*Gibraltar: Watchpoint*
"Aww cheer up Quil! It wasn't THAT bad, at least now you are no longer a prisoner!" Lena said cheerfully.
They just exited the meeting room after another series of question by Jack and the others.
Jack was as brutal as his kicking, demanding exact and minute details of everything Quillion could remember as the historian "Kerry" listened intently and taking notes, while Reinhart and Torbjorn are more interested about his fighting abilities and the technology of his weapons.
They questioned him for 3 hours before a satisfied Morrison granted him permission to roam around with an agent present (which Lena volunteered), giving him 24 hours to make a decision whether he is with them or if they should drop him off somewhere.
"So, now that you are free, what are you going to do first?"
Quillion thought for a moment before asking.
"Mind if I use the Internet?"
*Gibraltar: Data Storage*
He found himself at a "Data Storage" department, which almost looks like a standard computer room.
Rows and rows of computers are aligned in a neat line and most computers are already occupied with soldiers who seem to be contacting who he assumed are their loved ones.
"Aren't you worried that they will leak sensitive or confidential information?" Quillion asked.
"Don't worry, everything that comes in or out are reviewed by Athena so it's pretty safe" Lena replied as they look for a vacant booth.
"Ahh, here ya go luv!" she said after finally spotting a seat.
"Thanks" he said, sitting down and looked for the power on button. There is none. In fact, besides a microphone and monitor, there is no keyboard nor a mouse or anything that resembles a desktop or motherboard.
"Oh right!" Lena said, leaning forwards to the microphone, "Lena Oxton".
Quillion can smell her shampoo, a thought which he quickly shove away from his mind as the computer activates.
"Welcome Lena, how may I assist you today?" Athena said.
"Heya Athena, just help Quillion with whatever he needs ya?" she said, patting Quillion in the head, annoying him slightly.
"Affirmative, hello Quillion, how may I assist you?"
"Err... Is this the only way to do research?" he asked quietly.
"Yup! Don't worry, Athena is state of the art, she can find what you are looking for" Lena said confidently.
"This ain't good" Quillion thought to himself "How can I do research about Overwatch or the world if their own program is in control of all the information?"
Lena saw that Quillion is disheartened by the situation, thinking that he is not convinced about Athena's abilities, she decided to give an example.
"Athena, show live reports from BBC"
"A moment Ms Oxton"
The screen switched to the BBC News, which pleased Quillion slightly at the fact an old organization from his time is still around.
"See? Its easy, but you can watch this first and give it a try later" she said.
"Ms Oxton, you have a call" Athena said.
"Oh? Send it to my communicator"
Quillion waited as she walked a short distance away. Though he tries not to, he can't help but to eavesdrop.
"He will survive? That's great news Ange! I'll be there in a second!" she said before vanishing.
"Shall I switch to something else Mr Quillion?" Athena asked.
"No, leave it on" he replied, trying to figure out how to gather information in the most unbiased method possible from an AI now that Lena is gone.
"Show me the greatest achievements of Overwatch"
"Affirmative"
The screen began flashing old newspaper clippings, news reports and books recording the deeds of the glory days of Overwatch, how they were vital against the first Omnic Crisis and how they advance the human race while performing many humanitarian duties across the world.
It pained Quillion when he saw that Malaysia has indeed been destroyed before Overwatch was formed.
He learned about the Crusaders of Germany, technological wonders of Hard Light from the Vishkar Corporation in India, impossible prosthetic applications, and even sound waves that heals or increase your speed from someone in Brazil?
Then he began his research regarding the Second Omnic Crisis and its current progression.
According to various news outlets that Athena provided, Russia has been successful in containing the situation but with great sacrifices. High-ranking military members have been dying in the droves within the past year. There were also sightings of strange military forces that does not belong to Russia whom are labeled as "vigilantes".
However, other parts of the world have been affected as some Omnic battalions inevitably broke out of the containment, Quillion sat back in surprise as he read that France was attacked, why did the Omnics skip Germany or Poland?
"Athena, show me who or what is Talon" Quillion said, suddenly remembering what Jack shouted at him at the hangar.
"Sorry, you are not cleared for that information" the AI replied.
"What? Why not?"
"You are not a member of Overwatch, therefore you are not cleared for that information"
Quillion sighed. He knew he is dealing with a computer so threatening or bargaining it would be a fruitless attempt. Leaning back, he tried to think of ways to gather some information that could help him understand this place more. Then he remembered what Angela said to him.
"How does the world view Overwatch currently?" he asked.
The screen began painting a very dark picture concerning Overwatch in contrast to their bright achievements.
Conspiracies, Black Watch, possible illegal activities, Venice Incident, United Nation's constant investigations, and finally, the destruction of the Swiss Headquarters.
Despite having an enhanced brain and stamina, the wealth of information Quillion absorbed exhausted him as he attempted to understand every minute detail as quickly as possible.
As much as he hates to admit it, Athena has been providing unbiased information as some of the reports she presented is truly damaging to Overwatch's reputation, especially their very deliberate decision to defy the Petras Act of the United Nations to reform Overwatch.
"Mr Quillion, Commander Morrison has cleared an information for all personnel concerning the event in Ireland, would you like to review?" Athena announced, showing a Yes and No display on screen.
He looked around and saw that every user pressed the Yes display, which he followed suit.
A news reporter appeared on screen in front of a large building whose front doors have been totally destroyed, as if someone literally threw something through it.
"Police has not identified who attempted to rob the bank but we were told that there were horrendous casualties among the guards, who were assigned to guard the bank in response to a tip off from the attacker themselves just a week before the robbery"
Quillion raised an eyebrow in interest "Looks like the attackers wanted to test something" he thought to himself.
"Eyewitnesses report that there were only two suspects who attacked the bank. It is now speculated that they were wearing superior armor or some invisible barrier as it was confirmed from the police that the bullet casings and plasma containers found on the scene are significantly higher than the bullets or plasma burns that have been collected, as if they all disappeared during the fight"
The news switch to a Police Captain who is at what looks like a Press Conference answering a question, echoing the reporter's words.
"We just received an updated report that there was a third suspect recorded by the security camera which the bank agreed to release to the public, we will air it now"
Ryūjin no ken wo kūrae!
Quillion watched in shock to see that it was the same Omnic whom he almost shot in the hangar, his blade seems to be emitting a green glow and a... dragon? Angela called it Genji... But before he could review it further, the clip ends.
"Officials from the bank have confirmed that they have not hired this individual and is now a prime suspect who weakened the bank's security from the inside"
The news presented another picture, where a little girl with claws, a floating man with floating debris on his hand and Genji charging towards a group of guards firing at them.
"All citizens are advised to report anyone who resembles..."
"Athena, replay that clip and show me that picture again, split the screen" Quillion said, something about that picture bothered him.
It took a moment before he saw it.
In the recorded holovid, Genji seemed to be in perfect condition when he shouted. In contrast, the Genji in the picture is bloodied with deep claw marking littered across his armor.
Was he fighting the girl before charging at the guards? That does not make any sense that he would join them to attack the guards.
"If they were working together, then they should return together" he thought to himself.
He began piecing the puzzle together, Genji's severe injuries, the claws from the girl and a floating man who throws strange floating projectiles, the crushed shuttle with claw marks...
"Quil! It is not him!" Lena shouted behind him, making him (and several others) jump as she blinked behind him.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack!" he almost shouted back, his hand clutching his heart. He was so deep in thought that this time, the surprise hurts.
"It is not Genji I promise with my life!" she continued, not listening to him.
He stood up and grabbed her shoulders, begging her to stop with his grip, which she gratefully did.
"I know" he said, maintaining eye contact "Just... Tell me, those two" he pointed at the floating man and girl "Are they our enemy?"
"We... We do not know yet" Lena admitted.
He let her go and sat back down, trying to figure out what to do next.
"Lena... Do you have access to hospital records for these people?"
She looked at him quizzically.
"Why do you need that?"
"I just need to be sure about something"
A moment pass before she said "We do have access to some medical reports but that is it, I am not showing you any pictures or videos"
"That is fine, I just want to confirm their injuries"
Lena looked at him suspiciously before making up her mind.
"Athena, show the medical reports of 5 random guards from this incident"
The screen presented 5 reports and each of them reported similar injuries. A combination of severe mutilation, suspected cannibalism, and strange crushed bones or concussions from small objects.
None of them were killed or injured by a blade.
"Lena, if these are the enemy... I think I will join you to stop them" Quillion said slowly.
She did not smile this time or give any of her usual "positive' vibe.
She simply said "Let's go"
*Gibraltar: Watchpoint Morrison's Office*
Commander Morrison's office is smaller than he thought, the only decorations in the room are a carpet and a small bar next to the door. The rest of the room is filled with file cabinets, multiple TV screens of various countries and a standard desk and chair. It looked more like a principle's office than anything else.
"You do realize what you are asking?" the Commander asked, his eyes narrowed as he stares at Quillion.
"Yes sir, I will volunteer to be soldier for Overwatch until I deem it as an enemy" was the reply.
Lena stood shocked at the side, though he did say that he will join them, he did not give any indication that he still doubted them.
"Interesting" Jack said "Very interesting... So you will turn traitor when you decide that we are the enemy?"
"Yes sir, forgive my bluntness sir, but I did just wake up into a new world. I must make precautions for myself"
"And if I refuse to recruit you?"
"Sir, you will be losing a valuable asset sir"
Morrison's eye's narrowed even further.
"Explain"
"Sir, I know from observation that you are understaffed and those that are available are volunteers. If I choose to join Overwatch then you will be guaranteed a fully capable soldier"
Morrison's eyes shifted to Lena for a moment before asking.
"Who told you we are understaffed Corporal?"
"No one sir" Quillion lied "The Hangar has no guards until the Commander and his men entered and the Medical Officer Mercy was the only person in the Medical Bay, which I suspect the Medical Team is with the Omnic Genji, sir"
"And I supposed you may have noticed that the corridors are mostly empty when Lena allowed you to escape from your cell?" Jack asked calmly.
"Yes sir"
The Commander thought for a moment, weighing possible options before finally replying.
"It is true we are understaffed and we need men, but you are unreliable"
"As long as Overwatch are the good guys, my loyalty is-" Quillion began but was cut off with a wave of a hand.
"No, I know you will not betray us if YOU are the 'good guy', as long as Overwatch recognizes you as a 'good guy' we will have no problems" Jack said, leaning back on his seat "By unreliable, I meant your abilities"
Quillion stood stunned. Though he rarely brag about his abilities, he knows his abilities are above any standard soldier.
"Sir?"
"You are one of the first test subjects for the Soldier Enhancement Program were you not?"
Quillion stared back.
"Because you were one of the first test subjects, you were gifted with talents. Those talents are to dramatically shorten the time to train a soldier by granting them abilities that usually takes hundreds of hours of practice and maintenance to gain"
Lena shifted a little on the side as Morrison revealed this information. She was so used to this being private information that she tried to give signals whether she should leave or not.
"You were one of the few who survived but side effects are inevitable, especially for that early stage of experiment" Jack continued, grabbing a file and flipping it open "For example: Lena found you unconscious after you destroyed 5 Bastion Units in Malaysia next to your own vomit?"
"That was because I breathed in those fumes"
"Tell me, did you puke before or after you breathed in the fumes. Do not lie to me, I will know"
"I... Before"
"According to the reports, the fumes should've killed you"
Quillion said nothing as he processes the information.
"She took a bit of your blood and found unnatural high spikes of adrenaline in your bloodstream, so high that it combated the poison. Furthermore, you recovered within 2 days with minimum medical attention and was even able to sketch an above average image while calling it... Chicken scratches?" he picked up a sketch book that Quillion immediately recognize.
"Which leads me to conclude, your unique abilities would be to increase your adrenaline to increasingly high levels to speed up your reflexes and reaction time BUT cause extreme dizziness?"
Silence fill the room when Morrison finished his assessment for a long time before Quillion decided to answer.
"Y... Yes sir" Quillion said softly, grudgedly impressed that the Commander managed to piece this together within a few days.
"This is what I would call unreliable" Jack said "I will assign you to go through Basic Training first before allowing you to go to the front lines"
Quillion's eyes widen "Sir, I am combat ready and I am already better than an average soldier"
"You are better because that's how they engineered you, but you need to be better than talented before we can think about using you... Private" Jack said flatly.
"I... Yes sir..."
"Lieutenant Oxton!"
Lena snapped into attention so quickly that it would've been funny if it weren't an order.
"Yes sir!"
"Take Private Zero to the Armory, I believe Torbjorn has something for him"