Chapter 2: Whistleblower

People offered me the same looks I had gotten used to around base, with the usual scowls and at times curious gazes. I'd generally try to avoid eye contact, especially because of how shaken up I truly felt from the whole ordeal a few hours ago. The dying man's words still echoed in my head, reminding me of the life I've been stripped away from. My augmentations seemed to be worsening with each passing moment, with an occasional flicker of darkness, to searing pains being sent through my head, along with a twitch in my lower left arm. At times it would jolt outward, dislocating itself from the rest of my arm. Of course it didn't hurt, but bothered me, and the unsynchronized movement could get me killed in combat.

While I was busy moving at a brisk pace to Dr. O'Deorain, I had trouble keeping my mind off of that man. Or at least what little he had to say. A woman. Megan, wasn't it? I couldn't help but get lost in my own feelings, which that in and of itself was also another problem I was seemingly trying to wrap my head around, all while ignoring passing glances. I wasn't supposed to feel this way. I wasn't supposed to feel anything. So why was I so conflicted? Even my body seemed to be in disarray, rejecting the synthetics implanted into my body after months of harmony, as if my own body refused to be a part of O'Deorain's experiments.

An agent bumped into me, his shoulder sending mine back, for once a spark of pain shooting through me for the moment, his eyes meeting mine. "Watch your step Clank." He bulldozed his way past me, though despite his words he had clearly made contact with me purposefully. I kept my mouth shut, turning a corner and finding myself outside of O'Deorain's office, for once feeling nervous outside of it. The woman isn't the most welcoming or kind, lacking some bedside manner, but all the same intelligent, deadly so. That statement worked both figuratively and literally.

Stepping into her office once she replied to my unintentionally forceful knocking, my arm insisting on being a nuisance rather than a useful limb. Her room was as sterile white as any form of lab could be, with lights both above and around the room illuminating it, barely even a shadow cast throughout the organized room. The woman raised a long, singular finger towards me, signaling for me to keep quiet and wait until spoken to. Doing as the tall woman said, I kept my left arm steady with my right one, figuring it'd be better to maintain silence. The woman's short vibrant ginger hair contrasted with both the lab coat she wore and the room itself, looking like a single flame as her bangs poked out in multiple directions. Watching as the doctor conducted some form of experiment, a rabbit encased in a glass container, O'Deorain gently petting it's head, comforting it. But in an instant her hand contorted, small metal tubes that went along her fingers began to release a purple liquid as it seemed to consume any bit of life in the animal. The poor creature kicked and squirmed, trying its best to free itself from the grasp of Moira's handiwork, but it was no use. Within seconds the creature was nothing but a lifeless husk, only faint twitches of it's paws as it released a final and painful squeak before dying. Even with most of my ability to show emotions was stripped away from me to help me become an asset to Talon, I couldn't help but feel intimidated in the woman's presence.

O'Deorain released a seemingly satisfied sigh, turning to meet my gaze after writing down something on a notepad I couldn't read. Her right eye a dark orange, the other a light blue, that feature at times dividing her face into two halves. Her pointed nose and small lips seemed to twist to my direction, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Ah, Scott, how have the augmentations been treating you?" She asked, a slight Irish accent revealing itself as she spoke. Shifting under her gaze, I stumbled. "I came to see you about just that Doctor. My left arm has been twitching ever since the mission, along with my implants near my eyes. I disabled the HUD for a moment, but my vision is a little blurry."

"Sit. Allow me to repair the damages." Moira said, and I followed her orders, taking a seat on an open desk, holding myself still as her cold fingers met my flesh. Her hands gripped the sides of my head, staring into my eyes, analyzing their movements. Frowning, she watched as they zoomed in and out at random without me having told them to. "It seems to be some form of neural shock, or something is stimulating your body's reaction and rejection of the implants. Extend your arm." The woman ordered, and I did as I was told, holding my left arm up as she glanced at it, holding it in her hands.

She released the locks on my arm, allowing her to pry her way through the metal, the artificial muscles opening up like a hatch with a familiar hiss. I watched diligently as she fiddled with wiring that ran it's way to my brain. A small smirk came to her lips, as she moved one upwards, sending my arm up as well. I frowned, raising a curious eyebrow at her. "Simply testing the wires and their connection with your spine. I may need to sever them for the moment and recalibrate them to your nervous system. You may feel a sting." O'Deorain warned, before removing the wire, a slight sting rushing down my spine, almost like an electric current. My limb went limp, as I slumped over slightly, the metallic platings holding me down like a dead weight. "This only should've happened because of a mental shock. The brain is still adapting to your implants, so any form of a revelation may send your brain into a dazed state of confusion, causing it to refuse to cooperate with the augmentations. Have you experienced any form of visions or hallucinations?" She asked and I hesitated to answer for the first time since I was rebuilt.

The doctors who operated on me insisted they never placed any sort of chips or adapters in my brain to make me think a certain way, but at times I found the thought of revolting or keeping a secret from Moira an impossibility. Perhaps it was just my way of showing thanks, not that I trusted them at all. They rebuilt me to suit their needs, not my own. That came as no surprise to me, I was well aware of Talon's ruthless reputation. I respected it rather than feared it. During my time in SWAT I must've made similar decisions. Not that I could remember.

"Yes. During the mission, the target he..." I trailed off, thinking about him. The stench of blood covering him, fear in his eyes as his pupils dilated and focused multiple times behind the frames of his broken glasses. Bruises covered his body from the rubble, my hand gripping his throat hard enough to snap bone or pierce his soft skin. "He spoke of a woman. Megan. He claimed he knew me before, something about being a fiancé to this supposed Megan. You never informed me of her. Is what the man said true?" I asked, and I noticed her shoulders tense up, before relaxing once more. "Ah. I see." O'Deorain paused, turning to me for a moment. "I anticipated this moment." Moira muttered to herself, continuing to confuse me further.

"You're conflicted aren't you? Are memories resurfacing since the man spoke of Megan?" She asked, and I shook my head. "No ma'am. I'm completely focused on our mission here at Talon." I assured her, though not entirely sure myself. O'Deorain hesitated, sending a look my way I couldn't quite decipher. "Please, it'd be better for us both if you didn't lie."

I sighed, glancing down at my shoes in shame for a moment. "Who is Megan? What was I before all of this?" I asked, determined to finally get some answers. I refused to allow them to dismiss my concerns and lie to me. No more. "Megan Pierce was an intelligent woman, who devoted much of her life to science. You both met, and fell in love. But, as we both know it didn't work out as planned. Dr. Pierce was killed by agents that found her in your apartment. You were barely clinging to life after the blast that destroyed most of your limbs and internal organs. Camera footage showed her being dragged away from you. Sadly, we only recovered her body, and were unable to save her as we did with you. By the time we arrived, we could barely even tell she was human at all. The fires had rendered her body unrecognizable."

For a moment, I let that fact sink in, trying to figure out how I was supposed to feel at the exact moment. Although I couldn't remember her, something about her death made my stomach twist into a knot. An unfamiliar pang of guilt struck me in the chest. "Why was I in that explosion? Why was I targeted?" I pursued more answers, and she shook her head. "You were researching things you shouldn't have. You investigated too deeply into things that were best left alone. Blackwatch agents came after you after you exposed some of their deeds and crimes they committed, revealing Blackwatch, a black ops division working with Overwatch, to the public. Outraged, people demanded justice. Overwatch was exposed for what it truly was, and it didn't take long for even more people to turn against them. Their corruption was put to an end, and the U.N. declared any Overwatch activity illegal. It took them years to track you down, but eventually they found out who destroyed their reputation, and both you and your former team in the FBI were murdered. Except what they don't know, is that you're still alive. That should count for something."

Yes, I suppose it should count for something. Yet I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by all of this. I was responsible for Overwatch's downfall. But I was also responsible for the deaths of many innocents, a fact the hung over my head by a loose thread. I felt an overwhelming anger towards those who had destroyed the life I had. I was silenced because I knew too much. But no longer. I'll help Talon destroy those who worked for Overwatch, along with the naive fools who still believe in them. We're better off without them. "Doctor, I know this may be a lot to ask, but may I see what remains of Megan? I never have been given an opportunity to investigate what happened myself, and perhaps I can finally get some closure."

O'Deorain watched my movements, analyzing my furrowed brows and clenched fists, able to understand the rage I felt just by looking at me. "I doubt you'll find much. It may only open old wounds. But I believe you deserve the chance to see for yourself. What you do with this opportunity is up to you. I need you at full strength if we are to eliminate our enemies." She didn't even seem to be answering my question, more of justifying her decision whilst arguing with herself about what she believed was best. The woman did talk to herself at times.

"As you wish. I'll send you the coordinates located in London. I'll try to pull some strings to grant you access to the morgue, which may prove difficult seeing as it is still being looked into by the police. But I'll do my best. I promise that you'll receive the closure you wish for. But I can't promise that you'll like the answers you find."


I sighed, glancing up at my door, reading the unwelcoming sign spray painted onto it. 'Fuck off Clank.' It read, as I grunted, almost amused by how often I found my property destroyed or vandalized, and even further amused by the incompetence of the janitors here at the headquarters. I had requested a new coat of paint for my door to hide the message, but that was over a month ago and I still haven't heard back from them. I suppose I may end up having to do it myself.

Though that will have to wait. Opening my door, I scanned the room, my HUD finally working again. I couldn't detect anything, though I was still on guard, aware of someone else's presence. I could feel eyes on me. My mind was on the opportunity that Moira had surprisingly granted me, giving me a chance to finally see with my own eyes what I had before. The doctor wasn't exactly known for her gestures of goodwill and kindness, but I suppose she had a reason. If I was to be at my best, I'd require closure to silence the troublesome thoughts that I couldn't escape from. "Lights on." I said, as the lights in my room flickered to life, illuminating the mess that was my room. Stacks of holovids and paperwork lay strewn carelessly about, covering both my desk and the sofa I had. Cracked glasses and bottles of liquor rested on the table in front of my sofa. Empty boxes of cigarettes were crushed in irritation, filling up my trash can. All of the cigarettes and alcohol was a fruitless attempt to numb the pain in my first months here. I soon found out the hard way it took countless bottles to even make me feel a buzz. Along with that, empty containers of prescription drugs were lying on the floor, having been knocked over multiple times during my attempts to grab them with my newfound limbs. The pills were supposed to help numb the pain, though I always found a way to feel something. I was still struggling to get used to everything.

I entered the bathroom to the right of the front entrance, looking at the cracked mirror to my left. A note was stuck to it, reminding me to ask for it to be replaced. I had still yet to do so. It was the third time I've destroyed the mirror. The first two were in fits of rage and random acts of needless destruction, I had found myself unable to comprehend the machine looking back at me in my reflection. This time was an accident. I simply tried to wipe away a smudge on the glass with a towel, but I placed too much strength into it, cracking the glass. Gently turning the faucet on the sink, I was careful not to break it. Placing my mechanical hands in the water, splashing it into my face in an attempt to wash away my worries. I'd find Megan tomorrow. But for now I needed to relax and get my mind off of that old man's last words.

Walking back towards my own personal kitchen, which was granted to me because of my importance to the higher ups in Talon, I opened the refrigerator. Sighing, I settled for another bottle of whiskey and some cold chicken from a few nights before. I didn't particularly mind what I ate, seeing as my body always found a way to give my body a boost of energy.

Sitting down on my couch, I attempted to unwind once again, setting both my food and whiskey down on the table in front of me. Withdrawing the last cigarette from it's box, I placed it in my lips, igniting it. Inhaling, I felt it's smoky flavor and scent work it's way down into my chest, filling my lungs. Exhaling, I watched as the smoke rose into the ceiling of my room, before disappearing altogether. "Those'll kill you, ya know that right amigo?"

I turned, finding Sombra right beside me, her bright purple gloves and dark coat seemingly brightening the room. Her dark blue, nearly purple eyes met mine as she offered a familiar and cocky smirk, her gloved hands taking the cigarette out of my mouth and setting it down on the ashtray in front of her. Her gloves were black, with a blue running along her fingers, until her artificial nails turned into a light purple. Her vibrant outfit matched her joking and confident demeanor. The nails had wiring that ran down her hands and into her arms, before being concealed by the long sleeves she wore. The coat was darker than the rest of her, though on the inside of it's collar it was as bright as any other part of her. The left side of her head was shaved, leaving the right side long as her hair ran down to the edge of her collarbone. The ends of her hair were dyed into the same purple as the rest of her. The woman seemed to get a kick out of standing out in a crowd. In this kind of place, it was a wonder the higher ups even allowed her to wear such a thing. But she was invaluable to them, her hacking skills unmatched. And a part of me feels like some of them even fear her, and with the knowledge she has on nearly everyone of her colleagues, none of them would dare cross her. Sombra's large eyes narrowed as she frowned at me, noticing my irritated expression. "Qué? What's with all the brooding Scottie?"

"Nothing. Thinking I suppose. Didn't I tell you to stop breaking into my room?" I answered, responding with my own question. Sombra smiled, shrugging in response. "Yeah, but then what am I supposed to do when I'm bored?" I reached for my cigarette once more, placing it back in my lips. "Work? I don't know. Maybe even train. You should work on that accuracy." I quipped, and she scoffed. "You should work on cleaning your room." She replied, motioning to the mess surrounding us. At that I smiled a bit, releasing a grunt of acknowledgement. "Touché."

Both of us sat in silence for the moment, as I took a sip of my drink. Lounging in my couch for once, I didn't bother changing into more comfortable clothes, instead staying in my long and dark trench coat which hid most of my augmentations. I almost looked normal with it on. My mind flashed back to the same visions I had before, of Megan, her screams as she was dragged away from me, before once again being silenced by a gunshot. Fires climbed up my limbs, burning my legs, as I yelled in agony. Next I could see Talon agents surrounding me, ready to leave before a woman stopped them, convincing them to salvage me from the charred remains of my apartment. The same woman who made me what I am today. Moira O'Deorain.

I soon snapped back to reality as Sombra called my name. "Scott!" She bumped me, as I turned to her, confused. Her eyes glanced towards the glass I still held up to my lips, which was now cracked, my arm immediately loosening its grip as I realized what I had been doing.

"Dios mío! Scott, what the hell is wrong with you? Do I need to get the doctors?" She asked, and she for once seemed genuinely concerned for my wellbeing. That was a first for me since I had been rebuilt. "No. No I'm alright. Just shaken up is all." I dismissed her concerns with the wave of a hand. Sombra rolled her eyes. "Uh huh. What's really going on man? You've been acting weird this whole time." She commented, and I released a shaky exhale, hesitant to tell her. She might inform the others of my worries, or of how conflicted I truly am. I can't have them doubting me. If Moira and the others suspect that I am a poor investment, they'll be sure to dispose of me accordingly. But Sombra was the only one I truly trusted, as dumb as that sounded. She was probably the most manipulative of them all. I didn't even know her actual name. Yet I trusted her all the same.

"During the mission tonight, I came across a man who knew who I was. Before all of this. When I prepared to kill him, he started sputtering all this stuff about me, and a woman named Megan, who was apparently my fiancé. He died before I could get any more information. Ever since he talked about it all I can see is visions of my past. It's messing with my head, making my augmentations become a nuisance. I talked to Moira about it a while ago." I confessed, and Sombra placed a hand on my shoulder. "Shit man, sorry to hear that. What'd Moira say?"

"She told me about who I was before. Said that I caused Megan's death. That I was responsible for my squad's death in the FBI. Apparently I dug too deep, found out shit I wasn't supposed to about Overwatch. I exposed Blackwatch to the public, and they got shutdown. But they found me years later, and attempted to kill me. Moira told me there wasn't much left of Megan, and a day later on the news the death of my former squad was displayed. I'm the only one alive. I got innocents killed. Moira seemed to...pause before answering me. Like she feared the moment I'd ask her this." I spoke softly. Sombra raised an eyebrow, humming to herself. "Well that's not suspicious at all." She muttered sarcastically, and I nodded. "Yeah. But she said I could see Megan's remains. She said that I could see it for myself. I suppose I'm just hoping for some closure, that maybe I'll feel better when I know for sure what happened."

"Espera un minuto. Police are still investigating what happened right?" She asked, jumping up from her seat on the sofa, as I watched her pace back and forth, shrugging as I answered. "Yeah. I don't follow." I replied, and Sombra shook her head. "They must still have camera footage on what happened that night. Perhaps cameras from outside your apartment, or maybe even inside since you were an FBI agent recorded what went down! You could finally be sure who really did all of this!" The hacker exclaimed, smiling at me. "Blackwatch was responsible. All the evidence points to them." I said, and Sombra shook her head. "Tsk tsk. You're a fool if you believe Moira told you the whole truth. She might be misguiding you, or even downright lying to you!"

Why would she lie to me? What would they gain by misguiding me? What if not all was as it seemed? Or perhaps Sombra was wrong, and this whole thing was some big conspiracy. Either way I needed answers. And the only way I could find them was by going to London. First thing in the morning, I'll leave. The truth is out there, and I will hunt it down to the ends of the earth if I must.

"Let me come with you tomorrow. Perhaps I could help you acquire the camera footage, and besides, if things go wrong, you could certainly use some back up." She practically begged, and I frowned. "Why do want to help me? Most people would just wish me good luck and let me go. Why is this so important to you?"

Sombra stopped, and her smile faded. I was met with a serious stare. "Well, I-"

Before she could explain her interest in my mission to find out what happened, an incoming call was displayed on the screen of my holovid. Moira appeared, which surprised me, as I quickly picked up. "Ma'am?" I turned to her, and she offered a light smile, before it quickly faded. "Scott. I see you're feeling better. Ah, Sombra, lovely you're there as well. I've got a mission for you both. It won't be too out of the way, seeing as you're going to London, Scott. In King's Row, tensions between normal citizens and omnics has hit a boiling point, and Lacroix's successful assassination attempt on the life of Tekhartha Mondatta has pushed them to the brink of a civil war. It's even worse than in the uprising."

"What do you need us to do?" Sombra asked, and she answered quickly. "You must help eliminate anti-omnic activists. They label themselves human 'purists', pushing for more action to be taken against the omnics ever since the uprising and countless terrorist attacks against humans. But if we allow them to win the public over, our civil war shall never happen." She explained, but I frowned, deeply concerned with what we were doing to people. "What do we gain from a civil war? Shouldn't we attempt to unite the people to strengthen our bond together?" I asked, and soon regretted it as the doctor's brow furrowed, scoffing. "You are a fool if you believe that would ever work. We can never truly unify the world. Conflict is inevitable. Without loss and suffering, we never learn, we never become stronger, we never evolve. Of course we may lose people, but we will emerge from the fires of war a stronger people, and rebuild all that was destroyed. Our species is inherently violent. Without violence, we lose who we are."

I frowned, though I decided to bite my tongue and nod, struggling to agree with her. "I understand." I said, and she offered a smile. "Good to hear. You'll receive more information in the debriefing tomorrow morning. I'm certain you'll have time to pursue your personal endeavors after the mission is completed. Good luck to both of you. We're counting on you."

And with that, Sombra and I were left in silence. In a silent exchange, our eyes shared worried glances, our lips staying shut though, neither of us courageous enough to sabotage the mission or speak out against them. "Well, I guess we'll be working together tomorrow." I offered a comforting smile, and she smiled as well. "I guess so Scott. I haven't forgotten our actual mission there. We'll find out what happened to your fiancé, and who's truly responsible. I promise you." I nodded, though unsure about what we were doing. "Thanks. I appreciate it." I expressed my gratitude, keeping my worries to myself.

But I couldn't fight the feeling that we were poking a hornets' nest, and maybe some stones were best left unturned.


The flashing light of an explosion once more haunted me, the same stinging pain of fire crawling it's way up my skin, shrapnel piercing my skin, the force shoving me back. I looked down, my hands replaced with pure black titanium, as I released shrieks of fear and confusion, the ground around me transforming into a lab, with me at the center of it. Glass windows surrounded me, Talon scientists studying me as I watched in horror as mechanical arms extended downwards towards my chest, cutting through my flesh, replacing my organs and what little remained of my upper body. To my right, looking down on me with a satisfied and twisted grin, stood Moira O'Deorain, my eyes widening in fear as the syringe in her hand got closer and closer to my skin. My voice echoed throughout my head as I ran my artificial fingers along the same equipment that made me what I was. "I never had a say in what happened to me..."

My eyes snapped open as I jumped, arms shooting out as I jolted upwards. Breathing heavily, I looked around, analyzing my surroundings. Rubbing my eyes, I sighed, annoyed that I had fallen asleep again. I needed to stay alert. The woman to my right on the tram didn't notice my spasm, neither did any others. The place was packed, with both visitors and people on their daily commute to both work and home. Although citizens weren't exactly comfortable with omnics sitting right beside and behind them, they were forced to deal with it. But I could tell Moira was right. Tensions were at an all time high. Both omnics and I received looks of disdain and disgust. Some of them avoided their gaze, trying to turn the other cheek. But others like me were getting tired of being treated like dirt for something out of our hands entirely, meeting their gazes and standing our ground. I won't be segregated or hauled off to some camp in the middle of nowhere. Yet it's a possibility. People, especially in London, are pushing for the U.N. to address growing concerns about the relocation of omnics for the safety of both humans and themselves. Despite many people being against it and preventing the prejudice and hate around them from compromising their view of the world and who they are, the world is changing, and not for the better.

The train stopped, as I exited my tram to walk into the streets outside. People around me were busy hurrying to their destinations or greeting family and friends. A drone flew over my head, it's camera studying all of us. The police had begun tightening security around this place, readying themselves for any attacks. Though I doubt it'll hold them off forever. Gray rain clouds stormed overhead, threatening to rain soon. Litter blew by my feet as the strong winds rushed against my dark trench coat, running through my hair. Multiple holovids displayed the news, a reporter interviewing a omnic rights activist who was busy condemning the omnics responsible for a bombing last week that caused the death of twenty others. In the distance I could make out police harassing and threatening omnics, blocking their entrance into the train station, demanding their papers. I figured it'd be for the better if I got out of here quickly. Something felt off about the air to me. Placing my hands in my pockets, I walked through the crowds.

I noticed Sombra walking by, lacking the bright coat and nails she usually wore, instead opting for a dark hoodie and blue jeans, her bag slung over her shoulder. She bumped into a man, and they both exchanged apologies as he bent down to help her retrieve her bags. I watched as his face contorted in disgust as he noticed her implants in the left side of her head that ran to the back of her skull, the metal reminding him of an omnic. Once more, people associated any augmentations with omnics. It was my first time seeing it happen to someone else. "Watch where you're going." He spat, before strutting off without another word. Kneeling down, I helped pick up some of her gear, handing her phone to her. "Allow me to help you Miss." I said, our eyes meeting. "'Miss?' Seriously?" She giggled, her lips curving upwards into a smirk. I grinned in response. "Well I could've went with sweetie."

"Glad you're here. Didn't wanna end up waiting on you." Sombra spoke, as we both stood up, walking towards the entrance of the train station. "This is kind of odd, don't ya think?" She glanced back at me, and I grunted. "What?"

"Well, isn't it the least bit suspicious that as soon as you begin to question Moira about what happened to you she just so happens to send you on a mission? It's almost like she wants you to forget about Megan. Or maybe she has something else planned?" I stopped her, grabbing her arm. "What're you trying to say?" I demanded, and she scoffed. "Oh come on! Don't you see? She's just distracting you. I'm almost one hundred percent certain she's doing this to buy time for her to destroy any evidence and make it to where you can only see what she wants you to see! You've gotta open your eyes, pendejo." I sighed, continuing to follow her as a guard approached us. He wore heavy armor, ready for some type of shootout. His gloved hands reached out for Sombra's papers. She placed them in his hands, allowing him to make sure they were legitimate. During that time, I analyzed him using my HUD, noticing he was missing his appendix, and showed early signs of liver cancer. I didn't expect a fight, but it became a habit to learn the weaknesses of any possible opponents.

He reached out for mine, and I hesitated, meeting his judging eyes. The lenses in my eyes zoomed in and out, before Sombra nudged me. "Don't cause a scene Scott." I did as she said, withdrawing my paperwork and handing it to him. Once he confirmed it was real, he handed them back. "Keep moving." He ordered, and I locked eyes with him as I walked by, irritated by his clear prejudice against me.

"I swear it's gotten even worse these days. Everyone is so scared of the omnics here, always taking second glances at them, even people like us who've been augmented. I doubt it'll be much work to start a war here." I watched as a woman hurried her child away from me, as if she was scared I'd snatch him up like some monster. I growled. "Yeah. Well I can't blame the omnics for hating people here. Keep treating anyone like this and eventually they'll start acting like animals. Everyone has a breaking point." I replied, and Sombra nodded. "And everyone here seems to be far past it." She added.

"I don't even think we could prevent conflict from happening even if we tried. It's inevitable." I muttered, and Sombra snorted. "Careful. You're starting to sound like O'Deorain."

We were stopped once more as we arrived in the train station, another guard demanding our papers. Struggling to hide my irritation, I bit my tongue, as both of us gave him our papers. I looked around, noticing the crowds moving around like schools of fish. The natural buzz of life here I guess.

"Don't do anything stupid." The guard warned, as we walked by, ascending the stairs to the center of the station. Sombra stopped me, placing a device in my hands. "Ear piece so we can keep in touch if something goes wrong." She said, and I chuckled. "Expecting something?" I asked, and she shrugged. "Better safe than sorry, I always say." I placed it in my ear as I turned back towards her. "Now, we need to focus on finding these 'purists' and-"

Loud explosions sounded behind us, both of us snapping to the entrance of the station. My HUD began to detect and target multiple possible exits as the dust and rubble came flying towards us, the screams of terror and panic flooding my ears as the all too familiar feeling of being shoved back by the shockwave of an explosion sent me flying back.

Groaning, I shakily forced myself to my knees, my enhanced hearing haunting me as the screams of those dying filled my head, people begging for help, for their lives, for their loved ones to be okay. Looking to my right, I found Sombra, who coughed, standing up slowly. "You okay?" I asked, and she nodded. "Yeah...yeah. Let's get out of here."

She leaned on my shoulder, keeping close to me in order to not get separated in the chaos. The echoes of faint yells were silenced by another explosion, causing the ground to tremble, dust falling down from the ceiling. The air was filled with soot and smoke, rendering it nearly impossible for any normal human to see or even breathe. My rebreather began humming as it filtered out the oxygen I required in the air, releasing the rest. Sirens outside began to blare as police and firefighters rushed to the scene. I looked around at the floor, stepping over the countless bodies and shell shocked people. Some simply stared into their hands, unable to move, paralyzed with fear. Others stumbled around aimlessly, calling the names of loved ones, though no one ever responded.

Stopping, I noticed the yells of a young girl, calling out for help amongst the crowd. I released my grip on Sombra, turning to her. "You hear that?" I asked, and she nodded slowly. "Dad! Daddy! Someone help!" She called out, and I met Sombra's worried frown. "I'm gonna try and find her." I informed her, and she didn't resist. "Alright. Just be careful Scottie. We'll talk later." She said, tapping her earpiece. Nodding, I turned back to the desperate screams of a young girl, as I pushed past the rubble in my way, avoiding the fires beginning to spread and cause the air to be even more toxic.

The girl's yells became louder and louder as I approached her, noticing her small figure knelt down beside multiple large rocks of rubble that must've fallen. She was desperately scrambling to free the man under it, who must be her father. "Dad! Dad! Dad! Someone help!" Turning to me, her tears rolling down bloodied and soot covered cheeks, her bloody hands meeting my artificial limbs. For once, they didn't seem to notice how cold the metal was. "You've gotta help! My dad's in there!" She begged, and I nodded.

"Alright move. Let me help." I said, bending down, placing my hands under the large and heavy rocks covering the man. My HUD activated, detecting the man located beneath the rubble. Nearly eighty percent of his bones were crushed, and internal organs were failing, heart faintly beating. Groaning, I lifted the rocks off of him, shoving them to the side. The man's hand shot out, gripping my wrist tightly, his broken fingers struggling to hold on, as his grip tightened one last time before his hand went limp. I watched as his bloody hand slowly slid out of my hand and back into the rubble that covered him.

The young girl kept calling after him, ordering him to wake up, to get out of the rubble. I slowly stood up, detecting no life signs below the concrete. I frowned, hands turning into clenched fists as I thought of those who had done this. What do they gain from all of this? All of this pain. All of this suffering. I closed my eyes for the moment, steadying myself, trying to block out the cries of the young girl.

I will hunt down those who have caused this. They shall be punished. These people's pain shall be repaid, a thousand fold.

Their darkness must end.

Woo! That was a long one. I hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter! I can't wait for you all to read what I've got in store. Thank you guys so much for all the support and reviews. I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to read my stories. Till next time!