It didn't take long for the news about Mikael's resignation and the disappearance of Malik to spread within the small division of Blackwatch. The division was already small enough and with every resignation, department switch or death it set Blackwatch back and sometimes scrambling to find a suitable replacement or quick fix.
"I hear the Malik is back an' haven't seen 'em since he ok?" Jesse questioned.
"He needs some time to recover," Gabriel replied his focus on the plethora of holographic screens around him and his personal terminal.
"I guess...he was pretty torn up, huh," Jesse commented as he lounged on the black sofa.
"I knew he was attached to Mikael but I didn't realize how much," Gabriel commented as he leaned back in his chair, his head lolled back on the cushion of the seat.
"He is an adult, he needs to know when to let things go and move on. He should not be coddled through this," Lyudmila added.
"Ouch, Lyuda with the hard remarks," Jesse commented, Gabriel sighed heavily and rubbed the corners of his eyes.
"Well..." Lyudmila began.
"She's not wrong. I will admit that I haven't been the best at disciplining some agents and one of them is Malik," Gabriel replied.
"I hope I ain't one of those people," Jesse added, Gabriel silently looked at the man causing the man to look up from his cellphone with a cocked eyebrow.
"You doing your job?" Gabriel asked gruffly.
"Course," Jesse replied.
"Not being lazy?" Gabriel asked.
"Well…" Jesse trailed off.
"Then you're a problem," Gabriel replied firmly.
"C'mon jefe," Jesse sighed.
It was nearly midnight when Gabriel finally had time to himself and time to seek out the elusive Intel director. Normally he would have seen her at least once a day just to see how she was and if her team needed anything. That is what he told himself as he found himself in front of the office, he wanted to check to see if she had come up with a solution for the shitstorm that she conveniently inserted herself into.
He silently entered the office and was mildly surprised at how blue the office was. He knew the group had made some modifications to the office but didn't realize it went to this extreme, not that it bothered him. Blue led lights lined all the walls in the office and illuminated the entire office with a soft blue glow, the monitors in the office were black but the keyboards mirrored the blue glow of the office.
Gabriel took a quick glance around the office and realized the office was empty, normally there would be one person in the office to help Kallista when needed but there was no one, not even Kallista. He took a moment to himself as he looked at the large screen near Kallista's office that showed tasks that needed to be completed when suddenly the door to Kallista's office slid open.
"Gabriel?" Kallista questioned as he saw the man near the doorway as he glanced around the office.
"Hey,"
"What are you doing here?"
Gabriel watched as the woman exited from the office and placed her cellphone and data pad on one of the desks and turn her attention on him.
"I wanted to check in on you and other things," He replied quietly.
"Is everything ok?" Kallista asked as worry laced her features, he nodded.
With his reassurance the worry that laced her features melted into a warmer, affectionate gaze as she reached up to caress his cheek, gently scratching at his beard. There was a soft appreciative rumble in the back of his throat before he gently took her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles.
"I'm fine. How is everything here?" he began.
"Malik hasn't been seen since they returned, I assume we won't see them for a while," Kallista began as she rounded one of the desks and to a wall terminal, Gabriel followed her and leaned against the wall next to her.
"Magnus is...well Magnus," Kallista continued as she began to type on a small holographic keyboard. Gabriel shoved his hands into his jacket pockets as he continued to listen.
"Kallos is doing well and Aleks is well…our good poster boy…" she trailed off, Gabriel quirked an eyebrow. He knew that Aleksander was indeed the poster boy of the department, he did everything by the book and occasionally slipped information about the department to him.
"Linda at least...I've heard that she's been more curious than usual...which is a bit bizarre," Kallista
"How so?" Gabriel questioned.
"She is the type to follow the rules, ask questions if they are important to her current task, but she's been asking questions about specific missions that are clearly out of her field," Kallista replied.
"Like?"
"My mission dossiers, your mission dossiers, Ana's dossiers," Kallista replied as she looked directly at the man, her sharp crystal blue eyes focused on his golden whiskey ones. "Things that don't concern her,"
"What are you going to do about it Miss Director?" Gabriel questioned as he gave her a smug look. Kallista scoffed and continued to type.
"I don't have solid proof as to what she is attempting, she works in the same department so that makes things a little more difficult," Kallista replied.
"Don't let it bite you in the ass Kallista," Gabriel commented as he pulled off his well-worn beanie.
"Right," Kallista replied. "If it doesn't, you sure will," Kallista managed to catch a raised eyebrow and then a smirk before the man turned to look at her.
"With how my luck is since being the director and being found out by you, I'm quite sure it will," Kallista sighed, as if on cue a slim disc slide from the concealed disc drive.
"I'm sure," Gabriel replied smugly. "You can't hide anything from me. We've discussed this,"
"You're right, we have," Kallista said as she took the disc and began to type once again.
A short paused had settled between them for a moment before Kallista broke the silence between them.
"Are you...really ok?"
"Why do you ask?" Gabriel questioned as he slipped his hat back on. "I'm fine, same old me," Gabriel replied
"And the new recruits?" Kallista slipped the disc into another concealed disk drive and continued to type.
"Are you my third-hand man now? My left-hand man?" Gabriel quipped.
"I am third in line if anything were to happen to you or Lyuda," Kallista turned to the man and placed a hand on her hip. "And that would make me your left-hand man and we know what happens with that,"
"I walked into that one," Gabriel chuckled.
"You did," Kallista replied.
"I will say that I'm surprised, doing your own research on hierarchy. Want a gold star?" Gabriel chuckled.
"Cute. You can keep the gold stars for everyone else," Kallista replied.
"You're right... you would be in charge if anything were to happen to Lyuda or me. But if anything were to happen to you, control would be transferred to Jack and his Intel team," Gabriel explained.
The words caused her to pause for a split second before she continued with her work. Truth be told she didn't expect to have so much authority or be so close in line to take control of Blackwatch if an emergency struck the small division. The thought of her being frustrated many years ago by not being on the field was laughable and now.
She wanted the opposite.
She wanted to be the last resort.
She wanted to be the last one on the field.
"Ah, Overwatch controlling Blackwatch...that'll be the day," Kallista laughed slightly.
"Right..." Gabriel trailed off in his own thoughts for a second before he reached out and brushed stray pieces of hair from her face, the simple gesture made her woman turn her attention from the screen and to the man.
"Gabriel...you're acting strange…." Kallista trailed off.
"I told you, I'm fine," Gabriel replied as he continued to brush her hair from her face.
"You always say that," Kallista replied softly as she looked up at him.
"I know," the man smirked as he leaned down and gently brushed his lips against hers in a soft kiss.
"Normally we would have more time to prepare for missions like these but today is not the case. We have new faces with is but they are our comrades on and off the field. With this in mind, we protect our own. This mission has many variables, unknown variables but that will not stop us," Lyudmila began as she stood in the middle of a group of Blackwatch agents that were set to board the Blackhawk Delta to New Zealand.
"We will not fail," the woman began.
"We are nothing but shadows and dust, we do what we must. No matter the cost,"
In a matter of days, everything began to shift into a faster pace forcing everyone to move just as fast. There was movement within the Anti-Omnic groups around the world, Talon had made moves around the world, and within the United Nations talks about the next steps to halt Talon and where to take Overwatch had become difficult to maintain due to strong disagreements.
The officials in the UN wanted to apply more pressure on to Overwatch, limit its movements around the world, restrict its power. Despite the pressure, Overwatch and Blackwatch continued to function as normal.
Danica and others were on their way to New Zealand and Australia to investigate sightings of Talon and the Anti-Omnic group that steadily gained popularity within the country. Although the transport was silent and eerily calm, Danica's mind raced. It was her first mission in her new position within Blackwatch, two days before she was set to head out with a small group, Reyes called her into his office to talk.
A large sigh slipped her lips as she clenched her fists and released, it had become a simple gesture to help her relieve some of the stress she held.
The Talk.
She remembered the pressure, the overbearing squeeze in her chest as she entered the office. Immediately she convinced herself that they no longer needed her, they didn't need someone who was injured, weak, a liability on the field.
She was convinced they were going to discharge her.
They were going to snatch the only thing she had left that meant the world to her, they were going to take away the only family she had left.
As they began to speak she held back her fear until she couldn't hold back, she cried. She began to bawl and plead to both Reyes and Lyudmila not to discharge her. What came next left the woman stupefied.
They weren't going to discharge her, they wanted to know if she still wanted to serve Overwatch let alone Blackwatch due to her traumatic experience, they wanted to know what she wanted to do.
Even after she made a fool out of herself, they reassured the woman and told her the truth as to why they wanted to speak to her, they offered her a promotion to fill the absence of senior leadership.
"How does it feel to be back on a transport Dani?"
Danica looked up to the person that spoke to her, it was Hayden. They were also on this mission to assist with operations and because they knew the area more than anyone on the team.
"As long as I'm not in the water, I'm good," Danica replied.
"No more swimming with the fishes, eh," another agent quipped.
"Not anymore," Danica chuckled. She knew that they were making a light-hearted joke to break the silent tension in the transport.
"We got your back Dani," Hayden reassured.
"Hell yeah, we do. We missed ya," another agent spoke up.
"Awww thanks, guys, I'm gonna run your asses into the ground though," Danica smirked.
"Can we trade her for someone else?"
"You keep that up, you'll be the first one Carlevaro,"
"Oh, shit we have another Reyes on our hands,"
Kallista stood quietly in the train station to the local airport, her attention focused on her cellphone in hand. As usual, she dressed casually so that attention wouldn't be focused on her, at her side she had a small duffle bag that held clothes and other devices she would need on her solo journey to the United States.
Her mind was crammed with plans on how quickly and efficiently to stop the Cheshire cat and how to avoid attention being focused on the God Brigade.
"You think you can just leave without telling me?"
Kallista quickly looked to the man next to her, it was Gabriel. He wore his normal hardened look as he focused on the train map and times on the screen that hung from the ceiling. With a sigh, Kallista put away her cell phone and place a hand on her hip.
"I can't escape you can I?" Kallista questioned.
"The real question is do you want to try," Gabriel replied.
"Now I'm curious," Kallista smirked.
"Don't. You won't like it," Gabriel shook his head. "C'mon let me take you to the airport,"
"You cannot expect me to be curious about that statement," Kallista laughed slightly at the as she followed after him. As the two exited from the train station, Kallista spotted a sleek black, sporty looking car. Confused, Kallista stood dumbfounded.
"What? Never saw a car before?" Gabriel chuckled as he opened the door for her to get in.
"I didn't know that Overwatch had the budget for something like this," Kallista began as she got into the car.
"Only for special events," Gabriel replied as he closed the door and headed over to the driver's side.
"Special events huh," Kallista commented as the man got into the car. "This is nowhere near the newer model of cars...this is a classic,"
"Oh really? I didn't notice," Gabriel replied with a smirk as he started the car. The normal soft whir of the ion battery had been replaced by a low roar of a gas-powered engine.
"Special events, huh," Kallista chuckled slightly.
"Mmmhm,"
Within seconds the two were on their way to the airport.
"Aren't you supposed to be leaving soon?" Kallista suddenly questioned.
"Yeah," he simply replied.
"And you're here? I left without telling anyone on purpose," Kallista added.
"Oh, I know. That's why I'm here," Gabriel replied.
"I try to stay out of your hair and you willingly come find me," Kallista laughed slightly, he chuckled.
"If I leave you to your own devices too long you get into trouble. This right now is a prime example,"
Kallista frowned as she turned her attention to the passing cars.
"No slick come back...I'm surprised Kallista," Gabriel smirked.
"Whatever,"
Several minutes later the two arrived at the airport, Gabriel had parked and walked with her into the airport just before security.
"Thanks for the escort Commander Reyes," Kallista replied sarcastically and turned to the man.
She quickly looked him from head to toe and realized he wore nothing that showed that he worked for Overwatch, in fact, he wore dark-colored jeans, a basic white t-shirt and a jacket.
Just like her, he was dressed as a civilian. She quickly pieced things together and realized what he had done. The smirk on the man's lips confirmed her suspicion.
"Gabriel…" Kallista began.
"Hm?"
She quickly closed the small gap between the two of them and wrapped her arms around the man's neck, he wrapped his arms tightly around her in a hug.
"You're slipping today Kalli…" He chuckled.
"Shut up," Kallista replied as she pulled back to look at him, his smirk was still plastered on his lips.
She leaned forward tilting her head slightly as she pressed her lips to his, he eagerly responded to her kiss. As quickly as it started they broke the kiss and gave each other a knowing look. He placed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes, she did the same.
"Be safe," Gabriel whispered.
"You too," Kallista replied softly.
-Several Hours Later-
"Bradley, you know what your goal is. Don't blow it,"
{I'm offended you think I would blow this. Not gonna happen boss. I got this...no worries}
"We'll see," Gabriel replied
{Bombshell out}
"Ready to go jefe?" Jesse asked as he headed into the Blackhawke Delta. Gabriel shoved his phone into his pocket and followed after the man into the ship the door closing after him. He tossed his duffle bag into his seat and stood in the middle of the ship as the engines buzzed and roared to life.
"McCree, Yavorov, Cruz, Hajime, Sassani and the rest of you. This mission isn't like our usual ones," Gabriel began as he held onto one of the hooks used to stabilize a person shooting from the door of the ship.
"Are they ever usual?" one of the agents spoke up causing a few of the other agents to chuckle.
"True," Gabriel smirked. "Local government's team has been cut off, probably slaughtered along with the personnel of the building. Last reports state omnic activity but we'll see when we get there. Long story short, It's become a cleanup mission," Gabriel continued, another round of chuckles came from the agents.
"How is that any different than what we do?"
"Yavorov has got jokes today," Jesse chuckled, Yavorov shrugged.
"No jokes. No lie," another agent chimed in.
"We're always cleaning up after and for Overwatch...and whoever else," Yavorov added.
"Hey now, don't you go say that around the others," Jesse laughed. "Don't wanna ruffle any of those pristine feathers,"
"Blackwatch, the Clean up Crew. You got a mess, we can clean it,"
"Listen up!" Gabriel barked immediately putting a stop to any additional banter, the air carrier fell silent.
"There are times for jokes, Yavorov, McCree, O'Connell it ain't now," Gabriel began. McCree smirked as he turned his attention to the silent blue-haired woman across from him.
"We have new agents on the field let alone what slaughtered the agents and personnel still remains on-site," Gabriel began.
"I know we move and function like a well-oiled machine when focused. Let us not forget who we are, what we do and what we stand for. Take care our own, leave no one behind,"
- Several hours later in the United States -
"So, the agent I put on your request-" Melody began as she led Kallista through the halls of the Overwatch base in Los Angeles, California.
"Hey, Mel...oh who is this?"
"Oh Sam, good timing let me introduce you to the Director from HQ," Melody began as she and Kallista stopped in front of the casually dressed man. Kallista quickly gave the man a once over and extended a hand for a handshake.
"Kallista Kaines, Blackwatch Intelligence Department," Kallista began. The man known as Sam glanced at Melody before he focused solely on Kallista.
"Director Kaines," Sam began. " Sam Turner, nice to meet you,"
"A pleasure," Kallista replied, Sam's eyebrows raised slightly.
"You are much more beautiful in person and you have an-" Sam began.
"Ok. That's enough from you," Melody cut in and slightly shoved the man back from Kallista.
"Thank you," Kallista replied with a small smile.
"Mel, you-" Sam started again as he continued to focus on Kallista. His attention only to be pulled away from her and to
"No Sam, don't you have a mission to prep for?" Melody began. "This way, I can show you to your office,"
"Nope," Sam replied. Melody sighed and gave the man a knowing glare.
"Ok. Ok. I get it," Sam raised his hands in defeat.
"This way Director," Melody began and started down the hall. Kallista gave Sam a nod and smile and followed after the woman.
"Here you go. I know it's not elaborate like HQ but our space is your space," Melody said as she opened the door to the small office.
"Thank you. I just need it for a week or so I should be gone," Kallista said as she entered the office and gave it a quick once over.
The office was sparse, small windows near the ceiling, the desk was simple and looked to be made of wood and metal, the desk chair simple. Not standard office furniture.
"If you need anything please don't hesitate to let me know, I'm sure you won't have any issues getting in contact with me," Melody nodded as she watched Kallista move over to the desk and began to unpack what looked to be small devices.
"Will you need food or a place to stay?" Melody asked.
"I got it covered. Thank you," Kallista smiled as she looked at the woman, she noticed the woman looked concerned at the woman.
"You're worried," Kallista began.
"Normally no but the fact that you're here and won't tell me about what your business is making me worried," Melody began. Kallista sighed and leaned on to the desk.
"What else do you expect me to think?"
"You're right. I've become a bit more guarded of the people I give information out to but this mission is highly classified," Kallista began
"Well, I can clearly see that," Melody said as she walked into the office and closed the door behind her. At that moment Kallista turned on a small device and looked around the room.
"What-" Melody began but Kallista held up her hand to silence her for a moment before she turned it off.
"What was that?"
"Just clearing the room of any bugs that may have been placed even after you did your sweep,"
"It's that serious huh," Melody commented.
"It's a bit worse than that," Kallista replied.
"So...then there's a leak," Melody began quietly.
"Perhaps," Kallista replied.
"And you're here for the Cheshire cat... correct?"
"Perhaps," Kallista replied with a smirk, Melody as well.
"Oh...I can see why Reyes fell for you," Melody began.
"Pardon?"
"Nothing," Melody began as she opened the door to the office. Sam and another agent were at the door as if to listen to the conversation they had.
"You two dingos think you could really listen to our conversation. There's a specific reason she has this office," Melody began and started the chide the two. Kallista noticed the young woman being chided by Melody.
"Agent Warg…" Kallista began, almost immediately the three turned their attention to Kallista. The woman with the slightly curled brown hair, emerald green eyes, fair skin and a scowl plastered on her lips stared back at Kallista.
"Who's Agent Warg? Don't know her," the woman commented. Kallista crossed her arms sighed.
"Still stubborn, Thea,"
"I was gonna say if you answered her she's got you and me wrapped around her-"
The man didn't finish the sentence as Thea shoved her elbow into the man's rib cage.
"Please be on your best behavior you two," Melody sighed.
"I didn't expect you to actually show up here. I'm surprised," Thea began as she entered the office.
"You're quite bold now that you're back on home turf," Kallista commented casually.
"Oh... fighting words…" Sam commented quietly.
"Hush-" Melody hushed the man's and pushed him out of the office and let the door close behind them.
"Ouch...that was rough," Thea replied and crossed her arms.
"Had to let you know where you stand even without Reyes, besides I heard you were grounded," Kallista began as she sat down at the desk and gave the woman a knowing look.
"It was an accident but yeah...I'm grounded at least for now. Commander Maxwell is reviewing my...case," Thea replied.
Kallista nodded, she heard about the incident that occurred with the woman but she was still able to do recon for her specific mission not that Kallista complained but she was surprised that Gabriel had a hand in the entire situation.
"Anyway...I really am surprised that you're here though. No one said anything about you coming," Thea began
" I know. I didn't tell anyone only a select few...for security reasons," Kallista replied.
" Oh the big, bad, scary Blackwatch Intel Director," Thea smirked"
"There are other reasons but we'll keep that a mystery," Kallista opened her small laptop and immediately pulled several holographic screens from it. A bright green holoscreen that contained data on Cheshire cat, local news, along with Stirling Manufacturing and Mendoza Pharmaceuticals.
Thea quickly scanned the office for a chair, but realized that there was none and opted for the floor.
"How long do you think this is going to take?" Thea questioned.
"No clue, but I hope it doesn't take too long...this has become a pain in my ass," Kallista replied.
"It's that bad huh," Thea quirked an eyebrow at the woman.
"It could if we let it sit it could escalate to another GOD A.I…" Kallista trailed off as she noticed Thea's eyes widen a bit at the mention of a GOD AI.
"Another one…"Thea trailed off.
"A shit storm to put it bluntly," Kallista said as she sat down across from Thea. "We do not have the luxury of time on our side, I am quite sure you are aware of what is at stake,"
Her sharp blue eyes focused on Thea's blue-grey ones, silently Thea nodded.
"What do you need me to do?"
