Alice stuck close to Commander Reyes as he led her through the seemingly endless hallways of the Overwatch base. She stared around her with wide eyes, attempting to take in every last detail while she had the chance. They passed numerous agents on the way, she tried to focus on anything than their stares. They passed a room that Alice recognized as Dr. Ziegler's office. The door was wide open. Angela sat with her back to the door, slightly hunched over as she scribbled at what Alice guessed were medical forms.
"So, what are you guys, a bunch of secret agents or something?" She asked as they neared a set of double doors. Some unknown symbol was plastered on the wall above the doors; it looked like some sort of skull with a sword on It's forehead.
"You can say that." Reyes responded shortly. He didn't seem too fond of chit-chat, and Alice wondered if every agent is like this.
"That's cool." She said in her usual monotone voice. "How many people I will have to kill to earn back my freedom?"
"Look, kid." Commander Reyes suddenly stopped walking as they rushed through the set of double doors. He turned to look at her, his gaze hard yet rather sympathetic at the same time. "I like you already, but you gotta understand something. The stuff we do here ain't for everyone. There isn't any shame in callin' it quits if ya can't handle it."
Alice couldn't help but feel slightly offended. Did he know who she was and what she's had done before? She stared at him, eyebrow raised under the dark mask.
"If I can't handle it? You do realize that I don't have a choice but to be here, doing your dirty work. If It's about the killing thing then don't worry, I've done it already multiple times. I think there are plenty of raports about my work on the media. I'm ready-"
"No you ain't. Not yet." Reyes said with a shake of his head. "Morrison- We know who you really are, and you're a long way from being the killer everyone thinks you are."
Alice stood there for a moment, watching as Reyes turned around and kept walking. What did he mean: she wasn't the killer everyone thinks she is? The amount of blood on her hands was enough to keep her up at night, and the only thing stopping her from going insane is Khai-Ja's mind. She was a murderer, and although she wasn't particularly proud of it, it was who she was.
She pushed her thoughts to the back of her head. It's not a best idea to pick an argument with her Commander on the very first day. She followed after Reyes once more. The moment they walked through the double doors, Alice immediately noticed the change of atmosphere around them. The hallways were empty, no longer bustling with activity, and the few agents they passed were dressed head to toe in tight black clothing rather than the bright blue of the Overwatch uniforms. She thought the Overwatch agents were intimidating but these guys looked like they spent their free time making children cry.
It was almost as if Commander Reyes sensed her discomfort. He looked over his shoulder, dark eyes glistening with something close to amusement. "Don't let 'em scare ya, kid. Most of these boys spent their first week of basic training cryin' for their mommies."
Alice forced a laugh. She knew that he was just trying to calm her nerves, thought the Commander's words only freaked her out more. How bad was the basic training if it consecutively made grown man cry? For a moment, she wondered if she was really cut out for this. For Overwatch, suddenly a jail cell didn't sound so bad.
Reyes continued to lead her down to rather drab hallways. Alice hoped that this wasn't meant to be her tour of place, the Commander hadn't bothered to point anything out to her, so she still had no idea where she was. He brought her to a room that Alice guessed was some sort of common area. Several dark couches sat in front of a large holovision that was against a wall. A few card tables here and there, a pool table shoved in the corner, and some bookcases in the other corner. Several agents occupied the room. The amount of testosterone in the room was almost overbearing.
She squinted her eyes from the smell. The whole room stinks, everything here smells like someone poured every single bottle of testosterone and other substances and mixed it up. It's all chemicals. After bonding with the Scarab, her every senses increased, making her able to smell even a little things normal people wouldn't usually be able to smell. Alice couldn't help but feel self conscious under the stares she received.
Reyes approached one man in particular: a young men leaning back on a couch with a bag of chips in his hand. He was dressed in similiar black clothing, the only difference were the cowboy boots propped on the coffee table in front of him, the spurs on the back of his boots jingled with every movement that he made. A dark cowboy sat on the cushions next to him. He was too busy stuffing his mouth with chips to notice the company standing in front of him.
Scann complete.
Identity: Jesse McCree, an outlaw gunslinger and former gang member.
'Former gang member?'
Former member of the notoriousDeadlock Gang, which trafficked in illicit weapons and military hardware throughout the American Southwest.
"Jesse McCree." Commander Reyes greeted him, the faintest hint of amusement in his voice.
"Yes, boss?" The man responded without looking away from his chips. His voice was warm, the slow draw of a southern accent lacing his voice.
"What have you done today?" Reyes asked.
The cowboy looked up. He met Alice's eyes for a moment. She tilted her head, scanning his body. "You want an honest answer?"
Reyes said nothing, only stared at him with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Well." McCree droned, holding up the bag of chips as if showing them off. "This is my third bag of chips today. It's Saturday, boss. Ain't I allowed one lazy day?"
Reyes rolled his eyes, exasperated. "Lazy day's over, Jesse. Show the new kid around, will ya?"
McCree didn't answer at first, staring at her in recognition.
"Is that?"
Reyes chuckled, "Yes, that's the kid you shot twice in a row."
Alice wasn't able to show any kind of emotions because of the mask, only her eyes were visible and now they were glaring at the cowboy. She wanted nothing but give the man a lesson of his life, probably his last in his life. But of course, she couldn't kill him. She only hoped that she would get the chance to train with him, so she could be the shit out of him.
He tipped his head back, mouth wide open, and dumped the rest of the chips into his mouth. He chewed slowly, and Alice wondered if he was taking his time for the sole reason of pissing the Commander off. Reyes rolled his eyes once more, something that she guessed was a common occurence, and he shot her an apologetic glance. McCree stood from the couch, stretching and groaning loudly before reaching down and grabbing his cowboy hat.
High blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease, and kidney disease. I do not understand. Does that human wish to live or die?
'What are you talking about?'
The sodium content in chips may negatively impact his cardiovascular health. Other long-term side effects of eating a lot of chips are weight gain, trouble sleeping, dry skin, kidney disease, headaches, and inflammation.
'I don't know, It's his choice on how to live his life. Maybe he wants to die?'
"Alright, girlie. Let's get on with it." He said to her as he began to make his way towards the door. "I have a fourth bag of chips callin' my name, and I don't wanna keep 'er waitin'."
Alice looked over at Reyes as though asking his permission, and the Commander gestured for her to follow the cowboy. Scurrying to catch up to him, she followed McCree out of the common room. For a few moments neither of them talked, and once again Alice feared that she wasn't going to get the tour that she wanted.
McCree cleared his throat and looked at her. "So, It's really you? You look different, no bad different I mean, but good, you look better than before."
"Oh? I guess almost dying changes people."
He snickered, "Look, I'm sorry for shootin' ya."
"Don't worry. Apology accepted."
"No hard feelin' then?"
"No hard feelings." She nodded.
Finally, McCree stopped in front of yet another set of double doors. Alice was hit with a sudden overwhelming scent of food, and her stomach growled loudly as she realized that she hadn't eaten all day.
"This is the cafeteria, newbie." McCree explained, "You'll come to find that this main building has two of everythin'- one for Overwatch, and one for the Blackwatch division. The Commander- the big guy, Morrison, not Reyes- prefers to keep us seperate from each other. The agents in Overwatch tend to think of themselves as saints, they wouldn't get along with most of down 'ere."
Alice nodded in understanding and McCree continued, "Meals are served three times a day: breakfast at six, lunch at twelve, and dinner at six... well, as the Commanders like to call it, eighteen-hundred." He paused, ran his hand town the side of his face with a long sigh, then spoke again. "Six o'clock."
"You seem more talkative than the other guy." Alice said as she followed him down the hallway once more.
"Other guy? Which one are ya talkin' about?"
"Hmm, red eyes, wears some sort of armor that has a red light on its chest, and looks like he's making children cry as part of his daily routine."
McCree laughed, "Genji ain't that bad when ya get to know him. You'll get used to his grumpy self rather quickly."
Jesse continued to show her around the Overwatch base, moving from the towering main building and heading outside. Alice was surprised to find herself in the middle of welcoming courtyard; green grass and flowering trees littered the area, making it seem almost like some sort of nature park. Smaller buildings were scattered around the courtyard, and McCree explained what they were to her one by one. Two buildings on either side of the main headquarters wete the dormitories, one for Overwatch and one for Blackwatch. Alice realized that McCree was not exeggerating when he told her that Blackwatch was kept seperate from the other divisions. A somewhat large building in the middle of the courtyard looked almost like a Japanse dojo; McCree explained that this was the common training facility. It was where new recruits would spend their time being trained. On the far side of the courtyard was a small building where the chief engineer suppusedly spend most of his time. Commander Morrison apperently received countless complaints about the loudness of the man's machines late in the night keeping everyone awake, so they had to move his personal workshop across the compound. This got Alice's attention, and she wondered if she could herself a small part-time job there, like a hobby.
"Alright, newbie." Jesse as he clapped his hands together, coming to a stop in front of the Blackwatch dormitories. The same red and black skull logo that she had seen earlier was plastered above the entrance to the building. "That concludes the tour. I'll show ya your room and then you'll be on your way."
Alice scowled, though not because the tour was over; she wished that McCree would stop calling her newbie. It sounded almost condescending, and while McCree was technically her superior, she wanted a little more respect than that, "My name's Alice." She mumbled.
"Oh, right..." McCree seemed genuinely apologetic. "Sorry, Alice. You're the first girl we've seen around here in a long time, not many are cut out for this job. I guess I'm just used to bustin' everyone's ass, y'know?"
Alice nodded, though said nothing. She followed him into the dormitories, her eyes taking a moment to adjust to the dim light compared to the bright Sun outside. He led her down the long hallway, passing numerous doors on the way. As they neared the end of the hallway, McCree began to slow his pace. A door opened as they passed it, the first room to show signs of someone actually living in it, and someone stepped out. Alice turned to greet them, though she hesitated when she noticed a familiar cyborg standing in the doorway. His body seemed tense, his eyes glued to McCree as if purposefully going out of his way to not look at her.
Threat registered. Genji Shimada; extremely dangerous, terminate him immediately.
"Hey, Genji." McCree said rather enthusiastically, "Did ya meet the newbie- er, Alice?"
Genji said nothing, though he slowly turned his gaze to Alice. He stood in silence as his red eyes seemed to burn holes into her skull, and Alice returned the same thing, both staring at each other like two angry cats ready to claw each other. She wondered why was he acting so cold to her all of a sudden. Sure, he didn't seem like the talkative type, though he had no problem holding a conversation when he chased her all over her place in Hanamura. Perhaps she did something wrong, though she decided not to dwell on it.
They stared at each other intently, waiting for the other's first move.
"A man of silence, as always, I see." McCree said after several moments of awkward silence. Even he seemed uncomfortable as he looked at Alice and Genji, both not blinking. McCree nudged her shoulder, getting her attention back to him, gesturing Alice to once more follow him. "See ya around, Genji."
He shrugged off the encounter rather quickly, and Alice wondered if this was something that he dealt with on a frequent basis. Perhaps Genji really was just that unfriendly to everyone. As she followed McCree towards her dorm, Alice found herself looked over her shoulder towards the cyborg they left behind. Genji was still standing in the doorway to his room. He hadn't moved an inch, besides his head, which had turned to follow her as she walked past him. He watched her through his dark, hooded eyes. Alice only shrugged, not feeling threatened at all.
"This will be your room." McCree said, opening and walking into the bedroom. It has a simple bed pushed up in the corner with a closet and bathroom to the side.
"Lovely." Alice said, noticing the dull gray colors.
He laughs, "It'll become home soon enough'. As ya already know, Genji is right next to you, my room is nex to his, and the other agents shouldn't be bothering ya too much. If anything, I'm pretty sure you can take care of yourself well."
"Now if ya excuse me, the fourth bag of chips won't eat itself."
Alice only tilted her head, smiling to herself before turning and looking around her new room. The door clicking shut behind her.
'...This is tiring.'
She sat on bed, looking through a big bag, full of her things from her apartament, not everything was there, like her dagger but she was fine with what they gave her back, and that they kept their promise.
These people are obviously not with Talon, one less thing to worry about.
They do not trust us, Alice Smith. Being alone increases our chances of survival. A team will drag us down.
"Shit. I truly fucked it up this time. There's no way I can escape-" She mumbled as she ran hand through her hair.
A weak light on her desk caught her attention, and Alice frowned seeing the same Katana she stole from the castle. Overwatch is not stupid, why would they give any of her weapons back when they obviously don't trust her yet.
Unless...
Magic.
Magic does not exist, Alice Smith. It's just a fantasy, a fiction from books and movies.
"So, what? Do you have any explanations on how it got here in the first place?"
...No.
Alice lifted the katana. The blade instantly reacting to her, and glowing bright white light and she hangs it on her shoulder.
"Weird."
She sighed, putting the katana back on the desk.
Lifting her left arm, she watches as from the black goo appears the photo of her brothers.
"And how I am supposed to find you now?"
She didn't hack into Overwatch's classified data just to have valuable informations that she could use against them. No. Alice was looking through every single file, the important ones and the not important, to try to find if there is anything related with her family but for her luck, she found nothing.
You'll not achieve your goal in this place. Leaving would be our best option.
"You know, we can't. They'll follow us everywhere, not just them but government too."
Then what do you suggest?
"We stay here and see what happens."
.
.
.
Genji's mind was racing as he made his way towards the Commander's office. He had hoped that he would be able to keep his distance from the new recruit, but of course Reyes had to put her dorm right next to his. He groaned aloud as he ran his hand down his face. He looked down at his cybernatic hand, flexing the digits experimentally, and hw grimaced slightly as he felt the ghost of his organic hand there instead.
"Genji are you even listenin'?" He was pulled from his thoughts at the sound of Reyes's furstrated complaint. He looked up from his robotic limb, uninterested.
"Probably something to stroke your already inflated ego." Genji responded with a shrug. Reyes stared at Genji in silence, though it was obvious that the Commander was not affected.
"Listen, will ya?" He said with a good-humored roll of his eyes, "I really don't like repeatin' myself." He waited for Genji to respond, and he did with a nod, before continuing. "Anyways, the new recruit. She ain't anything we've had before."
"You mean, because she's a girl? With a weird fashion style?" McCree asked, causing Genji to roll his eyes. "No lady's ever made it through the Blackwatch trainin'."
"That, and she has some insane hacking skills. We could use someone like her." Reyes explained. "If we can get her allegiances straight, she can be a really viable member of the team."
"I do not understand why she has not been arrested." Genji spoke up, surprising both McCree and Reyes. He never elected to speak his mind without being forced to first. "She is a criminal."
"So was I," McCree pointed out in matter-of-factly, "And yet they gave me a second chance."
Genji grunted a response.
"I don't know why you 'er hate so much," McCree said, "You're actin' like you're a kid scared of girls because they got cooties or somethin'."
Another eye roll; Genji didn't feel like explaining himself.
"Listen," Reyes said, "There seems to be a lot of tension between you two. But she's willing to help us out. The least we can do is make her feel welcome here. She's going to train with Amari tomorrow, a routine basic training just to make the Commander happy, and then she will be handed over to us. I expect everyone to act all nice 'an warm by that time, got it?"
McCree nodded, followed by a more relucant grunt of agreeance from Genji.
Reyes picked up his phone, seemingly contect with their answers. "How about we order a pizza? There's a woman joinin' us, It's our last night being bachelors. What do ya'll want as toppings?"
"Wait, how old is she anyway?"
.
.
.
Good morning, Alice Smith.
She woke up from her dreamless sleep due to the Scarab's mind. She ignored the cursory good morning notification about how her health and hunger had been fully restored and all other effects had been removed from sleeping in her own bed. Instead, she sat up, scratching her head slightly and stretching her arms afterwards, as she gazed back down her body that was still covered in the black, gold armor.
Looking around, she realized that she's still here, and everything she has experienced wasn't a nightmare but sad reality.
Alice sighed, moving to the bathroom, she stared myself in the mirror as the owl's mask was melted away with the rest of the armor, revealing the same pyjama she wore before a certain cyborg decided to break into her house. She stared at the form of herself that was created after bonding with Khai-Ja, the form in front of the mirror easily looked what has been her actual age, before she almost died. However, she made sure to grow her hair and tie it up into a proper ponytail, because why not?
When she finished brushing my teeth, she took a shower, which was an interesting experience because while she usually couldn't feel her back, or the bug residing there, this time she could.
She could feel through every part of Khai's metal and it was interesting. It was sensitive and she felt like she should be in danger but she got none of the signals.
Alice twisted her arm around and began to running up her finger up down Khai-Ja's carapace to feel a shiver of delight up down her spine.
The soft sound of the clock on the wall ticking to a fixed rhythm caused her to groan quietly, and she turned to check the time: 4am. Alice would love to go back to sleep, though she knew that she would not be able to even if she tried. She was anxious about her first day of training and those nerves made her far too restless to try to relax again.
The sun rose over the fall walls of the Overwatch base, casting the courtyard in bright orange light. Alice took this as her cue to begin to get ready for the day, knowing that the base would slowly come to life as more and more people woke up. She had no idea when the official wake-up time was for the agents, though she guessed that the Commanders and Captains started their days off early. It wouldn't hurt to try to make a good first impression.
Alice quickly got dressed, pulling a black Blackwatch hoodie that was waiting for her on her chair next to the desk.
"Now, before we go, I need you to control yourself. We're not going there to kill but to train. Not everything is about violence-"
As she exited her dorm, the mask came back immediately, and the black substance covered her whole again.
"No, no- the fuck you're doing. We have to make those people trust us, and we have to make a good first impression and this costume is not helping this time." She groaned loudly, then turning back to her dorm. The suit melted away almost instantly as she closed the doors. "Let's do this again, okay? You stay inside, and let me do my thing."
Exiting her dorm again, she cursed aloud in Japanse as Khai-Ja's armor was back on her again.
"Dammit, listen to me-".
"Who're you talking with?" A cold voice interrupted her little discussion and Alice snapped to look at the source of the voice, finding Genji staring at her through narrowed eyes.
Now he thinks you're crazy.
'Shut the fuck up, Khai-Ja. This is your fault!'
She rolled her eyes as she locked the door to her room.
"With myself! I'm kind off you see?" She smirked, walking past the said cyborg who only squinted his eyes at her, examining her further and following her.
"You don't seem one to talk by yourself."
"Well, you don't seem like one to talk at all, but look at us!" She smiled, tilting her head.
"What do you want?"
"Answers."
She chuckled, "How bold!"
Genji lifted his eyebrow in amusement but quickly composed himself.
"Who are you?" He questioned curiously, looking at her mask. Unlike Dr. Ziegler, he didn't got the chance to see what hides beneath the metallic owl mask over her face. He was slightly intrigued by her, to say the least. There was something about her that was strangely familiar- her voice, her taunting words, her stature. It was as though he had seen it all before. He was unable to make sense of the familiarity he felt. Part of him wanted to rip the mask off of her face to catch the glimpse of who was hidden behind it, but he knew better than do to so. He wore a mask over his own face for the sole reason of hiding the hideous scars that covered his skin; it gave him a sense of security. It would've been wrong of him to take away hers sense of security, as well.
"Would you like to know, don't you Grinch?"
Genji stared at her in silence. A sort of mechanical whirring sound came from deep withinn his cybernatic suit as his shoulders heaved. An odd sense of deja vu overwhelmed him, and for a moment, he saw someone else standing in front of him. He shook his head, forcing the feeling away with a scowl.
"Still grumpy, got it." Alice said, eyeing the cyborg warily as his gaze narrowed.
"We are not friends." She was taken aback as he spoke, not expecting this. His voice sounding strained as if he was struggling to contain himself. "You were my mission, and that is all. If I had the choice, I would have left you in Japan, to bleed out to death."
With that, Genji turned his back on her and began to stalk down the hallway, leaving her staring after him with confused eyes.
'What did I did to make him hate me so much?'
Genji Shimada does not trust us, Alice Smith. I have advised you against joining the Overwatch and now he treats you like an enemy.
She sighed, "No, they don't. He's just suspicious of us, this is why we have to make a first good impression."
.
.
.
Alice's posture had never been as good as it was when she was called to attention by Captain Amari. Although she was an older woman with graying hair and obvious signs of stress lines, her stone cold gaze was enough to intimidate Alice. Besides, she knew all about the former Egyptian soldier, once known as Horus; the deadliest sniper in the world.
Alice knew that considering the women status in Overwatch. Amari should be the one she tried to impress the most.
"Before we begin, I'm going to tell you this now so we don't have some baby whining about not knowing what to expect five minutes into training." Amari said, next to her stood a senior agent, "No matter what you think, no matter what you've been told on the holovisions, Overwatch is not all fun and games. Every day we fight to protect you from threaths like Talon and Null Sector. It's dangerous, people die. It isn't for everyone. If you want to call it quits and maybe save your life, now's your chance."
Silence followed Captain Amari's speech. Alice looked down the line of recruits, surprised to see omnics too. She noticed few recruits shuffle with uncertainty. Both Amari and the other agent, Lacroix were watching too, their gazes almost challenging the recruits to leave. After a few moments, no one moved.
"No one?" Captain Amari seemed impressed, "Well, that was your last chance. If you back out at any time from here on out, prepare to be a laughing stock until your behind is out of those gates."
Alice couldn't help the faintest hint of a smile that twitched in the corner of her mouth. Of course, no one would notice it with her mask on.
Captain Amari nodded once towards Lacroix, who then stepped forward and raised his voice. "Drop down and give me fifty!"
After nearly an hour of alternating between a series of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and lunges. Lacroix finally called for the recruits to stop. Alice didn't felt tired at all, she felt great actually. There was no sweat covering her skin, and her body didn't scream for her to stop.
She glanced at the other recruits, some were standing up, breathing heavily and some were laying on the floor.
She wondered, if it wasn't for Khai-Ja, she would also be reacting the same way as the others.
"We're not done yet, recruits." Lacroix said as he looked over the group of exhausted recruits in amusement. "The person beside you will be your partner. Until I say stop, you will spar with your partner to get a feel of up-close combat."
Lacroix dismissed everyone with a wave of his hand, and Alice immediately to the person on her right. It was an omnic, taller than her, who, unlike every other recruit, seemed unfazed by the tedious work-out they had just been pushed through. Omnics must have it easy, never getting fatiqued.
She held her hand to the omnic, "Hi I'm Alice Smith. I'm a huge fan of rock music, books and old things, and I don't like the that you are taller than me, but I do think that the claws on your fingers look pretty cool."
The omnic looked down at the hand being extended to her, hesitating for a moment. Then, she shook it, "Ava."
Alice was surprised to realize that the omnic apperently was a female. Although Ava's face was void of emotions just like hers, the soft tone in her metallic voice told Alice that the omnic was just as welcoming to a possible friendship as she was. Alice smiled once more, feeling that Khai-Ja was also not reacting towards the omnic with agression, and not trying her to distance herself from the robot.
Meanwhile, Commander Reyes watched the new recruits from the balcony off his office, his eyes carefully following Alice and watching her every move as she sparred with an omnic. Jesse and Genji stood on either side of him, both man waited patiently for him to speak. He had called them into his office several minutes ago, though he had yet to say a word to either one of them.
"I don't mean any disrespect, Commander." McCree began, breaking the suffocating silence that surrounded the three man. "But what the hell did you call us up here for? To people watch or somethin'?"
Reyes grunted a response. He gestured towards Alice who was helping the omnic off of the ground, then teaching the robot some strange moves that he couldn't understand what they were supposed to be. "She seems to be fittin' in well."
McCree nodded. "Well, she was an outlaw too. A little combat would be nothin' for her."
"The kid made a joke out of you two in Hanamura. She knew exactly where you were hiding and somehow knew about ninja sneaking in. I'm pretty sure, that if not for the fact that you shoot her, she wouldn't be here in the first place." Commander added.
Reyes then turned to face his most trusted people, "I undertand bein' able to avoid you but the ninja? How many people have managed to escape from him?"
"What are ya suggesting?" McCree questioned. Reyes gestured at Genji and he turned to look at the ninja that has been dead silent from the moment they came here. McCree could basically see the wheels turning in his head, his red eyes were watching the girl almost hesistantly.
Genji didn't know what to think anymore. The familiarity had just hit him hard in the gut. Everything about the new recruit reminded him of her; her fluid movements, the way she talked, her voice. And he would have cared less about all of those things if not for what he was seeing right now, those moves, they weren't just some random fighting style. No, she moved the same way as he did. He and his brother used to fight like this, it was the same way they were trained in their youth at Shimada Castle. This type of combat needed to be trained, practiced to perfection, mostly using katanas or bows.
This wasn't something you could learn in a few days, and it wasn't something anyone who wasn't from their family could have learned.
If McCree didn't know any better, he would have guessed that Genji was afraid of the new girl.
Reyes already has his suspicions about the new recruit and had confronted Morrison about them, but to confirm them they needed more evidence, the blood sample would be the most efficient.
"She'll be joinin' us in training tomorrow. I trust you two enough to help me oversee it."
"Yes, sir." McCree mumbled, though Genji still stayed quiet.
"Don't let me down," He said, eyeing the cyborg closely, "I trust that you'll put your ill feelings aside and help me out here."
Genji grunted a response, not turning to look at the Commander.
.
.
.
As the training finally finished, Alice found herself walking towards the cafeteria with her new friend next to her and the rest of the exhausted recruits following behind.
"Oh, you see, It's all skin." Alice stretched her hand towards Ava, explaining, "Just like humans have flesh, and omnics have metal I have this weird black substance acting as my skin. I can feel touch, pain and other things but much more sensitive. Cool, right?"
Alice then stopped abruptly, staring at the entrance of the cafeteria, realizing that she can't eat without removing her mask off, and obviously Khai-Ja won't let her do that in front of Ava or the other recruits and agents, eating their meals.
"Alice?" The omnic whispered, frowning, "Is something wrong?"
Alice turned to her, scratching her neck nervously.
"You see, I can't really eat with my mask on, and there are a lot of people inside."
Ava nodded in understanding, "Go to your room, I will bring the food." She said, and Alice was grateful that the omnic wasn't questioning her hesistance, and she watched her disappear in the large room.
Let's go, Alice Smith.
Alice sighed, and began to make her way towards her dorm.
As she entered the dormitories, she looked around, scanning for any presence but it seemed that everyone was in the cafeteria, enjoying their meals before another training arrives.
Alice? Are you okay? I detect distinctive physical sensations in your chest.
Alice shook her head, "I am fine." She said, running a hand through her head. "It's a big chance for us. I am not sure how we'll adjust." She sighed again, before quickly glancing outside the large windows.
Adjusting to this place is unnecessary, if we are not going to stay here anyway.
"You know, this place isn't that bad. I mean, look at the bright sides, we have free food and a place to sleep. I don't need to worry about the money and the rent anymore."
I told you that being alone increases our chances of survival and finishing your mission. It's been two days and you still haven't made any progress, this place is dragging us down.
"Oh, stop it already. Always negative about everything."
Opening the doors and entering her dorm, she left the doors barely open so the omnic would know that she is inside. She looked around the dark room, every window was closed and covered in blinds, leaving no light to enter.
"You live like this?"
"Hey, It's not that bad, I have been living in worse conditions before Overwatch decided to kidnapp me."
The smell of warm food spread through her room. She looked back from her shoulder, seeing only one plate. 'Oh, wait- can omnics even eat food?'
Unknown.
"Do you not like the cafeteria food? You want something different, I think I have some left overs in the kitchen-"
"I don't need to eat," Ava cut her out, settling herself on the couch, "And you?"
"I don't need to eat at all, but old habits die hard." Alice stared down at the steaming soup, holding the fork tightly in her hand. She didn't move, and for a moment Ava was worried she did something wrong.
"Is something wrong?"
Alice looked up at her, although her mask was empty of any emotions, her face was filled with nervousness. Omnic then realized that she was unable to eat without taking her mask off, the very reason why they were currently in the solitude of her dorm and not with the others in cafeteria.
"Do you want me to leave?"
Alice nodded, saying nothing as she looked down in shame.
Do not be ashamed, she understands.
"It's okay, Alice. I understand. Enjoy your food."
Ava left her to eat, shutting the door behind her. She lingered by the door, listening as she heard a mechanical hissing followed by the clanging of metal as Alice removed her faceplate. Before, she realized what she was doing, Ava reached for the doorknob. The omnic gripped it tightly, the temptation to pull the door open and catch a glimpse of Alice's face was overwhelming her. Shaking her head, she lowered her metallic hand once more and walking straight towards the exit of the dormitories.
.
.
.
"...and in other new, the police foiled attempts by a group of unknown criminals who intended on sabotaging the opening of the newest Vishkar skyscraper-"
She munched on a toast.
'Next.'
"...creating great advancements in technology and science, the developmnet of Particle Accelerator is comparable to making a miniature Einsten-Rosen Bridge-"
'Next.'
"...and the ongoing conflict between the omnics continues as many Null Sector attacks are rapidly increasing-"
Alice.
"The damage is out of control, hundreds died and many have been injured. With the cities and more villages in ruins, the criminal activity increased, with the people fighting for their survival as the-"
The holovision is suddenly turned off.
Alice sat up, half-munched slice of toast in her mouth, she stared at the black screen of the device, confused.
Alice, we need to talk.
Ah. There it is. Mr. Magic, Bird, in her holovision. Just perfect.
I turned my attention towards the screen, the blank white eyes staring back at me, and nodded before putting the empty cup on the table.
"Oh, what do I see here? Owl, long time no see-- I would say a friend, but we both know that you still have a long way to go to achieve this term. Well, what have I done, for you to have honored myself with your presence?"
A annoyed sigh escaped the owl's beak as it rolled it's eyes. "I don't like what you're doing, Alice. This was not how our deal was supposed to go, why I am still imprisoned?"
She tilted her head, "I'm sorry, I don't understand, I brought you that stupid blade, what do you want from me?"
"I have pieced all your broken memories together, and yet I'm still stuck here. Care to explain why?"
"And how am I supposed to know that? You're the magic bird here." She said, crossing her arms, "And why would I want to help you? You're the main reason for my trauma, and turned me into a monster. Give me one good reason why I should keep listening to you."
"Excuse me?" Alice was surprised on how the owl actually sounded offended. "You're the one that has been threatening me past those weeks!" Alice blinked confused, "Yes, I could hear every thing you said, and I would deeply appreciate if any things you have said wouldn't come true. I like my feathers."
Everything suddenly become black, then Alice opened her eyes, only to be meet with blank, dirty room, with nothing but school items laying everywhere.
"No... this can't be right. I'm in my room, in Overwatch. I'm not back there-"
The room changed, and Alice's eyes widened as she saw a huge blue beast flying through her, but she felt no pain but only warmth emitting from the blue flames around her.
"I know you're confused. You weren't supposed to see any of this."
"No? Well, bit late for that, so what? Am I going insane, yeah, I think I am."
"Listen to me, Alice, you are not going insane."
Everything become black back again, infinite darkness with no light but only the quiet voice of the owl.
"Owl, I can't be here, take me back-"
"But It's warm here. Let me-"
"I don't like this. Shut up, let me out or I swear, I will not help you with whatever you need me for!"
"I have to do this, you need to understand."
Alice.
The voice was calm, imperious as ever. She stared at the man in front of her, confused. She looked down, feeling her hand tightly gripping something. Her eyes widened, as she realized that it was the same Katana she stole from the castle, but there was something wrong with it. It was bathed in crimson blood.
She didn't know what was happening, her mind was racing with questions and her hands shaking.
Out of nowhere, Alice felt herself take a step forward, which instantly made her whole body freeze up. She gasped to herself, glancing down to her left foot with wide eyes.
'Wait... why did I... why did I start moving towards him?'
"Hanzo." A voice echoed from the chambers of what she realized from the style of the walls and pillars was Shimada caste; a gruff, solemn voice which could only belong too-
"Sister."
His dark eyes narrowed into a piercing gaze at his younger sister, who gave him no reaction.
"Imouto, what are you doing here?" Hanzo inquired as he tried to wrap his head around the entire situation.
"I was only paying my respects to father and Genji." She answered with a voice that was quieter than his own. "You said you want to talk?"
"Yes." Hanzo immediately snapped out of his bewilderment and furrowed his brown once more. "I'm going to be frank, Rin. Our brother death and Overwatch situation has put us all in a deep hole, but it is not beyond remedy. Just rule the clan alongside me and no one will have to suffer more. See this is a chance to redeem yourself. Father and our brother is gone, the rule has already fallen upon you ever since"
"Aniki, I admit that my mistake was rather careless, but I already told you-- I don't want to partake in the business in anyway possible. Dad never forced to take it up, why should you?"
"So that's it then?" Hanzo countered, "You're going to use the prestige of the clan for personal benefit, put us all in danger, do the same damn thing, same mistake as Genji did?"
Alice stomped forwards, not all daunted with the sheathed katana. "Don't speak about him as if you didn't murdered him just because the elders didn't find him useful. Don't drag me into your life just because you want mine."
"Your life should be dedicated to preserving the well-being of our people! When will you stop being so selfish, Rin?! The people need us to lead them!"
"Selfish? I did everything to satisfy our father and the elders, but they always wants more, more power, more money, too much needless death."
"This is not the time, Rin. Don't force my hand upon you-- just rule with me please!"
"I told you I don't give a shit about the family business, why won't you listen?"
"I know what's best for you-"
"Well, stop it. I don't need you telling me how to live my life. Call me whatever you want, but I'll never rule the clan with you. I won't lose freedom just to become another slave of the corrupt elders." The younger Shimada said with a huff and crossed her arms, "I heard what the elders said. It dosen't matter if I would to join you or leave, they want me dead, and won't stop until they achieve it."
"That's it." Hanzo hissed, hand immediately going for the blue hilt of his katana, "You forced me to do this."
In one swift swing, the sharp blade was out. The attack would be fatal if she didn't jump back in the nick of time. "Aniki, what the hell are you doing?"
"I won't watch my people suffer the consequences of your foolishness. It has to end this way." Hanzo let off a shaky sigh as he gave his little sister a haunting look that momentarily linked their souls together. His glare went through her heart like a speeding bullet; for all those years has she admired her brother for his grace, talents and stone-cold demeanour.
What changed?
Hanzo swiftly blocked her attacks, almost like he was able to foretold what was coming; this was what Alice was looking up to for years but now she knew she will never be able to get to his level. She was prepared for the challenge, she was more than aware that her brother was about a year and a half older than her, and had been training more than her.
"Now, there is your spirit, sister." He grimly commented, "You had so much potential in you, we could have done all of this side by side, we could have made father happy-"
"I am nothing like our father. You were the one who always made him happy, and he was content with you." Alice argued, "Why should I also be the one taking up his mantel even though I am just dirt on his clothes."
"You are a fool, sister."
"No, you are the fool, Hanzo, a sheep."
Hanzo scowled, "If you have a death wish, it is granted." He swung his katana, slashing her shirt.
'I can't win with him, not here, maybe if I can-'
Hanzo took her distraction as opportunity to attack her, the butt of his katana smashed against her nose.
Stepping back and falling to her bottom, Alice immediately cupped over her bleeding nose and tensed, as she could feel the pain and the rush of hot blood that seemed to well up inside her nasal cavity. Alice blinked to regain her bearings and put two fingers in front of her shaking vision after wiping them above her lips, only to see what she had expected from the start; streaks of fresh crimson blood dripping and soaking her leather gloves.
Looking up from the proof of her injury, Alice came face to face with her brother, who sharpened his glare before dashing back to his wounded sister and grabbing her by the collar of her black shirt. Alice was lifted off the ground with ease, and with equal quickness, was slammed onto the wall, pinned there by a strong arm crossing over her upper chest.
She was cornered. Defenseless.
"I'm so sorry."
The blade swung low and caught the orange lighting of the room on It's surface, giving the weapon a dangerous fiery glow that resembled molten lava. It was the last thing she saw before the blade ran through her throat.
"Given your history, I should have seen it coming."
Alice's heart was hurting. Her heart was remembering, not her.
It was happening again.
What's happening?! Why I am reacting like this?! She panicked, This person is my brother, I have to-
She froze, feeling the warm liquid dripping from her throat, realizing what just happened.
Why did he do that? What did she did wrong, to make him hurt her-
The elders, that's right, I think I understand. They make our lives harder, they treat us unfairly. They're scum. If I could... I'd kill them all!
Kill them all...
That's it... that's all I have to do! If I kill them, they won't bother us anymore!
It's only fair... they get to kill us in the name of their own selfish reasons... I can do it too!
Yes. That's what the owl meant-- what Sapio wanted!
Despite the void that consumder her, Alice caught on to what lookied like stars falling down her brother's face through her blurring vision, and it was only when she broke off from the distorted memory lane that Alice finally came to terms with what those stars actually were.
They were tears.
A loud knocking on the door was what brought her mind back to reality. She groaned, falling into the hardwood floor and holding the side of her head. She squeezed her shut, gasping for air as her eyes stung with tears.
Holy shit.
Standing up, the mask returned on her face as she approached the doors. She opened them, watching the familiar cowboy stepp in.
"Mornin', oh, uhm- ya look-"
"Terrible." She finished.
"Not a mornin' person or-"
"Didn't sleep well. What do you want?" She said annoyed, wanting nothing but be back on her couch.
"Blackwatch is stealin' you from Lacroix. You're gonna be training with us today."
Alice stared at him, realizing what that meant. She groaned quietly and ran a hand through her sticking out black hair, before the mask covered her whole head back again. "How fantastic, really?" She said sarcastically. McCree noticed this, chuckling slightly as he nodded his head.
"Yes, really. Go on and get ya some breakfast. We'll expect you to meet us in the training room at eight o'clock sharp. You remember where the training room is, right?"
Alice nodded, not excited about it at all. "Yes, yes, I'll see you there."
She sighed, scratching her head, turning around to look at the black screen of holovision and the katana laying next to it.
It's a little more complicated than that.
"More complicated? What? Am I possessed?"
Well, when you put it that way, it sounds true, and... it is.
Alice groaned, running her hand down her face, "Me and my fucking luck..."