*London Airspace: Near Heathrow Airport*
Lena was watching the final movie on her list when she realized that Quillion began tossing and turning in his sleep.
First she thought it was a sleeping habit when she notice that his movements are becoming increasingly violent.
"Quil?"
He began punching the seat in front of him as he tries to jump out of his seat but he fell back as he still wore his seatbelt.
"Quil!"
She unbuckled her belt and tried to wake him up but he continued punching, almost hitting her when she grabs him.
Some members of the crew and a few people are staring at them as Lena quickly caught and tie his hands with the seatbelts from the middle seat.
She quickly check for ways he could have been spiked but found nothing.
"Hey hey! Its fine, it's a nightmare" she said, shaking him by his shoulders.
She was surprised to see that when he opened his eyes, his once calm features are now twisted with fear.
"Where am I?" he demanded, blinking rapidly and looking around as if something is coming for him.
"It's alright luv, it's okay, you are okay" Lena said, forcing him to make eye contact with her.
"Where am I? Where is he?" he asked again, looking around.
"It's alright everyone! He's just having a nightmare" Lena called out to all who had been rudely woken up by him.
"Ahmad! Hazir! Oliver!" he called, trying to untie his hands.
"It's okay... Shh..." Lena comforted as she strokes his head.
It took another minute before Quillion calm down. She tried to talk to him about what happened but instead he quickly unties himself. Pulling out his sketch book, he immediately began sketching.
"Why... This never happened before..." she heard him muttering to himself.
"Quil?"
"I never had nightmares like that before. Never." he muttered, his focus entirely on the sketchbook.
A group of men in a beach came into view first.
There was two men shooting a bow and arrow at two targets with Quillion's and Ahmad's name on them, another digging into a medical bag that bore the name Hazir, and a huge man standing next to the targets with a clipboard.
"Are these your squadmates?" she asked quietly.
He did not hear her, instead, he flipped to a new page and began sketching a horrific picture.
It looked like a perspective from inside a glass chamber with what looked like a zombie outside of it, staring at them.
Once the sketches are done, Quillion studied them, oblivious to the people around him.
Gently, Lena place a hand over the sketch, making him jump as he looked at her.
He blinked once. Then twice.
"Lena?"
"What happened? Who are they?" she asked, pointing to the group of men in the beach.
"They are..." he began before he suddenly remembered a promise made decades ago to keep their identity secret.
Slamming the book shut he shook his head, making a mental note to burn the picture as soon as possible.
"Sorry, you should not have seen that"
Annoyed, Lena tried again.
"What about the zombie? Surely that is not something you have to hide?"
He thought about it and studied the page, checking if Jampang's name is on it or if his features will be recognizable. He shuddered as he looked back at the hollow eyes.
Slowly opening the book, he showed Lena the sketch, keeping a hand on the book in case she flips back to the squad.
"Well... I think after the war you should just start selling your sketches" she said with a smile, trying to cheer him up, also knowing that her questions will be met with silence.
"I never... Never... Have nightmares like this before... Especially one like that..." he said, feeling his face turn red with embarrassment.
Seeing his hand still gripped onto the book, she decided to ask anyway.
"Can't you... Ya know... Just break one promise? Just one?" she asked, burning with curiosity to see the sketch again.
"No... Sorry..."
"Do you even know why?"
"Just born that way I guess" he replied sheepishly.
"I suppose I can't make you promise not to have those kinds of nightmares again eh? Cause..."
She looked around and saw that some are still glancing towards their direction, whispering to one another.
"This isn't the best spot to have one ya know?"
"Ha... You'll be old and grey when that happens"
Glad that he is making jokes now, she passed the book back to him.
"I guess those chillis really did a number on you eh?"
"Unlikely... I'll need to test this theory again though"
Just then the announcement came on, calling for all passengers to return to their seats as they will be landing shortly.
"Quil! Hurry! Sketch the city now!" Lena said excitingly, pulling him to the window.
As she watch him sketch, another person is staring at them a few rows away.
"Interesting... Very interesting..." Sombra said, adjusting her hat and sunglasses before putting on her gloves.
*Egypt: Cairo*
Planning to establish himself quickly in the poverty stricken country, Maximilien made his presence known.
He stood before thousands as he attends the opening ceremony of his new hospital with the assurance that all expenses will be paid in full by Casino Monaco, bringing much needed relief to the people in the aid camps.
Furthermore, he donated huge cheques to schools and businesses, paying off debts and providing support to many that he deems profitable.
Soon he is considered as the second or a superior Mondatta. People see an Omnic who not only cares for the people but sacrifice much to actually make a difference. An Omnic who takes action, not words.
Public opinion of him soared in a matter of weeks and Egypt welcomed him with open arms as he gladly made himself at home.
"Humans are so gullible, aren't they?" he asked Bolts as they ride through the crowds in their limousine.
He did not say anything, silently shining Mondatta's shoes.
"It was so simple, throw them enough money and they'll all eat out of your palm" he summarized.
"You have indeed done a well to lie to the world" Bolts replied as he sat up.
Maximilien chuckled.
"I did not lie, they just did not want to hear what is being said"
"That you are just buying a spot for yourself in Egypt?"
"Oh, I would be surprised if they don't think that"
"Then what did they miss?"
"That they never needed me, that they are weak and never wanted to take the responsibility"
"The First Omnic Crisis has destroyed them, they were left with nothing" Bolts objected.
"Many nations have been left with nothing. Some dragged themselves out of the ashes, some simply build a casino and it placed them on the map, while some conquered the world. It has always been about themselves, they were just unwilling to do what is necessary"
"It can't be that simple, there are too many variables!"
Maximilien glanced at his butler. In normal circumstances he would have reminded him of his place, but today he is in a good mood.
"Tell me, what am I guilty of?"
"You admitted it yourself. You came in pretense to save this country but you are accelerating its ruin"
"How so?"
"In your own words, you have thrown "enough money at them", robbing them to rebuild in their own pacing, as they say, give a man a fish he will starve, teach him to fish you'll feed hi m for a lifetime"
"A quote from desperate men with no actual origins" Maximilien said lazily.
"Nevertheless, you have effectively starved them all"
"They starved themselves, I only lessened the pain of the starvation"
Bolts did not reply, only to bow his head, he had tried to speak some sense into him for years but it has always been ignored.
"I know you still have loyalties towards humans Bolt, but one day you will understand, to make them strong, we must kill off the weak as quickly as possible"
"You only believe that when you will be the richest among us all"
Maximilien chuckled as the limousine pulls to a stop.
"One must always maintain the highest possibility of success before making its next step" he said, muting Bolts through a transmitter he installed within his program.
The doors swung open, revealing two armed guards who have their weapons pointed at them.
Maximilien waited patiently as they scanned the vehicle, not wanting to waste any more time than required.
The guards nodded to one another and waved to the guardhouse behind them, opening the gate.
The limousine drove a little further down the path and reached a simple house, if one could call it that.
It is the size of a mansion but it is as plain as the desert. No decorations, no gardens, not even a flat road as the limo rocked and bounced on the rocky path. Just a large square box in the desert.
"Ahh our host is already waiting for us" Maximilien said.
Bolts turned around and saw that a man is standing in front of the house and like it, his attire is surprisingly plain as well.
His face is hidden behind a white mask, his hair tucked under a turban and robes that covered his body.
"Good afternoon Hakim, I trust you are well?" Maximilien asked.
"Greetings Maximilien, yes I am well, I hope that Talon wishes to do business with me again?"
"That is why I am here"
Though they could not see his face, they could tell there is a wide grin behind the mask.
"Please come in"
As they walked in, they were met with an almost depressing sight.
Bolts expected to see hidden treasures, that Hakim purposefully built a large plain house to hide a lavish lifestyle, but instead it was the total opposite.
The halls are empty and poorly lit, the canvases are littered with holes and tears, dust swirled in the breeze, and spiders made homes in every corner of the house.
As they entered the guest room, there was only two wooden chairs facing each other with a hookah in the middle.
"Please sit, forgive me for the lack of refreshments"
"There is no need for refreshments"
They took their seats as Bolts stood behind Maximilien.
"How may I be of service to Talon?"
"I have bought all of your assets and partners, in a matter of months I have gained more influence than what you could in 20 years without bribing anyone"
"I -"
"I am not finished"
His tone has changed, gone is the politeness that he usually displays in public, now it is the time for business.
"As we speak, I will earn triple of your yearly tribute to Talon within 4 months and I have established international trade with Russia and Italy while you smoke your days away"
Hakim looked to the guards listening in through the doors and saw in their eyes that they are already questioning his authority.
"I have Omnics will work for free and are absolutely loyal to me, so I do not need to worry about workers or loyalty. I can walk freely in the daylight without fear of arrest or retaliation while you scurry about in the night"
Abdul Hakim said nothing, stunned at the superior individual before him.
"As far as I can see Hakim, you have outlived your usefulness"
Standing up and adjusting his suit, Maximilien looked to the guards standing at the door.
"I will offer anyone who kills this man a future in Cairo, do it now"
Hakim looked fearfully at his guards, who looked at one another, then at him.
"Wait! Wait! Mr Maximilien, I... I still have a score to settle... And once I settle it, it will be a great contribution to Talon!" he implored on his knees before the Omnic.
"Very well... Speak"
"I know who the Black Mercenary is hunting, the Bastet, the Bastet who did this to me!"
Removing his mask, it revealed a mutilated face. Scars and burnt flesh covered his face and his nose showed signs of multiple fractures.
"The Black Mercenary only hunts agents of Overwatch, doesn't he? I know he does, I can eliminate Bastet for you, just give me time!"
At first Maximilien said nothing, sitting still as he studies the man in front of him before he began chuckling, which lead to laughter.
"Bolts... Would you kindly kill the guards?"
His butler's eyes flashed red and leapt towards the guards at the doors, quickly breaking their necks before they could react.
"Thank you... Thank you..." Hakim said, prostrating himself.
Only to be met with a kick in the face. Hard.
Falling backwards, he clutch his broken nose as blood flow freely from it. He looked up in confusion and saw that Maximilien has stood up and taken off his suit.
"It has been a while, I am going to enjoy this"
"W-why? I thought we had a deal! Isn't that why you killed my guards?"
"No, I killed them because they did not follow my instructions. But you... You wasted my time. I consider that a personal insult"
Crawling to the end of the room, Hakim grabbed a piece of wood on the floor and began swinging wildly at the approaching Omnic.
"I actually thought you have something to offer, but you dare to bargain with me with a task that you failed when you had power? This I cannot forgive"
"Please... Please!" Hakim begged.
"Bolts, please give us some privacy"
Bolts nodded and walked out as Maximilien rip the club out of Hakim's hands.
The beating was said to be so savage that the authorities submit to the fact that they will never find the crime lord's body, as the only way to gather him are from vulture droppings, which contain both his flesh and bones of various body parts.
The people celebrated at the news of his death, finally a scoundrel and traitor has been brought to justice. Combined with a citywide buffet that Maximilien organized to fight hunger, their future has begun to look as bright as the Egyptian sun.
But from the shadows of the celebration, an aged warrior, wearing her iconic Bastet mask, looked on with building rage at Maximilien, who is holding up a baby for pictures.
"Morrison, Maximilien is here and he has won the people. I need your help to take him down"
Greetings Overwatch and FanFiction fans!
I appreciate everyone who gives this Fanfic a read and even more so for those who has been with me since Chapter 1!
Just a little announcement from me.
Next week will not have any new chapters because I think I should spend some time to check every published chapter to polish it up and check for mistakes or rewrite harder to read paragraphs.
I can assure you that none of the core concepts or storyline will be changed, it is purely to just make it easier or attractive to read.
Once again I really appreciate everyone's support and have a good Valentines Day!