*Russia: City of Izhevsk*
It has only been two days of brutal contest for the city.
Two days of death and fire.
Men and women groaned in pain as they are escorted into the last defensible position left intact. The center of the city, where the last few remaining HSI squads, three artillery guns and a fraction of the Osvoboditel' Scout Battalion reinforced their positions.
Combined with the Conscript Division, only 200 fighting personnel remained.
Overall command has been passed to HSI Officer Gabriel, who now spends most of his time hovering over the city to inspect the perimeter.
"It is still not too late for us to retreat to more favorable situations" Tom said as he hovers with him.
"Shouldn't you be down there with the wounded?" he sighed.
"Yes, but we have run out of medical supplies hours ago, there is nothing more I can do for them"
Gabriel looked over to the horizon and imagine a large UN force is coming to their rescue, but all he sees is a partial Null Sector force that is getting ready to wipe them out.
"Do you have any plans to get us out of here?"
"Well, I suppose if we ask them nicely, we might have a chance" he replied sarcastically.
Tom ignored the sly remark and ask another question.
"I've been wondering, why would the Null Sector dedicate so much resources to destroy us? Surely just a few hundred more would be enough"
Gabriel did not answer. This has been bothering him as well.
"How about the rest of the world? How are they holding up?" Tom asked again.
"The Americas, Canada, and Europe has reported heavy invasion since the extremists launched their attack"
"Shouldn't we be there instead of here then?"
"They have been warned beforehand and they should be prepared to handle it, therefore the UN asked us to remain here to contain the situation"
Looking down, Gabriel notice a lone man standing over a pile of rubble, covered from head to toe in ash.
"Who is that?" he asked.
"He is the Lieutenant of the Conscripts. He refuses to tell me his name" Tom said after a short scan.
"And what is he doing there?"
"He insists that he feels better closer to danger, something that does not make sense"
"To an Omnic"
"You know, it is because of that sort of reasoning some of us turn to the Null Sector"
"Go back to the wounded, do what you can"
With that they parted.
"Lieutenant" Gabriel said as he landed.
"Afternoon" the Lieutenant greeted back emotionlessly, offering him a cigarette.
"Always worse when it's quiet eh?" he asked, accepting the smoke.
The Lieutenant nodded, his hands trembling slightly as he takes a long drag from his cigarette.
"What do you think our chances are?" he asked.
"Well… The artillery crew knows how to shoot now… I'd say we have a pretty good chance" Gabriel said.
Both men chuckled bitterly at those words.
"Since they know how to shoot, what is the plan?"
"The guns will face the main streets converging to the base, whatever those Null Sectors throw at us, I want to give them a bang of a welcome once the walls go down"
The Lieutenant nodded in agreement, no point for long range firepower anymore anyway.
"Help me understand one thing, why are they still attacking this city? The could've just walked around it and continued to Moscow"
Gabriel thought a moment before answering.
"I do not know. Either pride or bad programming"
"Pride?"
"They are programmed to be somewhat like us, they just can't understand why. But my money is in programming, since the Crusaders in Germany reported that the Null Sector just march onwards without thinking and this city happens to be in the way"
Sighing the Lieutenant put out his cigarette.
"Where will the Conscripts be?"
"There is nothing more your men can do"
"You look down on us?"
"No, I was impressed, but you and a handful of others are the only ones with the will to fight on"
"I will talk to them and-"
"Throw them back into the meat grinder? I don't think so"
When Gabriel saw a mixture of disappointment and anger in the Lieutenant's face, he added.
"But if you can arrange spotters, that would be helpful"
"I will do that"
"There are three entrances to base, none of them can fall, the moment they do, it is over"
"Noted. When will they attack you think?"
"Soon"
*Half an hour later*
Hundreds of Nullifiers marched towards the middle of the city on main street, foregoing all strategy or tactics and in a parade formation as if they are some heroic liberators.
The sight angered the locals but they could only report back what they see as they silently observe from whatever ruins they could hide in.
Stopping before the makeshift wall, a Behemoth walked up to it and the guards raise their weapons.
"People of Russia!" its voice boomed, echoing in the air "You have fought well and-"
Its head exploded in a shower of sparks and before its body even hit the ground, the ruins came alive with concentrated firepower from all sides. It was so sudden and efficient that the Nullifiers are destroyed within a minute.
But this victory did not bring any cheers, only pats in the back as the Scouts quickly and silently relocate, knowing full well that the Nullifiers had sent their location back to their guns.
"That was amazing" the Lieutenant admitted.
"Indeed, the Osvoboditel' lives up to their reputation" Gabriel said.
Multiple reports began pouring in that the Null Sector has begun advancing its main force towards the center.
"Well, let's hope they will exceed expectations"
"HSI, give them a barrage" Gabriel ordered and his soldiers flew into the skies.
The battle for the city erupted in renewed fury, the combined skill and training of the Scouts and HSI proved lethal as they force the Omnics to pay dearly for every feet they trod upon as every trick in the book is dealt.
Mines, bombs, and traps have been littered across the city and the underground sewers are used extensively. Decoy machine gun nests and dummies confused their scanners as nearby fires or heat sources disguised them.
Hit and run tactics confused the invaders, scattering the main forces into groups where they are promptly destroyed, either by ambushes, waiting HSI rockets, or even leading them into their own artillery.
Their efforts have effectively made whatever attempts to break down the walls manageable for the defenders, who are now manned by mostly injured Scouts or Conscripts that the Lieutenant could convince to go back to the fight.
"We can win! We have a chance!" the Lieutenant thought, permitting himself a fragment of hope.
But when he saw the Scouts and HSI returning to resupply, he noticed that their numbers are steadily decreasing, wiping away any hope that he has.
Though they are winning many battles, the Null Sector can easily afford the high toll demanded by the defenders.
*Egypt: Somewhere along the Nile*
"Thanks for the ride partner" McCree said as they got off a medical transport, adjusting the large bag on his shoulder.
"Tell me again how you convince them to let us on?" Ana asked.
"Well I just said we are pals of Dr Zigler and I got some buddies here that can fix my arm"
Checking the time, Ana shot another sleep dart at the body bag.
"Whoa there, we don't want to overdo it now" McCree exclaimed.
"Do not worry, I am personally monitoring the dosage"
"Personally? There ain't no one else here"
"Common, we need to be there before sunset"
"How far exactly is this place?"
She did not answer, instead she just walked, trekking over sand dunes, stopping ever so often to make sure McCree is still following her or to shoot the body bag.
"How many more darts do you have? Cause we may need to save one in case he wakes up ya know?"
"I have enough" she replied simply.
That being said he decided to shut his mouth, saving every ounce of energy he could as the desert sun hangs over them.
"Wonder how is Genji doing" McCree thought.
After Ana saved him from Reyes, Genji and Maximilien are already long gone without a trace, now they are back to square one.
As they walked, he noticed that they are walking deeper into the desert and away from civilization.
"If I don't know any better, I'd say you have a hole buried somewhere?"
"Something like that. But not like that" she added when she saw his face.
"In case you didn't notice, this 'prisoner' is as bad as they come"
"So you support his decision in Venice?"
McCree said nothing.
Though it is true that he thinks Antonio should pay for his crimes at the end of a barrel, it should not have led to the downfall of the one place he could call home.
And though them man who pulled the trigger deserves the same fate, he secretly fears that history will repeat itself.
"Then what are we doing out here? We should be looking for Genji or Maximilien"
"All in good time, we just need to get your arm checked out"
"I can still shoot with my right"
"Trust me, to get Maximilien, you will need both arms and… Less baggage" she added, looking at the body bag.
"Speaking of which, how much further?"
She squatted down and, as if by magic, lifted a chain from underneath and gave it a tug, revealing a trap door close to them.
"Well… I gotta say that's impressive" McCree said as he watch her climb down.
Once inside, he gave a sigh of relief to be out of the sun before looking around.
Though her "camp" is simple and plain, he was impressed.
They are inside a seemingly forgotten steel container that has been buried under a few feet of sand. There is a kitchen, a table, and a computer with a wire extending to the surface.
"Very cozy, but I do not think we can keep him here"
Ana chuckled.
"I agree, he will be placed in the other room"
"Other?"
Pulling a piece of steel from the wall, she revealed a dark tunnel, leading to another container.
"You're still just a bundle of surprises aren't ya?"
"This is where Egypt discards all their containers back in the day"
As they make their way through the maze of containers, McCree saw many impressive sights. A small armory where hundreds of small darts are laid out neatly, some toiletries, and even a small library with an old holovid.
"Looks like you've been busy" McCree said when he saw multiple pictures of Ana and Maximilien scattered throughout the table.
"Put him on the bed"
Laying him down on the bed, McCree aimed his revolver carefully at his chest and Ana slowly unzips the bag. To their relief, Reyes is not feigning sleep.
Ana quickly fills a bag with what McCree guess is the sleep potion and inserted the needle into his arm.
"There, he should not wake for another few hours"
"Great, now we can find Genji" McCree said as he holsters his revolver.
"He will not be too hard to find, first lets take a look at your arm"
Sitting him down on a chair she begun her scanning.
"Where'd you learn how to fix these anyway?"
'If you've forgotten, I have some implants myself"
"I thought those are only for your eyes?"
"An eye is more complicated than an arm"
"I… Don't think that makes this any easier"
"Alright, just count to ten"
"What?"
Without another thought she shot a sleeping dart into his chest and the world became black.
"Sorry Jesse, but you talk to much" she said as she proceeded to repair his arm.
With her focus fully on McCree, she did not see Reaper began emitting slight vapors of shadow where he slept.
*Russia: City of Perm*
Large groups of Nullifiers marched out the Omnium and marched towards different directions, some are dedicated to the direction of Moscow, some are to transport ships that are dedicated to different countries for invasion or building new Omniums.
Today there will be a meeting of the Null Sector elites and main leaders of the Omnic Crisis.
And the Overwatch agents will use an underground passage to infiltrate the Omnium and install the mysterious USB drive into the mainframe.
"You sure there is nothing in there that is dangerous?" Reinhardt asked.
"I checked it with Torbjorn, it looks like it is designed only to shut down the factory" Fareeha said as she limps along with them, now back in her armor.
"Hmm… I still don't like this, it is too easy" Reinhardt said.
"Then let us hope it will be as easy as you think, we only have one chance" the Omnic Leader said.
"Can we trust your Omnics Braids? Cause I've fought them before and they were not very impressive" Torbjorn asked.
"I told you not to call me that"
"Hey, if you won't tell us your name, we're calling you Braids"
"Can we just focus?" Angela asked.
"Indeed, we are directly under the Omnium now" Braids said, waving his hand and his Null Troopers and a few OR14-NS prepare their weapons.
As they approach to a clearing, they heard loud sounds of metal grinding and banging ahead of them in the darkness.
After Braids peeked around the corner, he shot a flare into the sky and revealed that they have entered a dump where scrap metal and wire rain down from a large hole above them.
"You led us to a dump, how original" Torbjorn said.
Ignoring him, the Omnics led them to a large iron door where a pack of Slicers and a large hole is waiting for them.
"From here on we must be quiet"
"Yeah yeah, whatever"
Surprisingly the factory is strangely empty, saved for the incomplete Null Sector armies that hung on moving grills moving to the assembly halls.
"Where is everyone? I thought there was a meeting?" Reinhardt asked quietly.
"Everything here is automated and the High Council does not feel there is a need for guards"
"High Council? That's what you call them?"
"It is the closest word in English that I am able to translate" Braids said simply.
Creeping along the darkest corners, they climbed the Omnium, only once they had to wait for Braids to speak to a single patrol of Omnics to change directions.
It was not long before they climbed to the highest floor and to a door.
"This is where they are having the meeting, prepare yourselves" Braids said.
"I do not hear anything from the other side" Angela said.
With a snap of his fingers, the Slicers began their work to open the door while the OR14-NS began setting up defenses behind them.
Seeing this, Reinhardt activates his barrier as the Slicers finished their work, their sparks clearly can be seen on the other side of the door.
Kicking it down, they rushed and expected the room to stare at them in fear or put up some sort of fight, but neither happened.
Sitting down neatly in two rows, the Omnic Leaders sat still as statues, multiple wires connected to a large mainframe, sitting in the middle of the room.
"Quick, we must shut the meeting down quickly!" Braids said quickly.
"They're just sitting here doing nothing" Reinhardt complained, disappointed.
"They are all connected to the mainframe, install the program now!"
Torbjorn held onto the thumb stick and did nothing.
"Ya know, you didn't need us here, you could've done all this yerself"
"I didn't need you for this, I needed your strength so we can complete the download"
"How bad could it possibly get?"
"Fine!" Braid shouted, the constant bickering finally broke his demeanor, snatching the drive away from his hands and was just about to stick it in when he paused.
"Well, what're ya waiting for?" Torbjorn taunted.
"I am sorry my friends" they heard him whisper before inserting the drive.
Immediately the room flashed red and an alarm is sounded and they felt what seemed like a stampede coming towards them.
"We need to hold the doors while the file downloads"
"Ha! We get to fight after all!" Reinhardt shouted.
Checking her rocket launcher, she noticed that it is humming louder than usual.
"Thanks for the assist"
"I'll keep my eye on you" Mercy promised.
Gunfire echoed from the stairway and its intensity grew ever louder.
"Keep them away from here as far as possible, I'll stay here" Braids instructed.
"Oh no you don't, I ain't leaving you alone anywhere" Torbjorn said.
"As you wish"
"Come my friends! There's glory to be won!' Reinhardt shouted joyfully, his body aching for a fight.
As they ran towards the battle with the Null Troopers, Torbjorn pointed his Rivet Gun at Braids.
"What are you doing?"
"Let us get something straight here, though we are allies, I still don't trust you"
Eyeing the Rivet Gun carefully, Braids nodded slowly.
"I agree"
With incredible speed, the Omnic smacked the gun out of his hand and punched Torbjorn so hard he flew across the room.
"I am sorry little man, but this is far to important than to secure our alliance"
Walking to the mainframe, he grabbed a wire and connected himself to it.
*Gibraltar: War Room"
Morrison and the remaining agents watched in dismay as the global invasion has begun.
"What are we going to do?" Brigitte asked.
"The countries are still holding" Winston observed.
Though on their map it looks like the invasion is under control as the countries that they warned are somewhat prepared for it.
However, Morrison watched on with intense concentration, as the slightest slip of the advantages that the world holds could mean its doom.
"Brigitte, you are needed" he suddenly said.
She looked at him with surprise, he rarely calls her by her first name.
"Sir!"
"You are needed in Brazil, be ready to move out within the hour" Morrison pointed as distress calls from South America began to increase.
As she ran out of the room to prepare, Morrison turned his attention back to Russia and Egypt.
"How do you think they are doing?" Mei asked attentively.
"As long as we cut off their main supply lines, then the world has a chance to hold them back" Morrison growled.
Flipping the image to Australia, he is relieved to see its 'Mad Max' culture has prepared them for any invasion long ago.
This leaves…
"Italy…"
"What?" Winston asked.
"Colonel Smith!" Morrison called, to which the Colonel came with his notebook in his hands.
"Once the world is stable, make arrangements to investigate Italy"
"Yes sir!"
"But why Italy?" Mei inquired, beating Winston to it by a few seconds.
"Alex mentioned Venice when I was 'speaking' with him, the way the Null Sector is behaving and the fact Maximilien is funding them, this could be the possible Talon Base"
Mei and Winston look at each other with concern.
"Err… Jack… There are many other countries that are attacked, so this could be too far of a stretch"
"Why?"
Winston looked around and lowered his voice to a low grumble.
"I fear that you hope Italy is the location because it is from that incident that became the downfall of Overwatch… I think you should reconsider"
As Morrison was about to reply, Athena spoke.
"Commander, possible terrorist activities reported in England"
"Bring it up" he commanded.
They watched as multiple recording of the destruction of London Bridge is played. At first the initial explosion did not do much damage, then the second, more powerful explosion ripped it apart, collapsing it into the river.
The next scene is a very large man singing "London Bridge is Falling Down" gleefully as he revels in its destruction.
"Mexican! Biru Hantu! I know you are here!" he shouted when he finished, holding up a picture for all to see.
To their horror it is a picture of Lena, Emily, and an unknown woman who must be the "Mexican".
"If you do not come to me soon, I will kill one hostage every 5 minutes"
The camera moved to a group of people being rounded up by the Tigers.
He smiled evilly into the camera, turned around, and shot a man at random.
"Starting from now… Clock's ticking…"
The video flashed to a pre-recorded video where he continually sings "London Bridge is Falling Down"
"Athena, where is Lena now?" Morrison asked.
"One of our safehouses have just been activated, identification is Private Zero and Emily" Athena reported.
"What about Lena?" Winston asked.
"She did not enter the facility"
"Then where is she?" Morrison demanded.
When Athena could not give an answer, Morrison turned to Winston.
"Go to England and get them back, I have a feeling they are in danger"
Winston nodded and galloped off.