This is a never before seen WIP chapter that I've worked on shortly before deciding to quit this story. I found it sitting in my Google Drive so I decided to finally share it. This chapter is not finished.
Chapter 21: The Night of Freedom
Fatigue. Hopelessness. Frustration. Fear. The Overwatch Resistance had gotten far too familiar with these emotions. It has been nearly two entire months since Tracer's ragtag squadron of soldiers had entered the subway tunnels of Houston. Three weeks since Medic, Mercy, and Reaper had been rescued from the past. Misery plagued the crew as their chances of beating back their oppressors shrank day by day.
Foraging for food and materials above ground was a massively depressing chore. Every time they wanted to leave the subway, Engineer and Tracer would first have to find an exit that the team had never used before. Whenever Bombinomicon's forces would come across an unguarded exit, they would set up a defensive perimeter around it immediately. Machine guns, sandbags, booby traps, and light artillery pieces would be deployed, rendering the exit useless.
Once the Resistance had managed to sneak a few of their own above ground, whether it be through a secluded manhole, drilling their way out, or simply smashing through a barricade with one of Medic's Übercharges, they would have to start wandering the streets of Houston, foraging through buildings like rats for days. They would have to camp out, avoid Bombinomicon's patrols, ration their own meager amounts of food for the expedition carefully, and eavesdrop on the enemy whenever possible.
Once the duo have had enough, they would return as quietly as possible. Whatever they had brought back would be what the Resistance's diet would mainly consist of until the next expedition. Today, Scout and Reinhardt came across something magnificent. Something so valuable that it made them want to return to base right away to secure it. They would hurry back to where they had exited the subway, bringing with them bags of oats, rifle ammo, salt, instant ramen, potatoes, dozens of bottles of warm Gatorade, and a treasure.
"Hey Engie! We're back!" Scout whispered loudly into the manhole. "Yo! Let us in already! We've got somethin' big with us!" Reinhardt was squatting beside Scout, carrying a large sack of supplies. He was wearing the gauntlets, gloves, boots, and leggings of his Crusader armor, having lost his chestplate and helmet to excessive damage. His rocket hammer was lying on the ground nearby. Engineer had managed to create a makeshift jet engine for Reinhardt to strap to his back, allowing him to crudely replicate his signature charge ability. He and Scout both eagerly listened for a response. After a few moments, a small periscope popped up from a small hole in the manhole cover.
"What's the code, boys?" Engineer asked, his voice sounding distant. Reinhardt pushed Scout aside.
"Petrol! Petrol's zhe code! Let us in already! Ve're attracting vild dogs!" He hissed. Ominous growling came from a nearby building, reinforcing his point. Engineer's periscope dove back down and the manhole cover was lifted. Scout's slim figure make it easy for him to dive on in, but Reinhardt had to take off his leggings in order to fit into the small hole.
Just when Reinhardt was about to step in, crazed barking caught his ear. He flicked his view to the right, noticing a pack of wild hounds running at him, attracted to the scent of the supply bag. Thinking on his feet, Reinhardt quickly started stuffing the bag into the manhole. "Scout! Save zhe sack! I've got some company up here!" He yelled. Below ground, Scout's leapt to action. He quickly started pulling the sack down with all his might. Engineer rushed to his side to help, aware that there was something valuable within it. Reinhardt released the sack, leaving the rest up to them. He stared the hungry pack of dogs down, growling back at them.
"You'll take zhat bag over my dead body! Over my dead body, understand!?" He hollered. Reinhardt hunkered down and roared, spittle flying from his mouth. His actions drove the dogs even further, eventually making one of them attack. With precision, Reinhardt dove forward and intercepted the dog midair, wrapping his fingers around the dog's jugular. He strengthened his grip, leaving the dog wheezing for air. Reinhardt then lumbered over to his dropped Rocket Hammer and picked it up with his other hand. He sent a Fire Strike at the rest of the pack, knocking them back and singeing their fur. Finally, he released the suffocating dog from his iron grip and batted its limp body at the rest of the pack with his hammer. Their bloody, near dead comrade landed at their feet, sending the rest of them scampering away.
"Yo, Rein! You alright up dere?" Scout asked with concern. The sack had been successfully stuffed down the manhole. Reinhardt grumbled and wiped the dog blood off his glove.
"I just needed to kill some mangy mutts." He replied. "Nothing too much." Engineer cleared his throat.
"Hey Reinhardt! Don't forget to bring any dogs you've killed to Medic. He's runnin' low on medical supplies." He reminded. Reinhardt walked over to the dog he maimed and picked it up by the tail. He raised the hound to his eyes, now feeling slightly sorry for what he did. With consideration, he released the dog's tail and cradled it in his arms instead, carrying it towards the manhole.
"Alright fellas, you all better be sittin' down for dis, 'cause what we've brought back's gonna knock your socks off!" Scout announced. He told Tracer and Engineer to gather everyone to the main control room for the unveiling of what he and Reinhardt had found. The two of them were beaming with excitement. Tracer's eyes were full of hope as she looked on. Did those two finally find a way out of the city? Will the Resistance be able to taste fresh air and sunlight once again? Without wasting another second, Reinhardt reached into the sack and took out the prize: a large meat hook with ten glistening, juicy, big Porterhouse steaks strung through it. "Ve've looted a butcher's shop! Zhe freezer vas still functional, so ve brought back all zhe unspoiled meat ve could find!
No one said a word at first. Everyone just gazed at the cuts of meat. Porterhouse steaks are two steaks in one divided by a single bone. The larger side is part of a New York strip, making it chock full of flavor. The smaller side belongs to the Filet Mignon, better known as the tenderloin. This small chunk of meat melts in your mouth, filling it with delicious flavors beyond one's wildest dreams. This makes it the most expensive cut of steak. This mix of cuts makes the Porterhouse a very versatile way to serve a steak, guaranteeing that no matter the customer, there will be something that they like about their meal.
Roadhog was the first one to react, launching to his feet and letting out a victorious holler. "Meat! Fresh meat!" The others were quick to follow, also bursting into celebration. Roadhog sat back down and took off his mask, small teardrops rolling down his face. Scout and Reinhardt both joined in the jamboree, dangling their well-earned game in the air for all to see. Tracer and Engineer stood off to the side. Engineer gave Tracer a small nudge.
"I've never seen Roadhog be this expressive ever since we've hunkered down 'ere." He said with a small smile on his face. Tracer was looking rather disappointed.
"This is what those two got us all together for? Ten slices of dead cow?" She retorted, sounding unsatisfied. Engineer chuckled.
"Back before this whole mess ever happened, you'd get excited even if we'd have mashed potatoes for dinner. Where'd that happy-go-lucky gal I once knew run off to?" He asked. Tracer grimaced slightly, looking down at her feet. She sighed.
"I've been through a lot, Dell." She said. "My best friend died, the only place where I had ever felt like I've belonged is gone, and everyone I've ever cared for is suffering, one way or another." A tear started to well up in her eye. "I'm sorry for not being strong like the rest of you guys." She wiped at her tears, sniffling. "To be honest, I'm even a bit jealous of you all. Still being able to crack some joke here and there to keep spirits up." Engineer gave her a comforting smile.
"Aw shucks… don't be so hard on yourself, Lena." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Remember, one small victory at a time. That's what's gonna get our sorry asses outta here." Tracer looked back at Engineer, sniffling. "Today, those hunks of meat are our victory..." Engineer took Tracer's hand. "...so let's celebrate." He lead Tracer to the rest of the group, dragging her along like a father taking his daughter for a walk. He left Tracer in the middle of the crowd. Her expression was one of confusion and hesitation. Reinhardt noticed her and walked over, holding a steak in his hands. He presented it to Tracer with an air of gradiose.
"Lena. How would you like the biggest slice?" Tracer looked shocked for a split second, but then smiled politely.
"Um… No, thank you. I'm sure there are people here who want it more than I do." She said, glancing at Roadhog. Roadhog looked away, rubbing the back of his head. After giving it some thought, he sighed.
"You can take it... Lena." He offered, the slightest bit of dejection in his voice. Tracer's expression of kind refusal turned to one of surprise. Scout appeared at her side and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Yeah, no one 'ere has to deal with as much crap as you do! If anyone here deserves the biggest cut, it's gotta be you, Lena!" He gave her a pat on the back before backing off. Several voices from within the crowd started calling out.
"You deserve it, Lena!"
"Glory to our co-leader!"
"We wouldn't be here without you!"
"Eat the tenderloin! That's the best part!"
Out of nowhere, Tracer immediately fell to her knees and started bawling. Everybody froze in shock. Several resistance members rushed to her side to help her up. Her wails echoed through the tunnels, making everyone fall silent. No one had ever seen Tracer like this. Not since Winston's death. It was as if all of her weeks of bottled up grief and sorrow up until this point suddenly poured out all at once. Pharah approached her calmly.
"Back when Overwatch was still around, when someone was at their lowest, whether that be from a failed mission, a lost comrade, or even just a lack of hope, you were there to pick them back up." Mercy joined in.
"Vhen someone lost somezhing, you vould give zhem a piece of you to fill zhe void." She looked into Tracer's teary eyes. "Ever since Winston's death, you have not been zhe same. Ve could all see zhat."
"The only reason we've managed to stay strong for all this time is because you were strong for us." Engineer said. "Whenever I'd be in my lab working on the superweapon, you'd be basically running the entire damn base!"