Hours later in the Overwatch R&D Department


"Should I be worried at the fact that Kallista said that there's a mission specifically for me?" Malik asked.

"Why worried? You've been complaining about not being on the field as much, that should be good right?" Mikael replied as he adjusted the man's exoskeleton joints.

"You're right but this mission..." Malik trailed off. Mikael looked up at Malik as he adjusted his glasses, confused he waited for them to continue.

"It's about my past... I thought if I could bury it people would forget about it and I wouldn't be reminded at the fact that it's the reason I'm like this...constantly in pain," Malik replied.

"If that's the case...you have to do it. It won't be easy but-" Mikael began.

"It's not that easy," Malik cut in.

"Are you just saying that?" Mikael asked as he stopped his work to look up at them.

"Look. I know I indulge in other things to avoid doing things or I conveniently forget things so I don't have to do it. This is different...much different," Malik replied.

"Then?" Mikael asked as he went back to his work.

"I'm not ready. I can't do this," Malik replied softly.

Mikael placed his tools down and looked at them again, Malik turned their head to avoid the man's gaze.

"You can't keep running away from this Malik. It's going to keep following you until you deal with it," Mikael sighed.

"This is-You saw what they did to me, they made...they made me into what I am now. They made me into-" Malik began.

"Quiet the mind and the soul will speak," Mikael commented. Malik looked at the man, stunned.

"A Buddhist saying I tend to go to when I need to make decisions...it tends to help," Mikael commented sheepishly.

"...yeah…" Malik replied hesitantly.

"I remember what happened when we picked you up from that testing facility, believe me, I remember. Your wounds, mental state and the inability to speak English are hard to forget. But the fact that Kallista knows that you're the best of her agents, and probably the only one that could really spearhead the mission," Mikael said.

Malik remained silent as their mind wandered back to the torturous memories back at one of Talon's testing facilities. They were attempting to create agents that would be able to attack the psyche of their targets, deal mind crushing hallucinations and more. No one was really sure if the project was a success or not, Malik showed no signs besides his abnormal eyes. Malik and another person were rescued from that facility that day, Jin Mikami, who was now a Neuroscientist in the Overwatch division, a doctor in charge of the their health.

"It could be the perfect time to get rid of all those things that are holding you back, dragging you down you know? New year, new you," Mikael commented as he turned towards the smaller man that had entered the room.

"Torbjorn," Mikael nodded to the man as Malik remained silent.

"I see ya got that exoskeleton there," The man began.

"I was tweaking the joints so they can move easier. They complained about it being too stiff," Mikael started.

"Well I want ya to know that I got some upgrades for ya," Torbjorn began. The two perked up at the mention upgrades.


"I've been in contact with the Overwatch base in South Africa, they already dispatched a search and rescue team to the last coordinates of the ship," Ana began and sighed.

"We've been in contact with them as well. We have an agent on board and we've lost communication with them as well. I've already got my department working on pushing a signal through and I hope that we can at least establish a connection, anything at this point," Kallista replied with the thought of the ominous message from the security camera that was recovered nearly four hours ago.

Time passed quickly, every hour, every minute, every second was just as important as the last. They had no inkling as to what happened on the ship, or if Talon really did attack that ship and it wasn't the run of the mill pirates.

"Our window is narrow especially in those waters, but we should be able to make it to the ship in a matter of hours with the weather permitting of course," Ana replied.

"That's good. Please keep me informed," Kallista nodded a thank you.

"Of course...but I'm sure you know this bodes ill-wind Kallista," Ana said. Kallista sighed softly her eyes closed for a moment before she nodded.

She knew what the woman was referring to, the mole in Overwatch, people lives were at stake and Kallista could be blamed for not delivering on her part quick enough to save those lives. Kallista knew the risks and the responsibility, Reyes, and Morrison had bestowed that on to her and now she needed to deliver and fast.

"I know and understand. I am working within my means and it is difficult but I promise to deliver soon," Kallista replied.

"That's good to hear but you also need to take care of yourself. You look a little tired," Ana sighed.

"When aren't I tired?" Kallista commented.

"Not sleeping much?" Ana asked, a smirk on her lips, Kallista glanced at the woman and instantly knew what the woman poked at.

"Insomnia and I aren't the greatest friends nor am I good friends with a decent sleep schedule," Kallista replied. Ana laughed softly and nodded, Kallista pulled out her cellphone and noticed that she had several messages from Overwatch agents and more.

"It was a pleasure talking with you, Captain Amari. I have to catch up on these messages," Kallista nodded to the woman as she stood.

"Likewise Kallista, I don't see you very often so please take care of yourself and rest," Ana replied as she focused back on her computer.

"I will do my best," Kallista partially laughed and exited the woman's office.

Kallista made a beeline to her room as she read the emails she had received, an email thread from Talli that she had sent to herself and a few of the other women in Blackwatch about her engagement and how she needed advice on what to do next.

There was an encrypted message from their contact from the Frost Network, Mamma Jelli, about their new recruit and how they needed to meet with someone from Blackwatch to confirm.

There was an email from Aleks about updates on Cassius Park and his connections, Sterling and Mendoza signed a merger of companies whilst Park donated a lump sum of money to Pavetti tech and more.

The final email was from DeadFoxHound with a possible lead on where the Cheshire Cat would strike next.

Her mind full of various information, tasks, minor details, missions, and worry she barely made it back to her the verge of crashing she barely entered her code to her room correctly, she stumbled into her room and dropped everything in her hands onto her desk. She plopped down on her bed and was immediately out.


Gabriel grumbled as he walked down the silent halls of the Overwatch division, a holopad in one hand and his dark coffee mug in the other. More and more work seemed to pile up daily even after he thought he had cleared some up, everything needed his attention, everything. One of Blackwatch's trump card had recovered to some extent but still had his issues of conforming to his new environment and what had happened to him. He hoped the man would be stable enough to join them a few missions in the future to deal with the Shimada clan.

He glanced at the horizon as the sun had barely peeked and hoped that he would have a moment of peace to himself before everything started up again. It was quiet for now and hoped that he could get some sleep but that hopeful moment of peace was interrupted as he heard horrible noise further down the hall. The man sighed annoyed, he figured it was an Overwatch agent who had a little bit too much fun the night before and was now emptied the contents of their stomach into one of the general garbage cans.

He casually made his way down the hall as he sipped his now lukewarm coffee, he readied himself to chew out the agent for their drinking habits and behavior but wasn't prepared to see the petite form hunched over the garbage can.

"Natalie?" Gabriel said confused as he quickly placed his coffee mug and data pad to the floor, and moved over to the woman to hold her hair until she was finished a few moments later.

"I thought I told you to stop trying to out drink people," Gabriel sighed. Natalie wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as she slumped against the wall.

"Mama didn't raise a quitter," Natalie replied as she grimaced.

"She was attempting to raise a doctor," Gabriel replied.

"And she got something completely different," Natalie chuckled.

"Either way, you need to calm down with your drinking habits," Gabriel commented as he held out a hand to help her to her feet.

"Where's the fun in that?" Natalie chuckled as she took the man's hand.

"Nat," Gabriel warned.

"Besides this is something different…" Natalie waved off the man's warning as she leaned partially onto the garbage can.

"You eat something bad?" the man questioned.

"I'm gonna need a whole feast after this. You know I can eat for like six people," Natalie laughed.

"I know and you can out drink a man that's twice your size and weight easily," Gabriel commented. Natalie grinned and cleared her throat.

"I'm gonna go to the med-bay and-" Natalie began.

"You might as well tell me while you're here because you know I'm gonna find out," Gabriel said as he bent over to pick up his datapad and coffee.

He could always tell when she held something back from him, he had watched her mature into what she was today. He scouted Natalie from Phoenix Corps, a Texan security firm, specifically from the Valkyrie Division of the company. A division made up of all women who were all technologically enhanced in some way, Natalie's eyes and strength was enhanced, her strength rivaled his and her vision was perfect she never missed a shot.

Over time he began to treat her like a daughter he never had, despite the roundabout ways she went to get him to smile or relax when stress was rampant in the growing Blackwatch Division.

"What makes you think there's something going on?" Natalie grimaced as she cleared her throat again.

"How long have I know you, Nat?" Gabriel asked.

"Are you pulling the dad card on me, because that's what it feels like," Natalie scoffed.

"Well shit, here I thought I was a good father figure for you and everyone else," Gabriel chuckled

"I kid, you have been and I appreciate it but…" Natalie trailed off.

"You're also bad at hiding things," Gabriel added.

"Ok, maybe, but this is a bit more sensitive," Natalie replied. Gabriel silently looked at the woman with a critical eye as he took a sip of his coffee, he did notice that woman had looked sickly recently, and was late for training or missed it completely. He had his suspicions, but never assumed and waited for her to tell him.

"What did you get yourself into Natalie," Gabriel said cautiously.


It was early afternoon when Kallista was back at work and was in a phone call with an agent from the South Africa Overwatch base.

{The ship was definitely attacked by Talon, there were no survivors looked like a slaughterhouse, the research material for the base in Antarctica. The entire ship seemed to be gutted as well.}

"That's bad news my friend, please tell me you have good news?" Kallista sighed.

{I have some, there were a few emergency escape capsules missing, we barely had enough time to anchor the ship to a transport ship before the waters became too strong. But we are sending out the coast guard to search. In the meantime, we are pulling the ship back to shore so that we can properly begin burial preparations. In the meantime we have our crew on board identifying the bodies }

Kallista leaned back in her chair as she steepled her fingertips over her lips in thought. The ship had been gutted, everyone on board was slaughtered, that small glimmer of hope of Danica making it to an emergency capsule was starting to fade.

"Were there any signs of Agent Bradley?" Kallista asked, prepared to hear the outcome she didn't want to hear.

{No signs of the agent. Her sleeping quarters were searched but she could be one of the few that made it to the emergency escape capsule…}

Danica wasn't among the ones dead on the ship, but she could be one of few who managed to get to safety only to be met with the dark icy waters of the South Atlantic Ocean. She knew that she needed to update both Gabriel and Lyudmila about the situation but they were both busy with the sudden Anti-Omnic revolts in South Korea and Russia.

"Thank you. Please keep me informed of any updates," Kallista sighed.

{Of course, Director Kaines. Please rest easy my friend}

Kallista ended the call and leaned further back in her chair, she had a migraine that wouldn't go away and she was more than worried about Danica.

Was she ok?

Was she hurt?

Was she dead on the emergency escape capsule?

She took off her glasses and tossed them to her desk all while she placed her feet up on her desk,

"Kallista,"

The woman turned her attention to the man that quickly approached her desk.

"Gabriel," Kallista said as she took her feet off her desk and stood.

"I need you to rush a favor for me and prepare to meet our contact," Gabriel began.

"A favor? And are you referring to Mamma Jelli?" Kallista questioned, there were no such things a favors between the two. If they asked the other would do what the could for one another.

"Here," Gabriel said as he handed her the datapad he held. She took the information from his pad and move it to her computer. She quickly scanned the information before she looked up at the man.

"Transfer papers for Natalie?" Kallista asked.

"Temporary," Gabriel added.

"What's-" Kallista began.

"She's expecting and too far along for me to put her on the field," Gabriel replied.

"Pardon me. I don't think I heard you quite clearly. Did you say that Natalie is expecting?" Kallista asked. Gabriel smirked at the woman's confusion.

"I love it when your accent comes out," Gabriel commented.

"Gabriel," Kallista said firmly and rubbed her temples.

"You heard right. She's expecting," Gabriel said quietly as he moved over to her, worry laced his features.

"Oh my god...does Jack know? Is it Jack's? Who am I kidding, of course, it is," Kallista said to herself.

"The situation is a bit complex...but that's for Natalie to tell if she wants..."Gabriel replied as he gently pushed a piece stray hair from her face.

"Oh? I am curious now," Kallista started.

"You'll know when she tells you and don't even try getting anything out of me," Gabriel cut in.

"I guess...does anyone else know?" Kallista sighed.

"Just the ones that need to know," Gabriel replied as he cupped her cheek.

"I see," Kallista replied as her brows furrowed.

"Migraines?" Gabriel asked softly.

"Yeah…" Kallista sighed and nodded.

"Have you gone to see Angela?" Gabriel questioned,

"No...I've been busy with other things," Kallista replied sheepishly.

"Make sure you do...the side effects will get worse if you don't," Gabriel gently warned her.

"Yeah…" Kallista trailed off as she averted her gaze from him.

She had already felt the side effects progressively become worse, increased in frequency or strength. The fatigue, muscle soreness, tenderness, insomnia, migraines, blindness, it just seemed to get worse with every hit.

"Kallista…" Gabriel began as he tilted her head up to look at her, she hesitantly looked at him, her crystal blue eyes met his mocha ones.

"Don't make me worry about you more than I already do," Gabriel whispered.

"You already took me off the field and you're still worrying, you're gonna get gray hair worrying too much," Kallista whispered. Gabriel remained silent his eyes never left hers as he ran his thumb over her bottom lip.

"Gabe…"

"Shh..." Gabriel said as he leaned down to kiss her.

"Director Kaines-"

Gabriel stopped mere inches from her lips and sighed heavily and remained still, his back still towards the woman that stood in the doorway of the woman's office.

"Linda...do you have any updates?" Kallista asked and sighed as well. Gabriel hesitantly stepped away from Kallista and moved to one of the empty chairs in front of her desk.

"I apologize but the South African rescue crew have arrived and concluded their prelim search and..." Linda trailed off.

"And what?" Gabriel pressed, a hint of annoyance laced his words.

"A quick search of the bodies...agent Bradley isn't among the ones who had been slain, but they have found bodies of Talon agents near agent Bradley's sleeping quarters," Linda continued.

"Ok, but there's no hard evidence that she made it to an emergency escape capsule," Kallista sighed.

"That is true, but I am working with Athena to restore the voyage data recorder that has seemed to be corrupted," Linda continued.

"Ok continue with the data restoration protocols for a VDR," Kallista ordered.

"Yes of course, but in regards to agent Bradley...the rescue window is rapidly closing and…" Linda began.

"Contact that recon team in the area and have them conduct a smaller joint search with the South African Overwatch base," Gabriel ordered.

"Yes Sir," Linda replied.

"Cain and Lucas should be in the area, contact them," Kallista added.

"Right away," Linda said and quickly exited the woman's office.

"I refuse to believe that Danica is lost and I'm not going to let them write her off as MIA," Gabriel scoffed.

"Maybe with a grumpy Blackwatch Commander on their ass they'll move faster," Kallista sighed.

"You should have let me step in sooner," Gabriel commented.

"You could have stepped in anytime your highness," Kallista replied sarcastically. Gabriel scoffed at the woman's comment and stood.

"What else did you need to tell me?" Kallista grimaced.

"It can wait. Find Bradley and then we can talk about this next mission," Gabriel said as he began for the exit, it was Kallista's turn to scoff.

"You make it seem like I can't find her," Kallista frowned.

"I know you will," Gabriel said as he looked over his shoulder at the woman.

"Then why so much sass?" Kallista asked.

"Gentle nudging, Kallista," Gabriel corrected her.

"Sure...gentle nudging my ass," Kallista murmured.

"I heard that," Gabriel tsked as he turned to face her, Kallista shrugged her shoulders as she plopped down into her chair.

"Go see Angela...again otherwise you'll see me tonight," Gabriel said as he stood in the doorway.

"If I don't?" Kallista asked. Gabriel smirked at the woman sitting on the edge of her desk, a cat-like grin on her lips. She waited for his response even though she knew what it was going to be.

"la curiosidad mató al gato, Kallista," Gabriel said before the door closed behind him.


Rough Translations:

la curiosidad mató al gato, Kallista : Curiosity killed the cat, Kallista