*Gibraltar: Watchpoint (2 days earlier)*
The room is dimmed for maximum visuals for the many screens showing events at different parts of the country with the middle and biggest screen displaying the country of Russia, red circles indicating battles scattered throughout the massive landscape as the Second Omnic Crisis continues.
30 staff are either running or speaking into their microphones as they navigate or respond to different teams that have been sent out to contain the situation. In the middle of the room stood Jack Morrison, head of Overwatch's military operations.
"What is the status of Team 4?" growled Commander Morrison.
"They just entered Tolyatti, landing in 15 minutes!" came the immediate reply.
"Status on Strike Team B in Vorkuta? Have they completed their mission?"
"They found the hidden Omnic base, currently engaging, last report, 60% complete"
Morrison's frustration reached its peak, they should be on their way to aid Strike Team C in Yary by now…
"Connect me to Strike Team B"
"Connecting!"
The mud stained face of Brigitte Lindholm appeared on the screen, clearly fatigued from hours of fighting.
"Captain Lindholm reporting!"
"Captain, what is going on? You should be on your way to Strike Team C now"
"Sir! We've ju- GET DOWN!"
A huge explosion ripped through the coms, followed by multiple shouting, gunfire and the last image on screen was Brigitte readying her mace and activating her shield, crying "Alla till mig!" before disconnecting.
Without missing a beat, Morrison turned to the person next to him.
"What is the status for Team B's ammunition and biotic fields?"
The logistician frantically looks through her screen, quickly calculating the average numbers from the live reports constantly changing before their eyes.
"Report: Team B's ammunition is down 65%, biotic fields down 73%, estimated effective combat performance… 40 minutes if their accuracy remains above 78%, 25% below the expected estimates"
As soon as she finished her report, Brigitte appeared on screen again, a fresh cut above her right eyelid, the blood forcing her to close her eyes.
"We've taken a lot of casualties! We cannot advance until the medical team extracts the wounded!"
Upon hearing this and combined with the report of the team's careless use of their resources, Morrison almost slammed his fist on the Command Board, but experience held him back.
"Captain" said the Commander quietly "You know the importance of this mission, Reinhardt is counting on you"
A painful silence stretched after those words as the room held its breath, waiting to see how the fiery Swiss would react.
"Affirmative"
The screen turned black, leaving the map of Russia to burn into everyone's eyes, as if taunting them that despite their efforts, they could barely contain the crisis.
"Who is closest to Captain Lindholm?" Morrison barked.
The room quickly scouted their screens, desperate to find any available teams that have completed their mission and are able to provide effective assistance.
"To the east, across the mountains! 125 miles. Strike Team G under the command of Captain Pharah, has completed their mission and are waiting for further orders!" came a shouted reply.
"Order them to assist Team B immediately and –"
The next hour went by as a blur, Morrison coordinated everything as if directing an orchestra. Thanks to his enhanced mind and experience, he secured victories, permitted defeats while minimizing casualties and ordered tactical retreats.
At the end of the hour, many Omnic factories are disabled, ensuring that the Russian Armies will not be overrun for at least another month.
"Order everyone to return to base, make sure to remind them to do it quietly. Remember. We were never involved" he ordered.
"Yes sir" came the chorus reply.
As Morrison stepped out of the room, a runner came up to him almost instantly.
"Sir" he panted "Th-there was an emergency beacon that has been activated in Malaysia!"
Morrison recognizes this is one of the new recruits, Private Alex.
"And why should this be a concern?"
The Private stared at him for a moment before replying.
"S-sir? It is an emergency beacon, we have to respond"
"I do not remember sending any operatives to Malaysia within the past 5 years, a rat might have activated the beacon"
"It came with a message" passing the tablet to the Commander for review.
Morrison let out a long sigh "I swear, if this is an automated message…"
"No sir, it states that a Corporal Zero from the MGF had just awoke from a cryo sleep and has requested anyone who receives the message to collect him"
"MGF?" Morrison repeated in surprise "Impossible, that unit has been disbanded since…"
Before Morrison could complete the sentence, he saw the location of the beacon and immediately realized an opportunity.
Just then a staff exited the room behind him and almost walked into the Commander.
"S-sorry Commander"
"Which team is closest to the base, Colonel Smith?" he asked without looking back.
"Sir! Lieutenant Oxton sir!" he replied immediately, knowing full well their Commander expects them to be updated with relevant information at all times.
"Pass on my orders" ignoring the Colonel whipping out a notebook, something that always irritates him greatly.
"An emergency beacon has been activated in Malaysia, once she returns, she has 20 minutes to refuel and rearm. Primary Objective: Seek out who or whatever activated the beacon, if the package is advantageous to our cause, bring it back. Secondary Objective: If there is anything that threatens our efforts there, destroy it"
"Affirmative, Commander"
"Oh and one more thing" Morrison added "If the Primary Objective is a living package, tell her to have a more "friendly" approach, we do not want another Mei incident"
"Yes sir"
"Private Alex, ensure all operatives will receive a good meal when they return, go"
Both the Colonel and Private took off to their respective duties, leaving the Commander alone with his thoughts.
"Finally I found you…" he thought.