*Gibraltar: Watchpoint*
Angela and her team worked around the clock to attend to all the soldiers who went out with Morrison to hold off the Null Sector invasion, trying to keep as many alive as possible. Some have tragically passed away midflight back to base and many more are in critical condition.
It has been a while since the beds of the Ward are filled, forcing the understaffed doctors and nurses to dive into forgotten territory and work in an almost dangerous pace.
"How's the men?" Morrison asked, pulling Angela aside, who kept an eye on the most critically injured, snapping her healing between them with the Caduceus Staff in an attempt to keep them alive long enough for her team to stop the bleeding, regardless of compatibility.
"Of the 40 men, 12 have passed and the rest are either critically injured or unable to perform active duty"
"All of them?"
Angela's face is all he needed for an answer.
"He's dead, record the time" the doctor said hastily, quickly changing his gloves for the next bed.
Her heart ached heavily but she pushed it aside, concentrating a healing stream to the soldier while keeping an eye on the many monitors to snap to.
Morrison looked at his men and thought to say something to them, something to lift their spirits.
How their sacrifice today have bought them valuable time for the local army to fight them off, or that this skirmish have dug out the valuable intel that the Null Sector are no longer just unfeeling, unthinking machines, something that they could exploit to the fullest.
But the groans of pain and the almost chaotic surgeries kept his mouth closed. If this was a narrow victory, they could have something to celebrate about, but at most, this is the worst kind of victory one could achieve. A pyrrhic victory.
"I already told you I'm fine!" he heard someone yelled out from the corner of the room.
He made his way to her bed and saw that a nurse could barely restrain Lena to wrap a bandage over a cut on her arm.
"Angie said it herself! There's not enough for everyone so use this bandage on someone else!"
"Please we must prevent the infection on your arm now"
"Do as she says, she is tougher than you think" Morrison instructed the nurse.
"But…"
His gaze is enough for her to nod and move on to the next bed.
"Where's your Chronal Accelerator?"
"What do you mean garrison duties until I'm ready to fight? Why should I be grounded?"
"It must be with Winston for maintenance" he thought.
"It has been brought to my attention that you have overexerted yourself and as your Commanding Officer, I should have recognized it sooner"
"I'm fine" she shot back.
"This is not a question for your zeal or capabilities, you have nothing to prove"
She looked away angrily. It was never about proving anything. It was her fault Mondatta died which led to the suffering that millions are experiencing is all because of her own cowardice to disappear into the void again.
As punishment for her selfishness, Emily was the cost…
"This is about Emily isn't it?"
When Morrison did not reply, her anger flared.
"Who are you to try to stop me? You've gone and went on to find Reaper for years before we asked you to come back!"
"Rest. You'll need it" Morrison said simply before walking away.
"When can I go back to the field?" she called after him.
He ignored her and exited the Ward.
"Hey anything I can do to help?" she asked, grabbing one of the nurses by the arm.
"Just stay there and we will get back to you" was the frantic reply, pulling her arm free.
Twice she tried to help, twice she was forced back to the bed. In the end she accepted that the best way to help everyone now, is to not help at all.
Hours passed when they finally attended to everyone. Three more unfortunate souls have passed and many more are not expected to last the night.
She watched as some nurses broke down and had to be quickly escorted out of the room by the others, themselves barely able to keep their emotions in check. Seeing this, Angela quickly dismiss them back to their own quarters for privacy, leaving only herself to watch over the Ward.
The only time she visited Lena's bed was when she needed a place to rest as exhaustion took over, placing a chair next to her bed, with full view of the room, and used the wall to rest her head.
Lena watch with a broken heart as her friend struggles to sleep, as she will perk her head up at every erratic or unusual beep, her sunken eyes endlessly fluttering. Twice she got up to check on someone and only when she sat down the third time, she finally drifted off.
That was when Lena's stomach rumbled.
"Bugger…" she said when she realized how hungry she is.
Checking her watch, she saw that it is 5pm, which means there should still be food in the Mess Hall. Sliding off the bed, she crept out of the Ward, but not before covering Angela with a blanket. As she exits the ward she kept a watchful eye on her body and hoped that she will not begin fading.
When she walked in, the familiar smell of coffee and toast met her nose first, which she never thought would ever be welcoming.
"Lena?" a familiar voice said from her left.
Turning around she yelped with surprise.
"Fareeha?"
"Wow you've grown" Fareeha said, giving her a quick hug before sitting back down.
Helping herself to a cup of tea and some toast, she sat in front of the HSI Captain and tried to start a conversation, but she could tell that something is bothering her.
"How ya feeling luv?" she said, biting a piece off the toast.
"To be honest, not very well…"
"Hmm? Why?"
Fareeha looked around and leaned forward.
"I can trust you right?"
"Hey, remember who you're talking to" Lena responded with a dramatic flair.
"I can't remember things…"
"What?"
"I… I can't remember how to fly the suit"
"You mean you forgot what one of the buttons do or something?"
She shook her head and gripped her mug tighter.
"I just tried to fly, I can't remember anything, and everything just feels alien to me, it's like there are gaps…"
The words shocked Lena. She knew how much being a defender of the peace meant for Fareeha and how proud she was to be named the youngest pilot to pass through Basics.
"Did you tell Angie about this? Or anyone else?"
"Yes… And she had a theory. Because I was… Gone… For a few hours in the ice, my body was preserved, but part of my brain was damaged and…"
The words caught in her throat and Lena reached out to grab her hands.
"It's alright luv, just take it one step at a time, do you remember the important stuff though?"
"Like what?"
"Like… Your parents?" Lena suggested carefully, which was rewarded with a snort.
"As if I'd forget them"
"Great! You can start from there"
Fareeha laughed and shook her head when she saw Lena's childish smile.
"Looks like you've matured a bit since I last saw you"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
*Hours later*
"Thanks Lena, see you again soon"
"Yup! Remember, take it easy!"
Making her way back to the Medical Ward, she passed through the War Room and, out of habit and curiosity, peeked into it.
As usual Morrison is at the center of the room behind the control panels, saying something to Colonel Smith, who is scribbling into his notebook while a few others are just reading random statistics on their computer.
Another boring day.
She was about to leave when Morrison said something that caught her attention.
"Well… This is a surprise" Morrison said.
*Outskirts of Venice*
"Landing in five minutes" Lox announced.
Everyone strap themselves in as the shuttle began decreasing its altitude.
Their landing zone is in a small forest 40 miles North West from Venice, where a vehicle is waiting for them.
Sombra took a seat next to Quillion as Agong took up the entire row in front of them.
"I never asked, why are you tagging along with us?" Agong asked Quillion.
"None of your business"
"Come come, we might die today! No time for secrets"
Quillion sighed.
"I made a promise"
Those words must've meant something as Agong sat up straight, the chair grinding under his weight.
"A promise? Wow…"
Seeing his reaction, Quillion decided to implore further, ignoring his discomfort to speak with the pretender Agong.
"And that's important because…?"
"You don't know? What happened to you?"
"Just say it…"
"Have you been experiencing headaches? Or some sharp pains in your head?"
Quillion merely stared back.
"Oh boy… That means you've broken promises haven't you? Or thought about it?"
Agong sat back in glee, rubbing his hands together.
"Guess if I do die here, I don't have to worry about killing you, looks like you've already done it yourself!"
"Everyone gets headaches from time to time..."
"Oh no, yours is different"
"And would you know that?"
"Come come now, I'm a fan! I have to know everything about the Quillions"
Sombra shot him a dirty look, but Quillion did not notice.
"What do you mean that I've already killed myself?"
"I thought you're supposed to be smart? Do you really think the government gave you these abilities just because you say you will be loyal?"
"What?"
"You are nothing more than a product my friend, every product has its assurance, insurance, and warranty" Agong said with a sick smile.
Seeing his confused face, he continued.
"You super soldier. Government scared. Put little boom-boom in you. You break your promises enough…."
"A kill switch…"
"Oh yes, a powerful one, in your brain. Every promise you ever break will take you one step closer to…"
Agong made a "boom" noise and imitate a head exploding.
Quillion merely looked at the ground.
"Every one of you have three chances, you have at the very least two more"
"What's the first one?"
"By default, you and your buddies have to protect the country, you failed, leaving two more before your brains see the world… I hope you are down to one" Agong laughed.
Lost in his thoughts, Quillion sighed. He has broken one more...
The golden bullet crawling slowly towards him, how he moronically dodge it when he could've stopped it, how her scream pierced through the night, calling her name…
"But of course unless you are having headaches now… Which would mean you are thinking about breaking another promise?"
"I doesn't matter anymore, focus on the mission" he said, more to himself than the others as the shuttle landed with a shudder.
Even before the door is fully open, Quillion jumped out of the shuttle, wanting to leave as quickly as possible.
"Impatient guy isn't he?" Agong asked as he stretched.
"What do you think you are doing?" Sombra asked angrily.
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Why did you say all that to him? What if he figures out that what's in him is not just a bomb?"
"Just trying to have a bit of fun" he shrugged.
"How is this fun?!"
"I'm not lying when I said I was a fan. To have someone altering my childhood hero's memories with a 'Jampang' is… Mean…"
"Hero? Just yesterday you wanted to kill him!"
Seeing his face, she realized that by 'fun' is to watch her squirm. Angered, she was about to threaten him with his payment when Lox cleared his throat loudly, bringing the discussion to an end.
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Keep the engine warm. If we do not return by morning, press the big purple button" Sombra said, throwing him a small box.
"What if they come for me? I have nothing to protect myself with"
"Fly away"
"Then how are you guys supposed to…"
"I have my methods" she said simply.
With that said, they exited the shuttle, where Quillion is already waiting for them in a delivery truck.
After a short protest, Sombra managed to bribe Agong into the back with the promise of nude pictures of Widowmaker and they began their journey.
It was uneventful and quiet journey, saved from snoring from the back and beeping from Sombra as she hacks the traffic lights.
At sunset, when the city came into view, Quillion slowed the truck to a stop.
"What are you doing?" Sombra asked, annoyed at the sudden delay.
"I'd like to sketch that one day"
"What?"
"See how the sun sets at the corner there? That would be a great sketch"
The words earned him a punch at the side of the head.
"This ain't no vacation pendejo! Vamonos!"
Quillion said nothing, taking in the sight once more before refocusing his attention to detach himself, to become the machine he needs to be to fulfill the final promise to Jampang and Lena.
*Venice*
He stared as the beautiful decorations of the city met his eyes. Though it is still noon, the glass glitters and thousands of tourists are walking by, enjoying what's left of the Christmas festivities.
He could barely believe that Christmas was only a few days ago…
"I still don't understand why we didn't just drive our way in" Agong complained when they left the truck, and continued to the city on foot, each pulling their own luggage.
"If you haven't notice, there are no roads" Sombra said impatiently.
"What a stupid city" he grumbled.
As they walk, Quillion notice that Agong's massive size is attracting too much attention.
"We need to get off the streets" Quillion said.
"I already said Talon has all the back streets monitored, the crowd is the best place we can be in" Sombra said, her fingers endlessly hacking those recording them under a jacket.
Nodding, Quillion pressed a few buttons on his sunglasses and it grew hotter with every minutes as it tries to scan and keep up with the thousands of tourists around them.
They walked for a certain distance over a few bridges and when they reached an area called Rialto and a tiny harbor where a few boats are parked, Sombra stopped behind a wall with an arch facing the river.
"You see where this road is leading to?"
They nodded when they saw that it leads to a massive mansion.
"That's one of the few entrances to the Talon headquarters, we attack tonight"
*Lox's Shuttle*
Night has fallen and Lox learned to appreciate the saying 'double edge sword' when it comes to the darkness.
Leaving only the bare essentials running, Lox looked around nervously as the blackness envelop the shuttle, the trees blocking much of the moonlight. The lack of visibility seemed to have enhanced his hearing and sensitivity to his surroundings.
Every movement of the leaves that he could see, he saw. Every random branch or twig that fell randomly onto the shuttle, he heard. The worst is the chorus of ceaseless clicking in the trees, as if the trees came alive and are communicating with one another.
His leg has not stop hopping ever since they left, the floor now marked with his boot prints, one sweaty hand on the controls and the other near the crowbar that he brought.
Though he have faith in Torbjorn's craft, having seen how, even flew, the shuttles in battle, and knew for a fact that nothing short of a tank can piece through its hulls, he could not help but feel intense anxiety that something or someone will just come and crush him instantly.
To try to relax he place a picture of his family in front of him but his eyes could barely focus on it as they dart around endlessly.
"Common guys, please come back soon" he thought.
Looking at the time, it is 10:00pm.
"And I'm supposed to stay here until sunrise?"
He tried to pour himself a drink but realize his container is empty. And he is thirsty.
Looking to the back, he saw a full container near the door. It is only a few steps away. All he needs to do is to unbuckle himself, walk a few steps away from the controls, and grab it.
But for Lox, it looked like it is a mile away, each second he is away from the seat is more opportunity for Talon to kill him.
He contemplated to ignore the thirst, but the clicking noises seem to grow steadily louder because of it. Desperate to stay calm, he tried to focus his attention on whatever moonlight that pierce through the leaves.
After what felt like an hour, he checked his watch again and saw it is 10:01pm.
"You gotta be kidding me!" he shouted.
Then a rattling emitted next to him, making him jump.
He grabbed the crowbar and looked around for the source of the noise. Only when it rattled the third time did he realize it is the rectangular box that Sombra gave him.
With trembling hands, he slowly open the lid with the crowbar and saw that there are two square devices inside, each with only one big button on. Which only one is steadily growing brighter.
"What?"
In a blinding flash of light, Sombra appeared.
First Lox is confused, then happy that someone is back, then he realized something went horrible wrong.
She is barely conscious. Her face is battered and bloodied, her jacket is now torn and is filled with holes, and some of her fingers are broken.
"What happened? Where's Quil?" Lox asked quickly.
"Water…" she croaked.
Quickly retrieving the water, he pouring it carefully into her mouth.
"Button… Press the button…"
Thinking it has some sort of healing properties or something, Lox reach under her and pulled the box out and quickly pressed both of them.
And nothing happened.
"It's not doing anything!" he said, pressing the button rapidly.
After a few painful seconds, a hologram appeared from the box and Lox felt his heart stop both in relief and fear when he realize who they are.
"Well… This is a surprise" Morrison said.
"Likewise" Volskaya replied.