His lips and eyes shined with the light of the bright monitor. Winston was gazing into the camera with an intense expression. His eyes merely reflected the light produced by the computer, but no longer glistened with a light of their own. His face appeared hollow. His nostrils flared slightly as he adjusted his glasses and spoke solemnly. His hopeful, cheery spirit escaped him for the time being.
"To all agents of Overwatch… No, that's not it…" He shook his head slowly and clenched his fists as he spoke into the camera once again with resolve.
"To anyone who can hear me… if you're still alive down there," his voice rasped as his eyes watered, "Look, I don't know what went wrong on the last mission…"
Winston trailed off, his gaze fixed on a point of distant space far beyond the camera lens that stared back at him with unyielding coldness.
"It has been months since the repairs were completed here on the Lunar Base, but I have not received word. I would say that the world has forgotten about us, but when I look down there…"
He turned slowly in his seat, casting his gaze out the window of the moon base station. Beyond the hardened, transparent surface was a distance of 238,900 miles. On the other side of that barrier that was a harsh vacuum of space, Winston could see the Earth. The bright electric lights of the cities no longer dappled the planet's surface at night time. The planet was mostly cast into darkness from Winston's current view. Of course, there was light visible from the moon. It was not the hum of life from the bright cityscapes. The Earth was on fire. Destruction and chaos visible from the moon haunted Winston's dreams. He heard a quiet series of chirps nearby, as Wrecking Ball rolled over to the window beside him. The translation system for the hamster pilot activated, generating his speech as something that Winston could understand.
The voice of the robotic system was deep, "Winston, no one is going to respond to your message. They never do."
Winston grimaced and turned back to the computer, "Maybe you're right. But I just can't give up hope yet."
"Maybe... Just maybe," Winston gazed intensely at the camera, "A hero will receive this message."
Lena Oxton clutched a photograph between her gloved fingers. Her teeth were clenched tightly as she practically glared at the memento of a time that was gone. The photo featured herself sitting beside Emily. They were smiling so happily in the photograph. That happiness was locked away in the past now. Lena's eyes traced the curves of Emily's facial features. Her eyelashes fluttered closed and trembled when they strained to stay open with each blink between long periods of staring at the photo in the dim light of the building that was practically rubble. She was pulled from her trance, her focus drawn from the photo as she felt a gentle tap on the shoulder.
"Lena, we need to get moving."
It was Mei. Her soft coat sleeve brushed against Tracer's hand as she reached down to help her ally get to her feet. Lena tucked the photo into her jacket pocket and sealed it tight, for safekeeping. Her eyes flicked over to Mei only briefly before returning her gaze to the ground.
"I'm with you," Tracer assured Mei, following her out of the collapsed building in which the team had taken temporary shelter.
Mei offered her a friendly pat on the back, "It isn't your fault."
Tracer gritted her teeth in response and puffed her cheeks as she cringed and slid her cracked goggles into place. Mei sighed quietly as the two walked outside into the elements. Ash fell steadily from the sky as the massive metropolitan city burned slowly around them. Tracer heard a heavy cough from a companion. Torbjorn covered his mouth and grimaced, leaning against a pile of rubble. Reinhardt was slumped nearby, leaning against his hammer as Mercy quietly tended a wound on his arm. The five waited quietly until they heard footsteps. Brigitte ducked around the corner, into view.
"It looks like it is clear for now, everyone. Let's go," she gestured for the others to follow.
Torbjorn rose to his feet, stifling his cough as he followed after his daughter. Tracer and Mei walked after them. Mercy finished bandaging Reinhardt's arm and replaced his scuffed armor before they took up the rear of the little group as they marched through the burning city. Tracer looked up at the burning skyline and saw it. One of the massive Null Sector Titan machines was scanning a building for heat signatures. Its red sensors glowed as it searched and scoured a part of the city far away.
"What about the people who are still here?" Lena muttered.
Angela Ziegler stepped forward briskly and placed a hand on the young woman's shoulder, "We have done what we can for them, but we need to leave."
"Giving them some supplies isn't enough," Lena frowned, "The Null forces are going to find them…"
"They are going to find us too if we stick around," Torbjorn grumbled.
Reinhardt shook his head, "I'm sorry everyone, I just can't hold off that much firepower again…"
Lena's eyes widened and she glanced back at the crusader's hanging head, "No, Reinhardt, I didn't mean you aren't doing enough-"
Mei nodded and blinked sadly at Tracer, "We know, Lena. It's ok."
Dr. Ziegler's eyes glanced cautiously at the mammoth robotic threat looming in the distance, "I wish we could stop this, but the best we can do now is survive."
Everyone walked with heavy hearts. Brigitte blazed a path through the rubble, marching over cracked cement and stone.
"The river is not far, everyone," she took a deep breath, "We can make it."
As the team neared the river, they found the sailing vessel with the least damage. It was a small yacht that had managed to avoid the flames confined mostly to the city. The team quickly salvaged fuel and other equipment from the nearby ships at the docks and prepared to depart. Torbjorn paused when he was carrying a box, setting it down and taking a knee. He coughed more. This time, as he covered his mouth, blood coated his palm. Brigitte rushed over to her father.
"Are you alright, Papa?" she dropped to the ground and clutched his hand.
He nodded and stifled another cough, "Aye, don't worry about your old man. But if you could help me with the gear, that would be appreciated."
"Of course," she nodded and lifted the box, carrying it onto the vessel and disappearing into the cabin.
"Old friend?" Reinhardt blinked and stopped by Torbjorn's side.
Torbjorn frowned slightly and nodded, "I've still got a lil' fight in me."
Mercy interrupted, "Let's hope so. Look!"
As she pointed toward the land, everyone turned their attention to the sound of metal. A horde of Null Sector omnics were marching toward the docks. Their red lights illuminated the coast in an ominous artificial glow. Emerging from the pack of machine enemies was a familiar face, or mask. The hooded enemy rushed forward, much faster than the army that followed steadily behind.
"Everyone on the ship! We have to go now!" Reinhardt cried, stooping to help Torbjorn up, but pausing when his hand was pushed away.
"Stop, get on board and shield my daughter," he glared at Reinhardt as he let out another cough. Blood tumbled from his lips and splattered the ground.
Reinhardt and Torbjorn exchanged silent, knowing gazes. It was the sort of communication only two people who had faced war side by side could understand. Without another word, Reinhardt bowed his head deeply and climbed aboard. Angela drew her pistol and stood beside him as she took aim at the hooded figure charging towards the docks. Biting her lip, tears welled up in her eyes and she peered down the sights of her weapon. The enemy kept running forward but was forced to respond when Mei and Tracer took aim from the edge of the ship and fired. As the hail of attacks pierced the air and raced towards the approaching figure, there was a sudden flash of red. A blade glowed in the enemy's hand as they halted their advance and deflected the bullets back toward the boat. Reinhardt raised his arm, the large energy shield flickering to life as it protected the boat.
"He found us," Mercy whispered, glaring beyond Reinhardt's shield.
On the shore crouched Genji. His visor glowed with the same red light of the Null Sector forces that were steadily approaching. Sheathing his sword, he dashed to the side and hurled some red glowing shuriken into Reinhardt's shield. The crusader stood his ground and clenched his jaw. Genji swiftly dashed, leaping through the air towards the boat and stabbing his blade into Reinhardt's shield. The crusader stumbled back. As the ninja paused in place for a moment, Angela had a clear shot of his head. She stared at the glowing red light from his cybernetic body and her finger trembled. Genji backflipped, kicking off the shield and deflecting an assault of gunfire from Tracer and Mei back into Reinhardt's shield.
"This barrier is not going to hold!" he warned his allies.
Suddenly, a bright flash of lights from the dock distracted everyone, including Genji. A sentry locked on and fired at the cyborg ninja as he dropped into the water. Brigitte ran out, joining the others on deck.
"Let's get out of here, the ship is ready!" she shouted.
Mei nodded and ran to take the helm.
"Why didn't you fire at him?!" Tracer yelled at Mercy.
"I'm sorry," Angela lowered her head, her whole body shaking.
Then, everyone on deck spotted the red glow of Genji's visor as he resurfaced by the docks and jumped up. The sentry tried to track his movements, but he was very swift as he charged at Torbjorn. Lunging towards him, Genji thrusted his blade and Torbjorn grabbed the sharp weapon with his mechanical arm. Genji continued to apply pressure. Brigitte looked around in confusion for a moment, wondering why her father was not on the boat.
"Papa! We need to go help him!" she yelled, starting to run for the edge. Reinhardt grabbed her arm and held her back.
Torbjorn's sentry turret swiveled, ignoring Genji as the two tussled on the dock and focused instead on the approaching army of robots. They marched steadily and began to open fire at the ship. Reinhardt held up his shield to block the incoming attacks. The yacht began to slowly pull away from the shore. Brigitte's eyes were wide as she watched the turret pivot back and forth, spraying its attacks across the front line of the enemies. One Null Sector omnic was toppled and burst apart with an explosion, but another immediately took its place, filling in from behind and stepping over the broken pieces of its comrade with no hesitation. Genji dashed around Torbjorn, slashing at him with his blade. The engineer grunted in pain as the ninja drew blood. Spinning, he swung his mechanical arm and knocked Genji flying.
"Papa!" Brigitte screamed.
His head turned as he coughed up more blood and winced. Closing his eyes, the old warrior steeled himself and faced down the approaching army and the ninja that quickly recovered from the initial blow.
"Molten Core!" his voice boomed over the screech of gunfire.
The sentry turret launched rockets at the incoming Null Sector forces as Torbjorn blasted his weapon, leaving a molten barrier along the shoreline. It halted the advance of the enemies, who turned their attention to destroying the turret. Torbjorn had just finished setting the barrier when Genji leaped over it and took the opportunity to attack. Torbjorn grabbed onto Genji's arm as the ninja knocked him to the ground and pushed the tip of his blade against Torbjorn's chest. The old hero barely had strength left to keep the sword from piercing his torso.
"I know you're in there, damn it! You're no machine!" he grimaced.
Genji leaned in close and tilted his head. Torbjorn gasped as the blade was forced into his body. The red glow of Genji's visor illuminated his fearful, pained expression. Brigitte watched in horror as Reinhardt held her back.
"Papa!" Brigitte's tears poured down her cheeks.
"Torbjorn's dead because you couldn't take the shot!" Lena screamed at the trembling doctor.
Angela gulped and covered her mouth, "No…"
Reinhardt wheeled around, "He was buying us time! Stop fighting!"
Brigitte dropped to her knees, looking absolutely catatonic. Genji rose from kneeling over the corpse of her father on the dock. The sentry turret continued to launch rockets and attack the Null Sector forces on the beach. The ship pulled farther away. Angela glanced at the dock and saw Genji swiftly cut down the turret before whipping his head around, casting a red glow from his visor in the distance. The omnics unleashed the full might of their arms upon Reinhardt's shield.
"Ah!" he winced and knelt down, trying to steady himself.
The shield's energy crackled as the storm of bullets were obliterated on impact. Brigitte's vacant stare and hollow expression were fixed on the horizon as the ship steadily drifted onward. Lena glared at Angela momentarily before rushing to Reinhardt's side and helping him hold his aching arm up. Mercy jumped to his other side to help too. The three were tensing every muscle in their bodies as an overwhelming attack from the Null Sector omnics battered the energy shield.
"Brigitte!" Reinhardt winced and looked over at her, "I can't do it alone!"
She didn't respond. Her eyes were cast down upon the deck of the ship as her jaw hung open loosely. Lena reached out for Brigitte.
"Come on, Brigitte! We need you!" Tracer called out.
Her gaze rose to face the oncoming fire. She could not even see the dock anymore beyond the smoke and energy. She couldn't see Genji. She couldn't see her father. She could only hear the ringing of barrels firing over and over. It took her a minute to realize that there was another sound too. She could hear her allies calling out to her. Her chin led the way as her face turned to face her friends. They all wore desperate expressions as they held on behind Reinhardt's energy shield.
"Brigitte!" Reinhardt locked eyes with her.
She nodded.
Letting out a battle cry and raising her shield, she joined it with Reinhardt's and the energy field expanded. The Null Sector continued to fire and the four heroes held their ground on the back of the vessel. Brigitte's gaze narrowed as she focused on shielding the team as they made their escape. Fires of the city grew farther and farther. Eventually, the omnics stopped firing and turned to leave the shoreline. Reinhardt and Brigitte's chests were heaving as they laid down on deck and rested after taking down the combined energy shield. As the yacht pulled away from the land, the light grew more distant. All that Angela could spot was the faint red glow from Genji's visor as he stood at the edge of the dock, watching them get away.
Lena growled and gestured to the shore they left behind, "Do you want to tell us why you didn't take the bloody shot?!"
Angela looked down at her gun, "I… I don't know."
"You don't know?" Tracer scoffed, "We've been through hell to get this far and you can't pull the trigger the one time it really counts?"
Reinhardt sighed, "Lena, please…"
"No!" she spat, "she got Torbjorn killed. Brigitte's dad just died because of you!"
"I-I didn't mean for…" Angela buried her face in her hands, "Lena, if it was Emily, could you have pulled the trigger?"
"Shut up! Don't you dare!" Tracer clenched her fists, "That is not the same!"
Brigitte lightly grabbed hold of Lena's shoulder as she tried to hold back her own tears, "Stop it, she didn't kill my dad. Yelling at her isn't going to solve anything."
Lena huffed, "Yeah, that monster killed your dad."
"He's not a monster," Angela corrected her.
"Oh jog on, Ziegler," Lena retorted, "he is a bloody monster now and you know it!"
A silence fell over the group. Eventually, Mei walked out of the cabin. She looked around solemnly and sighed.
"We need to chart a course, everyone," she rubbed the back of her head.
"I'll help," Angela got to her feet slowly and followed Mei to the helm.
Reinhardt and Brigitte staggered to their feet shortly after and left Tracer alone on the deck of the ship. Removing her cracked goggles, they tumbled from her loose grip onto the floor. She tucked her knees against her chest and looked up at the moon. She inhaled sharply before laying back onto the deck. Lena swallowed for a moment and exhaled slowly, staring at the peaceful lunar surface.
"Hang in there, Winston… We're coming."
"This conflict will make us stronger," Doomfist smiled to himself as he watched a wall of screens.
Every screen displayed the worldwide chaos and destruction caused by Null Sector's bold attack. Akande Ogundimu breathed deeply, expressing satisfaction when he slowly raised his arms and gestured to the results of his planning.
"Here we are at the end," he grinned, "It is beautiful, isn't it?"
A machine's voice echoed through the chamber behind him, "The nullification of humanity's existence is indeed… beautiful."
Akande turned slowly to face the source of the reply. His steely gaze fell on Echo, the masterpiece of Liao. Echo's face glowed red. The white symbol on her forehead was the logo of the Null Sector. Doomfist stretched a little and shrugged.
"Humanity will rise over you machines. This is just a means to an end," he explained, "Only the strong will survive… Everyone else deserves their bitter end."
Echo did not react, but spoke with cold, measured words, "You have outlived your usefulness. Null is stronger than all. You will die."
Doomfist glared at Echo and sneered, "You will be scrap for those words."
He lunged toward Echo, firing blasts from his hand cannon. Echo shot up into the air and launched a volley of shots down upon him. He dashed out of harm's way, his fist leading as he cut a path through the air. Null Sector omnics started to march in through the doors of the room. Here in the heart of the Null Sector base, all exits were barred, but Doomfist was not running. He swung his body through the air, slamming the fist into an omnic and breaking it apart in a single strike. Then he charged up an attack and punched an omnic through the wall. The cement and steel splintered in his wake as if it was paper. Echo continued to rain fire, but Doomfist leaped into the air as he uppercutted one of the omnics into oblivion. He kicked off of the wall, cracking it from the force as he hurled himself toward Echo in mid air. Slamming his fist into Echo, sparks flew in every direction as the dim room was lit up momentarily. Echo soared through the air and slammed against the wall before tumbling to the ground.
The robotic forces continued to move in, surrounding Doomfist as he bashed them apart. A bead of sweat dripped from his forehead as he punched them into tiny pieces of metal. The red glow of the Null Sector omnics painted the room in an ominous red light. Doomfist set off more bright and brilliant sparks with each of his attacks, illuminating the darkness. As he whirled about, beating down his opponents with ease, he started to feel himself becoming a little slower, just ever so slightly more imprecise.
"Humans like you are imperfect," Echo's voice hammered in his ears, "You are going to be replaced by something… greater."
Akande whipped around to face the source of the voice. He was confused when he saw his own face staring back, with piercing red eyes. Echo looked like an exact copy of him. The copy's fist slammed into Doomfist and sent him sprawling.
Then, he heard Echo yell, "Meteor Strike!"
His eyes widened as the omnic flew up above and came crashing down on top of him. Akande laid in the crater made by the impact, blood trickling from his body. He couldn't move. He could barely breathe. Still, he could listen and observe.
Echo called out an order to the omnics, "Bring in the new prisoners."
The omnic forces stepped out of the way of two omnics which carried cuffed and restrained individuals. Sigma and Moira were in the clutches of the Null Sector as they looked down at Akande's broken body.
"Watch carefully," Echo commanded.
Raising an arm, the omnic with the red face blasted a hole in Doomfist's skull and he went still.
"Talon is no more," Echo declared, "Humans are no more."
Sigma and Moira cringed at the sight of Akande's mangled face. They both looked at Echo, who moved steadily closer.
Echo gently lifted the two prisoners' chins, "You are now property of the Null Sector."
"Rejoice in your newfound purpose of servitude."