls too the meeting rooms. The halls felt deserted, and people seemed to avert their eyes as they walked. Getting to the door of the meeting place, she entered. Inside were the rescue team, Lena sat alongside them. At the front, stood Reinhardt and a short man with a thick, white beard. Metallic implants seemed to have been forged into the man's body, and Angela recognised him instantly.
"So. You're the one who decided getting another round in was more important than people's lives" she said. Immediately, he turned on her.
"They ain't people, Miss" He replied. Lena tensed and Reinhardt looked embarrassed to be standing with him. Angela gave Reinhardt a hard look, along with Lena's own questioning stare. He wilted beneath the gaze of the rescue team.
"We should get started" Zarya said. Looking to Angela, she watched her take a seat besides Lena. "Torbjorn, you helped build the Bastion Omnics, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did. Which is why I'm the most qualified to give you a crash course in them"
"Well, Reinhardt faced off against 10'000 of them in the battle for Europe" Angela said. Lucio nodded emphatically, but both Lena and Reinhardt winced.
While fighting alongside Omnic battalions trying to protect their homes and countries. Angela added mentally.
"Yes. He did." Torbjorn slowly replied. His face had slowly gone red, and it was clear he was suppressing what he truly wanted to say. "But dismantling them ain't the same as designing them" Reinhardt winced again.
"Please carry on, Torbjorn" Zarya said, before giving Angela a look to shut up. Angela raised a eyebrow to show her confusion as why they had to listen to Torbjorn of all people. Torbjorn stared, and then cleared his throat.
"The design is well, impressive" he said slowly. Angela could see why he would be slow to praise his own work. The deaths of 100000 soldiers and 50000 Omnics stood testimony to the designs success. "In the classic Bastion" a image of one was projected onto the table, a 3d model of a tank looking Omnic. "The main armanant in its primary mode is an inbuilt chain gun capable of firing at 500 rpm too a distance of five kilometres" a close up of the right arm appeared on the table. Torbjorn continued. "Ammunition includes armour piercing, incendiary, explosive and conventional" Angela stole a glance at Torbjorn, and was surprised to see him sweating as he stared at his own design. "Top speed in this mode is 10mph" He swapped the arm gun over too a close up of a turret, the curves and decals showing that it was the original Omnic. "In it's turret form, it is immobile. But, still incredibly deadly. The autocannon can fire at 4000 rpm, with a total of 16000 cartridges in full. Same ammo as the chain gun. But" the hologram changed again to the back of the omnic. "It is very vulnerable from the back. At the price of being nearly impenetrable from the front. All armour shifts too surround the gun in this mode, the front can withstand Tank shells" Even Lena looked pale, but Angela could see an immediate plan. Keep it in Turret form. Keep it pined, and allow Lena to get behind with enough explosives to make sure the last process that went through it's motherboard was it's aft.
The more Angela looked at the Bastion, the more she despised it. She had a grudging respect for military engineering, the sheer amount of thought and genius that went into some of the militaries toys was admirable in its intelligence, if not its purpose. But the Bastion went above and beyond all such considerations. It was such a conglomeration of the possible genius and thought; the sheer engineering required to turn a bipedal Omnic into a turret was astounding, that it went beyond admiration and respect for expertise and swung back to being a ugly, hunched machine of death. Angela couldn't wait to take what was needed from it, and then destroy it.
"It's sapient" Zenyetta said to the team in general, as though reading Angela's thoughts. The team stopped looking at the design of the machine, and turned to look at Zen.
"Pardon?" Lena asked. Angela leaned forward so as to listen.
"What was the point of bringing me here , if you are just going to speak over me!" Torbjorn demanded. "Do you care? Then listen!"
Like a moody school teacher. Thought Angela, as Zen apologised to Torbjorn and said he would explain what he meant later. Torbjorn nodded with satisfaction at the admission of fault, and took back to it.
"The tank mode works off the internal omnium power centre and subsequent power cells. In this form" the hologram changed, and Angela looked over the new model, trying to figure out which parts of the omnic were visible as a tank.
"Its Megatron" Angela muttered. Zarya kicked her beneath the table.
"The tank mode is it's most dangerous" Torbjorn continued. "Capable of speeds up to 30mph off road with armour plating focused on the front, sides and a small amount on the back. This leaves the bottom of the tank virtually unarmoured" he grunted. "We killed hundreds of the bastards with simple IEDs. "
Zenyetta shifted awkwardly and Reinhardt did not appear pleased by what he said either.
"All very interesting, Torbjorn" Angela said. "But what was Zen saying about it being sapient?"
"What do you expect? A Omnic protecting another Omnic. Trust me Miss, it's impossible for them to develop sentience. All of them. Other Omnics can mimic sapience, but these lack the necessary processing power" he ignored the glares coming from all sides.
"That would be true" Reinhardt interjected. "If it wasn't for the-
"Reinhardt!" Torbjorn shouted. "Don't you dare-
"They deserve to know what they are going against, Torbjorn. Either you tell them, or I do"
"I'm sorry" Zarya interjected. "But could one of you do it now! If we go up against something unexpected and someone gets hurt, it will be on you"
"Calm down, calm down" Torbjorn began, she sighed in a beaten, dejected way. "I'll tell you" he turned off the hologram, and stood before the group. Clearing his throat, he began.
"when we were designing the thing, we looked into several ways to give it a... A psychological advantage over other systems. Why invest in a 30million Euro Omnic when you could get a unmanned tank for 5million?" he spoke slowly, as though dreading the words he was about to say. "So we fitted them with a weapon designed to, to. It's hard to explain"
"It's called the Mirror Neuron Lock" Reinhardt finally said as Torbjorn wilted. "A processor utilising probing neural waves to provoke emotions in the target that suits the Bastion. Fear, anger... Compassion. And with emotion, comes memories" Reinhardts lined face sank at the memories of fighting them. "It is not easy to fire a gun when you're thinking of your mother"
Everyone was silent. Thinking on the possible results of being in contact with such a machine. Angela however, instead looked down at her wrist, at the small gleam of metal appearing from the flesh. Finally, Zarya rallied.
"That doesn't explain what Zen said" Argued Zarya, pulling everyone out of their thoughts.
Zen nodded his thanks. "The Mirror Neuron Lock. frankly you should have seen the possible consequences" he said too Torbjorn; who growled. "As you stare into the abyss, as does the abyss stare into you. The Mirror Neuron Lock is aptly named. The lock is a two way process, as the victim is forced to confront their own emotions, so does the Omnic see into the mind of its victim. This allows it to learn. And from that, it can learn feelings. And from that, it is not a short step to learning opinions" What Zen said next he said with a massive amount of personal pride. "You wanted to make a monster, you certainly made one in your own image"
Angela felt as though that was targeted to her also, even if Zen and Lucio didn't know.
"Don't talk to me" Torbjorn snarled at Zenyatta. Reinhardt glared at his friend in warning, and Torbjorn swallowed his pride.
"Look. Whatever you think about this machine you're mistaken. It doesn't have a conscious. It has the imitation. It doesn't feel, it calculates what's best to manipulate you. It does not have a sense of right or wrong, it only has a sense of advantageous or disabling. They cannot develop a conscience, they aren't human"
"Funny you should say that Torbjorn" Lena said. "I've met plenty of Omnics, and plenty of humans. I've met many more humans without conscience then omnics"
"A imitation of conscience Miss, too fool you into trusting them"
"Many humans do that too"
"But what human is programmed to fool you?"
"I don't know. About the same proportion as Omnics?" Lena was getting worked up. Angela watched with a small amount of surprise and a huge amount of pride.
"Hasn't been Omnics who started the Indian Subcontinent war, the Mexican Civil War, or the African Aerial War" Angela added.
"That Doctor" came the strained reply. "Is a point of view. And what of the Great North African war"
"The first known spread of Anubis"
"Hah! The government of Switzerland must have been worked by a bunch of bleeding heart morons! Seems like they had to make up an excuse so that way it isn't "The Omnics Fault"
"The proof is irrefutable!" Angela was incredulous at his accusations.
"Why are you getting upset?" Torbjorn replied, and Angela Felt her stomach roil.
You sanctimonious bastard
Torbjorn continued. "Dont attack me for having an opinion"
"That "opinion" is that my friend doesn't qualify as a person! That a people created tragedies amongst themselves for the sake of political correctness and to benefit themselves at the disadvantage of the state! I think I have a good fucking reason to be angry!" Angela shot back.
"If you can't be civil and level headed when I'm taking time out too explain this too you, maybe you should just leave" Torbjorn growled.
"Fucking happily!"
"Yeah, same" Lena added, and Angela felt a knot in her stomach. Ah. Together they got up, and exited the room, while Zarya's impassive face and Lucio's livid glare gave them support. Lucio nodded his agreement as they closed the door.
"Fucking bigot" Lena said, as they waited outside the door.
"Hmm" Angela replied. She leaned against the wall, her arms crossed with a scowl across her face. Lena put herself beside her, and watched her.
"So those are the people in Overwatch. Jesus"
"He should be tried. Deaths are on him and the others who did nothing"
"Don't remind me" Lena shifted. "Seriously, please don't" Angela wisely stopped talking about it.
Lena tried to change the subject.
"This reminds me of Secondary school. Used to get sent out all the time with my girlfriend. Did it on purpose to go for a snog"
"heh" Angela grinned, and pulled her closer for a kiss, tilting her head back so as to hold her tightly to herself, while she locked her hands behind Angela's neck. The first kiss in over a week, a small release. When they broke, Lena smiled.
"That was nice"
"Yes"
Lena grinned and leaned in deeper. "Tonight, would you like to-
"Not yet"
To Lena's credit, she backed off quickly and with good humour. She shrugged, and nestled her head on Angela's shoulder. The lights on her miniature accelerators shone a darker blue then before, Angela assumed the Kronotinium must have been a more potent strain. They were now a deep, dark blue.
Angela blanched. "About… LaCroix-"
"Oh for fucks sake" Lena drew back. "You're more worried about that then I am"
"It's just that, it was really crappy of me"
"You… was in a crappy place. I forgive you, but for fucks sake, stop bringing it up"
"I… okay" Angela was glad,
"Hey, I've got some good news if you want to hear it?" Lena said.
"Oh?" Angela tried a smile, but a small trickle of irrational guilt and thoughts of Einar were flooding to her. And when they were forced down, memories of Numbani came up.
"Before we leave, we're having a gamers night with Hana!"
"We are? It's just that I need to pack for the mission"
"Do it before"
"I also have drills in the Valkyrie suit"
"Avoidance exercises are they?"
Angela coughed. "No, flight ones-
"I mean you've been avoiding everyone since the attacks. You've even stopped the jogs, and I miss my running mate. Hana can't keep up!"
"Look, I've been preoccupied with-
"I know you're learning about the tech of the suit, and the upgrade to Gungnir has taken up time. But I'm worried Angela!"
Angela deflated. "I know. I'm sorry. I have been avoiding everyone, it just seems easier to; well, be alone".
"No excuses. Come to the game party. Just seeing you there would be good"
Angela tried to smile, but inside she was grimacing. Things had changed since the attacks, and she felt awkward around Lena. Seeing her was both good and painful, She liked seeing her, but it also made her angry, Angela had recently been thinking far too much of her old husband. It made her feel guilty just being with Lena, but separating herself made her feel guilty and lonely without her friend. There was so much to do, alienating herself was extremely easy to do.
"Why are we waiting out here?" Angela finally said. "we can get the details later. I'm going to go and train"
"Oh" Lena said. "sure, okay"
Angela sighed.
"5 kilometres?" she said. She turned back and smiled. "I could do with the exercise"
Lena looked up and gave a sharp toothed grin "10 kilometres. If you don't want me dead by the end then it's not exercise"
Inside the room, Torbjorn breathed out his tension.
"Now then. Any questions class?"
"Yeah" Lucio started. "why didn't you do anything on the Halloween ethnic attacks" The room suddenly felt much smaller. Animosity reaching a boiling point. Torbjorn licked his lips.
"I didn't have orders to do so" He said finally.
"Neither did we" Lucio continued. "Neither did Reinhardt. Neither did I when me and fellow rebels overthrew Paulo Montes"
"Making a cute song and refusing to work isn't what I would call "overthrowing" the elected president of Brazil".
"That was a show election. Sorry, I forgot you're one making tools of repression. Making Mirror Neuron Locks and the like"
"You know what, I've had enough of this" Torbjorn strode toward Lucio and balled his fists. "How would you like to fight a proper soldier, instead of those politicians you threw slogans at"
"I would quite like that" Zarya stood up. Her body rippled with muscle and her height allowed her too loom down over Torbjorn. "You pushed it when you decided Angela and Lena should leave. You do not threaten my crew members"
Torbjorn changed track once again. "Ohohoho. I'm so sorry" he grinned. "Just a joke, miss."
"You said someone should fight a soldier, why are you cowering from me?"
"A soldier who deserted?" Torbjorn said it with a smile. "Not much of a moral high ground"
Zarya's hands flexed and Torbjorn began to realise who he had pissed off. Zarya was built like a tank. He knew that to fight her would end very badly. He backed off from the gleam in her eyes.
"Do you have enough information yet?" He asked. Silence settled.
"I think this meeting is over" Zenyetta said quietly. Zarya nodded.
"My thanks, Torbjorn, for the information" she said
"short meeting" Said Lucio Conversationally as he stood.
"Not short enough" replied Zarya as they stepped out.
Lucio tried for a smile. "Who would have thought sending Angela out would increase tension." together with Zen following, they left the room.
Leaving Torbjorn and Reinhardt alone.
"Thanks for the back up, Reinhardt. That being said, they are hilariously easy to get started. So sensitive"
"Hmm" grunted Reinhardt in return.
"And it's not like we could've done much if Ana hadn't said anything. Honestly, should be blaming her"
"You were just following no orders, is that it then?" Reinhardt replied. Torbjorn looked at him.
"Yes. I was following the chain of command. Ana said we weren't to do anything, so we didn't"
"That worked badly for us. Any liberals, socialists or moderates that didn't hate us already sure do now, and the reactionaries have been giving us the cold shoulder to"
"She knew what she was doing"
"While being drunk?"
"Yes!" Torbjorn angrily shot back. "Because it's out job to follow her, to support her decisions even if we don't like them"
"You sure you want to see where that leads?"
"Don't pull the history card. Saving Omnics isn't on the quota"
"Saving lives Torbjorn"
"Not to me"
Silence settled between them
"We should have acted" Reinhardt muttered quietly. "As a team, not whatever we are now. Morrisons in his cups more often than not, Faheera plans to leave us. Ana" He didn't look up from the floor. "Has changed. For the worse. She isn't like how she was"
"You would know"
"You know, it wasn't just Omnics who died. Humans died protecting them"
"Shame"
"Care to explain why you didn't step in?"
"Jesus Reinhardt! I just got through a grilling, why are you trying to start an argument?"
"We should have talked about this a long time ago. I never thought you would do something like that. Can't believe you would stay behind. And if I haven't made her fight, Bridgette would have done too"
He started to walk, and left the room. Torbjorn looked to him and strode out.
"Hey, don't walk away from me. What's with you?"
"I can accept a lot of things Torbjorn, but not what you did that night. For the time being, stay away from me"
Torbjorn stared in shock at his friend.
"Reinhardt... You're my daughter's godfather. I was your best man at your wedding"
"All three of them..."
"We saved each others lifes-
"But where were you for when it came to saving their lives! I fought alongside Omnics Torbjorn! Bleed with them. You have a habit of disappearing."
"Hey! It was the ragheads decision, not mine"
Reinhardt stared in disbelief. "Jesus. Don't call her that!"
"Why? We both called her that back when we started. Can't you take a joke?"
Reinhardt shook his head.
"Im sorry Torbjorn. But right now..." He picked up the pace of his steps and torbjorn's small stunted legs could not keep up. "I really just can't look at you"