The Darkest Knight
Part I: the Claws of Talon
Chapter 17: Orders are orders
I blinked twice as the smoke from my rifle slowly rose into the air, the bodies of deadlocks defenders laying on the floor with holes through their heads.
A blip appeared on my motion tracker and I spun on my heel, hitting the trigger as I went.
The bullet flew true and hit the last defender smack in the chest, his chest jerking back as the bullet tore through flesh and bone with ease.
I sighed and once more looked around the large warehouse, the wooden walls creaking as the air grew still and the bodies grew cold.
After breaching the front, a quick use of my arc blade, had us wiping out the first defenders within seconds.
We beat them back after that, my use of such devastating attacks in close quarters easily distracting them from the threat that was McCree.
If I was being honest, he probably had just as good aim as me, if not better.
But I wouldn't admit it to anyone.
Anyway, after we beat back about thirty or forty defenders, they finally retreated inside a warehouse, a few though left to guard their families inside a bunker further inside the canyon.
Obviously we left the families alone, but respect to those who went to protect their families instead lf their boss.
So of course we then went into the warehouse, and after about ten minutes, finished off whatever was left of their op.
It wasn't hard with McCree providing covering fire and Dig giving me live updates on their positions through their own surveillance cameras.
Apparently their cyber security was crap.
So we beat them and then we searched the place for their leader...
And of course, leave it to me to infiltrate a deadlock base, only to find out their leader was nowhere near here.
Not to mention having to kill almost every defender just because they refused to surrender.
You know in their defense they did have us outnumbered like, thirty to one, but they forgot who they were fighting.
McCree, the legendary gunslinger of Overwatch, and me, an immortal Guardian.
They shouldve known better, but hey, you can't argue with stupid.
A familiar warmth washed over me and I asked, "you find anything?"
"Unfortunately no. The have to be using a paper trail, if not, then they've actually got nothing on the Nexus." Dig replied, his voice a familiar chime in my head.
I shut my eyes, and lowered my weapon.
"I've alerted Winston and the others to their existence. They've got enough, dirt on their servers to call for a nation wide manhunt. War profiteering, drug smuggling, black arms sales, all sorts of shit. Kinda crazy how much they've grown without Overwatches, well, overwatch. Get it?"
"Shut up."
"Ya all right?"
I turned to McCree as he approached, blood staining his metal fist.
"Just peachy you?"
He gave me a shit eating grin, "peachy."
I rolled my eyes, "what about the women and kids?"
He nodded somberly as he walled over to the corpse of a Gang member, kicking the bastards foot as if to ensure he was dead, "they're fine. Hold up in one of the buildings, made sure to keep a few of the guards alive so they aint completely unprotected."
"Too bad we didn't find anything of use," I grumbled, more so for my own sake than for his.
"It ain't no worry, bastards bound to find us since we wrecked his place." McCree replied as he puffed once on his cigar "I know em, he ain't one to back down from a challenge."
I raised an eyebrow as he stared out over the warehouse, "what's his name?"
The man huffed, smoke drizzling out of his mouth as he formed a thin haze in front of him.
"His names, Daryo. Nasty bloke, with a liking to hurting people, though he's got a soft spot for kids."
I nodded, "sounds charming."
The gunslinger failed to answer and I spared one last glance at the warehouse before backtracking outside.
The footsteps of the ex Overwatch agent followed me.
The dark sky and the bright moonlight greeted me into the night.
I looked to the celestial body.
It looked beautiful from so far away.
And honestly, it was. It was beautiful, yet terrible.
A place where the darkest creatures laid in wait.
Well, at least, they had been.
On my earth.
"Enjoying the sight?"
I glanced back as the man snickered and looked up to the moon with me.
"Something like that…"
For a moment, I thought a massive bro moment was closing in, similar to the ones me and Marcus had back on Titan before…
Before the pit...
Ring!
I blinked as a ringtone played through my helmets internal speakers, and I raised an eyebrow as a picture of Tracer appeared.
"Updated your contacts with pictures. Handy right?"
I rolled my eyes and Dig followed my mental command and answered the call.
"Nathaniel love? You there?" Tracers voice filled my ears and I winced slightly from the volume.
McCree shot me a curious glance at my movement and I held up a finger to him as I started forward.
"Yeah, whats up?"
"How soon can you get to Seoul?"
I blinked, "I thought we agreed I should avoid Seoul…"
"Just answer the bloody question."
"Probably an hour or two why?"
"Just get here. I'll send you coordinates. Hana was attacked."
My eyes narrowed, "Talon?"
"Don't know, but she said she wants you here. Won't start talking till then."
I glanced at McCree, and his eyes once more landed on me, a puff from his cigar somehow signaling his curiosity.
"Give me an hour," and with that Dig cut off the call.
I looked at the cowboy, "want a ride back to civilization?"
"Ya mean Overwatch?"
I shrugged, "if you want."
He looked to the sky and took another long puff of his cigar before replying, "nah. Still got some scores and debts to settle. Nothin' thats needs their attention."
"Suit yourself. Stay safe, Deadlocks not gonna let go what happened here." I motioned to the warehouse.
Light swirled around me, and I barely heard his final words, "Ima counting on it."
The walls of my ship filled my vision and I pulled my helmet off.
"Fire up the engines."
When Hana had set the party up she knew exactly what the real reason for it was. She knew the need for secrecy regarding the new task force.
So she had made a party, one that the President off her country was 'holding' to commemorate the official reestablishment of Overwatch. So, it has only been natural for her as the new liaison to Overwatch to send out invitations to the countries both for and neutral in the vote to establish Overwatch once more as a peacekeeping force.
In short? Over seventy countries were invited, but only around fifty showed up. To help with the cover, they had invited mega corporations like Viskar and Microsoft, and even popular celebrities like Lucio and the ageing Jennette McCurdy.
And as a final touch, she had of course added the costume part of the party. Sure not everyone had dressed up, but it helped their cover.
Now, of the countries invited, only around ten were in on the task force, specifically the U.A.E, the US, the UK, Russia, Japan, South Africa, Germany, Austria, Venezuela, and of course her own country.
But thanks to her blissfully, horrendous luck, now the tasks' forces attention was on her, wondering why one of their own had been attacked.
And so she sighed for what was probably the twentieth time in the past ten minutes as the representatives around the room discussed amonsgt themselves.
Idly her fingers drummed against the table beneath her, her eyes closed in an attempt to drown out the whispers and soft chatter around the large meeting room.
The pain in her shoulder was easier to ignore.
Her team, and well everyone else, had been rather miffed about her going out alone, but it was mostly because she was attacked… again…
But even though they were generally concerned for her well being, it was annoying when the lectured her about going places alone.
Naturally, she had wanted to shut them up by telling them what happened…
'Don't trust anyone…'
But the stranger's words…
Why did they haunt her now?
It was as if every move she made was being watched… as if every person in this room was her enemy, and her friend all at once.
So she held her tongue. She needed to see Nate, just to understand what was happening. After all he was from another world, at the very least he had to have some insight on what was happening right?
She shook her head, and caught a glimpse of her team sitting off to the side. Marques gave her a small smile and Ava waved.
A small grimace was her only reply.
She felt guilty. She knew they only wanted to help, they had been with her for years, if Claire was here-
'Don't trust anyone.'
But why?!
Why not trust anyone?
And why did that… person say those words!
'Remember who your friends are. '
She grit her teeth, and her foot tapped impatiently.
Where the hell was Nate?!
"You seem, very, uneasy Ms. Song." the voice of Katya Volskaya filled the once gamers ears again and she frowned before looking up at the woman.
She shifted her weight and grimaced as her shoulder throbbed, "you would too, if your shoulder got cut open."
The woman only smiled in response, the light never reaching her eyes, "of course, forgive me for my rudeness, but I must express my excitement at meeting our mutual friend."
A small, almost unnoticeable grin plastered itself upon Volskayas face.
If Hana hadn't known better, maybe she wouldn't have let herself grow nervous at the grin, if it had been a year ago, she would've never even noticed it.
But after the things she went through, she was far more observant than before.
So when the grin appeared, she narrowed her eyes and leaned forward, ignoring the pain and the worried gazes from her team.
"What do you want with Nate?" Her voice was low, and controlled so only the two of them could hear.
Katya obviously knew more than she was letting on, and no way in hell was Hana gonna let her get away with it.
The Russian smiled, "now, vhy are so defensive child?"
She grit her teeth and shot back, "because you're not telling us everything, and if you're working with Talon-"
It was a if a switch was flipped.
Katays grin disappeared, and an icy, dangerous demeanor took over her entire person.
"Never accuse me of vorking vith such filth."
Emotional eh? Hanas thoughts echoed in her skull and she grinned, knowing she now had the Russian on the defensive.
"Then why act out to get him in trouble? We both know he's against Talon, so why try to frame him?" Hanas words were soft and pointed, but she finished with a smug grin, "hiding something Katya?"
The usage of her name, the clear action of Hana verbally spitting on Katyas earlier sentiments of friendship made the older woman take a step back.
"Be very careful of vhat you say Ms. Song. Not everyone is as… understanding as Overvatch."
It was subtle, but the threat was clear.
But that didn't deter Hana. In fact, it proved her own point. Katya was definitely hiding something, and if her threat was worth anything…
Well, Hana was smart enough to know when to stop.
So she simply glared and sat back, allowing Katya a smug nod which accompanied the woman's departure.
She failed to notice the calculated gaze of the large, pink haired woman across the room.
Hana glanced at the tablet on the table.
It had yet to be turned on, and under the advisement of Wonston, it was going to stay that way.
She couldn't disagree however, after all, it was given to her by someone who had attacked her.
Her eyes turned to the Overwatch group, which now consisted of Lena, Winston, Mei, and Angela.
She was unsure where the others were.
Well except for Nate of course who-
A flash of light filled the room, and though it was bright enough to make her squint, she forced herself to see.
White, pixelated light tool the shape of a man, and from head down, he simply appeared.
A cape billowed for a moment, and the fact that he was unknown by most in the room made it quite the spectacle for those souls.
However, Hana Song was not one of those souls.
So instead of staring in blatant awe like her friends, or in clear distrust and contempt like Volskaya, she hopped out of her chair and stepped right up to the Guardian without any hesitation.
The light faded entirely, leaving only the man in armor, and she frowned at him before jamming her fist into his arm.
Of course it wasn't real hard, but it was enough to get her point across.
"That's for ditching the party." She furrowed her brow as his head turned to her.
She could imagine Nate roll his eyes as he spoke, "oh come on, I was busy!"
"Doing vhat exactly?"
Not even a minute, and Volskaya had to speak.
Hana didn't bother to hide her glare as the woman stepped forward, "how do ve know you veren't apart of anything… less than legal."
The gamer saw the change in Nates body language almost instantly.
His shoulders rose, his fingers clenched, and he turned his entire body to face the Russian.
"Because if I was, I wouldn't be here right now." His voice lost its jollity, and the pink haired woman stepped forward, her arms crossed and her head raised.
Though despite the hostility, and the obvious air of tension, it was the United States ambassador that stood up from his seat and raised his hands, "I feel like we should take this down a notch. After all he's here at the request of Ms. Song after all, and she was the one who was attacked."
Instantly Winstons voice followed, "whatever actions our agent if accused of can be addressed later, for now lets see what Ms. Song has to say."
Volskaya gave a curt nod and stepped back as if to show her agreement, and instantly all eyes turned to her.
"So…" Nate started, "what did happen?"
Now, having a room full of eyes on her wasn't a new experience, heck she used to have thousands of eyes on her when she used to stream, but having it be a group of the most powerful and well respected people in the world actually made her nervous.
She with a hard swallow, and a few quick taps of her foot she huffed out, "I was attacked."
Immediately Mate mlvex to speak but she glared at him and continued, "it wasn't Talon."
"You're sure love?" Tracer asked from across the room.
Hana nodded, "very."
"Then who?" Nate asked, the man turning to face the window.
She sighed and rubbed her forehead, "some, man… he was dressed in all white and he used a claymore like it was a toothpick."
"Toothpick?" she heard Marques mumble from afar, though she ignored him.
"He had a hologram of you." she looked at Nate, and though he was facing away she knew he was listening.
"Why have a hogram of him?" the voice of the UK ambassador added.
She shrugged, but then Volskaya spoke up, "because they vanted to draw you out."
"Obviously, question is why?" Nate stated, once more turning around and placing his hands on the table as he looked at the people gathered.
"Gather intel on our forces?" the South Korean president spoke up.
"Doesn't line up," Winston head, "they could have just kidnapped her, or anyone who's more of a low profile. Why risk getting the attention of all of us?"
"What do you think a ploy? Distraction?" Kolden spoke up, the first from her team to enter the conversation.
"Doubt it. Gibraltar's secure, and by this point at least one of us-"
Ring! Ring!
Nates words died in his mouth, and all eyes turned to Volskaya as the woman looked down at her pocket.
She blinked a few times before pulling out the phone and answering in Russian.
Her face instantly paled before her face contorted in a stern anger.
"Guess I spoke too soon…" Nate huffed and Hana somberly nodded.
As if on cue Volskaya pulled the phone away and took a deep calming breath, "one of our laboratories has gone offline."
She nodded to the pink haired woman, then continued, "please keep me informed of anything that presents a threat to my people."
And without so much as a farewell or goodbye, Katya Volskaya turned and promptly exited the room, the large woman following her without a word.
Hana blinked once before Nate spoke up once more, "that was oddly well timed…"
The silence of the room was enough to prompt a word from Lena, "it doesn't really matter. What does matter, is why she was attacked."
"They said something about… not trusting anyone. How they needed smart people and not strong people?" Hana added, though she frowned, unsure of whatever it was her attacker had wanted…
Remember who your friends are Song…
She grit her teeth.
"We'll talk about cryptic. A cult maybe?" the US Ambassador asked.
Angela Ziegler was the one to answer this time, "not likely. Cults are something you find or are born into… and none would target someone with such a high profile."
"So terrorist group then right?" it was Nate.
"Not like one i've ever seen. Heck, no one at the CIA, MI6, or even the Chinese even knows how Talon recruits. If this is a new group, then they're even more secretive than Talon so we have no leads, if this is one." the United Kingdom's top general, who up to this point hasn't spoken a word.
Then a cough from the Ambassador of the Republic of Venezula, "why so much trouble over a simple girl? She may be famous, but why would they spend resources on her? And then again why should we?"
It wasn't an insult, but an honest question.
One Hana, despite her nerves and annoyance at the whole situation, could completely understand.
"Hold up-" Nate started, but Winston's low voice covered his as the ape interrupted, "Ms. Song is vital not only to the South Korean Mekka unit as one of its top Captains, but also as a liaison to Overwatch."
"Not to forget her seat on the new task force." the South Korean President added.
The ambassador raised his hands, "I'm not trying to start a fight, I'm simply pointing out a fact."
The room grew quiet as he continued.
"Mrs. Song is very high profile. Whoever is after her obviously does not care about our intervention, or simply is ignorant of who is allied with her. Officially and personally."
It was a well known rumour that D'Va was apparently a member of Overwatch, or that she was a double agent working for Overwatch, or that she was dating someone in Overwatch… and those were the rumours not involving Nate.
She frowned.
It was then the ambassador from the U.A.E. spoke, "and what is your point?"
The born and breed Venezuelan sighed before putting his hands together, "its no secret that Overwatches return was a popular move for the public. However, politically we are on very shaky ground, and one flaw could ruin all of us and send Overwatch back into disarray. None of us have the resources to deal with this, Overwatch is trailing the Nexxus, and with so few personal and scarce resources we can't expect them to try and hunt another terrorist group when they can barely handle two."
The fact that neither Winston nor Tracer refuted the claim made Hana grow uneasy.
What was the man getting at?
"Russia is dealing with another crisis, we've had two violent protests in Venezuela this week, the UK is still under investigation for the Mondatta incident, the US is dealing with a massive recession and the ride of Los Muertos in their borders, and the list goes on and on. None of us have the resources to dare to go on a worldwide manhunt."
There were a few somber nods to that.
"So what's your point?" Nate asked, his voice far more monotone than Hana was used too.
"We don't have the resources to handle this, but, we can instead lay a trap."
"What do you mean a trap?" Tracer narrowed her eyes.
"We put her into hiding. Whoevers after her is obviously smart enough to know how to track her, so we let them, and when they come for her…" his voice died off.
Then the General, her general, General Ho-Ting nodded in confirmation, " then spring the trap."
"Exactly we waste less resources and don't have to devote unnecessary manpower to a manhunt."
"Wait so we want to use her as bait?"
She blinked in confusion as eyes turned to her team. She had been ready to protest the idea herself, but the idea of someone doing it for her was comforting at least.
"Yes."
Kolden, and by extension the rest of her team looked taken aback by the such a straight answer.
"So how would we do it?" asked the rep from the US.
The UK ambassador then spoke up, "I have personal connections with plenty of people in MI6, we can find a safe house."
"No, a safe house will just tip them off," General Ho-Ting shook his head.
She cleared her throat, "I dont-"
But her words were accidentally drowned poor by Winston, "if we do this it needs to look authentic."
"Authentic?" it was Nate scoffing, and her heart soared, "we need to outsmart a group that managed to infiltrate the security at what's probably the most heavily guarded building in the eastern hemisphere, it needs to be more than authentic."
Her heart dropped. Was he agreeing they use her as bait?
"Nate, I don't-"
Again she was interrupted, this time by the South African President, "this group we are after, they must have deep connections. We would have to tread carefully."
And then Hana felt the familiar heat of anger bubbling up inside, and-
Wham!
All eyes turned to her as her hand throbbed from being slammed on the table.
"I'm not bait."
Her words were cold and she stood up, leaning forward as she rested her hands on the table before her.
"Somebody attacked me on our doorstep and we're trying to make a game out of it?"
Then, the last person she expected to speak, did.
Nate stepped forward, "Hana they're not asking you to be apart of some game. Being bait, though risky, is a move everyone has to make sometime. Hell, I've done it."
"So what?" she snapped, glaring at the taller not alien dude, "because you've done it, I should too? I should lay down and let the enemy come after me without any sort of a fight?"
"Love, no one's saying that."
"Then what else does bait mean?" She hissed, silencing Tracer with a glare.
"I'm not sitting down and letting anyone do anything for me. Not again."
She noticed Nate look away, and she felt oddly glad he did. Prick was trying to use her as bait…
"Then what do we do Ms. Song?"
It was Winston who spoke.
She locked her lips with anticipation as he continued, "we don't have the manpower to properly search for your attackers. Aside from Nathaniel, who's our lead agent on the Nexus case, we have no one else to spare. This is the last thing we want, but what else can we do?"
She threw her hands up, "we search for them! Hunt them down! I can do it myself if I need too! Just give me my team and a plane."
"Hana-"
"Actually," the attention turned to Nate, who then continued, "it's not a bad idea."
She blinked at him.
He sent her a small nod, something of an apology, though she'd still have to smack him for even thinking she'd go along with being bait.
"Eight months ago I started a manhunt against Talon, and by myself, without regulations and oversight, and not only was to help Hana, but we were able to track Talon. And that was only two of us."
"Helped?"
They looked at Kolden who shook his head, "you stabbed her dude…"
"Yeah, how the fuck does that count as helping? Please explain." Marques stood up and crossed his arms.
Nate shifted his stance and crossed his arms, "it's not as simple as I stabbed her and wanted her dead. If I did want her dead, she would be."
The statement wasn't unfamiliar to her but it still made her spine shiver.
"Don't threaten her, " Marques growled and a swirl of electricity ran over Nates arm.
The Guardian didn't say a word, but Marques gulped as he say the light travel over Nate.
"Stop getting your panties in a twist," Lena huffed before looking at Hana, "go on love."
She gave the operative a grateful nods then continued, "my team and a plane. We can… find out who's hunting me, maybe even track down nexus while we're at it."
There was nod from at least three people though the Venezuelan ambassador spoke with was obvious hesitancy, "Ms. Song, If we did this we would have to do this without UN support. A trap means we can support you, but otherwise if we try to help you, we could tip off whoever it is hunting you.
"What about a military leave?"
Again, the rooms attention returned to Kolden.
He pushed up his glasses and took a deep breath before speaking, "we can uh, use leave of absence to explain why we're gone."
Marques nodded, his eyes grow bright, "yeah think about it! After what happened with Hana and Claire… we could use a leave. Some time to get ourselves fresh air so to speak."
More nods.
"We'd be out in the open with the perfect reason, so no one would be the wiser and tp add onto that, we'd be free of any normal military operation rules which would give us a better chance of digging up whoevers after her."
Ava then stated with a smile, "and she have us! We keep her safe!"
Hana beamed at the thoughts, maybe they could-
"But it's risky."
Her eyes once more turned to her once savior as he spoke, "even with you guys there you'd lack access to your mechs, then to add onto it, if this person was simply trying to get to Hana, what's to stop them from killing all of you?"
"We can take care of ourselves." Marques narrowed his eyes.
Nate shook his head, "clearly."
Hana rolled her eyes and retorted, "we can take precautions and we'll have a bug out plan just in case."
"I dont-"
Ring!
Silence shook the room as everyone looked at the general.
Of all people, he was the one least expected to have a ring that could interrupt such a meeting.
But judging from the frown across his face, Hana knew that whatever happened couldn't be good.
The General cleared his throat, "I apologize for the interruption but I must take this."
"Mwo?" He asked as he placed the phone against his ear and started towards the door.
From his lack of urgency she knew it wasn't anything too grave, so she ignored his footsteps and turned back to the others.
"Like I was saying, a bug out plan. It's be easier too-"
"Song."
She blinked as the her and looked directly at him.
He was standing next to the door, his hand holding it open as a look of utter bewilderment crossed his weathered features.
"You and your team come with me now. Gentlemen and Ladies I apologize but we must cut this meeting short. Something has happened…"
She asked, "what happened?"
"No fucking way…" the voice of Nate was but background noise as he too mustve heard the new via Dig.
Whatever it was, short of a world war or attack on their president who was sitting five fest from her, there was nothing that could-
"Lieutenant Claire Hottette is alive."
Her world froze.
Definitely not what she expected.
Hana stepped through the front doors of the headquarters of the military installation named 'Fort Moon-Jae', named after the President that led them through the omnic crisis.
It was the largest base in Korea, housing at least twenty thousand troops along with the 31st battalion of the United States armed forces.
It also housed half of the Mekka battalion, including her unit, and though she didn't live here, she spent enough time here that she might as well have.
Headquarters itself was a five story building with gray walls, giant 200 millimeter bullet proof windows, and slick paint and tile to give the place a futuristic aesthetic.
Amongst the regular population of Seoul it was commonly nicknamed "the actors hide out", because its appearance looked far more fitting for a bunch of actors rather than their military forces.
However, none of this registered as Hana, quite literally shoved several reporters and officers out of her way as she pushed through the crowd.
Her brow was furrowed, her eyes wide with grief, and her cheeks flushed with stress.
Yet those signs failed to stop the ever resilient reporters and a few shoved their microphones towards her.
"Ms. Song, did you know she was alive?" one asked in Korean.
She knocked the mic of the womans hand.
Another stepped forward, barring her passage.
"Is it true you and Claire-"
This time she utilized her fighting technique, jammed a palm in his chest, grabbed his arm and spun him back into the crowd.
But as she continued, a third intelligent reporter shoved both mic and camera in front of her.
"Hana Song, rumors are spreading that-" she never let the woman finish and simply drove her shoulder into the woman's chest, forcing her aside as she emerged on the other side of the sea of reporters.
She took in a few breaths as her eyes landed on the blonde hair, and fair skin.
On a pilot almost as deadly as her, and a soul too innocent and kind for the world it was born into.
A man, an admiral of their navy had an arm wrapped over her shoulders, a thick leather coat wrapped around her as he spoke to the press.
As they, spoke to the press, surrounded by soldiers and armed guards.
It was impossible…
She had held her friend's body when her last breath left her.
She had seen the blood and the hole in her chest, and there was no way-
"Hana?"
She blinked away her thoughts and brown eyes met green.
She saw the eyes that she had sworn were once lifeless. She had seen the blood.
She wouldn't cry.
She couldn't.
"Claire…"
She was D'Va. Hana Song. She wasn't weak.
Tears were…
Were…
"Hana…" Claire smiled, and tears formed in the blonde's eyes.
….more powerful than blood, and so Hana burst forward just as her best friend did.
The slammed into one another, Hana finally releasing a sob as tears spilled through her eyelids, and shivers wracked her body.
Claire, her best friend in the world tightened her hug, the blonde's own face contorted in barely controlled emotion and she shivered, "Hana you're alive…"
D'Va let out a choked bark of laughter, and pulled back, though never releasing her friend.
"You died…" Hana choked out.
"And you got yourself kidnapped." Claire lightheartedly chuckled.
If it had been anyone else she would've snapped or yelled, but… it was Claire.
Her… dead, not dead, best friend.
Hana simply shook her head, releasing her friend even as reporters tried to swarm them, though fortunately soldiers held them back.
She used the back of her wrist to wipe her face, not caring for the ruined mascara and blush as she asked the question on everyone's mind, "how?"
Claire smiled, a sad and somber one, and her lips opened only for another voice to interrupt.
"Mary and Joseph, Claire you're alive!" A large form of testosterone flew by Hana and enveloped the smaller blonde in a bear crushing hug.
The pilot stepped back a hair as Marques literally twirled them around.
"Hot damn…" Koldens voice softened from disbelief next to her.
She nodded as another tear rolled free, and she silently cursed her own body for being weak.
"A very pleasant surprise indeed."
It was Julian who spoke, and the quiet, well mannered man held a truly dazzling smile on his face as he crossed his arms from his place on the other side of her.
She nodded in agreement as Marques let down a laughing Claire.
Of course it was Kolden who steppes forward and though not one for real physical affection, Claire still enveloped the awkward boy in a warm hug.
He blinked in confusion and barely returned it as she pulled back.
"Hi Kolden."
Hana only smiled harder as Kolden replied, "it's damn good to see you."
Then Jullian was next, a half bow of respect towards Claire before the two embraced in a mutually warm and welcoming hug.
Claire released the last member of their team and Hana noticed the Admiral and General Ho-Ting whispering to one another far off to the side of the room.
It was good the soldiers were holding the damned reporters back.
She sent a quick glare at the tide of looking back at Claire.
The blonde sighed with a smile, her tears flowing once more as she started, "I know you guys are wondering what happened…"
"Fuck yeah," Marques laughed, "but whatever it is, I'm just damned happy to see you!"
Claire laughed.
It was cheerful and lively, and it was as if the very room itself grew just a bit brighter when she did.
"Trust me, I'm just glad im not dead, but… well, I'm alive because of the Admiral." the blonde nodded towards the Naval officer and she received a curt nod before the Admiral and General resumed their discussion.
But Hana, no matter how happy stepped forward, "but… I saw you…"
Her smile started to fade.
Claire nodded with pursed lips, rolling her eyes to keep obvious tears at bay, "yeah. Yeah, but. I guess I was dead. But, he had an experimental nanite drug. He hit me with it when I was in the ambulance."
"Oh shit I remember the general hopping in with you!" Marques's eyes went wide, "I just thought he was trying to escape!"
Claire shook her head, "No he just-"
Trust no one.
Hana blinked as the words resonated in her head.
"-based of Mercys tech. He was gonna propose lives trials to the General after the when I got shot… well, it's not like anything worse could happen."
Hana shook her head, "but shy-"
"Didn't I come back?" Claire's smile once more settles the fear in all their hearts.
Both Kolden and Hana nodded and took a deep breath before putting her hand to her chest.
She opened her palm upward and then-
Zipp!
Electricity ran through her fingers and an amused grin slapped itself onto her face.
"Holy lord…" Marques gasped, his large hands running through his hair.
"There were some… complications…" Claire sheepishly smiled before closing her hand and silencing the electricity.
"Wow…" Hana mumbled, truly amazed.
Apparently it was just her luck to attract the extraordinary.
"Yeah," Claire nodded, "I really wanted to get in contact but until I was in the clear, the Admiral forbade it."
The blonde looked back at the Admiral and they followed her gaze as she informed them, "he's not gonna get off easy though. Generals pissed."
"Oh yeah," Marques chuckled, "but shit! You're back! Let's go get some drinks!"
Hana smiled softly, "Marques, I'm pretty sure Claire's tired, after all it's not everyday you come back from the dead."
"Nah, I could use a shot or two." Claire smiled, her eyes switching from Hana to Marques.
The boy opened his mouth to speak, but the voice of the general interrupted him, "Captain Song. Lieutenant Hottette."
General Ho-Ting, flanked by two soldiers, stood behind the group, having silently approached them as they spoke amongst themselves.
His face was completely expressionless, and the fact the admiral was no longer around sent a pang of fear through Hana's chest.
"The rest of you, go home. Report to the barracks tomorrow by 0800. Ensure that you inform Private Cho."
Hana blinked and finally realized that Ava wasn't with them.
The generals silence and firm gaze signaled the appropriate time for their departure and with hesitant goodbyes the male members of Hanas team walked away.
Once they were gone, and with the reporters still held at bay, the General motioned for them to follow.
The two girls exchanged a glance and Claire shrugged before following.
Hana frowned.
Leave it to her best friend to be so nonchalant about getting in trouble.
And so she followed.
The trip was up and short, where both girls soon found themselves in the general's office, sitting in two chairs laid before his desk.
The man gave each of them a concerned glare before sighing and removing his hat, and running a tired hand through his hair.
"I will say this, your return is unprecedented Lieutenant. Granted, it is nothing short of a miracle, but Admiral Sun-sin was defying blatant chain of command for his own personal experiments that had yet to be approved by anyone, despite your new found… abilities."
Hana held her tongue and glanced at her friend who simply looked at her feet.
"There is also the matter of Private Cho. She has been your placement for months, and though you are back, we have no Mekka unit for you to fill. Then we have the ordeal of Ms. Songs attack."
"Attack?" Claire looked up at that, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"The details we will leave out, but yes, Captain Song was attacked tonight."
The blonde glanced at the Star Craft champion, and with a fake grandiose Hana gestured to her wounded shoulder.
"I didn't even notice…" guilt leaked from Claire's voice and Hana was prepared to respond, but the General spoke first.
"Now. Considering your… circumstances, both of your death and revivement, and with the Admirals report on your current state, we, the Admiral and I, have both discussed and come to an agreement for your current whereabouts."
He sighed and the girls simply waited before he continued, "though technically dead for at least five to ten minutes, you were revived by military technology and held at an installation for your benefit, considering your new abilities. With this in mind, you are to stay on base without leave while we assign medical personal to clear you and your new abilities."
Hana was the first to respond, "Sir, isn't that-"
His glare choked her words down, and she simply closed her mouth and looked away.
"In accordance with this, Captain Song and her team will be permitted to have you on as a backup member for the current Mekka unit. You are to stay with your team at all times, and when the medical teams have cleared you then we'll see about re-instating you and allowing you leave."
Claire nodded somberly but Hana simply clenched her fists.
"More detailed instructions will be delivered to you tomorrow at the barracks. Arrive with your former team at 0800. Any questions?"
Though Claire kept her mouth shut and simply nodded, Hana spoke up, "sir, why are we holding Claire? We know her…"
General Ho-Ting narrowed his eyes at her, "nothing you are cleared for Ms. Song."
Now that, pissed her off.
"Not cleared for?" she grit her teeth and stood from her seat, "sir, I'm our liaison to Overwatch, I'm Captain of the 11th Mekka team, apart of-"
"Enough," the General's words were quiet, but devastatingly commanding.
"Go home Captain. You're both dismissed."
The General's face never faltered and after a moment, Hana realized his patience was wearing thin.
He was a nice man, good at heart, but he wasn't chosen as General for his niceties.
So she simply saluted, "sir," then dropped her arm and calmly walked out, Claire repeating her departure though with far more anxiety.
As the they continued down the hall, towards the elevators where two soldiers were stationed, Claire walked faster to matched Hanas stride and stated, "good to know, he's still a butt…"
The Liaison smirked, before glancing at her friend.
The blonde blinked, "what?"
"It's good to have you back."
Claire blinked, her eyes growing wide as if being caught off guard before smiling, "its good to be back."
Hana smiled as they reached the elevator.
Her best friend was back.
Don't trust her…
Goodness, how many people got to experience such a miracle?
Don't trust her…
Like her best friend was saved! Sure the Admiral had done it without permission, but after all it was because the results were utterly astounding!
Don't trust her…
Only Mercy from Overwatch had tech even close to this, and yet they had surpassed her!
Don't trust her…
Her smile held firm.
It was a miracle.
Don't...
Right?
Hana walked into her apartment, her hand absently flicking on the light switch.
Her lips pursed and for a moment her eyes wandered.
It was a small one bedroom apartment with a balcony. Simple and nice.
Only Claire had ever been here… she didn't like people coming over.
Not here.
She may have been famous, an idol for people and a Captain, but… at least here, in her home, she wanted to.. to be…
She shook her head and went to her kitchen.
Whenever they hung out, it was always Marques's place they went too. He had been smart and managed to save up for a house on the outskirts of downtown. It was very lively and modern, and screamed 'party central'. His kitchen literally had a soft drink dispenser!
Her kitchen on the other hand had a microwave and toaster, dark peach walls and a few oak cabinets.
She did really like toast.
With a flick of her wrist she tossed her keys onto the counter and swung her fridge open.
She had never been much of cook, but she did pride herself in the few simple dishes she knew, courtesy of her mother.
But right now, she simply grabbed a bottle of Chamisul, which conveniently lay between two packs of Mountain dew, and a half eaten bar of Hershey's chocolate.
Chamisul, a brand of Soju, tasted a lot like Vodka but water down and far sweeter.
It was her favorite drink, and was the best thing whenever she needed to 'drown away' any unpleasant thoughts.
She popped the lid off and took a large gulp, the drinks sweet taste pleasantly massaging her taste buds till the burn of alcohol hit her throat like a small fire.
And despite the time, 4. A.M. to be precise,she knew this was what she needed, not sleep.
She choked out a cough and closed the fridges' door.
Clearing her throat she made her way to her living room, a small space with a single loveseat and coffee table, polished wooden floors and a 30' flat screen.
Lacking any sort of grace, akin to that of a drunken sloth, Hana tossed herself onto the couch.
She kicked her shoes off and after taking a chunk of the chocolate into her mouth, someone managed to turn on the TV.
Of course it was the news, and of course it was about Claire's return.
She frowned and changed the channel.
Yes, STARZ movie network. She didn't recognise the movie, but considering the first scene she saw was a monsterish alien killing some poor dude in derelict ship she was dedicated to finishing it.
So the scenes began to flow by, Hana's eyes glued to the screen as her Sci Fi bone was tickled to her heart's content.
Every now and then a swig of Soju from the bottle and a crunch of the chocolate in her mouth pierced the ambience, but otherwise it was peaceful.
Finally the movie began to draw to a close, the scene showing that the Captain of the ship was slowly losing his mind to a split personality, and the main characters were valiantly fighting against him to survive.
Her eyes were glued to the screen.
Her heart racing.
The scene escalated. Action and suspense all in one.
A flash of light.
The Captain on the screen stabbed the woman, and the man grabbed a needle, preparing to stab the insane Captain in the eye-
Thunk, thunk thunk!
"Shi-bal!" she cursed, jumping in her seat from the sound at her balcony.
She glanced to the glass doors and blinked a few times as she tried to see through the small crack in the curtains.
It would've been impossible to mistake the armored boots and cape for anyone else.
Still, after today, with her attack and Claire… no one could blame her for being on edge.
So silently she set her drink and chocolate down and reached under the couch where she had hidden a M9 pistol.
The cold metal was a welcome feeling and she pulled it out and to her.
She carefully stood and slid against the door, inching her way to the crack in the curtains-
"Hana, I know you're in there, come on open up. I brought drinks." Nates voice was slightly muffled but the tinge of annoyance lacing his voice was unmistakably his.
Clink.
He definitely had drinks too.
She sighed and drew the curtains back revealing the Guardian in armored glory holding what were obviously two american beers in his hand.
He motioned to the beers as if they were some god send and she rolled her eyes before unlocking and opening the glass doors.
"Come on." She huffed, turning back to get her drink as the Guardian entered.
"Nice place. Views great too, fifth floor balconies are the best." she heard him compliment as he entered.
She grabbed her drink and gently tossed the firearm on the couch, and looked back at him as she took another drink of the Soju.
"Oh. Already got a drink. More for me." and the Guardians armor vanished as he closed the balcony doors.
She sighed and rubbed her eye. She was tired, and well, slightly buzzed if her blurry vision was anything to go by.
And with power of alcohol came the revelation that her normal inhibitions were slightly… less.
"Funny. What do you want? She deadpanned at Nates statement.
The man blinked, a hint of confusion in his eyes before he simply shrugged and leaned against her wall as he popped open on of his drinks, careful to place the cap in his jeans.
"What'd Claire say?"
Her glare made the man obviously uneasy and he gulped.
"None of your business."
He nodded.
"Then… how're you doing?" He asked, his voice far more gentle than normal.
She narrowed her eyes at him, simultaneously taking a drink from her bottle and relishing the burn in her throat.
"Fine. Just peachy," she waved her free hand and turned to her couch, "and besides it's 4 in the morning…"
He scoffed, " as if you were asleep."
"Creep." She hissed, her voice dark and lacking its normal energy.
She blinked at the hostility in her own voice.
She wasn't trying to be mean… at least… she didn't think she was…
Was she?
"I was making sure you didn't get attacked again. Seems to me people like to attack you for whatever reason." His voice held its usual sarcasm and she could imagine his smirk.
"Isn't it a bit creepy that you just stood on my balcony?" she asked, throwing her head back to look at him.
He rolled his eyes, "I was there for like twenty seconds calm down."
Suddenly her eyes grew wide, "wow that's twenty times more than… well, I haven't seen you atl all, so it's a lot of time actually."
Again the man shrugged, "I got busy."
Anyone, God or man, Insect or beast, could've told you that in that exact instant, Nathaniel made a mistake.
Something inside brunette eyes and in an instant the smaller girl was right up in the Guardian's face.
"Busy?" she asked, her voice unnervingly soft.
He blinked, confusion crossing his face.
"Too busy to talk to a friend?"
"It's not like-"
"Not like what? Its not like we fought an evil terrorist organization, or stopped Talon from eradicating the United Nations. Or you not get fucking raped by a sick bastard!" She said, her teeth sealed together and her eyes burning with silent rage.
Again the man blinked, "You're drunk. You-"
"I what?" She asked crossing her arms, "need to calm down? Need to take a seat? Go to bed? What else oh wise Guardian?"
He frowned, "Hana you know-"
"Know what? That you say words and act like you're my friend, then disappear?"
"Oh come the fuck on." His eyes grew hard and he stepped forward, "grow the fuck up Hana."
She blinked, taken aback by his words.
"You act like you're the only one who has fucling problems in the wolrd? What about me? Or Lena? Or the person living below you? You think we don't have it rough?"
It was silent for a moment
"Rough?" her voice managed. "They tried to rape me…"
A single tear ran down her face.
"They tortured me… I lost my best friend… and that's, rough?"
"Yes," he snalled, "rough. You think you're the only one to lose someone you love?"
"I didn't lose someone," she said and he opened his mouth to reply, "I lost my only family."
He narrowed his eyes.
"I lost Claire, I lost myself, they hurt me and strung me up, and the one person they saw it, that saw… me… didn't even bother to say hello…"
His eyes grew wide and again he was interrupted, "Nate, you were my friend… you said we were friends, and that you trusted me. Yeah, you saved me, but you didn't help me. But when you suddenly need to know something you come knocking."
"Hana-"
"Don't." she mumbled looking away, "just… don't."
"It's not like that. I just… look, this whole thing doesn't feel right, first you're attacked then Claire, now-"
"Claire? That's why you came."
It was a statement, and anyone could've seen what remained of her composure broke inside.
"Well obviously its-"
"Leave."
He blinked.
"Han-"
"Leave," she turned away and she took another massive gulp of her drink.
"I-"
"Now."
She was facing her TV again. The credits of the movie rolling as she heard the man's footsteps.
The creak of her balcony doors announced his departure.
And a flash of light signaled the finality of it.
So she took another drink and stared at the credits.
It was quiet.
She was tired.
He was a dick.
A false friend
Don't trust anyone, not even the caped crusader…
She had had plenty of them.
Don't….
But not her squad… not the people who were still there even after she shut them out.
...trust…
He helped her out once. Saved her. She knew that.
….anyone…
But he wasn't a friend. He was just someone who used someone when he needed help.
She had been his bait at one point.
Dont…
She got that now. Logically it made sense.
….trust…
So she owed him. So she'd repay him
….anyone.
Then she'd never have to deal with him again
The credits finished on the TV.
Her bottle was empty.
Crash!
She hated that TV anyway.
I looked at the stars as the morning rain fell around me.
It reminded me of the mornings on the tower.
Half the time Kathy had woken us up early to run drills or some other crap that annoyed me.
Still, even then, it was beautiful.
Just like right now.
But it felt hollow still.
Maybe that's why I was only a few buildings away from Hana's place.
There was…
Back at the Tower, relationships were important. You had to know and trust your team, your fellow Guardians.
But civilians, I never knew.
Only those in war and death.
Hana was the first person I befriended, I trusted, in this world.
But…
I hadn't done anything.
I just.. went to the next mission.
Like even when Kathy died I had just.. well, I went back to the tower and tried to move on.
You know? I hit the next mission, kept fighting the Hive, and the Vex and… and…
"Lena's on the line."
I jumped at Digs voice.
He'd been quiet.
Maybe, she was right. Maybe I was. I mean, I did… did…. But no she was wrong. She acted all like, the whole world was against her, but I mean we all have shit. And akf wo we...a zh just…. Have… ugh!
"Whats she need?"
"Wants to know if Hanas safe and If you got any info on Claire."
I blinked.
Like I even checked on her and… sure it was an assignment, but like, I came because…
Because…
"Tell her she's fine. I'll see at Gibraltar in a day."
Dig didn't reply.
I just…
Fuck.
I don't know.
A/N
And I'm back! Sorry it took a while. October is hell for marching band, like, super super busy,that and working? Like, damn.
Anyway, here's this chapter.
Initially this chapter was supposed to end with Claire's revelation, it was supposed to introduce another villain, and was supposed to have a more… positive interaction between Nate and Hana.
But after rewriting several parts of this, and rewriting the plot (only minor stuff) of Part II and III, I wanted something more… human.
The last Part had a lot of things happen, and we never saw Hana really, react to what happened. This, and last chapter, should show you shes been bottling and compartmentalizing.
It also address the fact that Nate, is… well, messed up. Like, he has issues still, and he's not even close to perfect. Sure he's a Guardian, but I remind you, he's a young Guardian, who also lost kinda everything.
Their argument was meant to happen later, but with all the emotional turmoil that Hana went through in literally one night, then add a lot of alcohol, and you get someone who's been bottling up her feelings to spill.
Also, in their fight, they're both right, and both wrong. Its an argument after all, one between two hurt people.
IT'S NOT ROMANTIC.
Again…
IT'S NOT ROMANTIC.
Like, Hana has a point. He spouted all this shit last Part and then… nothing. He doesn't even talk to her for months.
And since he's the only who really knows all that happened, that means he left her alone to deal with her stress and her own form of PTSD.
No one would be happy with that.
Anyway, Claires here, and next chapter we get Nate moving on more leads and more of what happens now that Claire is back… also, we'll see more of Soldier 76, Genji and… you guessed it…
Talon.
PSA: I'll be starting at least two new stories. A RWBYxFateStayNight, and also a massive crossover with at least 10 universes going at it.
If you have any questions about those, or this story, feel free to leave a review or PM me!
Have a great night!
God bless!
-Metal4k