Nathaniel?
He's… running.
Lena Oxton, aka Tracer, tried to blink, but felt nothing but emptiness as she tried.
It was blurry, the whole world around her.
But she saw Nate. He was running, and… Hana Song… she was with him.
Green and brown swiveled by, as they sprinted through the cover of trees.
Why were they running?
Was it the smoke in the sky? The howls in the distance?
No, Nate was easily strong enough to handle any sort of wild animal.
But there was no wind. No air. What was this?
Bang!
A gunshot! She felt shock run through her, but it disappeared as She saw Nate shooting back, at something behind them.
Then…
It was bodies. Mangled and deformed, running through the trees with rotting flesh, and glowing eyes.
But the scariest part? They ducked and weaved as Nate shot at them.
Something about them made her want to scream, but they paid no heed to her.
She couldn't move.
Couldn't breath.
She turned to run after Nate and Hana, as the two trudge and ran through trees.
Towards…
Towards a…
Mountain?
Then it was grey. The trees were gone, as was the dirt.
There was a mountain beneath her, but it lacked all its glory because there was no sun.
Just clouds. Dark and grey, lightning coursing through the sky like a heartbeat.
Thump, thump.
Thump, thump.
She saw Nate again. And…
No.
Hana was in his arms. Blood leaking from her throat.
His head was low, no helmet on now, and she couldn't hear his cries, but she could feel them.
He had a beard now… a full beard.
But… no way he had grown that in just a week.
She just saw him!
Where was Dig? Where was his power?
She could… feel, it's absence… like he was just like her now.
Well, without the whole time traveling thing.
Then she saw it. Movement from below.
Those… things! They were climbing the mountain!
Zombies?!
No no… this was… something else. A sixth sense… that's what made her believe that.
Nate stood from the body.
He raised his sword, and fire flashed in the darkness..
There were so many bodies, so many!
But he started swinging, and it was like a dance, and like chaos, andlike….liken.'..likepainandpanic…'aandheehheeheeeeed…..
"Lena!"
She shot up in her bed, and felt so…. hot.
"Lena?"
She shuddered as heavy gasps left her, her body shivering involuntarily as sweat drops from her brow.
A pair of arms grab her face, and the next thing she knows, shes looking into the eyes of the most important ginger on the planet.
"You okay?" Emily asks, her voice infected with worry and anxiety, "you were thrashing like a wild goose. What was it?"
Lena sighed and forced the tension to subside with a few controlled breaths.
Well, at least she tried to.
She took in the disheveled hair, the baggy clothes and the bright eyes of Emily.
So she smiled at such perfection, "it's nothing love."
Emily frowned.
"It's nothing at all."
Ten hours later…
"Dig, hit it."
/:Play: Shoot To Thrill:/:Artist: AC/DC:/
I grinned as the riff and guitars filled my ears.
You could never have a bad time with AC/DC.
"Nathaniel."
"Yes love?"
"Oi, don't be cheeky ya git, are you ready?"
A grin spread across my face and my helmet appeared.
"Oh I was born ready."
Tracer sighed over the comm, and the back ramp of my ship opened, gears whirring as the wind whipped and screamed.
"Drop offs coming. Ten seconds." Winstons voice then entered the channel and I popped my neck, stepping towards the lowered hangar door.
"You realize if you miss, you're gonna go splat?"
"Please when do I ever miss?"
"Uh… you know what, I'm not even gonna bother replying."
"So nice."
"Five."
I stepped to the edge of the ramp, staring down as the darkness of night covered the sky and the clouds hid the stars.
"Four"
Raze Lighter appeared on my back, and Last word in my hand.
"Three."
"Remember Nate, secure the intel, and try not to cause a huge mess. Last thing we need is the South Africans petitioning the UN to ban us again."
"Two."
I rolled my eyes, "relax. They're in an isolated building right on the edge of the city, and I'll I gotta do is get in, kill bad guys, and secure the intel."
"One."
My feet threw me forward, and the night sky swallowed me whole.
"Don't use excessive force you hear?" Tracer ordered.
I simply grinned, "yes love."
The air whipped by me and lights below grew brighter as I approached the earth.
My cape fluttered and I straightened myself out into a pure dive, "See ya when I'm out!"
"Turn ten degrees north east."
I followed as told and narrowed my gaze.
"Twenty seconds till impact."
"It ain't gonna be an impact."
The large complex came into view, three office buildings, with a very small park in the center, a pond laying in the middle of the park itself.
The small dots of moving hostiles started to become visible and I counted fifteen patrolling the park grounds.
"Dig, any idea which building has the largest server rooms?"
"Nope, they're on an isolated network, but you find me a computer I can find out."
I flipped mid air, putting my feet towards the ground with my arms spread wide. The large circle of the water right below me.
"Ten!"
The dark blue of the pond grew larger, and I could see the lights in the buildings still on.
Damn Omnics never needing to sleep.
"Five."
I grit my teeth and the surface of the pool grew clear.
"Two!"
I hit my thrusters, all three boosts at once.
My speed slowed significantly and I slammed into the pond, breaking the water's surface with what was probably a glorious splash.
I blinked up, Last Word aimed at the first Omnic I saw.
Bang!
'Shoot to thrill! Play to kill!'
One down instantly. I blinked forward. Three Omnics rushed to engage me, I ducked under one, and blew its head off.
The second fired at me point blank. My shield flared, and I drove an arc powered blade into its chest.
With a brilliant flashed it sparked and short circuited.
I spun, avoiding the gun shots for my back, and swept the third Omnics feet from out under it.
It fell, and a single shot in is head from Last Word ended its existence.
Clank! Clank! Clank!
Twelve more Omnics.
All around me.
All weapons at the ready with their telltale red star and skull painted on their chests.
Arc powered erupted over my body.
Metal4k presents…
I blinked forward, my blade ripping one Omnic a new nose, before spinning and jamming my blade into the next Omnics neck.
Bullets riddled my shields, dropping them a fourth of the way, but a blink later, I was between two more Omnics and their shots failed to track me in time.
I ducked, swiftly grabbing and slashing Raze Lighter in arc. Their legs separated from their bodies and I powered up my blade and lunged forward.
It connected with a third Omnic and the machine blew apart into a million pieces before disintegrating.
I turned to the others.
They kept firing
I took the hits, but blinked up into the air.
With a brilliant flash of white Arc power burst out in every direction, and the electric light slammed into the Omnics, turning every last one in nothing more than white flakes of dust.
I landed on the ground and looked to the buildings.
"New record, took you twice as long last time."
"Fuck yeah."
The Darkest Knight
Tracer stared out the viewport, looking down at the compound from the safety of Nates ship, while Winston watched from Gibraltar, via their newest satellite.
She wasn't gonna lie, the machine was impressive. Granted it was from some alternate timeline, or dimension, but hey, she wasn't one to complain.
He had told her a brief version of where he was really from, and she had retold that to Winston.
However, based on the… strangeness and, uniqueness of his origins, Winston had decided to keep it between the three of them.
Initially she had objected, but revealing to the press and the world his origins would only hurt their credibility.
After all, hardly anyone even knew that she had actually turned into a time traveling ghost.
How would the word take it if they just dumped the origins of a man from another dimension?
So with a deep breath the woman refocused on the mission at hand.
She looked down again.
The night was overwhelming, but the compound was lit well enough so she could see some details and very vague outlines. She wondered how well Nate was faring.
She knew he couldn't die after all, but it wouldn't bode well if he blew up-
Boom!
The side of one of the buildings exploded open, and through it she could barely spot the form of Nates bike-thing plowing through the open hole and back into the park below.
She sighed.
There was a sigh over the comm, gen Winston spoke up, "did he-"
"Looks like it." She replied with a sad chuckle, "at least he gets results."
"Yes, but the UN is pressuring me to have a public induction for him. And you know-"
"He doesn't want too." She frowned.
"Exactly. If we can't induct him, we have to get him to stop the whole vigilante thing." Winston replied, though he seemed more apprehensive about it than anything else.
She couldn't blame him.
Nate wasn't bad. A little, extreme in his measures, but he wasn't bad at all.
Heck, after all, it was he who tracked down Nexus: the terrorist tied Omnic rights group, to this compound. Or at least where some of them were.
"You know he won't, but maybe we can keep him on for the Nexus investigation?"
"Hmm. Maybe. I'll talk to Angela and Reinhardt about it."
"All right-"
Boom!
She cringed as another explosion racked the park.
"You git…" she huffed.
There was a flash of light from the main room, and she spun the chair around, leaning over to see through the cockpits doorway.
Black armor and black cape settled down, a flaming sword swinging side to side before the Guardian resheathed it.
His helmet disappeared and the Guardian stretched.
She frowned, "I told you not to break the place you bloody maniac!"
"Hey, at least I got it!" He smiled and held up the flash drive she had given him.
"Ugh."
Part II: The Claws of Talon
I stretched as I appeared in my apartment, tossing my helmet to the floor and my hand cannon onto the couch.
My armor disappeared in a white flash, helmet and all, and I strut over to the fridge, my normal clothes appearing over me as I did so.
The fridge was filled with a few basics, and a few microwaveable foods I liked but overall it was rather bare.
Even for a single dude living alones' standards.
"Dig, what'd we get with that break?"
My Ghost appeared behind me, "Hmm. Nothing of note so far. I'm still reading though the files and trying to backtrack some of the sources of this info. It's a little bit tricky though, the Omnics are good for this time period. They know how to cover their tracks. Probably gonna take me a few days."
I frowned, "well damn. Anything we can follow up on the mean time?"
"Nothing really. The Nexus is secretive and Talons been quiet for months now. I've picked up some chatter on some group called the junkers and the Broker clan, causing some ruckus in the east."
"Nothing that sounds like the Vex or Hive though."
"Nada. Only the Nexus has resembled anything close to that, but still no traces of darkness."
I closed the fridge after grabbing a Smirnoff, popping the cap with my thumb before downing half the contents.
"Anything we need to tell Tracer and them about?"
"Not really. That AI they have will probably find the same shit I am. Just logistics about the number of weapons and units in the immediate vicinity. That and some trade routes we could disrupt, but overall nothing else."
I pursed my lips as I walked over to the couch, sitting with a plop before kicking my feet onto my table.
My place was small. One bed, one bath, and a living room.
I was grateful for Overwatch. They set me up with this place six months ago, after the UN stint, but they did so through cash transactions to keep it off the grid.
Now I hadn't planned on actually buying a place, I had my ship after all, but they had insisted, saying it would be a safe house and a place I could use to stay on earth whenever I wanted, and so they could contact me easier.
Obviously it was easier for them to keep an eye on me, but I didn't care.
We were both trying to protect humanity at the end of the day.
So I here I stayed. It was nice, kinda like the tower.
Partially.
I grabbed the remote off my table, and flipped the TV on.
News. Again. Now I don't mind news, but after a night of killing Omnics I didn't feel like listening to how bad a shape the world was supposedly in.
Hell, this world was still spinning. Good enough shape for me.
So I changed the channel, looking for HBO, which was a channel that had apparently survived the Omnic war.
The movie I didn't recognize, so I checked.
Something called, 'the Time Traveler's wife.'
Hmph.
"Is it good?"
"It's a romantic film."
I frowned, "definitely not in the mood for this."
So I flipped the channel again, and this time…
I leaned closer to the TV, an eyebrow raised as I stared at the girl running across the screen.
"Is that Hana?"
"Yup." Dig floated down next to me, "apparently she was in a movie little over a year ago. Something called the Hero of my Storm."
I nodded and watched as she and some doctor talked about something in some weird laboratory.
"Totally gonna have to ask her how it was to be in a movie," I added, "next time we see her."
"I think Overwatch is scheduled to have a meet up with the Eastern powers in a few weeks. Something regarding the cooperation between them in regards to dealing with Nexus and the large number rogue omnics hitting South Koreas borders lately. We could check in, see how Hana's doing, and get some info from her about the Nexus. And oh, get this, it's a costume party that she set up."
I raised an eyebrow at him.
"One, the parties a cover, and two she's a part of the Nexus force. Joint counter terrorist group formed by Japan and South Korea a few weeks ago. No surprise that she set up the party to cover everyone getting together."
"How'd she manage to get on the task force?"
"Well, considering she tussled with Talon and lived, I'm guessing they figured she'd be an asset."
I nodded, and leaned back as the movie continued, "you've been keeping tabs on her?"
My Ghost did his equivalent of a shrug, which was him basically spinning his parts and floating a bit higher before lowering.
"Just in case Talon took another shot at her. Nothing so far."
"Good. So a task force?"
"Yeah, considering these guys have been all over the news lately, and they sound like fucking Vex, figured we might be interested in going to this meet up."
"Eh," I shook my head, "too many regulations. It'd be better, if we just kept under the radar. Don't want Nexus, Vex or not, onto us."
Dig twirled again, "dude, we just ransacked one of their top compounds."
"Yeah, with Overwatch. If they think we're with overwatch, they'll think they have time and that we'll be limited to the law."
"We're making this really hard on Tracer and Winston you know."
I sighed and pursed my lips together, "I know. Which is why, we need to figure out if these guys really are related to the Vex or not. I mean the Nexus? No way that's coincidence."
Dig failed to reply immediately, and instead twirled higher before floating bad towards the kitchen, "well, maybe, maybe not. But we should at least give Tracer a heads up."
I took another swish of my drink, only to find it was empty.
"We both agreed that telling them was a bad idea. We don't want Overwatch freaking out about something that may not even be real."
His light shined, and the next thing I knew another Smirnoff was floating in front of me.
I took it with a nod of thanks.
"Maybe we can tell Hana?"
I thought about it for a second before saying, "maybe. She was the first to know about us after all."
Ding!
I glanced at the device on my table; the one I had left here before the mission.
A smart phone.
Tracer had given me one after we said goodbye. Said it was on her plan, and was a just in case.
They'd been using it to get in contact with me whenever we had a joint op.
Granted it looked like they were trying to keep me out of the spotlight, so of course they were gonna keep a close eye on me.
I picked up the slim piece of metal, and with a swiped, 'opened' the phone to see a message from a random number.
'Hey! So uh, It's Hana! Got your number from Tracer. She said you have a phone for emergencies. Uh, anyway, having a party at the Lotte this Friday. It's the really big building downtown Seoul. You'll find it. Oh! It's a costume party to! No, your armor doesn't count as a costume. Tracer and Lucio'll be coming! Don't know about Winston and the others, but they are! So anyway, hope to see you!'
I blinked.
"Huh, so a personal invite too."
"Gonna go?" Dig asked though he was facing the TV from his newest spot on the couch.
I pursed my lips.
Well… I guess I could go. I didn't necessarily have anything to go off of yet in regards to Nexus. And Talon had been quiet so what else was I gonna do?
"Well, I guess-"
"Got a hit."
I narrows my eyes, "what is it?"
"Hmm. Well, it's a mention of a group called the Deadlock gang. Something about a trade with them for firearms or a fire team… fire something. That parts corrupted."
"How?"
"You blew up half the floor while I was downloading shit!"
"I didn't know there was a gas line in the floor!"
My Ghost growled in annoyance and twirled before continuing, "anyway, they're located somewhere in the southern US. Not a friendly bunch."
I looked back down at the phone in my hand.
It was Wednesday now. Well, early Wednesday morning.
"We can make right? Two days is easily more than enough time to find these guys and see what they're connection is."
Dig sent a pulse of agreement through our link.
"I mean what's the worst that could happen right?"
Two days later…
"You just had to say it! What's the worst that could happen!"
I rolled my eyes as I blinked and spun around, drawing my knife and jamming it into a large, bald man's throat.
He tried to gasp, but I pushed him aside and fired last word.
My bullet traveled true and hit the barrel of another assailants rifle.
His shot went off target and his rifle was ruined.
"Down!"
I ducked and watched as a shot from a revolver lodged itself in between another assailants forehead.
A second later I blinked up and fired at the last assailant, the one on the roof of the gas station.
He dropped like a fly.
I grimaced as I landed and placed my weapon on its magnetized holster on my leg.
"Ya need to keep yer eye out for the roofs. They like to post up on 'em."
McCree walked by me, his hat tilted forward as he spun and holstered his revolver, an ally I had happened to run into right before this interrogation had turned into a firefight.
Granted he had bailed me out when I blew my cover story...
I rolled my eyes at his statement, "please. I know how to watch my flanks."
"Sure don't seem like it." The cowboy huffed.
"Yeah, yeah," I waved his comment off, "so what exactly are you doing here?"
"I could ask ya the same question." He replied, "don't think Overwatch would be happy to see ya here without em."
I shrugged, "eh, what they don't know won't hurt them. Besides I'm following up on a lead, something about this," I kicked the foot of one of the dead men, "gang trading with Nexus."
"The who?" McCree raised an eyebrow.
"Nexus, some secret Omnic terrorist cell. I caught them trying to bomb a school a few weeks back, and ever since Tracers been on my ass to make sure I help them catch them and not destroy another city."
He chuckled once, "heh, sounds like her."
I looked up to the sky, the moon brightly shining down on us and the dimly lit station.
"So what about you? Last time I saw you was what… five months ago?" I looked back to him then glanced to the road, and beyond it, the canyon.
The lower canyon, if what I had gained was true, was the base of their operations.
"Eh," he shrugged and walked up to me, his eyes narrowing at the canyon, "got myself an old score to settle."
"Good old fashion revenge." I nodded.
He didn't reply.
"So you know exactly where their main headquarters is at?" I asked.
"Used to," he motioned over his shoulder to the giant rock walls and the road that continued through them and further into the upper part of the canyon, "but Overwatch shut us down back then, no idea where they'd be now."
"Us?" I raised an eyebrow behind my visor.
"Yeah," his voice was low, as was his hat, but besides that he turned and started towards the upper part of the canyon, past the gas station.
I followed after him, "so where are you going?"
"Like I said, they used to have a place up here, but it ain't used no more. But, it's got tunnels to the lower valley meant for smuggling, and aside from a couple hour drive or falling two hundred feet, that's our best bet to getting down there."
I nodded, "all right. How long will it take us?"
"Few hours, and after that we gotta find their new place." He huffed, and with a quick swipe of his hand plopped a cigar in his mouth.
He lit it with a flick of his revolver, then continued, "why you got a hot date?"
I glanced at the reminder I had set for Hana's get fake party.
It was in an hour.
Guess I was gonna miss it.
"Nah."
"Oh come on man! I'm on the guest list! Lu-See-Oh!"
Hana's ear caught the voice of her friend, and her eyes turns to the doors of the giant ballroom.
"Lucio!"
She leapt from her spot near the dance floor and wrapped her fiend in a massive embrace, well an embrace that was massive for her.
After all, her and Lucio weren't the tallest people in the world.
The man laughed and wrapped his own arms around her, "well if it ain't my favorite Song!"
The gamer released him and smacked his arm, her cheeks slightly red, "I told you to stop calling me that!"
The man shrugged, his costume attire of a frog suiting him well as he then laughed, "hey, Julia says being a jokester is apart of my charm! Who am I if not charming?"
Hana rolled her eyes despite the amused grin. She took a step back and gestured inside, to which Lucio took his que and entered, a small glare sent at the bouncer.
She grabbed his arm, and looked him up him down, "a frog really?"
True to her words, Lucio was dressed in a bright green frog suit, the head of the frog used as a hoodie that rested haphazardly on his back.
He frowned, "what? It's stylish!"
She laughed, "sure it is!"
"And what're you supposed to be exactly? A cop?" He asked, trying his best to feign sarcasm.
Hana grinned, stepped away, then spun on her heel before pulling out a fake badge, "officer Song!"
She winked with a peace sign, her attire composed of dark pants, a button blue shirt, a tie, and a Korean police hat.
It was a genuine second of awe before Lucio burst into laughter.
The consultant for Overwatch growled, her cheeks growing red and her eyes narrowing, "it's a good costume! I put work into this you know!"
Lucios laughter grew louder for a second, "like you look great, but man, you're about as scary as a kitten! But like, a newborn kitten!"
She fumed, her face growing even redder as she ground her teeth together, "jerk. Nate would appreciate it!"
"Ah," the DJ wiped an actual tear from his eye and glanced around, "speaking of which where is the dude?"
She shrugged and her anger deflated, "I don't know, haven't seen him in a few months."
Lucio nodded as the two started off, walking further into the large hall, which was adorned with glass walls and windows that displayed the late night skyline of Seoul.
He huffed as he stated, "you'd expect the dude who saved our asses, especially yours to at least pop by and say hey. Guess he's busy."
She nodded and a small frown appeared.
For a moment she was sad.
She knew they were friends. She knew that. But… friends were at least supposed to talk to each other right? He hadn't even replied to her message.
Maybe he was just a phase for them. A friend that comes and goes.
"Well," she shook her head, "come on! I wanna introduce you to the rest of my squad!"
A grin appeared on her face, and she latched onto Lucios arm, dragging him further through the dance floor and tables.
Dozens of people floated by, most of which Lucio didn't recognize though he did see one face that made his temper flare.
"You invited Vishkar?" He asked, his voice dangerously low and completely lacking his normal warmth.
Hana blinked as they stopped in their steps and followed his gaze.
Sure enough, one of Vishkars head negotiators was standing nearby, his top agent by his side.
Lucio recognized them from the uprising in Rio. These two has been beyond infamous with the locals, and by extension him.
"The president wanted them here, something about making olive branches with everyone so that way we could pave a new way for the new UN and Overwatch." She informed, completely aware of hers, and Lucios, disapproval of the mega-corporation.
She could feel her friends tension, and she pulled on his arm, "come on."
He didn't fight her lead and moments later the two found themselves at a table with four others happily chatting away.
"Hana!" The speaker was another girl, Korean if her features were anything to go by, "who…. this?"
The speakers cheeks grew red as a beat and Lucio raised an eyebrow as she averted his eyes, her attire that of supergirl from the comics.
Still he smiled and replied, "Lucio, Lucio Santos."
He didn't miss the evil grin on Hana's face, "Lucio that's Ava, she's new on the newest recruit of our squad."
Which meant they had already replaced Claire. He wondered how Hana was handling that of all things.
"That's Marques."
"Sup man," an American boy with short brown hair and blue eyes greeted, his own costume being one that looked like a football player.
"That's Jullian."
A dark skinned man, who held of sense of regality about him, waved at the once freedom fighter. He didn't have a costume and was in a well pressed suit.
Still his smile was warm and friendly enough.
Lucio returned the wave and Hana motioned to the last of the four, another man, "and last, and certainly least,"
"Hey!"
"That's Kolden."
That last of the four was a man at least Lucios age, though his glasses and… was that a pocket protector?
He hoped that was a costume.
"Nice to meet you guys." Lucio stated with a grin.
"So Lucio my man," Marques stood up and walked over to the two.
His arm wrapped around Lucio's shoulders and he turned to Hana, "since this one won't tell us, how about you tell us. What's Overwatch like?"
He gawked, "you won't tell them?"
Hana rolled her eyes, "I told them, he's just a flirt and wants to get Tracers number."
Lucio laughed, "dude you are barking up the wrong tree."
"Why does everyone I ask keep saying that?" Marquez sighed and relaxed the singer.
"Hey at least you didn't ask Nate, he probably would've been a dick and given you her number just to screw with you." Lucio laughed.
"Who's Nate?" Kolden asked, a phone in his hand.
Lucio looked to Hana, and the captain rolled her eyes again, "I told you, the guy who stabbed me."
"That asshole?" Marques replied as he sat down.
Hana sighed, took one of the empty seats, as did Lucio, then replied, "it was an accident."
"Didn't seem like one." Kolden huffed and the four eyed boy returned to his phone.
"He has good points." Ava replied, but she immediately turned away when Hana simply glanced at her.
Lucio sat back in his chair and tried to stay as quiet as possible.
Obviously this was a touchy subject for the group.
Then Marquez sighed, and even under the radiant light of the ballroom, his words grew dark as he spoke, "all we're saying is that he could've been playing you. He stabbed-"
"Can we just drop it?" Hana pressed her fingers to her temples.
Her unit grew quiet but Marques stared at her.
Lucio watched as Hana Song met his gaze.
Two iron wills clashed, but eventually Hana's gaze proved to stronger.
Marques relented with a shrug and leaned back in his chair, then his eyes brightened and he turned to Lucio, "so, Lucio, when's your next concert?"
The tension passed and He grinned, "actually it's in two months, first stop, Seoul." He proudly grinned, and couldn't help but feel a little chip on his shoulder as Ava grew red again.
"Cool man, what's it like making music? I tried it once but sucked. Ended up breaking the guitar." Marques laughed.
"Sounds like you." Kolden replied, never looking up from his phone.
Marques didn't take the bait, and continued, "any chance you could get us tickets? I know someone who'd really like to go."
Again Ava turned beat red.
A little bit of teasing and poking fun was always cool in Lucios book, but now he started to feel bad for the girl.
Heck she looked just eighteen, and from her demeanor seemed about as shy as Hana was proud.
So why not make her day?
"I can do one better," he smiled as a waitress arrived at their table and promptly planted down a glass of wine in front of him, "how about I get you guys VIP tickets?"
He could've sworn Ava almost fainted.
I narrowed my eyes at the giant wooden wall from behind the boulder we were using as cover.
We were deep in the canyon now, like to the point I could no longer see the remnants of route sixty six.
And it sure as hell took a few hours but we found it.
Or at least found a giant wooden wall that spanned the width of the canyon.
"Dig."
"We've got a town behind that wall. Lot of people, at least five hundred, women, kids and everything."
"Think this is their place?" I asked, glancing at McCree.
The cowboy didn't reply immediately, his rugged features and sharp eyes focused entirely on the wall.
He then nodded slightly, "I'm a bettin' man, and I'm bettin' those turrets sure as hell aren't something friendly folk would use."
I followed his eyes and though it was hard to see them in morning light, I was able to make our their shapes: fifty caliber turrets and powered down floodlights.
A popular combination in this world.
"All right, my eye in the skies telling me there's a town behind this wall. Kids and everything." Though I didn't straight out ask the question, my inquiries were implied.
As expected the ex-Overwatch agent took noticed and responded, "like I said they were a gang, but Overwatch dismantled 'em. Seems like they're more than a gang now, maybe they made it a way of life."
I frowned, "how long ago were they dismantled?"
He frowned but replied, "was like twenty years ago. Before Lena joined and right after the war."
I nodded, "that's plenty of time for them to rebuild."
"Uh huh, but they have'n even popped up on the feds radar. Looks like they ain't trafficking anymore." He added.
"Unless they got really good at it." I retorted but the cowboy stayed quiet.
With the silence now reigning over us, I focused on finding a way in.
I studied the wall, looking for blind spots or weak points in the wall itself.
The vantage point gave the turrets a great line of sight, and if those floodlights came on, it'd light up the whole canyon.
So blind spots on the walls were a no.
I glanced to the side of the canyon then to the sky.
But what about the sides… nah no one would normally be stupid enough to climb the hundred or so feet to just get a chance over the stupid wall…
Wait.
I looked at the sides again, the parts of the wall connected to the canyon side.
How thick were the walls? What if...
"Hey McCree, think you could get through those walls if I made a distraction?"
He turned to me, "you bet I could, but It'd have to be one hell of a show."
I grinned as the weight of Gallahjorn pulled down my back.
"Oh trust me, this is gonna be the biggest show of their lives."
He grinned, "I like the sound of that."
"Just make sure you get in and knock out any guards. I'll take care of the turrets."
I grabbed my rocket and blinked upwards, took aim and fired right at the nearest fifty cal.
Boom!
The explosion rocked the canyon, small rocks tumbling, walls shaking and dust stirring up from every nook and cranny.
I landed with a dull thump, but my distraction did exactly what it was intended too.
Whew!
Sirens blared over hidden loudspeakers and I naturally grimaced as flood lights suddenly powered up and 'flooded' the canyon before the wall.
Then a shrill voice yelled, "there! Take it out!"
Without a moment to lose I rolled to the side, the familiar rat ta ta at of the fifty cals ripping apart the ground I had been standing on.
I blinked upwards as another turrets joined the fray then boosted back behind a large boulder.
I ducked behind the boulder, but dashed forward back into the open.
The bullets and their launchers turned to follow me, and the sound of a third turret, albeit this one to the far right, opening fire caught my ear.
Quickly I blinked backwards, and the lines of fire crossed each other.
Mid-air I took aim and fired another rocket.
Based on it's angle it should've hit below the turrets, but the rocket tracked it's target and angled up.
Boom!
One turret out.
Rat at ata ta ta at!
Two more, each from the far ends of the wall opened fire, making it four that were now targeting me.
Whack!
A round hit my side and sent me reeling. I hit the ground, bullets trailing after me, but a quick blinked forward pulled me out of their line of fire.
Four turrets left.
Five rockets.
Easy.
"So what happened next?"
Hana kept her grin subdued and listened intently to Ava's story. The girl was recalling their last mission to Lucio.
It had been a few weeks ago, towards the southern province where her team and two other squadrons engaged a rogue panic group preparing for an assault on a small town.
"Marques fly down and try to shot the big one, but it go, uh, fly really high and boom!"
Ava smacks the table, causing Kolden to jump and Marques to laugh.
"No more big guy!"
Lucio chuckles politely, and Marques continues for his teammate, "it was pretty epic I'll admit. Should've seen Hana, took out at least twelve omnics on her own. And not just the pea shooters, she took out the new units the-"
An abrupt elbow to the side from Kolden ended Marques's story and the larger man sent a glare at four eyes.
She noticed Lucio's eyes narrow in confusion, and so she steps in, "were not supposed to talk about the mission," she explains though her grin shows her true intentions, "but that hasn't stopped us before."
"So what did you take down?" Lucio asked, genuinely curious.
She leaned back in her chair as Kolden shook his head at her, and though his face was somber, she knew he was more afraid of getting in trouble with their superiors than with her, "it's a new omnic design. Not sure what they call it."
She nodded towards a table on their far right, a table where two of her generals, and several others from the UN and major corporations sat whispering to each other.
She leaned forwards and Lucio copied her movement, "don't talk about it but they think a new faction is running around building new versions of the OR-15, except these ones are lethal. That's what we fought."
Her friend frowned, "what about Tracer and the others? Nate? Have you told them?"
She shook her head.
"She shouldn't even be telling you," Kolden muttered, but fortunately the noise from the party kept thru conversation secluded to their table.
Marques punched the other boys shoulder lightly, "chill dude."
Kolden shook his head, "I'm just saying."
Haha ignored the two and continued, "I can't tell them yet, but that's part of the reason this party was put together."
"Secret meeting…" Lucio muttered.
She nodded with a small smile, "did you really think we would hold an actual costume party with all these officials?"
Lucio frowned, "aww man, so I dressed up for nothing?"
She chuckled, "no no, it's fine! I mean at least half the parties dressed up so it actually worked out."
"Well I still feel pretty stupid now." Lucio huffed, though his vanity was obviously feigned for appearances sake.
She laughed, this time loud and boisterously, "oh it's fine! I promise you look great!"
"Well if isn't Hana Song!"
A new voice pierced the air and the tables occupants turned to see none other than Lena Oxton, aka Tracer, standing right next to their table her arm crossed and her smile as bright as ever.
"Lena?" Hana blinked before standing with a giddy smile, "what're are you supposed to be?
"I'm a zombie love!" the Brit spun on her heel and though her clothing and make up was dark and moody, she looked more like a gothic cheerleader than a zombie.
Haha bit her lip, tempted to reply but Lucio beat her to the punch, "girl you look like something of a punk band album!"
The DJ laughed brightly and Tracer frowned, "Oi, watch it you cheeky chap! I put work into this!"
But the frown immediately faded, "so who're the rest of you lot?"
Haha turned to her team, and pointed to Kolden, "Kolden our techy, there's Marques, and that's Ava, then finally Jullian."
"Nice to meet you all, names Lena." She smiled and gave a curt wave.
The group responded with varied greetings and hellos, though Marques seemed a bit flustered.
Hana could only wonder in amusement what was running through his head.
"So where're the others?" Hana asked, looking behind Lena and failing to see any other overwatch agents.
"Oh Angela's talking to the Swedish prime minister whatever he is, Mei and Torby I think went to get drinks, and… huh, I don't know where Winston went. Probably found a couple bananas."
Hana nodded, knowing exactly what Tracer meant. They had agreed during their last transmission to kept the meeting discreet, so when Tracer had said Winston wasn't around, she knew where he was.
As the de facto leader of Overwatch, Winston was the only one required at the meeting, but the others were allowed to come and go as they pleased.
But…
Despite her eagerness to reacquaint herself with the other agents present, there was someone noticeably still absent.
She glanced around once more to be sure, and finally turned back to Tracer, "where's Nate?"
The woman faced her, breaking off her conversation with Marques, "no idea, I figured he was already here."
"Wait he's coming?" Kolden suddenly spoke up and the two ladies turned to him.
He shook his head, "I don't think it would be a good idea if he came. A lot of people still don't like him. Me included."
"I told you he's not our enemy," Hana retorted, and she saw the small frown forming on Lena's face.
"Hana," Marques then interrupted, "look we trust you, but we don't trust that asshole."
Jillian nodded, and Ava crossed her arms, staring at Hana with concern.
"All right loves," Tracer smiled brightly and stated, "let's just bring it down, this is a party after all!"
Kolden however didn't take his eyes of Hana and she in turn kept her gaze fixated on him.
She knew her team meant well, and their loyalties were to each other, but their distrust of Nate irked her.
She understood why they were against him, but damn it, it was annoying!
"No," Kolden huffed, "We can't just drop it, since she's been back we haven't even talked about what happened, and hell, Claire was your best friend! You haven't said a thing about her!"
Lucio narrowed his gaze and pointed at the techy, "yo man, you need to chill, she ain't saying you guys are wrong, she's just trying to say-"
"We know," Marques shook his head,"he's innocent, but she hasn't told us how hes innocent, she hasn't even-"
"Marques," Hana snapped, and her team grew quiet, "were a team, and I'm sorry if I haven't been open. It's tough."
And it was tough. Yes, they were her team...but how did you tell these people who saw you as a strong leader, as a idol for what you fought for…
How did you tell them how useless and weak you felt? How powerless you were when that man tried to…
Tried too…
Kolden looked away and Ava closed her eyes.
"We are indeed a team," all eyes turned to Julian, he smiled somberly and continued as Hana met his gaze, "and we will stand by you when you are ready to explain this man's innocence. For now, we must understand you, and you must understand us."
Hana smiled back and nodded, and she noticed Marques do the same. Kolden huffed and nodded, and Ava happily grinned.
"Wise words Julian," Tracer commented, "that's how it works you lot. You stick together and have each other's backs, no matter what."
"Except for Kolden here," Marques chuckled, "never trust this dude, or he'll build am sent behind your back and destroy your base while you fought someone else!"
"It was one time!"
Her team laughed, and tho igh Tracer and Lucio looked slightly confused she was glad the tension had died.
Hopefully she'd be able to talk about it to them some day.
Some day she would-
"Ms. Song."
She turned and was met with the sight of a well dressed, and poise woman, a woman who had made headlines for years.
Katya Volskaya.
Training kicked in and Hana politely bowed, "Mrs. Volskaya, it's a pleasure."
"Please no need to call me Mrs, Katya is just fine."
The woman's English was impeccable, most likely because, like Hana, she was responsible for dealing with plenty of Foreign affairs and English was the language of business.
"Of course," Hana respectfully bowed again.
And though her team was actively talking against themselves, she could see a few of them watching the exchange.
After all it wasn't everyday Katya Volskaya talked to you.
Katya chuckled, "so polite. I must say though this party is very extravagant, far more lively than other parties these political types like to hold."
"It is, hopefully it isn't to unprofessional."
"In Russia we may have been above such a party, considering the circumstances, but it is nice to see such frivolity amongst our allies."
Hana smiled at the compliment, but there was no happiness in it. She wasn't sure if the Russian leader was complimenting her, or demonizing her country's choices.
Either one made her uneasy.
Volskaya wasn't known for her bedside manners.
"How may I help you Mrs. Volskaya?" Hana asked.
She wasn't going to beat around the bush.
"To the point, well, I'm not just here for you," she stepped past Hana and next to Tracer, interrupting the table's conversation without a care, and extended her hand as she greeted, "Mrs. Oxton, a pleasure."
"Oh, well hello. Mrs Volskaya correct?" Tracer smiled as she turned and greeted the Russian.
Volskaya nodded and the Overwatch agent continued as the rest of them watched, "well, I must say it's a pleasure, I'm sorry about the new crisis, wish we could be of more help."
"It is of no concern, after all Overwatch is still on the, training wheels, so to speak."
Lena nodded solemnly, "unfortunately, but we're still trying legalize our actions."
"Hopefully sooner than later."
Hana exchanged a nervous glance with Lucio and noticed the furrowed brows on Koldens face.
"Course love," Lena politely responded, then continues after a brief pause, "now what can I help you with Mrs. Volkskaya?"
"Well the matter, is a bit sensitive, if you and Ms. Song would be willing to speak in private about a mutual acquaintance?"
Hana's heart dropped.
Shit.
What did Nate do now?
Hana leaned against the wall of a small meeting room, walls ridden with windows.
A frown etched in her face as Tracer spoke to Winston in hushed voices across from her, and both the South Korean President, South Koreas top general, and the US Ambassador stood off to the side talking with the United Kingdom and U.A.E. Ambassador.
Tracer glanced at her and she gave the pilot a somber smile. The smile was returned but the sound of the door opening caught the rooms attention, and Katya Volskaya strode in.
But she wasn't alone.
Hana's eyes went wide as… a woman, a huge woman with bright pink hair, strode in behind her. She was intimidating to say the least and was almost as large as Reinhardt.
The woman was in a well pressed suit, and carried herself with a sense of disapproval and discipline.
Her eyes met Hana's, and for a moment the gamer felt extremely small.
"Excellent, everyone is present." Volskaya stated with a smile, though there was no charm or cheer in her voice.
Hana stood straight then took her place near the South Korean Prime minister and general.
"I'm sure we all know about the unknown… agent that aided Overwatch during the battle of Vienna."
Hana frowned. She said unknown. Tracer and Winston had publicly claimed Nate as apart of Overwatch despite the fact he really wasn't.
Why was this woman claiming otherwise?
Only a handful of people knew the truth…
"You're talking about agent Nathaniel I assume?" Winston asked, his voice curious.
"Of course, it has come to my attention that he may not in fact, be as clean as we once thought."
Now Tracer stepped forward, "what're you talking about?"
"I have video proof of him being in Austrailia eliminating a group of terrorists that we had bugged to track down a branch of Talon in the area."
The Russian leader raised her hand and a holographic video appeared over her hand, and it showed Nate in all his glory.
The video continued and the man in question was through a village, gunning down women and men alike. Fortunately the children were left alone, but it was merciless.
Instinct welled up and Hana immediately wanted go speak out, but she didn't.
She thought.
And if she was being honest, she knew Nate could be brutal.
Look at what he did to Talon soldiers when he found her.
"Is he not supposed to be under your banner?" Volskaya stated, her eyes narrowed at Overwatch.
"He is," Tracer replied, her cheery voice all but gone.
"Then why was he in Australia? If I'm correct, there had been no sanctioned operation there for years."
She could feel the eyes of the politicians turn to the Overwatch reps.
This hadn't been apart of their briefing. Or of anyone's briefing.
She narrowed her eyes at Volskaya.
What was she up too?
"Nathaniel has not been to Australia I'm sure of it," Tracer responded, "our last mission was elsewhere, that much I can promise."
"Is this video fabricated?" the US Ambassador asked.
"Not to my knowledge, but considering this mans… extremism, we should at least figure out why he's in therr, and why such actions were taken against such an underwhelming force."
"Winston," the UK ambassador turned to the agent, "find out why he is off base."
The ape nodded and glanced to Tracer who in turn, walked away and pulled out a phone.
Hana sighed and looked away, her eyes taking in the night sky just beyond the glass windows.
What the hell had Nate gotten himself into now?
I rolled to my feet, smoke curling around me as I looked up.
A giant mech stepped forward, it rusted joints and worn armour creaking in the air.
"I thought you said the gang hated mechs!"
McCree yelled back to me as he reloaded his revolver, "well times a change!"
"No shit!"
I drew Last Word and-
Ringgggg!
"Uh, you have a call from Tracer…"
The next raised its gun.
I blinked forward, Sol power erupting over me, "I'm a little busy at the moment!"
"He's not answering." Tracer informed them as she rejoined the small group.
"Hmmm." Volskaya pursed her lips.
"If the operative is on an unsanctioned mission…" the US Ambassador started, though his voice was more mellow than accusatory.
"He's probably just asleep," Hana interrupted.
The group's eyes turned to her, and she shrugged, "he's based in Europe, and he's probably taking a nap considering the time of day."
Winston nodded, "He is known to sleep a lot."
It was lie.
A bold faced lie, but they couldn't say Nate wasn't apart of them. The prick hadn't accepted the offer, and was still off doing his own hero thing, but they had faked his involvement to keep the governments off his back.
And of course he was still running around.
Of course, she knew he wasn't evil, and though slightly extreme in his methods, he was good at heart.
But he was an ally. A damn good one at that.
So it was no surprise Tracer and Winston were willing to bend the truth just to keep him free from suspicion.
Still…
Why was he in Australia?
She shifted her weight as the attention fell off her, and returned to watching the night sky outside as she listened.
"Even so, if this is not your man, then what if it's another like him? A secret cult?" The Russian woman continued.
She frowned.
"Maybe, but we have no idea if it is Nathaniel, and what if it is and he found something useful on Talon and is searching for them, surely that's cause for some leniency." This time it was the South Korean leader who spoke.
It was a damn good thing he was a fan of Overwatch.
He helped push their reinstatement, and was actually funding most of their current operations.
She could feel the tension grow as Volskaya retorted, but a flash of lightning stole Hana's eye.
A dark form outside.
Standing atop one of the skyscrapers across the street…
A cape fluttering in the wind and a visor reflecting the light…
She frowned.
Nate you ass…
She turned on her heel, and walked over to the general who was standing by and listening to the leaders argue.
He gave her a polite nod and she motioned for him to get within ear shot.
A curious expression crossed his face and he leaned closed to which then meant she stated, "I need to be excused. Lady business."
The general's eyes widened and his nod was short before he returned his attention to the discussion.
She wasn't sure if anyone else noticed her departure but it didn't matter.
That ass was across the street!
Someone needed to put a dent in his ego.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Water dropped from the edges of her hair.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Her body shivered from the cool air inside the elevator, her water soaked costume making it all the worse.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
"Nathaniel…."
Eyes shot up to the screen next to the elevator's doors.
Floor fifty two…
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Her teeth grit, and needless to say, Hana Song was pissed.
It had taken her at least fifteen minutes to get here, but not only that!
It had started raining the moment she stepped out of the building and crossed the street.
But it wasn't just raining.
Oh no, it had to pour!
Raining cats and dogs and elephants and every animal in existence!
But wait! Now her team was calling her, and though she said she was busy, it seems like they were adamant on finding her and making sure she was okay.
Then there was the fact Nathaniel had the gall to show up and just watch them from outside.
She huffed, and clenched her fists.
He better have a damn good reason for not only ditching, but for doing shit without Overwatchs oversight.
They had all agreed to work together.
Uh…
She was gonna give the guardian a piece of her mind.
Maybe a good punch to the face for starters.
She chuckled sinisterly.
Oh she'd get her vengeance all right.
Ding!
The door opened and Hana stormed into the top floor of the building.
It had been easy getting in, the military had set up security in all the surrounding buildings of the party and Hana just had to flash her rank and name to get through.
She found the stairway easy enough and climbed the last set of stairs to the roof with enough frustration to heat up the air.
Her fingers wrapped around the door handle and she flung the door open.
The roof was large and spacious, as expected of a skyscraper but she spotted her caped friend right away.
He was standing on the edge of the roof, staring at the party.
She marched over to him, rain battering away at her clothes and skin.
"Nate!" she yelled.
No response.
She cursed under her breath and walked right up to the cape.
She reached for his shoulder, "Nate I swear yoy-"
Her hand phased right through.
She stumbled.
Her eyes went wide.
Hologram.
The construct of Nate faded.
It was a trap!
Instincts kicked in and she immediately ducked, which was fortunate as someone's heel soared through the space her head had been.
She spun on her heel, and drove her fist upwards as she went.
A gloved hand deflected her fist, and she was met with an elbow to the face.
The blow sent her reeling to the side, her feet barely managing to find enough traction to stop her fall.
She looked back towards her attacker.
The were dressed in white. A body suit of all white with black straps wrapped around their shoulders and thighs.
Muscles rippled beneath the suit, but from the attackers stance, and from the fact they drew a giant claymore of their back…
They weren't playing around
Her eyes went wide and the attacker lunged.
They were fast.
She barely managed to dodge the edge of the claymore, and though surprised by the fact they could move the sword that fast, she was able to counter.
She dove into their guard and drove a fist into their but.
It felt like hitting a wall.
The attacker simply pushed through her punch.
Only a few inches taller than her, their weight wasn't a problem, but as the attacker turned and kicked her in the gut, she narrowed her eyes.
Over half a year ago she had been at the whim of fighters better than her.
Nate. The Reaper.
She was a skilled pilot, always had been good with controls, and was amazing with her reaction time.
But that hadn't mattered back then. Not when it was a fist fight.
So she fixed that.
The moment she had returned to Korea she had started take lessons.
Hapkido lessons.
A Korean martial art that focused on using leverage and positioning to over power larger and stronger opponents.
Considering her size, she knew it was the best bet of self defense she could have.
So after months of training she had worked and worked, and now only her teacher was better than her.
But the best part?
Well, one of Hapkido's key points was rolling with an opponent's attack, dispelling the momentum and turning it against them.
So when the kick connected with her gut, she didn't resist. Pain still shot through her, but she let the momentum carry her back.
The moment the attacker legs reached its peak extension she pressed her foot back and launched herself forward.
The burst of movement caught the attacker of guard, and due to their swords massive size, their guard was full of openings.
She slipped under their defensive strike and drove her fist not into their gut, but into their shoulder; a place no one would normally defend.
The force pushed the attacker into a stumble, their weight and sword throwing them off balance from such a strange hit.
But that was the opening Hana needed.
She pressed her advantage.
She may not have been nearly as quick as Tracer or Nate, but she was nimble, and so used that to get herself on the attackers right side.
Then with deadly accuracy, she strengthened her fingers minus the thumb, and drove one hand into the attackers rib cage between the ribs.
Naturally the attacker backpedaled and swung the sword in front of them as if to deter her.
But the strike was out of panic, and Hana easily ducked and jabbed her other hand into the enemies solar plexus.
A grunt was the attackers response, but she failed to see them reverse their sword momentum.
Whack!
The swords handle ran straight into her cheek, and the blow threw her to the side.
She rolled with her momentum, but still fell into a stumble. Her back hit the side of a large electrical box, and within a second her attacker was on her.
The sword was driven for her heart and out of sheer desperation she drove her palm into it's side.
The blade was deflected away from her, but the blow still slit her hand open.
Ignoring the pain she threw her body the the attacker.
The swords weight slowed their response.
She drove her shoulder into their side, and they responded with a lazy punch to her ribs.
Despite the lack of technique, they were strong as hell, and the blow not only hurt, but it pushed her to the side.
Pain lanced through her as her rib cracked.
She grunted as she caught herself from falling, and her attacker pulled back before raining the massive sword again.
Again, thanks to her size, Hana managed to sidestep the blade and again got inside her opponent's guard.
This time she struck at their joints. Four quick jabs to their solar plexus, then their carotid sinus; the sinus where the neck and head connected.
If the blow was hard enough, it could kill an opened, but she wasn't going for the killing blow.
So the blow simply set her opponent off balance, firing them back again, and obviously sent searing hot pain through them.
Their sword swung lazily to the side, her opponent shaking their head as if to clear their senses.
She shot forward, and this time, slammed the her palm into their chin for a devastating uppercut.
Their head snapped back, but to her surprise they didn't fall over, and her moment of hesitation cost her.
With terrifying speed they swung their sword around.
The blade hit, and she gasped as she back peddled, the edge slicing open her left shoulder.
Blood immediately started to flow, and she grabbed her injury in a vain attempt to cease the blood flow.
She snarled as she set a foot back, readying herself for her opponent to re-engage her.
But as rain poured around them, they just stood still.
The sword hung at their side and she tensed as their arm twitched.
And the attacker swung their sword up, and sheathed it on their back.
She blinked in confusion, but kept her guard up.
The attacker took a step forward and she took a step back.
Their hand disappeared behind their back, but then they pulled it out and held out a black tablet.
Hana blinked again.
Now she was really confused.
"I had to see if you were actually a fighter. Plenty of idols these days are talk, no bite," their voice was distorted and deep.
She didn't reply, and eyed them carefully, her every muse prepared to pounce at a moment's notice.
Seeing she wasn't going to take the tablet, the attacker put it down on the ground and stepped back.
"This will lead you to us. If you find us, then you're smart, and we need intelligent allies. Strength will not help us." the being bowed their head respectfully, and their voice lacked any hostility.
It held nothing actually. Just empty words and tones.
They turned away.
"Trust no one."
Now she was annoyed and she stepped forward, "what're you talking about?"
"Trust no one. Not Overwatch. Not the caped crusader. Not your government. Not even her."
"Her?" Hana asked, half yelling through the rain.
What was this…. person talking about?
"You''ll know when you see her. Remember who your friends are, Song."
Hana paled.
Why did it say that?
Then the being dashed forward and leapt off the skyscraper.
She had no interest of following him though.
Only questions plagued her mind.
What the hell were they talking about?
And how did they know…
How did they know what that talon agent said to her?
A/N
And so begins the second arc of the Darkest Knight.
So this chapter was a lot more focused on D'Va rather than Nate. Reason for this is because this arc has four major viewpoints: Nate, Hana, Tracer, and Genji. There will be chapter's in this arc without Hana, or Nate though. It'll all be according to the plot obviously, but just wanted to warn you guys.
Nate and McCree are on their own mission of justice! I wanted to actually write this part out more, but there was no real way to do that without breaking up the flow of the story. It would've been fun, but oh well. Don't worry though! Nate and McCree will get more page time together, and we'll get to see them taking out bad guys and being jackasses.
Hana's part was a bit harder to write this time around. I knew how I wanted this to end the chapter, but I couldn't figure out how to get there. Fortunately I remembered how I had mentioned Volskaya earlier in the story, and had yet to use her. I felt like, a giant party like this, which was just a face for the real meetings happening beneath the surface, would definitely attract Volskaya. And once you learn her motivations, you'll understand what's happening and why she confronted Hana and Tracer.
I had initially planned for the party to be something for just friends and the like, but I felt like that was going to kill the drama of the moment and wouldn't let me faithfully introduce other big players like Volskaya. Most importantly though if Hana was surrounded by friend s why would they let her travel to the skyscraper alone? So I made it a large party which actually fit in with introducing Volskaya and showing that the Nexus is a new, threatening terrorist group.
Of course adding in D'Va and Lucio's skins was just a bonus.
Hana and her fight. So a problem I have with D'Va in general is that I feel like in a fist fight, she'd lose against almost anyone in the game's roster. Shes small, and doesn't seem very strong, and as I addressed in the first arc, though skilled in her next, she's not much a threat without it. After her ordeals in the first arc I felt that her learning a form of martial arts was beneficial for her in every way. So she was able to show case her new skills, and personal without how quick her reaction time must be, plus her natural affinity by with gaMing, and by extension, patterns and techniques, I feel like she would be able to almost master at least one martial art after six or seven months, especially if she builds of the training she had for basic training in the military.
So a white b vv7 ninja dude or dudette. Who were they referring to when they said remember who your friends are? Obviously they told Hana not to trust anyone, including Nate and Overwatch. And who is her?
Reviews:
Konerok Hadorak- thanks! Glad you're enjoying the story and I hope what I have planned fills your titan soul with glee!
Crazy
Grim24- Okay? He's definitely not. Nate reiterates plenty of times how he feels like he owes Hana a debt, that plus the fact she's his only real friend on this planet. So I really don't get your argument, but okay.
Darkblight- I agree! Hence why Dig takes longer than her normally should to decrypt things.
Guest- we'll see. :)
Kaythegreat- you're right they wouldn't just pass him off, but that's why the lines of Tracer, Winston and D'Va, are protecting him from persecution. They know he's a force for good, but he's a slightly wild card still, so they have to tread carefully
Guest- eventually we'll get there!
Lifebycreed- yeah I have an idea as to address the fuel and ammo thing, but it'll be next chapter. It didn't fit here. Also, I see light as a sort of self replenishing power, so long as the traveler exists.
Bleedingangel95- thanks! I'm glad you like it!
End of reviews
So that's that, please leave a review and follow/favorite!
You guys are great and God bless! Till next time!
-Metalk4k