*Venice: Talon Base*

It has been 10 months since the first council meeting. 10 months since they initiated the Second Omnic Crisis. Now in this same room, though devoid of any decorations, 4 supremely powerful and dangerous individuals sat together once again, waiting to update their progress on creating an endless global conflict. The 4 individuals are as follows:

The Head of Casino Monaco and business-omnic: Maxilimien who sat still as a statue, careful not to create any unnecessary creases on his Stuart Huges suit, despite it being the cheapest selection in his collection, while constantly watching and remaining in contact with his business partners within his system.

The Master of Genetics: Moira O'Deorain who is conducting an unknown experiment on a rat that she brought, constantly absorbing its life through her right hand, causing it to convulse intensely, before using her left to grant it back some of its life, robbing the rat the death it now starves for. Many speculate that she is trying to see if its cells would evolve to resist or combat her abilities.

The Mercenary: Gabriel Reyes (aka Reaper) sat almost as still as Maxilimien, carefully studying the room for escape routes and killing spots, as was his habit. However, he will be content as long as he is getting paid. Which he was. Talon always pays.

And finally, the De Facto Leader of Talon: Akande Ogundimu (aka Doomfist) who sits at the end of the High Table, the sound of his finger tapping on the oak table deliberately and loudly, echoing in the silent room as cracks began to appear where his finger is tapping.

All of them stared quietly at the door for the final member to arrive. Though he is not late by any means, it is a personal insult to each of them to keep them waiting in a room away from their projects. However, each of them recognize that they are all key figures for the goals of Talon so they will avoid killing him. For now.

Finally, 15 minutes before the meeting officially begins, footsteps are heard, and the door swung open, revealing Sanjay Korpal, an official from Vishkar Corporation in South India.

He looked stunned for a moment to see everyone staring at him silently before recovering a calm posture and taking his seat on the table.

"Welcome everyone, the Second Omnic Crisis has been delayed, why?" Ogundimu asked.

Though his voice is calm, it is laced with threats that sent shivers down everyone's spine, even Maxilimien shifted uneasily in his chair.

"Reaper, please give us your report"

Reaper growled quietly behind his mask.

"Please? Is he treating me like a child?" he thought.

"I have eliminated most of Russia's military figures and ensured their replacements are… Desperate"

Ogundimu raised an eyebrow.

"I take it that there are a few more competent soldiers in the Russian army?"

"Only one left that is considered a threat, Aleksandra Zaryanova"

"One?" the Talon Leader said, emphasizing the word deliberately.

Reaper nodded, returning the stare behind his mask, secretly forming his Hellfire Shotguns in his long sleeves. Ogundimu smiled and stood up, walked over to Reaper and put his hand around his shoulder. Reaper slowly slide his Hellfire Shotguns closer to his hands.

"Let us all give our friend Reaper an applause for his efforts to our work"

Awkward clapping sounded from the table but it stopped when Doomfist began closing his grip, his expression remained the same as he continued in the same calm voice.

"I trust…" he said slowly to Reaper, "That you, my good friend…" he further tighten his grip, causing the mercenary to shake and winch violently "Will be able to deal with this Aleksandra…" now forcing him to sit back down "Zaryanova", a loud crack was heard and Reaper finally gave a cry of pain, his shoulder completely dislocated and Doomfist's fingers have clearly broke the collarbone "Before our next meeting yes? We could not afford another delay"

Reaper could only nod as the pain prevented him from answering.

"Very good, you may need to get that injury checked out, it seems to be effecting your… Performance"

Reaper looked up and saw Doomfist dangling both of his Hellfire Shotguns in his other hand before crushing them into smoke. Silence now fill the room as Ogundimu release Reaper and slowly return to his seat, leaving the mercenary groaning on the table.

"Now, how about you Maxilimien? Anything we should know about?"

The Omnic's response is clear and authoritative but careful.

"We have increased our funding for the Omnic Revolution (aka 2nd Omnic Crisis) by 20%, just last month we have smuggled one of the largest shipments of materials into Russia for their factories. By our previous estimations, they should have conquered Russia two months ago"

Every eye was darting between Maxilimien and Ogundimu when he said this, they saw a flash of anger glinting in his eye before he asked the inevitable question.

"Why?"

"My spies verified that a well-coordinated and precise blitz from a group of vigilantes have disabled or destroyed most key facilities that are vital to the Revolution. Further pressure from the Russian armies have also made things difficult for the Omnics to coordinate a counter attack due to the lack of repair centers and weapons"

"What is your solution?"

"We calculate that Widow Maker and Sombra will be needed as they possess the skills to hunt down these vigilantes, we wish to have your permission to lend them to us for a few months. Once the vigilantes are eliminated, the war will be tipped towards the Omnic's favor by 60%"

"Done"

"Thank you, my report is completed"

"Sanjay, anything important to report?"

The question to him came so sudden he barely had time to formulate words.

"The Vishkar Corporation have increased its influence in Italy, soon I will be able to order a construction of a hard light dome over this base, making it impervious from any aerial assaults and furthermore" he glanced towards Moira "We will be able to share resources to further enhance its destructive potential"

Ogundimu now turned his attention to the last present member, barely acknowledging the last report.

"How is our guest adapting to his environment?"

"He is adapting well and is becoming stronger each day" she paused for a moment before continuing, "However our studies has not revealed how he could control gravity so freely. But I assure you sir, science will reveal the truth"

"What is the progress on Subject Soldier?" Ogundimu asked, now his hands clamp together on the table, Moira took a gulp before answering.

"So far… It has also been delayed…" she managed out before quickly saying "But we have made some progress"

"What progress?" his voice dark now, he look at her as if a lion just spotted a prey "Because to me, all I hear is failure"

"W-we just need a few more months" she stammered "All the mistakes we have made has been corrected from the last subject, we just need to wait for the next fetus to be ready before we inject it with –"

"You have 2 months, if there is no positive result, you will be replaced"

Moira stood with her mouth agape, 2 months? Before she could protest that the experiment requires at least 6 more months, Doomfist stood up again, silencing her.

"Meeting adjourned. Return to your posts. We are done here"

For an idea which meeting room I am using for my story, just check the Talon - Overwatch Wiki "The inner council" image. I would have left the link but I do not think I can put it in.