*Russia: City of Izhevsk*
The armies have forced marched to the city of Izhevsk where they predict the Null Sector will attack as the city is situated between Perm and Moscow. The plan was to rest for a single day before resuming their march towards the Front as soon as possible, meeting their enemies in the field away from populated areas.
In hopes to boost the morale of the Conscript Division, High Command has decided to put them under the command of Major Alexander, the commanding officer of the Osvoboditel' Army.
After a seemingly endless route, the exhausted Conscript Division almost collapse to the ground when they finally reach their encampment as they lack the aerial transports to take them there in such a short amount of time.
"Poor souls, if they barely survived the march, how could they survive an attack?" Captain Maksim asked the Lieutenant as they stood on the roof a multistory carpark overseeing their division.
The Lieutenant said nothing, only to look on disapprovingly.
Maksim understood his disappointment, how would they even contribute in the fight if most of them are already exhausted from a single day's march?
The idea that he thought they could conduct a probing mission is already a distant memory, now they are to be the ones to hold the Front? The very thought made him sick.
"So when will it be our first watch?" he asked.
"We are told to rest in the middle of the city whilst the Osvoboditel' will secure the perimeter"
Maksim's heart leapt at those words.
"Good, at least the division can have a good rest" he said almost too happily, earning a dirty look from the Lieutenant.
"Do not praise those glory boys comrade, they're nothing but trouble" he said.
Saluting, the Lieutenant dismiss himself, leaving the Captain alone with his thoughts.
"That man has issues" he thought to himself when he received a call.
"Captain Maksim, this is Major Alexander, please report to this location now for briefing"
*10 minutes later*
The meeting is to take place in an apartment building at the edge of the city where the Osvoboditel' has set up their Command Centre.
As Maksim walk through the doors, hundreds of people have already cleared the floor and began setting up their equipment.
When he reached the top floor, he saw that a group of 10 or so have already assembled, each bearing the badge of the Osvoboditel' on their left breast, an emblem of a bear with broken chains in its mouth.
Major Alexander stood before them and though this is the first time Maksim have seen him, he could not help but notice that the man brims with an aura of respect and command.
The major is tall, well built, and his demeanor seem to show off experiences that few men have. His eyes are alive but controlled and his stance is nearly perfect. Maksim guessed that the man must be in his 40s as he has hints of grey hair that accompanied the black.
"Now that's an officer" he thought.
After identifying himself, he expected them to look at him with an air of superiority or distain, but to his surprise they treated him as someone who does deserve the rank of a captain.
"Now it is time to discuss the battle plan" the Major said, gesturing at the field before them.
Maksim listened with great interest as the orders were given as if the Major was conducting a play. Assigning each man under his command, he set up ambushes, defensive lines, and predictions how the Null Sector could and would attack.
His voice is confident and chose his words carefully, he seems to know everyone's strengths and covered their weaknesses with one another.
As time went on, Maksim noticed that he has been left out of many of the planning and decided to speak up when the Major began discussing administrative topics.
Clearing his throat, he slowly raised his hand.
"Yes Captain?"
"What are your orders for the Conscript Division for the battle?"
A short silence arose from those words before the Major spoke again.
"Your Division is to reinforce the center of the city and avoid battle at all times" the Major ordered.
The Captain was taken aback, they are not going to fight?
"If I may sir, why would we have to march all the way out here if we are not going to fight?"
Sighing, the Major place both hands on the table.
"With respects Captain, I do not want to send untrained men and women into battle, but High Command demanded that your Division joins us in the march"
Maksim looked around with concern that the other officers will be angered by this supposed favoritism, but each of them are looking at him with an understanding eye.
"Do not worry Captain, we are all here to fight for Russia and its people, not force them to fight" another said.
"Indeed, it would be desperate times indeed when we need your division" another spoke.
A sudden wave of relief washed over the Captain.
"Yes… This should be how should be, let the real soldiers fight and I don't have to do anything" the Captain thought to himself.
Before he could give his thanks, a frantic knock came from the door.
The Major gestured the guards to open the door and a man came running in.
"Our scouts saw the Null Sector is on the move! They will be here within a few hours!"
"The entire force?"
"No, but a Titan is following them!"
"Comrades! It is time! Show them the strength of the Os-"
The Captain looked at the Major with confusion as he stopped mid-sentence.
"Major?"
But the Major did not respond, standing as still as a statue and his mouth open as if he is going to complete the sentence.
In fact, the room become deathly quiet.
What is going on?
That is when, in unison, all of them began drooling blood around him, their blank faces staring straight ahead.
"Comrades?"
Maksim wave a trembling hand in front of one of the officers and found him unresponsive. Slowly he looked for a pulse on his neck but could not find a pulse.
In desperation, he ran to Major Alexander and desperately look for his pulse, begging for him not to be dead. He could not die yet! He is the finest officer he's seen so far!
But his skin felt cold to the touch and no pulse is found.
Gripped with fear, the Captain ran out of the room and was met with a nightmarish sight.
The once busy apartment is now filled with the silent dead.
Everywhere he looked is a body.
Many are standing upright while some remain seated. In his panic, he accidentally knocked some over and they fell ungracefully to the ground with a heavy thump.
The sound made him sick to his stomach but none more sickening than the sight and smell of the dripping blood drooling from every one of their mouths.
Combined with the fact that they died in the middle of their activities so suddenly broke the Captain.
Almost crying, he slammed the elevator button until it opens and was glad to see that it is empty as he dove in.
"This is a dream. This is a bad dream. Wake up…" he begged to himself as he stood at the corner of the elevator, slapping himself in the face in an attempt to wake up.
"No way they're dead, nobody dies like that"
He forced himself out the elevator and ran to the front doors, bursting out of the building when he was suddenly blinded by multiple lights. Shielding his eyes, he kept running and until he was quickly knocked to the ground.
"Arrest him, the rest follow me" a voice said, followed by what sound like a rush of jetpacks rocketing into the air, blasting him with a sudden wave of heat.
"They're all dead! They're all coming!" the captain shouted madly as he fought against his restraints.
Before he could say another word, a piece of cloth is shoved into his mouth and they dragged the screaming Captain into a vehicle.
*Russia: Burdenko Hospital *
Zarya waited until nightfall when she made her move, grunting as she dragged herself out of her bed and onto the wheelchair that she lassoed from the far end of the room with her sheets.
Once firmly secured, she wheeled to the door and pressed an ear on it to listen for any activities on the other side.
When she heard there is no one outside, she unlocked the door with the ID card that she has taken from a nurse earlier today.
Grinning, she quietly wheeled herself out, checking each corner very carefully with every inch. The first step is done. Freedom.
The next step, sneak past the doctors and nurses.
She has been in the hospital long enough to recognize their patterns so it will not be too hard, the only one she needs to worry about is one of the newer nurses who have too much time on his hands, using most of his time walking around and helping in various departments.
Using the cover of darkness to her advantage, she peeked a corner and saw that her path is clear.
"This is easier than I thought"
Not wanted to jinx herself, she pulled a pen cap from her pocket and threw it into the hall. Landing with a soft clatter, she waited for a few seconds and no one came. Convinced that the hallway is empty, she wheeled out.
Her heart quickened as she crept nearer to her objective. Picking up her pace, she took great care to keep herself as close to the wall as possible, ready to give herself a shove if needed.
Soon she is bathed in its glorious red glow. Stopping before it's towering body, she reached out a hand up towards it, carefully and deliberately pressing one of its buttons after inserting a small sheet of paper.
She licked her lips in anticipation as it responded with a soft but steady hum.
She watched in anticipation as one of its glass doors opens, revealing…
A frothy cup of beer.
Quickly grabbing her beverage, she toasted the vending machine before drinking its contents.
"Now that is better" she sighed.
If she had to taste one more dish that the doctors call "food", she would spat it right back into their faces.
Satisfied that she at least has tasted something else but medicine, she began whistling as she ordered another cup.
"Comrade Zaryanova, we would like you to come with us" a voice said behind her.
"Yeah yeah… To go back into my room yes?" she said nonchalantly.
"No, we are taking you to Volskaya Industries"
Turning her wheelchair, she saw two armed escorts are waiting for her, their faces hidden behind their masks.
"And why do I suddenly deserve her attention?" she asked sarcastically, draining her cup before filling it up again.
"We do not know, but we are to escort you there now"
"Right… But as you can see… I'm no longer of any help" she said, indicating her legless stumps.
The two guards said nothing, moving only to block her path when she tried to return to her room.
"Hey boys, I'm already no use for anyone alright? Just leave me alone"
"Those are not our orders"
"Well, you can tell Ms Volskaya that I don't need her help nor can I help anyone, I am fine on my own"
The two looked at each other before one gave a small nod.
He grab the handles of her chair and begun directing it towards the exit.
"I said no!" Zarya shouted, grabbing the wheels.
The other grabbed the feet of the wheelchair in an attempt to carry her out but she managed to grab one of his hands, crushing a finger with a powerful grip.
To his credit he did not shout out in pain, but he crumpled to the floor as she twist his arm, causing the chair to fall to the floor with a crash.
The man pushing the chair threw his arms around her in a bear hug and begun dragging her out.
"Let go of me!" she shouted.
In one swift motion, she broke free from his arms and used her momentum to drag him to the ground.
But before she could deliver a proper punch, his partner grabbed her arm and pinned her to the ground.
*Egypt: Cairo*
Maximilien entered his private room, just finished a press conference with the press as he is promoting to launch a new business that could potentially create thousands of jobs alongside with a slight touch of motivational speaking.
"Gullible humans" he said to himself as he adjusted his suit in the mirror.
"And this is why I hate businessmen" a voice growled from the sofa just behind him.
Maximilien froze for a split second before he turned around, seeing Reaper materializing from a cloud of smoke.
"Greetings Reaper, to what do I owe this pleasure?"
"I thought your speech was interesting, so I decided to stay, especially how you say everyone is already a millionaire?" Reaper chuckled.
"You found something funny from that? I was merely telling the truth"
"Somehow I doubt that"
"If you have listened to my presentation, it is the only logical conclusion, if you earn 2,500 USD a month for 34 years…"
Reaper shook his head in and threw up a hand, stopping Maximilien's annoying preaching.
"I am here to invite an old friend and I need your help"
If it were not for the hardware that he invested into his motherboard, Maximilien thought he would've short circuited. Friend?
"You do not seem the type to visit friends Reaper" he replied.
"Yes, and you are going to help me"
It took only a moment for Maximilien to realize who Reaper is referring to.
"You are referring to the Bastet, I hear you have been hunting for this vigilante during your last visit"
"I need the Bastet alive" Reaper grunted, ignoring Maximilien's conclusion.
"For what cause? Why not just kill it? I am sure that you have plans for the bounty"
Even with the mask on, Maximilien could feel Reaper's stare.
"Do not think all men are working for something as worthless as money" he growled.
"I suppose one day we will find out" the Omnic responded confidently.
"Tomorrow you are going to make an announcement to relocate the medical camps"
"I did not say I will help"
"Just get it done"
Maximilien stared back.
Who is he to order him around?
"What is in it for me?" he asked after he sent a message to his guards.
"Nothing"
The door opened and Bolts came in with another Omnic and stood behind Reaper, their eyes trained on him.
Crossing his arms, Reaper leaned back, relaxed.
"You sure you want to do this?"
"I think I'd take my chances"
With a soft click, both the Omnic's eyes turned red and reached for the Black Mercenary. But before they even touched him, two loud bangs threw them back into the wall.
Maximilien watched in shock as Bolts and the other guard are crackling in the corner, the light fading from their eyes, a huge hole in each of their chests while Reaper barely moved.
"Let's try that again" Reaper said, standing up and revealing his Hellfire Shotguns that he formed in his cloak and pointed one lazily at Maximilien.
*Russia: Air Space*
"There we go... Though I do not think this is an 'upgrade'" Torbjorn said as he passes back Reinhardt's Barrier Field.
After testing the weight, Reinhardt shook his head and pass it back to Torbjorn.
"It is better but maybe cut it down to 80%"
"I still do not understand how weakening the Barrier Field would make it lighter" Angela said.
"Trust me, you will see a difference" Reinhard t laughed.
"Don't you need more protection instead?"
Reinhardt laughed and tap on the armor that is hanging on a frame.
"This will be my protection!"
Angela looked at Torbjorn with concern, who merely shrugged.
"Ya gotta admit he has been quite slow lately" he said quietly.
She said no more, checking her staff to ensure that it is in complete working order.
They will be striking hard and fast now, so it is her responsibility to bring them all back safe and sound.
"It is almost nostalgic is it not?" Reinhardt said to Torbjorn.
"Yes it is... Too bad Lena ain't with us, it'll make a perfect reunion"
Angela smiled as she recalls Lena's first mission with them as Tracer.
As they get closer to their objective, Torbjorn played the message from Morrison again for their mission.
They are to land somewhere near the Front and find a way into the City of Perm, once they are inside, they are to destroy any Titan and Weapons Factory that they could find within an hour. Then they will extract outside the city as quickly as possible.
"Ha! This will be a great addition to my tale!" Reinhardt boomed.
Just as he said this, the lights flashed red and the pilot announced that they are nearing their landing zone.
"I'll enjoy the quiet while it lasts" Angela said, walking to another room to equip her Valkyrie Suit.
"Least number of eliminations buys the post-mission drinks?" Torbjorn challenged.
"Agreed. Let the best man win!"