Good day everyone!
The last chapter that I posted is Chapter 18 two days ago (11th Dec 2019) so if this chapter feels a bit disconnected from Chapter 17, it could be because you may have missed the last chapter.
I have set up a poll on my profile where you can vote if you prefer this new posting method or the old one. If there are no votes, I will maintain Wednesday 1 chapter and Friday 1 Chapter.
Thank you for your interest in my story and enjoy!
*Gibraltar: Watchpoint Hangar*
"This briefing will be short!" Morrison shouted to the assembly of soldiers before him, which barely made up of more than 40 men, one half consisting the full security team of Overwatch while the other half are a mix of ex-criminals and mercenaries.
This would have been a suicidal attempt if they have not been reinforced by some of the most powerful and courageous fighters the world has ever seen.
"The Null Sector has invaded Algeciras and we do not have the manpower to push them back, so this will be a Rescue Operation" Morrison said loudly over the explosions and gunfire echoing from the distance.
"To avoid being detected, we will be using one shuttle" he continued, pointing to the largest one in the hangar.
"From past records the Null Sector will only attack areas they have not scorched, therefore you are to lead the survivors to Bahia Park"
"Captain Wilhelm and Captain Lindholm will move in first to clear a path, once it is open, the main force will search and evacuate the area of any civilians. Engineer Master Torbjorn will be dropping armor packs and turrets to provide additional fire support if required. Lieutenant Oxton will provide guidance from the air. Once all civilians are cleared, return to base. Understood?"
"Yes sir!" the soldiers responded.
"Remember, this is a Rescue Operation, under no circumstances you are to engage the Null Sector directly or assist the Spanish army"
"Yes sir!"
"Board!"
Morrison watched as the men ran towards the shuttle and spotted him.
"Private Zero!" he shouted over the commotion, stopping him in his tracks.
"Yes sir!" Quillion saluted as Morrison walks towards him.
"You are to remain here until further notice" he ordered.
Quillion stood in shock, unable to believe what he is hearing. The enemy is here! Why shouldn't he fight?
"But... But sir I..." he began.
"You are to remain here to guard the base" Morrison ordered.
Disbelief and frustration washed over Quillion's as his eyes darted between the shuttle and Morrison. Every fibre of his body has been itching for a battle ever since he arrived and now he is denied.
"Private! Stop daydreaming and get in here!" he heard his Sergeant calling from the shuttle, which Morrison shouted back.
"He is staying here, go!"
For a split second the Sergeant looked confused but quickly shook it off, closing the door.
"Wait where's Quil?" they heard Lena said in the coms.
"He ain't going, go!"
The shuttle took off almost immediately as another explosion sounded in the distance, pillars of flames formed as the Spanish Army clashed with the Null Sector.
Quillion shook in anger as the shuttle flies off towards the fight, looking at Morrison angrily who returned the stare.
"Why?" was all he could ask.
"I just sent everyone who knows how to fight over to a warzone and now you are our last line of defense, be grateful I did not throw you back into the barracks" Morrison replied flatly as he walked away.
"Report to the War Room immediately"
"Yes... Sir..." Quillion seethed, unclenching his fists.
*Bay of Algeciras*
"Attention everyone! We will be landing in 5 minutes, get ready!" Lena announced.
"Are you ready Brigitte?" Reinhardt shouted.
"As long as you can keep up with me old man!" she responded, causing him to laugh boisterously.
"Hold on!' Lena shouted as the shuttle lurched to the side, narrowly avoiding a missile.
"Papa are you alright?" Brigitte said when she saw his pale face.
"I'm fine... Just... I just feel a bit sick that's all" Torbjorn grunted.
"Landing!"
"Alright men! Let's finish this and go home!" a squad leader shouted.
Sounds of beams hitting the shuttle resounded loudly around them, causing some of the less experienced men to cast looks of concern.
"Don't worry boys" one of the mercenaries laughed "The plating is Torbjorn made, it will hold!"
Despite the encouragement, the intensifying rocking by each shot continue to worry them.
"Landing zone's hot! You all have 10 seconds to get out!"
The men readied their weapons and each said a silent prayer as the ramp opens.
"Go!"
Reinhardt and Brigitte charged out first, activating their shields, immediately receiving the incoming ammunitions shot at them by the Null Sector, who begun attacking their position. Followed closely behind are the mercenaries and ex-criminals, their weapons blazing and heaving grenades into their attackers.
The security team froze in place at the sight of their opponent. Hulking mechanics wielding heavy weaponry accompanied by a wide array of nimble Omnics that darted between the alleys or crawling over buildings is terrifying for the less experienced men.
"Get over here!" one of the mercenaries shouted as he emptied his magazine into an Obliterator before lobbing a grenade at it.
*Gibraltar: War Room*
"They have landed and have begun their search for survivors"
Quillion and Alex stood at the side as everyone watched each team advance to the highlighted zones, Reinhardt and Brigitte clearing the way with every swing of their weapons as Lena provided guidance from the air. As the shuttle flew around the city, they could see Torbjorn dropping turrets and armor packs.
"Good thing we aren't over there huh?" Alex whispered with a smile.
Quillion closed his eyes for a moment at those words, trying to get his emotions under check.
"I'd rather be there than here" he replied.
They watched silently at the squads braving through the firestorm, pulling and sometimes even dragging scared civilians out of the danger zones towards the park, that is now being protected by the bulk of the security team, who themselves are not out of the fight as the Null Sector divided their forces to attack them, though in smaller numbers.
A missile landed near a squad, knocking everyone off their feet and Reinhardt was with them immediately, his shield high as he stood firm against the hail of lasers as the men scramble for cover, activating their Biotic Fields.
Hours passed and barely any progress seem to have been made. Seriously undermanned for the task, the squads struggled to secure paths for the civilians as the Null Sector continue to press onto them.
Night came as the battle raged on, the Spanish army has been pushed back multiple times as they attempted again and again to force a breakthrough in the Null Sector lines. Though this gave Overwatch time to remain undetected as they rescue many civilians, they are slowly bogged down by superior firepower and numbers, despite constant drops of armor packs and turrets from the air.
"Commander, permission to go assist!" Quillion spoke up after Reinhardt's shield shatter for the 4th time, using his body as a literal shield again as Brigitte throws another armor pack towards him, reinforcing his damaged armor.
At first Morrison did not say anything, his eyes darting between each squad's helmet camera and Lena's shuttle, he could tell that they are at their breaking point and they desperately need reinforcements as they are now trapped in two different areas.
Formulating a plan, he gave his orders.
"Private Alex! Get tell the Hangar Crew to be ready for repairs!"
As the Private darts out of the room, Morrison spoke into the microphone.
"Lieutenant Oxton, get back here to refuel and rearm immediately, we will be sending reinforcements"
"About time!" she replied.
"Winston, Angela, meet me at the Hangar now" he said before ripping off the headset.
"Private Zero, follow me" he said as he walks out, to which Quillion followed with enthusiasm.
*Gibraltar: Watchpoint Hangar*
"Everyone is in trouble there, so your mission is to relieve them and resume the Rescue Op" Morrison briefed them as they watch Lena's shuttle come closer from the distance.
"Angela, most of the squads are pinned down at the parking lot and has been cut off from Brigitte's forces, break them out to regroup with the others" he ordered.
She nodded as she checks her Caduceus Staff.
"Winston, you will need to clear another path with Brigitte, I don't care what it takes, you must clear a way to reunite with Reinhardt and his men"
"Private Zero, you will disembark in a different location after Winston, I have already instructed the pilot where you will get off"
"Yes sir!" he replied with a salute, almost unable to contain the rising excitement. Finally, he will fight the Omnics again.
The shuttle finally arrived with a loud thud, so heavily damaged that Quillion thought it was quite a feat for any pilot to be able to fly it back.
"The ship's busted, permission to use mine?" Lena said as she and Torbjorn jumped out.
"Its is already ready with all the necessary resources" Morrison said, pointing to Lena's shuttle.
"You sure? Last time you forgotten the armor packs" Torbjorn said as he rushed over to check.
"I'm sure, go!"
"Lena, Pilot Lox will be flying, you are assigned to drop with Angela"
"Really?" she said with a familiar glitter in her eye.
"She will brief you, go"
They took off with a roar as Morrison walked back to the War Room, secretly praying that his plan would work.
*Bay of Algeciras*
"You seem like you're in a good mood" Lena said to Quillion who kept looking out the window.
"Better than Basics" he replied.
"Lena! We are about to jump!" Angela said.
"See ya in a bit!" Lena said with a wink before blinking towards Angela.
"Will do" he said.
The shuttle shuddered as it was peppered by the Null Sector.
"Alright, ladies first! Don't get yourselves killed out there!" Lox shouted in the coms.
Quillion watched in amazement as the doors swung open midflight and the two women walk towards it without any parachutes.
And jumped off...
"Are they going to be alright?" Quillion shouted to Lox.
"Yes" Winston laughed, thinking the question is for him, a reply that still makes Quillion shudder. He is still not used to an animal understanding language, let alone talk.
As if on cue, Tracer shouted "Cheers, love! Cavalry's here!", hyping Quillion up for his turn to fight.
The shuttle rocked again as a missile blew up next to them, Pilot Lox grunting as he struggled to keep them in the air.
"Go my babies! Go!" Torbjorn shouted as he threw turrets out to the battle below.
"Winston! We are over the drop zone!" Lox shouted.
Cracking his neck, Winston lumbered towards the door, his Tesla Cannon ready.
"Hold on there Winston, armor up!" Torbjorn said, slapping a strange device on top of Winston's armor. Quillion looked in amazement as the device snaked a layer of metal around the existing armor.
"Thank you Torbjorn, see you back at base" Winston said before leaping off the shuttle with a roar.
"Pilot! Just so you know I can't jump off a plane like they can!" Quillion reminded, causing the other two to laugh.
"Don't worry, I will be landing for your designated zone!"
The shuttle lurched to one side as Lox spun it around at high speed, sending some crates crashing to one side.
"Careful! I may make them look expendable but these are precious hardware!" Tobjorn shouted as he continues to throw his turrets and armor packs out to the squads below.
"I'm sorry but if you haven't noticed, the sky is literally exploding!" Lox shouted as he avoided another missile shot at them.
"And I already told you all, my platings can withstand whatever those scrap metals can throw at us!"
"I do not plan to put that to the test! Hang on to something!"
They lurched upwards straight into the sky, sending more crates crashing to the back of the shuttle.
"My babies!" Torbjorn cried out "I swear Lox when we get back, I'm going to kill ya!"
"Just shut up and let me fly!"
Suddenly a small explosion erupted from the left engine, causing the shuttle to bank heavily towards the left.
"That's impossible, no Null Sector scrap metal can penetrate my armor!" Torbjorn shouted.
"It is not them! One of our engines just blew up!" Lox shouted as he struggled to keep them in the air, flipping switches rapidly.
"That's even more impossible! I personally trained the crew!"
"Apparently one of them made a mistake ya Scottish moron!"
"For the last time! I'm Swedish!"
"Can you just get us out of here?!" Quillion shouted as another missile blew up next to them.