Hi all,

Well as you may have notice that now it is down to one chapter a week. If some of you are concern about me getting bored of the story, I'll have you know that I am not, its just that workload has sorta doubled which demanded my attention.

So this is how it is going to work I think, most of the time I will be posting on Wednesdays. If I feel that it will not be ready on the Wednesday I'll post it latest on a Thursday between 20:00-21:00 GMT+8 (WA Time).

I thank you all for showing continued interest in my story and may we journey through this together with an entertained mind :D

*Algeciras*

It has been a long time since Morrison find himself cornered in a fight.

A very long time.

Despite his strategic mind, his entourage could not keep up to provide the firepower needed to prevent the machine forces from joining each other.

Now their enemy has tripled in size and is throwing its entire weight onto the Overwatch forces, encircling them with frightening speed.

Finding themselves under siege on a small hill, they dug in to wherever they could use as cover, either digging a foxhole or behind boulders. Soon, black scorches and smoke replace the once green hill.

The mercenaries have done well to keep the Null Sector at bay, but could not create any significant damage as Morrison's full attention is towards the skies, preventing their foes from achieving air superiority.

As the hours pass, more and more wounded find themselves next to the medics, who are stationed in a small cave. Those still able to hold a gun are forced to rejoin the battle, while the less fortunate can only pray for extraction.

"Any word from base?" Morrison asked, jogging into the cave, his gun silent for the first time in hours.

"No sir, they jammed our signal before we could get a response" one of the medics replied.

Grunting in acknowledgement, Morrison glance towards the clearing where it served as their supply dump. By his estimated, they could only hold off from another major engagement or a couple of small skirmishes.

Even he himself is down to his last cartridge.

"Commander!"

They looked and saw a handful of mercenaries ran in, the one who spoke has half of his face is behind a bandage.

"The scraps are gathering for another push, if we are planning to break out, it's now or never!" he shouted while the others quickly threw ammunition into a sack that each of them carried.

Morrison sighed as he looked down at the wounded that total to a third of their force. Even if they attempt to break out, it would mean the total decimation of at least two third of his troops.

But if they stay, they will all die.

Unless…

"We hold until the Extraction Team arrives" he said firmly.

"Yes… Sir…"

"Do you think they can get here in time?" the medic asked fearfully as they watch the men rush back to the perimeter.

"Barricade the entrance, do not open it until I give the order"

Forced to conserve ammunition, the mercenaries are almost taking shots for free as the Null Sector skirmished around them, firing at their positions randomly.

"Keep your head down boys, we'll get our chance" one of the sergeants shouted, eyeing for an easy target.

"If we keep waiting, we are never going to have a chance!" one of them shouted back, their cover becoming smaller with each passing moment.

"Then go back into the cave boy, you're in the way" a voice growled from behind them.

Morrison stood tall and proud, unfazed by the number of guns pointed towards their direction, taking in the situation for a terrifying minute before he decided to take cover.

"The scraps are avoiding the chokepoints, they're planning to smash into us from all directions"

At those words, everyone who heard it gripped their guns tighter, trying to calm the rising dread building amongst them.

Though experienced, they sometimes forgot that they are still fighting an enemy that has no fear, which the Null Sector will use to its full advantage.

Seeing their morale shaken, Morrison pulled the perimeter closer to the cave entrance, concentrating them into smaller groups so their mere presence can serve as some form of comfort or encouragement.

Then the ground shook, they must've stepped on their mines that they set at the base of the hill.

"Don't miss and you'll live" Morison said, readying his weapon, the men following suit.

The ground shook again, making some men dig their holes just a little bit deeper, as if it would increase their chances of survival.

Then they came.

Four Behemoths leapt into view, their hulking mass a sight to behold.

"Fire!"

With admirable discipline, the Heavy Team let loose their missiles, blasting the Behemoths simultaneously into pieces.

The men hover their fingers above the trigger, waiting for the first wave that will surely come next.

Sure enough they are peppered with plasma and flashes of laser. They're coming.

"Hold, don't fire until you can see them" Morrison said, scanning the horizon with his visor.

Seconds passed, then to minutes. At the 5th minute, the men looked at each other in confusion.

Though they are still being shot at... Where is the wave?

Morrison took off his visor, wiped it for a moment and scanned again, refusing to believe what he is seeing.

The Omnics are firing from the very edges of the hill, slowly crawling from cover to cover.

"Advance tactical programs?" he thought, the idea of the Null Sector adopting new tactics is maddening.

If they are taking the more cautious move then that means...

"Take cover!" he yelled, throwing a man into the already cramped foxhole.

Their position exploded into a brilliant shower of dirt as mortar rounds rain upon them, their coordinates guided by the Omnics scouting at the edges.

"Hold position!"

They watched as their Commander brave through the mortar shower and leapt behind the boulder where they spotted some activity.

Immediately the mortars began shifting to the furthest edge away from them.

"That should waste their mortars for a bit" Morrison commented to himself as he made sure the head of three Null Sector spotters are secured on the tree, their lens triangulating that position.

Looking down, he saw another sight that surprised him.

He saw regiments of Nullifiers stood at attention at the base of the hill, more than enough to take them out, but... The Omnics at the forefront seem to be arguing?

The Null Sector arguing? But despite this revelation, it would be suicidal for them to try to pierce through the siege.

Then he saw them coming from the skies, a large shuttle streaking towards them.

"Cheers luvs! The Cav-" a voice cried out in the coms but was quickly cut off.

But the damage was done as the Null Sector look towards the shuttle.

"Everyone here! Provide cover fire now!" Morrison shouted.

Eager for action, the men rushed forward and soon the whole hillside is a warzone once again, only this time the humans have the element of surprise.

"There they are!" Winston shouted with a smile.

"Gerrofofme!" Lena muffled, pushing his giant paw away from her face.

"Looks like it is going to be a bumpy ride! Hold onto something!" the pilot said as she began evasive maneuvers.

"Whoa calm down luv!" Lena said as the shuttle banked heavily towards the right.

"Morrison, if you can hear us, we need flare" Angela said calmly, floating above the ground as she watches them struggle to keep themselves upright.

"Oh no!" the pilot screamed as Skirmishers flew towards them.

Just as the Skirmishers were about to open fire, they were engulfed in balls of flame and fell out of the skies.

"I'm - low, get - here now!" Morrison's voice crackle in the coms.

"Just land on the hill!" Lena shouted.

"There's too many anti aircraft guns! I can't get close!"

"I'll take care of it!"

She was about to Blink when Winston stopped her.

"Wait till you're outside"

"Oh right! Gotcha! See ya all in a tick!"

Opening the door, she was sucked out of the shuttle, enjoying the feeling of the thrill and wind in her hair when the sounds of flak guns forced her to pay attention.

"Alright, lets see what these new babies can do!" she shouted as she Blinked into the middle of a Null Sector regiment.

As she materialized, an explosion was emitted from her landing, sending multiple Nullifiers into the air.

Before they could identify this new threat, she Recalled back into the skies and saw that many are sucked into the Vortex.

Seeing the opportunity, she threw her Pulse Bombs into the cluster and braced.

Exploding not once, but twice, whatever that was caught in the Vortex did not stand a chance as the second explosion was just as powerful as the first.

Blinking towards the first AA Gun she sees, she easily cleared its crew and destroyed the gun before moving on to her next target.

"Looks like she adapted to her new gear well enough" Winston said as he observes her from the window.

"She continues to amaze us… Come, we need to extract the men now" Angela said, preparing to jump.

"Very well, open the door!" Winston called as he primes his weapon.

"Winston, have you taken your supplements by any chance?"

"I'll be fine" he grunted.

"You have a few minutes to get them ready to board!" the pilot shouted before pressing the button, opening the cargo doors.

The men sighed in relief when the duo landed near them.

"Where are the wounded?" Angela asked.

"Over there!" one of the mercenaries pointed to the slab of rock at the entrance of the cave.

Winston nodded and dropped a Barrier Projector before jumping towards the cave, Angela following close behind.

Within a minute they were ready for extraction.

Within five minutes, they are all boarded.

"Tracer! We are leaving!"

"Got it!"

As the shuttle took off and out of range of all the anti-aircraft guns, the men cheered in celebration.

"Good to see you back on your feet soldier" Morrison commented.

"Thanks! It's good to be back on the saddle!" Lena replied happily.

"Good because you have-"

"Don't you dare…" Angela said, stepping between him and Lena.

"Angie?"

"She's not ready" she said sternly.

"What do you mean? I can hold my own!"

Morrison stared back and nodded slowly.

"Lieutenant Oxton, you are to perform garrison duties until further notice"

"Wha-? Why? For how long?" she nearly shouted.

"Until I deem you are ready for combat duties again"

*Italy: Pisa*

"Okay... Let's just step back... This guy killed your dad?" Sombra asked carefully.

"Oh yes, shot him in the head, execution style" Agong said, acting out how the supposed execution played out.

"I don't believe it, you must be in your 40s? How could Quill even be this young when that happened?" Lox exclaimed.

"First, that's insulting, I'm forever 21. Second, he knows the National Anthem and he knows what my name means, and he mention that his friends swore to my name, and..."

"Ok enough! We have a caveman with us and -"

"He doesn't like that reference" Lox said quickly but Sombra ignored him.

"- we need everyone here to take down Talon, so can you not kill him before then?"

"No, I need to avenge my father" Agong said firmly.

"How about I pay you ten million dollars now to hold that off for a few days?"

"BUT I suppose the dead is not going to mind a few days" Agong added happily.

Lox stared. Is this man serious?

After the transaction is done, Agong continued to stay close to Quillion's bed, studying him carefully.

"Strange... Always thought he'd be bigger"

"So... You said he was one of the best, how many were there?" Lox asked, burning with curiosity.

"Four of them, sometimes we call them the Horseman, Zero's the Leader, One's the Damage, Second is the Tank, and Third is the Healer"

"You made those titles up..."

"No! It is the best way to teach children about their roles"

"May I ask you to do me a favor?" Sombra interjected.

"What would that be friend?" Agong ask, his tone towards her gentle after receiving the money.

In one swift motion, she slaps a cloth over Lox's mouth. Agong watched in interest as the man struggled for a few seconds before passing out.

"When Quillion wakes up, that is his name. And if he asks you about the numbers, make sure you mention Five members instead of Four"

"Why? There's always and only been Four"

"Because I'll pay you extra"

"What's the name of Number 4?" he asked enthusiastically.

"Jampang"

*An hour later*

Quillion slowly regain consciousness, his body ached horribly. He tried to stretch it out but found it incredibly painful to do so.

His first thought is to visit the Medical Bay, he needs to be in top form in case Morrison needs him to assist Lena.

Then he remembered stabbing her Chronal Accelerator, he remembered how she looked when he twisted his wrist, the terror he inflicted upon her.

He woke with a start and looked around. He saw that he is in a room with some European decoration. It is also night.

Someone is also snoring next to him. Loudly.

Shifting slightly, he looked and saw a disgusting sight.

The hated 'Agong' is sleeping on the sofa close to the bed. He has taken off his shirt and his sweat covered body is hunched over towards him, a chocolate bar in one hand.

Disgusted, Quillion slip away from the bed and snuck out of the room so he could further collect his thoughts.

Looking around he saw that most of their gear is laid out in the living room, to which he quickly collected his.

Though he only left Overwatch for at most a few days, he realized that the progress to attack Talon is too slow. Lena would have her Chronal Accelerator repaired by now, he needs to act quicker.

The door of another room creaked open and he saw Lox creeping out of it, his face red and flustered.

He walked straight past Quillion and pour himself a cup of water. He notices a slight perfume emitting from the pilot.

"Didn't think you're that type of guy" Quillion commented, causing Lox to choke on the water.

"Y-You're awake!"

"And I thought you're more cautious than this"

"What?"

"Inviting someone over for coffee could expose who we are"

"I... I didn't!" he stammered.

"Oh? So who else am I smelling from you?"

Just then the door open again and to his shock, Sombra came out of it, wearing nothing but a towel. She blushed when they looked at her direction, but winked at Lox before returning to her room.

"No... No you didn't..." he stared.

"It's not what it looks like!"

"I think I know what it looks like, I thought you're married?"

"I swear I didn't sleep with her!"

"Then what were you guys doing? Playing dress up?"

"I... I just remember that she grabbed me then I fell asleep!"

Quillion sighed.

"You know... I don't usually lecture people about this but cheating is just wrong man..."

"I didn't cheat! I woke up and saw her sleeping next to me!"

"Fine, keep telling yourself that..."

Lox stood still as a statue, his mouth open to protest but no voice came out as Quillion inspects his ammunition.

"What are you doing?" he croaked, changing the subject.

"We should be moving out soon so I need to be prepared"

"You just had suffered something similar to a heart attack, you need to rest!"

"It's nothing, I've never felt better" Quillion lied.

"Look, I know you are some big shot back in your day, but Talon is not your run in the mill evil organization"

"I've defeated some of them before, I'll beat them again"

"That's not what I meant! Some of them have their hands deep into the societal structures! Take Dr O'Deorain, she is the Minister of Genetics in Oasis! Maximilien is an icon for success stories!"

"Until a bullet flies through their skulls"

"You can't do that! They're actually important members in society!"

"It'll live"

A door flung open and Agong shuffled out.

"Oh hey, there ya are, scared me a bit, thought you'd go out on your own" he yawned.

Quillion said nothing as he cleaned his weapon, not wanting to talk to the man who is a living insult to his country, while Lox looked at him nervously.

"So, your name is Quillion, I must say that is a surprise to me"

He merely grunted in reply.

"I'm curious, who was the best among you?"

"You don't deserve any answers from me" Quillion growled.

"Oh you do, all of you swore an oath to be loyal to all Agongs"

"Not. To. You"

"Common, just indulge me for a minute, was number One really that good?"

"What?"

"Your number one fighter, Ahmad was his name?"

Quillion froze when the name was uttered.

"You dare speak his name" he whispered.

"What was his battlecry? Malaysia Selamanya? Now that's a true pat-"

Agong found himself lying on the floor and a gun pointed at his face.

"Another word and-"

What felt like a sack of bricks sent him crashing into the wall, reopening some wounds.

"As I was saying" Agong said, shaking his hand "Ahmad is a patriot, I could barely buy his action figures to finish my collection, especially the one with the parang"

"And that Oliver! Now he is a second favorite, just too bad he focuses too much on explosives eh?"

"How... How did you know about us?" Quillion seethed, his and Lox's hands over his wounds to try to stop the bleeding.

"Too bad Hazir ain't with you now, heard his skills are legendary"

"How did you know their names?"

"Weren't you listening? I have your action figures"

Quillion groaned. So that's how the country sees them? Heroes? What a joke...

"You look disappointed, why? You were our heroes!"

"And look where your heroes drag you..." Quillion sighed, his composure cracking.

"Hey, paved the way for me to become the leading drug lord in the world" Agong said with a hint of pride.

Quillion didn't expect that as he stared blankly at those words.

Then he started to chuckle... Then began laughing uncontrollably.

"You hear that friends?! This is the fruits of our efforts! A dead country with a filthy drug lord as its ruler to carry its memory!"

Lox look at him concerningly as he continues his tirade.

"Then I became an ice cube, picked up by the only person who I thought cared for me! Then wasted months of my time, playing soldier for a cowboy just to fail where it matters most!"

He threw his head back and roared with laughter, tearing open his wounds further.

"Failures! Everything we do ends up in blood and flames! Action figures? Heroes? We might as well never exist! Nothing has changed! Nothing!"

Doubling forward, he spat out a mouthful of blood, his body reaching its limits.

"Quil! Calm down!" Lox shouted.

"You are wrong" Agong commented.

Both of them look at the large man and was surprised to find his eyes teary.

"You know... I thought that it will be fun killing you, but now I see that will only fulfill your desire to die" he sighed.

"Plus, you didn't cause the country to fall..."

"Ha! We were overrunned, we were the only line of defense if you don't remember, it is our failure to hold the line that caused the destruction"

"Didn't the country surrender before your base was destroyed?"

Quillion blinked as memories, long shut behind closed doors were suddenly unlocked by his words.

He remembered his squad watched the in horror as the Prime Minister declared the unconditional surrender of the country to the Null Sector, ending any hopes for a major counter offensive in Asia.

He remembered everyone serving under his name answered his rallying cry to resist their invaders. Setting up a temporary base in the mountains, they amass their forces for one climactic battle.

But...

They were discovered by the Ministry and in exchange for the supposed safety of the country, they gave up their locations to the Null Sector.

The battle lasted for three days before they were finally destroyed.

"Remember now? You were not the cause of the country's fall, it fell by itself"

"What happened after the destruction of the base...?"

"Well, many of your soldiers ran to different cities to continue the fight, in the end the Null Sector just decided to massacre everyone"

"Wait..." Quillion thought, why does it sound like he is the centerpiece? He is nothing more than a historian.

"Tell me... What did Jampang do during all this?"

"He was fighting the good fight" Agong said.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Sorry boys, I just got a call from Widowmaker, we have to move now"

"Ahh a call from my love?"

"Where are we going now?"

"We are going to Venice, time to take Talon down"