*Gibraltar: Armory*
"Welcome Private! If ya got anything that needs fixin' or upgradin', this is the place to be" the Swedish said loudly over the constant banging and hissing behind him.
Unlike the other departments that are generally tidy or clean like a hospital, the Armory felt like a blacksmith's heaven. There are traces of ash and marks all over the room and a hint of smoke in the air.
Multiple tools have been arranged systematically on the walls, rows upon rows of machinery endlessly pouring molten metal into multiple pots. But most importantly is the end result as Quillion observe the rows upon rows of ammunitions being churned out of the factory.
"Heya Torbjorn, Jack said you've got something for Quil?" Lena said cheerfully, happy that she is surrounded by loud noises.
"Ahh yes, Private! Come get your armor!"
Quillion walked over and saw that his armor is no more than a standard flak jacket.
"Well, at least these are still standard issue" he said, trying to sound grateful.
"Lad... Laddie..." Torbjorn replied "Come here..."
Quillion leaned forward (or downwards) closer.
"Listen... NEVER CALL MY BABIES STANDARD!" he roared into Quillion's ear deafening him as Lena laughed.
Quillion staggered back, a hand over his ringing ear as Torbjorn snatch the flak jacket away from him.
"Look here" he said, opening the pockets and pulling out the plates.
"This is what I'd call Dragon Skin right? Look at these scales, these here can eat grenades for breakfast!" he said as he brush his finger across the scaly plate.
"I thought the military tested that design and found it lacking compared to normal plates" Quillion said, a finger still in his ear which is still ringing.
"That's because no one has ever fought a real dragon before!" Torbjorn exclaimed "But I have! And I gave this a bit of tweaking of my own, if you don't believe me, follow me"
He immediately walked off with a huff, partly annoyed and partly excited to show off his work.
"Common then! This should be good" Lena said as she followed him.
A short distance away seems to be some sort of testing chamber with multiple targets, dummies, walls, and poles littered around the small clearing, markings from whatever projectiles shot at them can be seen and the air smells of gunpowder.
"Here!" he shoved a familiar weapon into Quillion's chest. It is his XM-80! He eagerly inspected his weapon and checked every function. Besides it being somewhat cleaner, it is still the same rifle he parted with.
"That thing there is old tech, but it works from what I've heard" Torbjorn said as he looked unapprovingly at Quillion's excitement to have his rifle back.
"Oh she works alright" was the reply "So, I suppose I am to shoot at that jacket?"
"No, if you shoot at the jacket I'll have to patch it up, you shoot at the plate" he said as he pull out the Dragon Skin and hanging it on a hook at the middle of the chamber.
"Oh right, catch" Torbjorn said, throwing Quillion a full magazine "That is also from your backpack, gotta say, those look nasty"
"Think your Dragon Skin can handle it? These bullets are built to destroy Omnics ya know?"
"Ha! It'll think you just threw lotion on it"
Quillion smiled at the challenge as he loads his weapon and prime it for some action, the familiar hum meets his ears.
"Ok... 3, 2, 1, Fire!" Torbjorn shout as he and Lena put on their ear protection.
Raising his rifle, he fired 3 rounds straight into the Dragon Skin, its armor piercing payload exploding upon impact. Smoke filled the air and they saw the pole fell backwards onto the ground with a loud clang.
Quillion looked back at the two with a triumphant look on his face as he flipped on the safety switch.
"Oh? Feeling confident now aren't we?" Torbjorn said with matching glee.
"I think I dented it pretty badly yeah" Quillion replied, unfazed by the latter's confidence.
"Why don't we all go give it a look?" Lena interrupted.
The 2 men rushed forwards as Lena blinked between them to inspect the scale.
"Still think my babies are just standard?" the Swedish man said.
"Well... I must admit... It is definitely above standard" Quillion confessed.
"Looks like you haven't lost your touch Torbjorn!" Lena quipped happily.
Besides some slight black markings, the Dragon Skin is unscratched.
"My gift, to you" Torbjorn said with a dramatic flair.
"So... Why do I get to receive this gift? Seems a bit too generous" Quillion asked.
"What are ya talking about? Every fulltime soldier in Overwatch wears this" Torbjorn answered simply.
The Private's eyes widen in surprise. Every "fulltime" soldier?
"How many fulltime soldiers does Overwatch employ?" Quillion said, turning to Lena.
"You would be the 20th I think"
"That's it?" he wondered out loud "And here I thought they're giving these out like..." he glanced quickly at Torbjorn, who is looking at him, seemingly ready to shout again if he said something wrong "The quality armor that it is"
"Put it on, see if it needs some adjustments" Torbjorn said, passing him the vest.
"Why don't the rest wear this?" Quillion said as he tried it on, finding that it fitted him nicely "Maybe not that Reinhardt but someone like you"
"What me?" Lena asked back when she noticed that the question is directed to her, to which Quillion nodded.
"See Lena? Like I told ya, even he agrees that you need some armor yourself" Torbjorn added as he inspects the harness.
"And like I told ya before Torb, I don't need no platings" Lena replied with a huff.
"Don't call me Torb ya little cheeky..." Torbjorn grunted as he finishes his inspection. "Alright Private, come over to sign the papers then the vest is yours, take care of it and it'll take care of you"
"Thanks Torbjorn"
"Ya know, I can give that rifle a bit of tweaking if you want"
Quillion looked at him and back to his rifle, an upgrade does sound like a good idea.
"As long as I go over the details with you"
"Come into my office" Torbjorn said excitedly.
*15 minutes later*
"He's... Quite a character... My ear is still ringing" Quillion said as soon as the door shut behind them.
"Don't mind him, he just loves his job" Lena quipped "Anyways, time to show you around properly this time"
She toured him throughout the base, showing him the locations of the Mess Hall, War Room, Medical Bay and the Barracks.
"Here is where you'll stay, I think tomorrow you'll meet the Drill Instructor"
"Who funds all these things? Even if you cut every corner you can, all this would still cost quite a bomb" Quillion asked in amazement.
"We have some... Sponsors" Lena winked.
"Well... I guess those are quite some sponsors" he replied "Well, thanks for showing me everything around here"
"Almost everything, all that's left are the Private Quarters and the Bowling Alley" Lena said.
"A what?"
"Alright luv, I have a mission to attend to so have a good time in Basics!" Lena said with a smile before disappearing.
"B-bowling... Alley...?" he said to himself in wonder.
*Monaco: Casino Monaco*
Maximilien adjusted his tie in the mirror as an Omnic butler carefully polish his shoe.
The day is finally here. The day he worked so hard for.
"You may leave" he said to the butler, who stood up and bowed before backing away.
"Is everything to your satisfaction Mr Maximilien?"
He looked down and saw that his shoe is spotless and shining.
"Yes, thank you, ensure the guests have the finest that Don Rumbotico has to offer"
Bowing, the butler left the room.
"Finally, after 10 years, I have succeeded" he said to himself before looking at himself in the mirror one last time before leaving.
As he walked down the decorated hallway he casually readjusted his suit again, ensuring his perfect appearance is up to his standard, he must be perfect today.
Stopping at the middle of the hallway, as was his habit, he will look up towards a picture.
Of the many portraits and decorations that he had bought over the years, this by far is the cheapest but most significant.
The picture showed a team of Omnics holding a signboard bearing the words "Equal Pay" outside of a construction site.
Accessing his memory banks, he replayed that fateful day.
*Monaco: 10 years ago*
"The company has agreed to increase the pay for humans while we still work practically for free!" an Omnic said angrily to the gathering crowd outside of the company.
"We cannot allow this to continue! We need to sustain ourselves too" another added.
"Nothing will change... They look at us only as machines, not Omnics" an older model sighed.
"We are not just machines!"
"No but we are machines nonetheless!"
The crowd began shouting and arguing with one another, splitting into two groups, one mainly consisting of older models and another consist of newer models.
Above them is their latest model, an Omnic designated as Maximilien, who observed the crowd with great interest.
"I knew I'd find you up here" he heard a voice say, recognizing it is Marco.
"It may not be too safe for you to be here" Maximilien replied as the young man slip through the many bars to sit next to him.
"I've seen worse" Marco said as observe the angry Omnic below.
"It could be different this time, the newer models would cause problems"
"Common... How bad could it get?" Marco exclaimed as he drank a mouthful of beer that he brought.
"The Omnics make up 80% of the workforce here and they are getting restless because of unequal pay"
"You are all just machines, a bit of reprogramming then everything will be fine again, besides, what would machines use money for?"
Maximilien chuckled.
"What is your opinion for this Marco? Should we have equal pay?" he asked, to which Marco immediately scoffed.
"No way, machines have always worked for free, why should that ever change?"
"The world is changing and Omnics are becoming increasingly more aggressive everywhere"
"Bah, no point talking with you, you're not even listening to me" Marco said annoyingly as he finish his drink.
Ignoring the insult, Maximilien continue to watch in silence as Marco stands up.
"Common Max, let's get back to work" he said.
*Monaco: 8 years ago*
"Equal pay! Equal pay!" the Omnics shouted outside the gates of the construction site, Maximilian joined the crowd as they ignore the manager trying to calm the situation down.
The crowd does not only consist of Omnics, as some humans joined their strike, though Maximilien is annoyed that they are raising symbol that Mondatta uses rather than fighting for equal pay.
Coming forward to try to talk to them was the oldest model Omnic in the corporation, Bolts.
"We have agreed to worked for this pay, why are you reacting this way?" Bolts shouted.
"That is because it is an old contract that is degrading to every Omnic here!" a shout called out which was echoed. As the shouts intensifies, the humans began chanting "One in Iris!"
This continued for some time before a bus appeared and a group of Omnics walked out. Maximilien noticed that these models are newer and seem to have more functionality compared to them.
Encouraged because everyone thought it is more numbers to their ranks, the crowd cheered and their chanting grow louder.
However, to everyone's shock, the Omnics ignored the crowd and walked straight into the site, the leader in front. Everyone watched as it shook hands with the Manager.
Everyone held their breath as the Manager stood back onto the platform.
"The company has met some hard times and therefore we will be cutting the workforce immediately. The company has decided that the newer models from year 2066 will replace all previous models starting from today"
The crowd was silent from unbelief at this news. They lost their jobs?
"No! You can't just let us go!" Bolts shouted, running back to the manager.
But it fell on deaf ears as the new models enter the site and began working, uncaring what will happen to the crowd.
They continued protesting for a few weeks before they gave up as it is not producing any results.
First they collected what little they have to support one another and started a charity for themselves, however, even their supposed "supporters" disappear a few months into the donations.
The first few months all of them looked for jobs, however, the stigma against Omnics due to the result of the First Omnic Crisis is rampant throughout the country, many ignored them and left them to rust as many businesses hired humans over them.
Maxilimien shuddered as he remembered how they ran out of money for maintenance and clothes as they scavenge through the streets for discarded parts. Even beggars looked at them in disdain and began attacking them as they begged on the streets for money, shouting that they need the money more than any machine.
It was not long before they began doing the unthinkable.
Tearing one another apart for parts.
The broken were the first to be disassembled, then the older models, soon every model is a target.
He remembered the rust growing all over his body, he remembered the desperation that forced his hand upon his fellow Omnic, the different model parts he installed upon himself.
It was during these desperate times where they began turning to other things, some turned to the failed religion of Mondatta, who will not shut up about uniting everyone, some betrayed their own principles and become slaves to other organizations.
The majority however, turn to crime and Maxilimien soon found that his processor thrives within the realms of gambling.
He held illegal gambling competitions from the games that he created, using his own algorithms and methods, his games became the most popular method to gamble within the underground organizations, his philosophy for his games is 'Simple but not Easy' and 'Easy but not Simple'.
From his games he quickly became the crime lord in Monaco, though not by peaceful means. He remembered that he had to brutally crush the most stubborn of oppositions and some of his more ambitious "followers".
Once all his opponents are destroyed, he invested into many legitimate businesses, earning a status that demanded the respect of everyone around him.
He infuriated the authorities as his influence grew rapidly whilst able to cover his illegal activities with a level of precision that even the factory that made him was shocked at his efficiency.
Unbeknownst to them that Maxilimien has poured most of his wealth into upgrading himself to his maximum capacity and potential, so much so that most of his hardware is still superior to any Omnic models to this day.
But the most precious file in his memory bank is walking back into the office of his previous boss and bought the company.
Using its resources he made his ultimate vision come true. A casino of his own design that hosts his games, legitimizing his creation to the public.
Movies and books have been made in his honor, a story of success birth from tragedy skyrocketed Maxilimien to celebrity status.
*Monaco: Casino Monaco*
And today. Today shall be the final chapter of the story that stemmed from a protest.
Today, his efforts has officially dethroned Las Vegas as the Gambling Capital and Entertainment Capital of the World.
The butler returned and see that Maximilien is staring at the picture.
"Sir? It is time"
"Tell me Bolts, do you regret any of it? Supporting the humans who discarded you?"
Bolts stayed quiet as Maximilian walked pass him and into the ballroom.
Applause filled the room as he walked towards the stage to receive his award. He scanned the stage once more to ensure that the people who will sign the documents are all high ranking members of the Gambling Association before delivering his speech.
"Thank you all for coming. 10 years ago I was but a humble Omnic on the streets, but I have a vision. A vision that all humans and Omnics will have proper jobs and opportunity to grow. I have made the world's first casino that is completely operated by Omnics and..."
*2 hours later*
As people began to leave, Maximilien returned to the gambling floor, observing the steadily increasing number income he is earning per second.
"That was a good speech Maximilien" a man said as he walked up to him, wearing his usual formal white suit.
"What are you doing here?"
"You sound surprised, why shouldn't we be here?"
"We?" Maximilien repeated, scanning the floor once again and he saw Widowmaker at the Roulette table.
"Am I to understand that you wish to discuss business?"
"Just a few words" Ogundimu said.
"Very well, how may I be of service?"
"From your recent achievements, it will be safe to assume you will have a substantial income?"
"That is correct"
"We will need a 200% increase in our funding from your casino"
Maximilian shot him a look, an action that displeases Doomfist.
"Would that be a problem?" he asked as he placed a hand onto the Omnic.
"Even with my resources, that sort of money is difficult to move"
"I have established a front in Egypt that you may use for your laundering"
"Regardless, 200% is..."
"Remember our goal Maximilien, our plans has never been about money, you do well to remember why our last chairman has to... 'Resign'"
"I do not believe I signed up for this" Maximilien whispered quietly.
"But you did. Make it happen"
Hey guys, due to my inexperience and compulsion, I think I should not have posted Chapter 13 on Tuesday, so I apologize if that has caused some confusion for the plot (if any).
So, if I were to show my appreciation for hitting my little goals for this fan fiction, I'll just add an extra chapter to my usual 2 on Fridays.
Some of you may have also noticed that I have added Act 1 for Chapter 1's title. I am planning to have 3 Arcs for this Fan Fiction so everyone will have an idea how the story is progressing.
Thank you for your continual reading and I hope that I will improve to continue to provide a good story!