Moira looked down on the thing on her operating table. She did not see the point in hiding her distaste in it, why some died and suffered while pieces of shit like him got to survive through the actions of those infinitely better than him would always elude her. She would however, not hide how fascinating he was to her.
Her metallic arm buzzed and pulsed with red lights as she held it over Genji, her lips moving slowly like a witch caught in a trance, her assistant watched closely while scrunching the hem of her lab coat. Moira muttered quietly under her breath as she scanned Genji, and smiled.
Oh Angela, don't ever change.
"Well?" asked Evelyn. She wanted to be out of there as fast as possible, Moira had carved a small part of The Hole out for herself, and being in her territory made Evelyn feel uncomfortable.
"Fascinating, truly fascinating" Moira replied. She removed her hands from over Genji and nodded to her assistant, in an attempt to show confidence and keep her calm. Satya tried to smile back, but her cracked lips barely lifted, and she quickly settled back into her worried look. Moira continued. "The suit isn't just attached to the skin, it goes deeper. What we are seeing here is the worlds first accidental cyborg! Hah!"
Only you Angela could fail upwards so astoundingly.
Evelyn didn't laugh, and neither did anyone else. Genji sat up from the bed and he turned to Moira, with his hand resting on his smallsword.
"I'm not laughing, Moira" Evelyn said. "I want to know if he can be taken out of the armour"
Moira looked at Evelyn and tutted. Motioning with her arm she indicated she wanted to move the conversation into the hallway. Evelyn did not move. Moira's assistant was not happy with that, and tried to move back deeper into the corner she was in. Moira sighed.
"Sure, you can take him out of the armour. You want a skin rug for your floor?"
"This is not a game, Moira! I want him alive and well"
"Oh… how about just alive?" Moira tried to hide her grin.
"Moira. Think about who is the prisoner here" Evelyn replied. Moira laughed and pointed at Genji.
"... You want to lose another arm?" Genji snarled
"Look, we'll continue the conversation elsewhere." Moira replied, and gave a quick glance at the assistant, a Indian woman, who's cheeks had become sallow and thin from stress, and her long black hair was streaked in grey. Moira did not want her in the same room when she did this. Moira began to walk out of the room trusting that the Blackwatch members would follow her, and they did, though reluctantly.
"I like your new assistant Moira" Evelyn said once they were outside and Moira gritted her teeth. "Indian correct? Not many places still habitable in the sub-continent following the Decimation. A rare find"
Moira shrugged, and continued walking down the corridor towards her other "patients". Coming to the end of the corridor, she turned left before the double doors at the end leading to the other mass ward. This led them into another corridor where at the end was open air. The clinic was a small building separate from the main compound, and Moira wanted to take the two as far away from possible from her Satya.
"So, how much will it cost?" Asked Evelyn.
"How much you got?" Moira replied, letting herself grin at Evelyn's anger.
"I don't have much to give ever since-
"Since you stopped the illegal crap, and now you have to compete for funding like any other programme" Moira finished. "Well. Most of the illegal stuff"
"How much" Evelyn asked more forcefully and Moira shrugged.
"The tuberculosis programme, along with the syphilis programme, cholera and influenza" Moira replied. She had been hoping for this to come up, and to finally end her horrendous work.
Evelyn however spluttered. "That's over $20 million of our funding!. You need that much?"
"Jesus Christ, this is more than a bad sunburn! His muscles have… healed into the armour! It's the most ironic injury I've ever seen! If we want to remove the armour, the meat goes with it!" Moira developed a small plan of what she needed to do. "I need living skin, several participants. Healthy ones who can donate a piece of themselves. A full body skin transplant Evelyn! That won't come fucking cheap!"
Evelyn grunted, and glared at Moira. "All the disease programmes is too much Moira. You know this. Mixing Reapers cells with the disease has cost millions"
"We barely use the biological weapons, and our Benefactors would be insane to" shot back Moira. "Pull the bloody plugs or MegaMan stays a big green vibrater you daft cunt!"
"No need to get upset. $10 million will be enough"
"$10 million to do the surgery, which will take 6 months so you know. I don't care what you do with the money from the other programmes. Just pull them, that's the ultimatum"
A silence went through the corridor, Genji staring at Moira, his hands bunched into a fist. Evelyn however merely looked at her from the side of her vision, and finally gave a low chuckle.
"I see"
Moira didn't see the fist flying towards her. She only felt an impact and the taste of blood. She was on the floor and could feel a loose tooth with her tounge. As she tried to get back up, Evelyn kicked her hands from under her so she sprawled on the cold stone floor once again.
"Sorry, Moira" Evelyn said. "I can't afford to lose any of the programmes". She shrugged. "You know how it is with these big countries breathing down your neck"
"Eat shit" Moira wiped the blood off her mouth.
"Last chance Moira" Evelyn replied. Moira didn't speak back to her. Instead, she looked to Genji.
"Remember this Genji, when this happened. Remember how you're worth less to her then a syphilitic vegetable"
Genji jerked as he heard that, and Evelyn could tell he was confused. At that, she realised what she had done. She gritted her teeth.
"Two. You can have two of the programmes" Genji's stance softened slightly, but not enough to Evelyn's liking.
"All or nothing you sick bitch" Moira hissed back.
Evelyn looked down at Moira, and got down on one knee, she spoke gently into her ear.
"That woman of yours back in the surgery" When Moira heard that she stiffened. "She was placed into the top level here wasn't she? She must be very useful. I've heard she's quite interested in the popsicle downstairs" She smiled as Moira glared pure hatred back into her eyes. The second level of prisoners were the ones considered too useful to abuse or exploit overly harshly. A tolerable existence especially compared to the bottom level. The bottom level filled Moira with a mixture of pity and disgust. Such broken creatures to be picked up and abused however the guards wished. Moira had often wondered if they disgusted her because she was afraid of becoming them, or because there was no fight left in them.
"You wouldn't dare" Moira hissed back, furious at herself for dragging Satya into it. "She is far too useful. She's good enough to work on the teleporter in Houston. please don't"
"The prisoners and guards will decide how useful she is, once she is placed on the lower tier. A single word to Ashe and that can be arranged. After all, how much use is she when neither her nor you are going to be doing any work? Now, choose which programme!"
Moira continued glaring for a few seconds, before dropping her head down in submission. "The Influenza and Tuberculosis. Those programmes funding should be enough" Moira felt a bitter taste on her tounge, though she knew that the chances of getting all of them shut down was slim. A small victory, but a sweet one.
Evelyn however gave a cruel smile, the edges of her lips pressed together so as to make the full lips almost disappear. She put forward a hand to help Moira up "Alright then. You can have the syphilis and cholera programme funding"
"What!" Moira began to rise to her feet, ignoring the open hand. "You said that-
"Yes. I said you could get two programmes . I just assumed you would Chose the most successful ones to end" Smiling, Evelyn began to walk down the corridor to the light at the end, and talked back over her shoulder. "Come on Genji, let the good doctor do her work". She turned. "And once you're done, I'll sweeten the deal Moira"
"How?" Moira had picked herself up with wounded dignity, and made her decision as to what she would do. Placing her hand over her busted lip, a small burst of red slowed the bleeding, but did not seal up the wound. "The sweeter deal would be destroying all four of the programs"
"You could do so, when you're head of this place" Evelyn replied. For a moment, Moira was stunned. Staring, she lowered her hand.
"You serious?"
"Very, good doctor. Ashe will bitch and moan just for me shutting down those two programmes. But, once Genji is restored, we can see about taking steps to giving you all choices in the matter"
She began to walk, and Genji began to pick up after her.
"Oh, and don't worry about finding the skin. We have a suitable doner. He will be in the clinic now"
"What? Having one doner won't be enough unless you want me to flay him alive. Oh, I get ya"
"Good" Evelyn was near to the exit.
"Wait" Moira called to Evelyn, and felt a small burn of pride in that Evelyn actually turned round to face her. "Actually, I want him to stay here. I require him for further tests"
Evelyn raised a eyebrow. "I thought you had done more than enough for today"
"The scan was deep flesh" Moira explained. "I need to do more tests, bone structure, brain scans, you understand"
Evelyn stared through Evelyn, and motioned to Genji to come closer. "Don't trust her. She's the one who made Angela who she is" Genji listened and looked to Moira. Evelyn finally spoke to her. "Fine, go ahead." Alone she made her way down through the door to the open sky.
Outside Widowmaker waited in the bright sun. she gave a short look to Evelyn as she took up the space next to her in the doorway.
"You shouldn't give Ashe so much power over him" Widowmaker said. "First you make her head of this place and then you give your most loyal-ish supporter treatment in her own back garden. How much do you think the Hippocratic oath is going to hold over Moira?"
"It's really more of a Hippocratic suggestion"
"You a doctor?"
"You heard what I said about putting Moira in head of this place, didn't you?" Evelyn asked. "With her we can finally get this place running efficiently"
Widowmaker stirred. "Possibly. But she's soft, Evelyn. She might not be able to take the necessary actions" She sniffed. "Just like you"
"Widow…"
"They are not motivated by ideas, Evelyn. People will motivate them, a figure head who is capable of inspiring them"
"I don't want to work like Reaper did, Widow" Evelyn replied, and grimaced when Widowmaker turned on her.
"So don't. Be better! But be ruthless enough to make sure you can be! How you treated Moira was a good first step, she knows to respect you now"
"Widow" Evelyn sighed. "I want Blackwatch to be legitimate. How can I do that if I'm having members killed on my orders?"
"And having them slaves is better?"
"Waste not"
"Merde" Widowmaker muttered under her breath. Looking out over the desert, she froze.
"Do you see that?" She asked.
Evelyn glanced over the wasteland, its heat haze shimmering beneath a blue sky. Widowmaker however glared over the burning dust like a hawk, her eyes reflecting the bright sun.
"I'm going for a ride" she said. "Figure out your priorities while I'm gone. You want to lead, or do you want to preach?"
Evelyn gently placed an hand on Widows shoulder, but was shrugged off. Walking stiffly Widowmaker made for the main complex and her motorbike.
Meanwhile back in the clinic, Moira walked back to her lab.
"Wait outside" she told Genji. She went in to give the news to Satya.
"So?" Satya said as Moira walked in. "Did we get what we wanted?"
Moira grimaced. "Half. And a vague promise that I'll become the next head of this place" Moira locked eyes with Satya.
"When that happens, make sure you and the chamber are ready"
Satya didn't reply. But she gently stroked her metal arm, and looked down on the new patient on the table.
"What do you think of him?" Moira asked.
"Frankly" Satya pushed the lips of the unconscious man and frowned at the nicotine coloured teeth. "He's awful. There's ash in his lungs, his eyes are bloodshot. He looks fit, but bone density is seriously decreased and long story short, chronic smoker and heavy drinker"
"I know this person" Moira replied after a quick look at him "You learnt quickly, everything you said was right. This guy used to bring in targets right to this prison. Modelled himself on old cowboy movies. The world won't be missing much"
Satya hated when Moira spoke like this. But that wasn't foremost on her mind. Instead she knew what had to happen next concerning the patients next door. Her face was downturned, and she stroked her metal arm.
"Moira. You're going to have to-"
"I know, pet" Moira placed her flesh and blood arm on Satya's arm, and cursed herself when she remembered that she wasn't Angela as she shied away from the touch. "But it's kinder then letting them live"
Satya didn't deny it. She knew better. Having been "picked up" in Houston and brought to the hole, she had adapted quickly. As much as she hated it.
Moira moved from Satya, and went to the door, swinging it happily into Genji's helmet pressed against it.
"Snooping, are we?" She sneered. "Come on. I've got a job for you" she began to make her way down the corridor to the large pair of doors at the end. Genji caught up and followed.
"So" he said. "You're the one who tutored Angela. Taught her what she knows"
"Only medicine, and not enough, obviously" Moira replied, but felt a lump in her throat at the pride she held for her old protege.
"Do you know how I'm going to kill her?" Genji asked. Moira kept silent.
"I figure even she can't survive without her head" Genji continued. Moira gritted her teeth. "I'll bring it to you as a present. Take some fingers to. You can play with them and remind you of your university days"
Moira tensed. But suddenly started to laugh.
"Holy shit! I thought you were just another piece of stupid muscle. But now I see you're a cruel, stupid piece of muscle" she turned and gave Genji a almost matronly smile. "Aww, honey bunny" She placed her metallic hand on his shoulder. "No matter how hard you try and be Evelyn's Iron Giant you will never replace that green buzzing thing she keeps in her sock draw"
Genji moved for his wakizashi, then suddenly doubled over in pain. Moira's arm pulsed red and pressed down harder, she gave a pleasurable sigh as the red spread through her veins and travelled through Genji. Genji groaned in agony and fell to his knees, but Moira kept her grip. Only when she was sure he would not retaliate did she then lift her hand.
"See how this works now, pet? I'm the only person who can give you back your old life. The person who right now, could snuff out your pointless life in a few seconds. But you belong to Evelyn, and by extension Blackwatch, and therefore me" Moira dropped down to Genji's level, and curled her lip at the pathetic sight of him. "So why should I damage my own property?"
Genji's eyes were kept downcast, and with her metallic hand, Moira raised his chin so as to look him in the eye. "Good to see you've learned" She walked on and opened the double doors. "Don't go sheathing your sword, you'll need it for the next bit"
Genji picked himself up, and stumbled through the doors to stand beside Moira. Looking into the large ward and mass of slabs and equipment, he drew in his breath at the sight of the things inhabiting the slabs. Breeding grounds. Moira was at a monitor, placing her hand on a sensor, and finally turning to Genji.
"The ones with red above their names are your assignments. About fifty in all, so get cracking. Once you're done throw them down the chute at the end. Make sure they're dead when you do. I'll know if they aren't" She began to walk off, and waved goodbye to Genji. "Domo Arigato, Mr Roboto. Remember everyone of these poor souls here are closer to human than you ever were"