For this chapter, you might wanna watch Sombra's Origin Trailer before reading :)
Hope you enjoy it.
*Outskirts of Venice*
"Well… This is a surprise"
"Likewise"
Lox trembled, not knowing if it was because of the gazes of both Overwatch's and Russia's most powerful figures, or because Sombra is fighting for consciousness as he applies first aid.
"Hello Sombra, I trust you are doing well" Katya said.
"Don't look so pleased with yourself, I survived worse"
"Why did you contact us? What is your agenda?"
"Haha… Just the way I remember you, always straight to the point"
Adjusting herself in her seat, Sombra grunted as she sat up as much as she could while hiding her left hand. Though she can hack just as well with her right, she does not want them to see that she is one hand down.
"I need ask a favor from both of you, as a friend and potential business partner"
Both Morrison and Katya looked at one another at those words.
"We do not have the best relationship with the Russians"
"I know who you are, we have not forgotten what one of your members have done, Overwatch. One of your members is solely responsible for the suffering of Russia and its people"
"I do not need you two to work together, I just need you do finish what you started"
"How do you mean?" Morrison inquired.
"I'll give you the location where Talon HQ is - You can strike them tonight and finish them off. And for you friend, all you need to do is to push for an attack and the war will end. You will become more powerful than you could ever imagine"
Lox glanced at Morrison and Katya, he saw that her words have a profound affect on both of them. Morrison's demeanor changed, when he returned to lead Overwatch, it took him almost a year to push aside his unquenchable need for vengeance, but now the familiar, almost crazed eyes are back. Katya's features had also soften to a hopeful look, the potential payoff is too tempting to just ignore.
"Just how much influence does she have on these people?" he thought to himself.
"I don't trust you" Morrison said, though the look in his eyes did not change.
"If you won't do it for me, do it for your man… Quillion has been captured, he needs your help"
"Quil?" a new voice came into the call.
Morrison looked away from the screen and seemed to ponder on it for a moment before motioning the person to enter. Soon Lena's face swam into view, causing Lox to flinch, worried that she might be mad at him for following Quillion's orders which led to her temporary distortment.
"Well look who it is, the girlfriend"
"Tell us what happened to him" she demanded, unfazed by the comment. Sombra tried to chuckle but could only cough as the pain in her ribs and chest ripple through her body.
"We just did a skirmish a few moments ago... It was a success but at some costs. Malaysian drug lord is dead, good riddance and Quillion got himself captured in a way you wouldn't believe…"
Lox could see Lena shaking with anger and even he is annoyed with her attitude, Quillion may be an impulsive and aggressive man but he deserves better than this. Success? Agong is dead, Quillion is captured, and she came back in this state? And now she is telling them to finish the fight that she escaped from? Seems more like a complete failure begging for help rather than a success.
"How do you mean success?" Morrison asked, his arms across his chest.
"Well, more like a temporary success" Sombra admitted, gritting her teeth as she tries to adjust to a more comfortable pose "But if you all don't attack soon, this will all be for nothing"
Morrison said nothing, merely pressing the mute button and continued speaking to someone, which Lox guessed is someone who can track the call. Sombra then turns her attention to Katya, who looks as if she is enjoying the fact that someone else is resisting Sombra's manipulation tactics.
"You're awfully quiet"
"You want me to win the war as a favor?"
"Yes" was the curt answer, making Katya laugh.
"Sure, do you want ice cream with that? Even if you have what you have on me, I cannot just win wars!"
"Ice cream actually sounds pretty good right now" she groaned.
*Gibraltar: Watchpoint*
"Jack, we've got to do something!" she whispered.
"Calm now, we do not know if Sombra is telling the truth, even if she is, there is always a cost for information"
She looked back at the screen and saw that Lox is almost done with first aid, a worried look still etched across his face. If Sombra is lying, he is not part of it, nor has he given any signals that she is lying to them.
"Any of you pinpoint their location?" Morrison called out.
"Italy, near Venice"
"Most likely a decoy, check it again"
Lena kept her focus on the screen, trying to figure out a way to get information from Lox without being too obvious, but she could not think of anything. They did not share any code words or secret messages like in the movies, there was never any need to, she points, he drops them off, that was it.
"Athena, are you still connected to Pilot Lox's tablet?" she asked.
"Affirmative"
"It's no use, Sombra could potentially hack it"
"I can still hear you two" Sombra called out, to Morrison and Lena's annoyance.
"Can't do any more hacking now even if I want to" she added, lifting up her broken nails for all to see.
"Lox, are you all in Italy?"
When Lox nodded hastily, Morrison sighed, as stupid as the question is, he has nothing else to work with except on, what he hopes is enough, the fear the pilot has for him.
"So why call us? Why should we trust someone who betrayed her comrades?"
"They were never my amigas, they were a stepping stone I'm trying to break… But I do have another request… Please save Amelie Lacroix? I owe her something"
"Amelie?" Lena repeated.
They had been trying to pinpoint her location for months and still could not find a hint of where her base of operations is. Morrison's jaw clenched, personally he does not care for Quillion, as he had willingly gone AWOL, but if she really is telling the truth, not only Talon is within his reach, but the person who ended Gerard Lacriox's life will be brought to justice.
"Sir! I picked up something! Going on screen"
They watched as the image shows a hooded man standing on top of one of Venice's many roofs, staring into the sky as if he knew that a satellite would fly over the city with both arms extended like wings, is if offering a challenge.
"Reaper…" Morrison muttered, his body shaking with rage and excitement. Finally… Finally after months they found him…
Everyone in the room backed off from their Commander as his very presence seemingly transformed before them, even Katya and Lox felt a cold sweat when they saw this through their screens, the air of an unstoppable soul pierce through the call. Gone is his usual calm and calculated person, now it is replaced with an almost animalistic rage and need, the rage of Soldier 76.
"Humour me… Why are you telling us this? What's in it for you?" he asked in a dangerous voice.
"A story for another-"
"You don't want to go to war with me…"
"What makes you think I'm that easy to find amigo?"
"If Zarya can find you, how do you think he would fare if I send him all the details we have on you?" Katya added to Sombra's surprise.
"Wow… I'm proud of you friend, looks like you've grown some fangs…"
Katya did not reply, there was no need to agree with her assessment. She has been greatly frustrated that Sombra had free reign to blackmail and manipulate everything and everyone for so long, especially her. This was the only natural course for her to take, especially if someone else is willing to do the heavy lifting.
Knowing full well that if Volskaya combines her resources with Overwatch, it would inevitably lead to her capture and possible death. Finding herself on the losing side, Sombra simply smiled.
"Guess… I have to start from the beginning"
*The Shadow's Tale*
My name is Olivia. 30.
My home was destroyed before I was born. The decade long war has rendered thousands of us scrapping the streets for half a mouthful of food. No one else came to help, we were left alone. However, there were a few of us who are capable enough to see the bigger picture, to see life beyond the rubble.
This was when I found my talents for hacking and manipulation. First it was small fries, like Commissioner Rivera, and the information that I was able to sell brought us out from the gutter and into 'higher' society.
Some turn towards more honest lives, while the rest, including myself, found a new family with Los Muertos, a gang that you should be familiar with. Despite what you think, we are not all criminals, we dedicated our lives protecting the people, to fight against the grips of King Viper whom you so conveniently avoided.
Sure, some of us go off our rockers now and again, but we were the one who provided food, jobs, housing, but it was never enough. No matter what we do, we could never seem to gather the attention of the right people, as if there is some hidden force that keeps us oppressed, keeps us broken.
That was when I went for bigger fish, Guillermo Portero, the King Viper. When I exposed him, it was a great victory for Mexico and its people, as I uncovered his corruption for the world to see.
Or so I thought…
Despite everything I've done, something kept him in power, something kept him up at the top, even when I topple its foundations. Was it because he was popular? A war hero? No… Better men have been brought down by lesser accusations without evidence, something else is at work here... You can imagine I was a bit… Aggravated, so I kept digging, I need to know who is really in control.
At this time, I was beginning to gather some fans, despite changing my alias to Sombra, many kept tabs on me. Some I used, others I ignored, and the things I've learned could bring the world to a complete stop if I ever choose to bring it up. Like one of your littles deals, chica…
This led me down a hole that is deeper than I ever thought, took me years before I finally found it. From what was a hunt for the truth became a quest to uncover a global conspiracy, integrated so deeply into society that I thought I'd go mad.
It found me first when I was tracing its transactions across the world, it was a simple warning, its very logo is clear. A Red Eye, or The Conspiracy, that stares back, telling me it is watching. It deleted everything I had, forcing me to start over. That was when I realized I needed an upgrade, to fight something this big would require me to sacrifice parts of my body.
First I was scared but once I decided that this is bigger than I am, that it will help the thousands in the streets, I made the decision to dedicate my life to uncover who they are and bring them down.
With my new body I was able to see it. It was like… A cancer… The Conspiracy kept appearing everywhere, it was infuriating to know that humanity has allowed this organization to claw its way into everything. It was this very organization that kept my people in the dirt, this hidden power that is pulling the strings behind it all.
I thought it was just a distraction, a false idea that leads people away from the truth that is hidden somewhere else in all that data. This went on until the day one of its agents was assassinated in King's Row.
Tekhartha Mondatta.
Believe me when I tell you that these monks are not all what they claim to be. They preach peace and love, innocent or guilty, but in the end, they are just as crooked as everyone else. These people are so confident that they promote their lies straight to your face.
We are all one within The Iris? Ha! What a nice way of putting it, since they have their grubby hands in literally everything. The UN, corporations, politicians, peace, war, Overwatch, Talon, Volskaya Industries, celebrities, books, pornography, name it and they will be there.
Mondatta was nothing more than a catalyst to drive the world back into war, all he needed to do was to become a false savior to 'mend all wounds' and everyone gobbled it up like pudding. When he became the 'icon of peace', all they needed to do is take him out of the equation.
It was so simple.
And now, while everyone is killing one another, these people will remain in the shadows as all the money eventually pours into their own pockets.
I thought I could take them out, to get close enough to them, so I joined their favorite dogs that do all of their dirty work, the organization that is closest to them.
Talon.
I have done things I am not proud of, things that still keep me awake at night, but my goal is right there. The cono Red Eye that stares back at me so much that it hurts, the very Conspiracy that is now keeping thousands of orphans starving in the streets of Mexico. They have issued new orders to Talon earlier this year to bring about total war in all countries, to have complete dominance over everything.
Russia was the first test, utilizing the Hard Light Crates, they were able to poison the entire armies without anyone noticing it, but to do that, all of Russia's best had to be taken out. You were the last one alive on their list Katya and that was when I finally decided that enough was enough. Feeling special now since I added you to my friend's list?
However, Talon is becoming more aggressive, I knew I had to stop them, so I began to recruit my own little squad. It wasn't hard, I needed muscles and unfortunately Agong was the easiest one I can recruit in such a short time. How lucky I was that during my research I found, with difficulty I might add, there was some supersoldier still alive somewhere in the country, it wasn't long before I found him frozen in some shopping mall.
I thought he would be like you, Morrison. A leader of a powerful team who has all the skills that still give Doomfist his nightmares, but equipped with a memory chip in his brain that I can play with. It was an almost perfect scenario for me, so after a little editing I woke him up.
The first few days were somewhat hopeful, he activated the beacon, made himself a home near fruit trees, he even detected me once when I was invisible, but he mistaken me for a rat that just happened to scamper through, and even destroyed a few Bastions.
But as time went on, I must admit I was disappointed. He has some perks but too many cons, but I had spent too much time and effort on him so I just decided to use him, especially after all the fake research papers I had to do to trick your AI into thinking there's Five Members instead of just Four. However, he has some skill and is relatively easy to control, so I decided to keep him.
The months after that, I just did some boring stuff you all don't need to know, and kept tabs on everyone while I waited for Talon's next move. When the time finally came, I merely pulled everyone together and made my move.
Tonight was supposed to be the final step, by killing one of the key members of the UN, they planned to replace him with one of Moira's new pet and through her, they will use the Crates to supply the UN Armies. No more armies would lead to countries breaking apart into warring factions that even the Null Sector couldn't fully conquer.
Soon all of your Mechs will be used to slaughter your fellow people Katya… Could you live with that? Your principles have always been just fighting "soulless machines", can you label a bloodthirsty man a soulless machine? Your designs are now all over the world, you will soon be responsible for the killings of billions.
Our little stunt tonight has stopped all that from happening, since their pet is still at HQ, that is why I need you to finish the job, to stop them before they destroy everything.
What's in it for me?
If you take Talon out of the picture, The Conspiracy will no longer have their dogs. Without their dogs, I can finally go in and find out who they are. Once I do that, maybe… Just maybe… I can pull the strings... The people of Mexico have suffered for far too long. It is time for it to end.
*Gibraltar: Watchpoint*
Sombra collapsed back into the chair, groaning in pain as she ended her passionate speech.
"No, it's not possible, the Shambali would never…" Lox muttered.
"Shambali's a front, it does not exist, the only 'follower' of its fake scriptures is that wandering one, Zenyatta"
"That can't be true!"
"Mondatta… Was an agent…?" Lena asked, catching their attention, her face wrecked with a confusing tirade of emotions, staring back at them, tears welling up in her eyes.
"No… He was the world's best hope for peace! The world would have been better off if it had been me instead of him!" she cried.
"He was no hope… He knew what he was and willingly died to create chaos"
At those words, a series of files was sent to both Overwatch and Volskaya, thousands upon thousands of emails, recorded calls, files, and news, all impeccably tidied up for them to see, all pointing to one inevitable truth.
"I… I cannot believe it… She is not lying… And all the facts she has provided have matched everything I can find, even filling up gaps in many public information!" Athena declared.
"No…" Lena repeated, gasping for air. It cannot be true, everything she had fought for, the suffering she endured, the nightmares, the many sleepless nights, her need for redemption. Was it all a lie?
"How does it feel, everyone? To know this information? Isn't ignorance bliss?" Sombra finished.
Nobody said anything, overwhelmed by this revelation. All but one.
"Charter a flight to Italy, this ends tonight" Morrison barked, springing everyone into action.
"You seem pretty jolly, you're gonna need this then" Sombra said sending the blueprints of Talon's HQ.
"The war goes on and I'm not a young man anymore, I didn't start this war, but I'm damn well gonna finish it" he said before looking down at Lena who was still shaking "Quit screwing around and get ready to move"
"Who are we sending?"
"Myself, Tracer, Winston, Mercy, Pharah, and Mei"
"What about Genji and McCree?"
"Tell them to finish their mission now, we need them"
With that said, he ended the call.
"I... Can't do it..." Lena gasped.
At those words, Morrison grabbed Lena and dragged her out of the room. Slamming the door, he pushed her against the wall.
"Don't you quit on me now, the world needs you"
"I don't know what to think anymore! Mondatta's a fake! Everyone's always telling me what to do! I can't make any bloody decisions right! I-"
Stars appeared as her head was flung to the side, a stinging pain across her cheek.
"Pull yourself together! If you want to feel pain and punishment, feel them in battle!"
A rare sense of regret filled him when Lena said nothing and slowly crumpled to the floor, crying silently. Seeing this he sat down on the floor next to her.
"Listen Lena... We all make mistakes, no one is perfect... When Overwatch fell, I knew it was my fault. Now I can either choose to live the rest of my life running from that reality and go back to the farm, or I can find the bastards to make them pay for what they did"
She said nothing.
"Either way, no one will think you are a coward if you choose to stay, hell in some ways if you go, you'll be fixing my problems... In my opinion, you should go, but why listen to the advise of old soldiers?"
With that said, he stood up and was walking away when Lena spoke up.
"Why do you fight? What's next for you after Talon? How do you know if you are right?"
"I don't know" he admitted after a pause "And not all of us know if what we are doing are right, we are still criminals after all... I usually let the historians to figure that part out"
*Outskirts of Venice*
"Well... Guess its just us friend... Will help me do this favor and win the war?"
Katya said nothing, unwilling to be manipulated further by Sombra but what other choice does she have now? If she does not do anything, things could play out how she said it would.
"What if I don't? What if I just let the Null Sector win?"
"Then The Conspiracy will have another dog to play with and everything we fought for will be lost... Also, how's this for an incentive... If you win the war, I'll delete the photo"
That caught Katya's attention.
"Think about it" Sombra said slyly cutting the call without waiting for the response.
"That was easier than I thought" she sighed, closing her eyes.
"Those were all lies right? You were just manipulating them right? Like how you did to Quillion?" Lox asked.
"You heard your program, everything I said was true"
"It can't be... I... I donated thousands for the Iris..."
"So did everyone else..."
"What do we do now?"
"We wait for them to do their job, in the meantime, call this number" she said, passing him a slip of paper "He is in the area, he will patch me up as we wait"