Chapter 15 – Widowmaker

Now that Talon had complete assurance of their new subject's loyalty whether the pitiful remnants of the original consciousness wanted it or not, the remainder of augmentation could take place. Injections of the serum Amélie had added to the mix unexpectedly were increased with the goal of lowering her metabolic rate. It would throw off heat-scanners and steady her aim. It also had a side-effect of turning her skin an eerie blue—and who would believe reports of a blue woman with a rifle?

Even Overwatch found this notion absurd. But what they didn't know about Talon's technological advances beyond even their own wouldn't hurt them. Not yet, anyway.

The original bodysuit deemed inadequate, "Widowmaker" now donned a new piece of outerwear that even further concealed her thermal signature… Or would have if it wasn't open in so many places.

"By the time her targets are done staring, they'll be dead" laughed the designers. "At least they'll die looking at something worthwhile."

The personality born of chemical and torture took over completely. Widowmaker's obsession with spider imagery resulted in new tattoos, and the adoption of a spider-shaped weapon called the Widow Mine distilled into a more potent version of the venom that killed Gérard.

She hungered only for the completion of missions, especially those which demanded blood be spilled. The sneakier, the better.

A to-do list included many actions that would destabilize, undermine, and scatter Overwatch.

Obtaining Overwatch weaponry with a focus on the legendary Gauntlet of Doomfist

Agitating Omnics into war with humans through targeted assassination

Exploiting tensions within Overwatch itself between its squeaky-clean public face and its nastier Blackwatch division

Sowing mistrust among Overwatch "face" agents

Covertly assisting Vishkar Corporation where common interests existed

Covertly sabotaging Vishkar Corporation where Talon's interests were different

Stirring dissent in extremist groups, pushing them toward violent action

Creating paranoia about these very same groups among the general population

"We must strengthen self-preservation in Widowmaker" warned the project's top scientist. "Near-death experiences may empower the lingering Amélie Lacroix personality…"