Chapter 19- Choice
"Alright, Gabe. Most of the base has evacuated," Sombra reported. "The only people left include Widowmaker, you, myself, some doctors, Doomfist, and obviously, Tracer is here as well." Sombra calmly brushed her hair back as Reaper prepared one of his guns.
"Good. And you brought what I wanted?"
Sombra rolled her eyes. "Ugh, of course, I did, Gabe." She tossed the ghost a small device. It was dark purple, with four pointed ends, much like spider legs. Altogether, it looked similar to the instrument Reaper had used to stabilise Lena when he needed to bring her to the Pit. "The toy is ready to go. You can activate the Toy with that remote you've been using."
"Perfect. And how's development on the other items?"
"Well, I finished up the chronal accelerator; its battery should last way longer now, and I changed the type of charger it needs, so she can't just run back to Overwatch, even if she wanted to. It's on the evacuation ship. The sympathiser-thingamawhatsit you wanted is there too, but not finished yet. It's a pretty easy build, though. I got all the things I've been tinkering with for the last project on board, too," Sombra listed, counting off the devices on her fingers.
"Perfect."
"And are you sure only us four are enough to fight off the twenty-something people coming for all of our heads?" she asked sceptically.
"You know the plan. Doomfist and Widowmaker will hold whatever team they lead with, while you and I guard our prisoner."
"I mean, we can just leave with her and not need to fight Overwatch," Sombra wisecracked, brushing her hand over the gun on her holster.
"That's not the point. We're here to hurt Overwatch as much as possible. Not to mention you wanted me to stop damaging the pet's body."
"This isn't- you know what? Whatever. Are we gonna, like, give her some water or something to make sure she doesn't roll over dead or are we trying to make a scene?"
"You're going to sneak her some water regardless of what I say. Feel free," Reaper allowed with disinterest.
"Alright then. I'll meet you at the front of the hallway or whatever when the alarms start going off."
Reaper nodded as Sombra moved to the kitchen and grabbed some water for Lena. At the last minute, she decided on getting her some chocolate as well. As she walked out with her items in hand, she yelped in surprise as she was confronted by Widowmaker.
"My apologies for startling you," Widowmaker expressed in monotone.
"Ohhhh, heya, Amélie. Looking forward to the attack? You seem as excited as always."
"Is that for Tracer?" the assassin asked, ignoring Sombra's question as she gestured to the candy and water.
Sombra rolled her eyes. "Look, I know it may be an unfamiliar thing to you, but I actually do somewhat care about her. I don't want to work with someone who's halfway to the grave."
Widowmaker snorted. "It's been five days. Five days of a complete, genuine attempt to convert her, unlike Amari's child."
"Great job, the spider can count!" Sombra quipped, rolling her eyes as Widowmaker followed her to the cell. "But what's that have to do with the price of tea in China?"
"Excuse me?" Widowmaker cocked an eyebrow.
"You've never heard that expression? You know what, never mind. What's five days have to do with anything?"
"I only lasted four."
"Ohhhhh," Sombra commented awkwardly. "Soooo what's that have to do with anything?"
"It's respectable, though I get the feeling respect is an unfamiliar concept," Widowmaker retorted snidely.
"Gotcha, gotcha. You planning on showing that regard or just hiding it under your sparkling personality?" Sombra asked, interested.
"That is not your concern. Now, give this to Lena as well," Sombra blinked in surprise as Widowmaker handed Sombra one of the small pouches with apple sauce in them, meant to drink from with a straw on the top. Sombra didn't even know Talon had applesauce. Though, picturing Reaper going grocery shopping and getting animal cookies and apple sauce was a fun mental image.
"Uh, thanks?" Sombra quirked her head. "She… she'll need all the nourishment she can get. I'll be sure to get this to her."
Widowmaker nodded, her expression still blank. "Now, mention any of this to Reaper, and I'll make sure he knows you didn't include the kill switch on the harness," Widowmaker added, making Sombra smirk, slightly impressed.
"Ooh, blackmailing me, huh? Sure, whatever. Mum's the word. Gabe won't know you're spinning yet another web." Sombra made the motion of zipping her lips and throwing away a key as the assassin rolled her eyes, and proceeded to meet up with Doomfist.
Sombra grabbed the remote when she finally reached Tracer's door, mentally preparing herself for what lay inside.
Tracer did not react to Sombra's entry, and seemed to be unconscious again, exhausted after the strain the video from a few hours ago had put on her. Sleeping seemed to be all she did when Reaper didn't inflict intense pain on her. Sombra's hand instinctively covered her nose as burnt flesh, blood, and decay assaulted her senses.
Lena awoke with a start as Sombra gently tapped her shoulder. She jolted upright and scurried several inches back, watching Sombra with wide eyes.
"Relajate, chica." Sombra tried to comfort, pulling her hand back. "I just brought you some things." Lena watched warily as Sombra pulled out the water bottle, opening the lid for her. "Come on, Gabe isn't the nicest guy, but I'd really prefer you not die on us." She sat down next to the girl on the floor, making Lena flinch.
Lena slowly extended her hand for the bottle, as though expecting repercussions. Sombra let her grab it, though her shivering hand was nowhere near steady enough to hold it up. Sombra let Lena guide the bottle to her lips while keeping a firm hold. The poor girl took a tentative sip as Sombra gently pulled the bottle away.
Sombra noticed as Lena swallowed, it was strained as she struggled with the collar on her neck. "Oh, sorry about that. Here." Sombra quickly pressed a few buttons on the remote as the collar came loose. Fresh blood began to flow as Sombra pulled it away, the skin peeling off and sticking to the piece of metal as Tracer whimpered pathetically. Sombra couldn't tell if it hurt or if she was afraid.
Then, Lena took huge, gulping breaths for air, wheezing as she could finally breathe properly again.
"Ew. This is just disgusting," Sombra commented as she helped Lena drink some more. "Just so you know, me and Widowmaker are so not on board with this."
Tracer wrinkled her brow, as though confused by this.
Sombra sighed. "This is all Gabe. Honestly, Widowmaker respects you for putting up a fight this long. And I, personally, just think this is barbaric and dumb," she admitted. Tracer's slow sips became heaping gulps, though the shivering and shaking had yet to end.
Lena watched silently as Sombra took back the water bottle. "You know you can talk to me right now, right?" The girl's eyes flitted to the ground, then to Sombra, unsure.
"Why… why are you so nice to me?" she croaked out, her rough voice barely above a whisper.
"I already told you. I'm not a fan of this whole 'torture and brainwash' thing Gabe's got going. I thought I'd give you a little break."
"And… what have you been doing with my chronal accelerator?" Sombra rolled her eyes.
"I fixed it up. Extended the battery life. Little things. I used the tech to make a few things, but the harness itself is A-Okay," Sombra offered. "And I swear I didn't rig this one," she added at Tracer's sceptical and nervous glance. "Anyway, tell me, Chica. How long do you plan to keep on fighting? This could all be over if you just gave up." Sombra gently unwrapped the candy bar and handed it to the girl.
Tracer just shrugged without conviction, slowly taking a bite of the candy. "I don't really have a choice in anything…" she mumbled, even though it was somewhat off-topic. "That video… the whole world saw it?"
Sombra nodded. "Oh, you know me. Hacking the globe. Just another day as Sombra."
"So now everyone can know how I'm Talon's little pet," she snarled, staring at the ground.
"Come on; you're taking that seriously?" Sombra half-joked, gently elbowing the prisoner. She recoiled as though struck by lightning.
Tracer looked genuinely confused. "Am I… Not supposed to take it seriously? Just look at me." She gestured to her mangled neck, raw and bloody from the collar.
Sombra winced. "Okay, I think Gabe wants you to take it seriously, but,"
"If he wants me to take it seriously, then I guess that's what matters, I'm supposed to do what he says…" Sombra growled at the girl's defeated voice.
"Oh hush up," Sombra ordered. She didn't expect the girl to obey, yet she slammed her mouth shut, and her eyes hit the floor. "Just… here, drink this," she took the candy wrapper from the shaking girl and handed her the apple sauce. "Let me look at your leg."
Tracer slowly sipped the drink as Sombra loosened the cuff on her right leg. "Does that feel better?"
"Doesn't feel like anything," Tracer mumbled, looking away.
"You don't have any feeling? Anywhere below your knee?" she asked with trepidation. Lena shook her head.
"The smell of decay is stronger here… I think gangrene is starting to occur or accumulate or whatever," she slowly admitted, wrinkling her nose as the smell of death assaulted her senses. The skin was barely recognisable as flesh, blackened and rotting. The knee itself was no better, with the bones having twisted and contorted to the point where it was almost unrecognisable. Sombra took short breaths as she tightened the cuff back on. "I don't see this healing all the way ever…"
"Crippled pet, he said…" Tracer recalled dejectedly between sips of the drink.
"Oh, quiet down. Don't be like that," Sombra rolled her eyes. Tracer immediately shut her mouth and looked away. "You really think Gabe would keep you around if we couldn't find some way to fix you up? He's really not into losing."
Tracer just shrugged, finishing up the applesauce as Sombra took the pouch back.
"You feel any better?" Sombra asked. Tracer shrugged.
"Tomaré eso como un sí." Tracer didn't react. Sombra sighed. "I'm gonna take that shrug as a yes," she joked.
Tracer shrugged again. Sombra rolled her eyes. "Ugh! You can at least laugh at my jokes! I hope you're not so much of a killjoy when we work together!" Lena recoiled, squeezing her eyes shut as she mumbled some sort of apology.
"You know, you make it hard to tease you."
"Sorry."
"Why are you sorry? Don't apologise!"
"Sorry…"
"Ugh, stop being so… so… pathetic! You were way less snivel-ly when I hacked that jet!" Sombra realised something, forcing a smirk. "Yeah, I plunged you through time and space, it was all my fault! I'm the reason you're here! It's all because of me that you're the freak you are! A freak on a lifeline with a battery! It's all because of me!" Sombra took a deep breath. "So just be mad or something!"
Lena just shrugged.
"Ugh! Get mad at me!" Sombra slammed her fist on the wall, "Stop being so passive! You're a person too! So be mad at me! At Reaper! At someone! Something other than scared for once! I practically ruined your life, all for my selfish gain! And I don't regret it either or anything! Is that not enough to get any reaction out of you? Come on! You were going to be one of the best pilots in the world! But thanks to me, all you can do now is fight! So how about you make yourself useful and do that! I won't even fight back or anything! Just do… something! ¡Cabreate o algo!" Sombra roared with her eyes squeezed shut.
Tracer shrugged, her eyelids beginning to close. "Tired… I'm so tired…" she admitted.
"You're not dying on us, are you?" Sombra asked, getting nervous.
"I've felt dying… I wish I were feeling that now… I'm just tired."
It had almost slipped Sombra's mind that the girl dreamed without being stabilised. "¿Ves? More things you've experienced thanks to me!" Her heart wasn't in it, though. It was evident Tracer just… wasn't getting upset. It was worrying. If this was her state of mind now… would Reaper's plans break her for good? Part of Sombra wanted to tell Tracer Overwatch was coming, just to give her some glimmer of hope. But, given what Reaper had planned, wouldn't that just be crueller? Sombra kept quiet.
"Okay, Chica, let me help you to the bed, at least. And I need to put the collar back on." Tracer made no move to protest as Sombra clamped the collar around. "Jesus, this hurts me more than it hurts you to put this thing on. How the heck can you breathe with this on?"
Tracer shrugged.
"Okay, okay, let's get you to the bed. Tell me if I begin to hurt you or something." Sombra grabbed Tracer's shoulder, tugging her upward. She pulled the right arm over her shoulder so Tracer wouldn't have to move her bad leg.
Lena offered no resistance as the two hobbled over to the uncomfortable metal bench. Sombra winced as Lena's bad leg made horrendous squishing and popping noises no matter how little it moved as Tracer did her best to keep it suspended above the floor, her eyes on the ground.
"Hey, when this is all over, drinks on me, okay?" Sombra added as she eased Tracer onto the bench.
Tracer shrugged.
…
Overwatch left in four different ships. In the one with the most technology and medical equipment, Winston, Efi, Hanzo, Torbjörn, Zenyatta, and Mei were setting up whatever they thought would be needed. Hanzo, Mei, and Zenyatta were prepared to give medical attention to anyone who needed it. Efi was on a laptop connected to the channel Junkrat, Roadhog, Lúcio, and Symmetra were on, despite wanting to watch Orisa.
"Winston, let me know if Orisa is having any malfunctions or something!" she had repeated over and over as she periodically checked the heart rate monitors of her group on the ship near them. She was ready to flip to a different channel for communication between the groups whenever needed.
Torbjörn was adamant about watching the main offensive team, which he had ensured his e54 Bastion unit would go on. Packed into that group was Orisa, Reinhardt, Soldier 76, and Ana. Pharah was to stay outside for cover fire should they need it.
Winston watched the final group of Genji, McCree, Mercy, and D,va. Every agent had heart rate monitors and cameras, which the group expertly cycled between.
Efi took a deep breath, turning to Winston nervously. "Are you sure you want me to do this? I don't mind, but what if I mess up? What if…?"
Zenyatta put a hand on the child's shoulder. "You will do well, child. Your group is not expected to encounter much resistance, but we need someone skilled to navigate them through the base. Efi gulped, eyes darting between Zenyatta's serene form and Winston's reassuring smile.
"Okay, if you say so…"
Torbjörn scoffed. "I'm not sure having the child monitor everything over the others we have here is wise," he snarled, causing Efi to pull back a bit.
Mei shook her head. "I'm not great with all that fancy stuff! No way would I be able to efficiently press all the buttons and switch between screens and watch everyone at once!"
Hanzo chipped in as well. "And my arm is still wounded."
Torbjörn grunted. "Then why not have the Omnic watch?"
"Because Miss Oladele is more well-suited for the job than I," Zenyatta offered in a challenge to the cynical man.
Efi watched everyone with wide eyes, not sure what to think. She beamed. "Then if you believe that I can, I won't let you down!" Efi adamantly checked the heart rate monitors and front and back cameras on each of her agents, making sure the communicators worked.
"Points for enthusiasm," Torbjörn conceded, rolling his eyes as he moved to monitor his group, checking Bastion's systems as well.
"Don't worry Miss Oladele. You will do well," Hanzo promised, sitting back in his chair.
Efi nodded and turned on her mic. "You guys ready for this?" she asked her group.
…
"To think I would need to work with a street ruffian like you," Symmetra sneered as she flew the jet while Lúcio sat next to her on the bench of small aircraft while Junkrat and Roadhog watched, puzzled.
"Look, neither of us are happy about this, but you saw the video. I think we can both agree that we need to end this," Lúcio sighed unhappily. "Doesn't mean we have to enjoy it, but we have to do it."
"You could at least go on the mission without your stolen technology."
Lúcio snorted. "You're one to talk."
"So what are we doin'?" Junkrat asked in confusion. "We brought a bunch of stuff, so just name it!"
"We are rigging the base to explode when the mission is done," Symmetra recited blankly. "The ruffian is here to use his stolen technology to boost our speed, and I am here to work through any defence systems we encounter, along with having teleporters prepared to back us out."
Junkrat's eyes practically sparkled. "How big a place we lookin' to blow?"
"Enormous," Lúcio replied warily. "Any idea how we could blow up that whole place?"
"Find the spot where they make the power! Maybe a science lab with some explosive-y stuff! We can level this place to the ground no problem!" he cheered as Roadhog watched passively.
"So uh, why we blowin' this place up?"
"Surely you saw the video," Symmetra scolded, straightening her dress as she flew. "Talon was utterly barbaric towards that girl, and we aim to her."
"Oh, now it's barbaric," Lúcio sneered.
"Any treatment like that is horrendous," Symmetra reaffirmed. "I would never support such a thing."
Lúcio snorted. "For once we agree on something. But maybe you should ask your boss what he does with prisoners."
"Oi, if you two are done arguing," Junkrat butt in, "Couldja help me with these explosives?"
Lúcio rolled his eyes. "We'll talk later, Vishkar."
…
Despite the large group, the crowded jet was extremely quiet. Orisa was sitting on the ground, her arms crossed over her equine legs. Reinhardt glared at the floor of the jet as Morrison and Amari sat next to him with neutral expressions. The bastion unit Torbjörn had repaired sat down in the middle of the ship, occasionally whirring or chirping in anticipation. Pharah flew the jet with her rocket launcher and helmet nearby.
"Are we certain this Bastion unit is safe to be around?" Reinhardt asked warily through the comm.
"Of course it is!" Torbjörn retorted in frustration. "I made sure it could recognise friend from foe, and I removed its programming that made it thirst for human blood and whatnot."
"Nicely done," Jack complimented, leaning back.
"Thanks, Commander," Torbjörn grunted.
"Don't call me that," he stated plainly. "That man died long ago."
Ana rolled her eyes next to him. "Jack's really got the edgy old man thing down."
Jack shot his partner an annoyed glance, despite the visor.
"Excuse me, Soldier 76," Orisa interrupted, drawing everyone's attention. "Why do you wear that visor outside of combat, if you don't mind me asking?"
Ana shot the soldier next to her and amused glance at his wrinkled forehead. "My vision is impaired," he answered plainly.
Fareeha piped up from the cockpit. "Is that why you reacted as you did in the conference room? Your hearing might have been enhanced from that."
And smirked. "You can't see it, but he's rolling his eyes from behind the mask."
Jack sighed and rubbed his temple. "I apologise for my lack of grace back there, but nobody there was the pinnacle of serenity there either, if memory serves."
Reinhardt sighed. "I still can't believe Gabriel would do this. I thought he quite liked Tracer. We all did, really. Hard not to appreciate an idealist in a world of pessimists."
"Gabe never was the sentimental type," Jack mused. "Not to mention he was Blackwatch's number one interrogator."
"Why let an interrogator perform reforming torture, then?" Reinhardt asked through grit teeth.
Jack sighed. "To hurt us as much as possible."
Ana winced. "Given everyone's reactions, I'd say it's working too."
…
D,va hummed nervously as she checked her mech's systems for the umpteenth time, sitting back down once she realised there was nothing left to fix. She felt everyone's gaze on her as she did so.
"Miss Song, do you have any plans regarding stealth with that?" Genji asked sceptically.
Hana chuckled and shook her head. "No, I'm not sure why Winston put me on the stealth team, to be honest."
"Oh, I wouldn't call it a 'stealth' team, given the spurs, glowing wings, and bubble-gum pink mech," Angela joked from the cockpit. "I believe the 'not-quite-as-loud-team' would be more accurate."
McCree sighed, his voice discouraged. "Plus, we can likely find some way to carry Lena out on that. I doubt she'll be walkin' much after what we saw." Everybody winced.
"She said she was… sorry." Genji mused, his voice just as low. "Even after everything, she was sorry about what happened in Gibraltar. If that doesn't prove that wasn't her talking to us that day, then I don't know what does."
"Before Reyes up and electrocuted her," Jesse snarled, clenching his fist. "All for not crawlin' around like an animal to… safe zones."
Genji remained still, his expression hidden behind his mask. "Safe zones, shrunken areas in which she could be stable."
"This train of thought does nothing but cloud our judgement," Mercy fiddled with her staff as everybody stared at the ground.
"Hana, you say that video went viral?" Genji asked with a sense of trepidation. "What are the news outlets looking like?"
Hana hummed, pulling out her phone. "At a glance? Not spectacular. A lot of chaos all around, people wondering if it was staged, if Tracer joined Talon, things like that."
"Ugh, just when we were starting to get some positive PR, too," Genji grunted. "It'll be back to square one all over again."
Hana shook her head. "If anything, Lúcio and I will work on keeping you guys going strong, however we can! We have the public influence, and we'll use it!" she comforted as she settled down with her phone back in her pocket. Probably not the safest place to put it before a mission, but whatever.
…
The groups landed only a few feet from each other at different times as everyone took a position. The main group went into the rubble immediately. They were in Switzerland.
"This is where their hideout is?" Genji asked Winston sceptically over the comm. This location…
"No way…" Mercy mumbled as she checked the location on the HoloVid in their jet.
"It's the ruins of the Swiss base…" McCree mumbled. "You know, to add insult to injury."
"Yes, this is the spot," Winston admitted over their mics. "The first team has gone in ten minutes ago." The base was in shambles, white and blue stones and metal jutted out dangerously for miles, the floor tattered and ruined with grass and moss growing over the old headquarters.
"Did this place have, like, and underground facility to it?"
McCree nodded. "Sure did, but it'd be in shambles too. Guess they must've refurbished it and whatnot. Given it a fresh coat of paint," he sneered. "On the bright side, I know where the prisoner hold is. I'm a tad too familiar with it. We can get there no problem."
Pharah was outside, on the remains of what must have been the communication tower, propped on the unsteady rubble as she saluted them from above, watching diligently.
"We clear to go, Winston?" Hana asked, remotely turning on her mech with her wristband as she sat back and waited for the go-ahead.
"Hang on, I'll give the word. McCree, Genji, you know how to get to the underground portions, right?"
"Well, duh, but they must've done some expandin' or somethin' McCree mused. "I'd guess they kept the prisoner section the same though, given there weren't exactly the most hospitable places." He took a deep breath. "Hana, mind showin' me the video again? You said it's all over the Internet."
Hana winced. "I mean, sure… Let me find it." A few seconds later, she had the uncut video downloaded onto her phone as she tossed it to McCree, the screen frozen on the camera's first pan into the room with Tracer curled up on the floor.
McCree watched a few seconds and shoved the phone back into Hana's hands, looking away, his face pale. "Ugh, yep, that's the prison bay. Room in the back. Blocked by a fingerprint scanner. We'll have to bust the door down."
"So much for subtlety," Hana joked nervously. "Now to just wait for the go ahead…"
"Let's hope the crew's doin' alright."
…
Reinhardt and Orisa led the way as the group picked through the rubble to reach the entrance to the underground part of the facility. The entrance was a staircase veiled under a thick mess of debris, though it "conveniently" opened up in a small archway of unsteady rocks piled against each other to leave a small gap for entry while still allowing the rubble to look natural.
Orisa and Bastion moved away the debris with ease, revealing the dusty staircase that wound deep into the ground.
Orisa and Bastion were the first to go down, Bastion whirring merrily as everyone followed.
"I cannot believe Talon would repurpose the Swiss headquarters like this…" Reinhardt mused.
"Wouldn't put it past Reyes," Soldier 76 deadpanned. "The guy has a pretty up there position in Talon, along with being a top agent."
"So when do we get to blow things up?" Junkrat asked from the back as everyone worked their way down the stairs.
"Do not set off the timer until Efi tells you, please," Ana informed him. "Otherwise you'll blow us all up with the base."
"Aw." The man whined, stumbling down the stairs clumsily.
"Remember," Efi chirped through the second group's communicators. "Split off from the main group right away when you are able! I'll try to guide you where I can!"
…
Doomfist cracked his knuckles. "They're here." He turned to Widowmaker, who was standing calmly next to him. "Are you ready?"
"Always," she answered smoothly. In the large room, she did not have very many grappling spots, but she could still dispatch enemies with ease if she saw fit. The distant sounds of approaching enemies could be heard echoing through the metal walls of the otherwise silent base.
Widowmaker activated the Widow's kiss and scoped in on the hallways. Footsteps echoed through the halls as the ground quaked. "Remember the plan. We are to buy time," Doomfist ordered.
The blue-skinned assassin sighed. "I am aware."
Finally, A bright blue shield rounded the corner, with a crusader in giant armour being the one to carry it, his face hidden behind his helmet.
"And so it begins," Doomfist smirked, charging the crusader with his gauntlet outstretched.
...
"This is so weird…" Efi commented as she watched her group trek through the many halls and corridors of the underground base, leading them as best she could. "I'd have expected way more people by now, or anyone for that matter."
"They likely evacuated the majority of the base," Symmetra offered as the group rushed through the many halls, ignoring the sounds of conflict echoing in the distance.
The group rounded a corner, revealing the door that was locked behind a fingerprint scanner. It was labelled "Database."
"Yo Vishkar, can you open that?" Lúcio grunted, sliding back on his skates.
Satya rolled her eyes. "Of course I can." She kneeled down. "However, could you please help me take off the panel?" she requested, turning to Roadhog. The giant of a man hobbled over, pulling off the
"I don't get it," Junkrat whined. "Why can't this place have one of those fancy schmancy maps that malls have that tells us where they keep the generators?"
"Because those that work here should be familiar with the layout," Symmetra retorted in a tired voice as she began to fiddle with the wiring. "Otherwise they do not deserve to be employed here."
"I'd say if they're willing to work for Talon, this is exactly where those scums should work," Lúcio sneered.
Efi chipped in from the communicator. "Y'know, I doubt everybody that works here agrees with the whole "capture and torture thing." Didn't Overwatch do that too, when they needed to interrogate people?"
"That was different. They needed information. Overwatch didn't just do what we saw," Lúcio argued as Symmetra worked, his blaster out and prepared.
"Well, we're all new here. We don't know that. Besides, torture is kinda by definition, morally grey. I'm not trying to justify what Talon did, but if it's an "ends justify the means" mind set, and Overwatch uses it too, who are we to assume we're better than them?"
"But we haven't done that, at least as long as I've been here!" Lúcio snapped. "Besides, I think there is a liiiiittle difference between capturing a terrorist to stop their wicked plans, and getting some info out of them, versus emotionally and physically abusing someone until any semblance of their old self is gone!" Lúcio practically shouted.
"They tortured Tracer, and they're definitely being more brutal about it here, but Overwatch did torture people too. There's no way that kind of pain is okay for one group to do it but not another. It's not right on either front, but it might not be wrong either. It all just depends. We can't hold our heads higher than people whose levels we have stooped to," Efi pressed. "Not to mention, didn't Vishkar torture you too, to a degree? You'd say that's any righter than what Talon does?"
That got Symmetra's attention. "Pardon me?" She raised her brow at the DJ.
Lúcio waved it off. "Just… never mind. Look, we'll talk later. And Efi?"
"Yeah?"
"You sure you're just twelve?"
"I'm technically twelve and three-quarters."
"Ah, that explains it. You've got a good head, kid," Lúcio beamed and turned back to Satya, who seemed hyper-focused on the lock. "How we doing here, Vishkar?"
As if on cue, the door opened. "It is done. Come, let us find out our next destination."
…
Reinhardt dug his feet into the ground as he fought with Doomfist for leverage, the rest of the group running in behind him as two very familiar soldiers joined the fight against her boss.
"Widowmaker, take care of the Omnics!"
"As you wish." The sniper pointed her scope at the head of the Bastion, intent on taking him out before he could shift into turret mode. Unfortunately, the OR15 seemed to project a barrier, shielding the bastion as he clicked and clanged into the form of a turret. Widowmaker hurried behind the cover of the crusader and Doomfist fighting as the Bastion whirred uncertainly, ceasing his fire.
Widowmaker took the opportunity to shoot her grappling hook over to the Bastion as it pierced the shield, pulling her up to the robot as she charged her gun. The gunshot cracked through the small corridors as the e54's turret gun began to spark and jam as the robot shifted back into his recon mode, chirping in alarm. The bullet had lodged itself directly in the rotating barrel and would make firing anything dangerous and foolish.
Widowmaker rolled away from the OR15 that attempted to smack her with the gun on her arm, used her grappling hook to attach to the Bastion's arm, and smoothly slid under the legs off the equine robot, circling around and entangling one of her hindquarters in the sturdy rope stuck to Bastion. Widowmaker pulled the string taut, as the OR15 tried to kick her hindquarters, losing balance and falling to the ground momentarily as the Bastion stumbled forward.
The assassin aimed at the exposed power source of the e54 as he whirred in alarm. Just as she took the shot, the bullet was stopped by a blue barrier. It ricocheted into the nearby wall. The OR15 shot the wire on her leg and lugged herself back up, firing some green sphere from her other gun that seemed to pull Widowmaker towards it. The force was weak, at first, but the next second she felt herself launched forward as the Bastion plunged his fist into her side, sending her careening into the wall. She staggered upward, using the gun as a crutch to force herself onto her feet as fuzzy pain radiated from her side, meaning she was likely hurt more than she felt.
"Surrender, agent of Talon!" the OR15 demanded, holding her gun out threateningly. Bastion chirped sadly from behind her, tilting his head.
"I cannot."
"Then we will make you."
Widowmaker hummed and smirked. "Or I could do this." She lunged, prepared to hit the robot with her gun. It was foolish and would lead to nothing but injury. That's what Widowmaker would count on. It would give them some small chance to rescue the girl that had so painstakingly won over the assassin's respect.
The OR15 didn't hesitate, grabbing Widowmaker's wrist and twisting it as it let out a sickening snap. The assassin grunted but otherwise smirked. "Thanks. Now, if you do not mind, I must go."
"Why on earth attack me like that?" The OR15 demanded, holding out her hand to stop Widowmaker, who merely slid under despite her injuries.
"That is for me to know and you to wonder," Widowmaker taunted vaguely as she ran to meet her boss, who knew he was being overpowered by the three-man-onslaught.
The two exchanged knowing glances and ran.
"Get back here you coward!" Reinhardt bellowed, charging after the twosome with the rest of the crew close behind. Surely, though, the duo had bought enough time.
…
"Look who's finally arrived," Reaper taunted as Hana's group rounded the corner to the prisoner hall. Sombra stood behind him, her usually cocky and smug face somewhat neutral.
"Howdy, Reyes. Been a while," McCree greeted darkly, pulling out Peacekeeper.
"I see you haven't changed a bit, Jesse. Though, I think you looked much better in your black uniform," the ghost taunted, crossing his arms.
"Figures you would say that," he snarled. "So, I don't suppose you'd like to just up and give us Oxton back, would ya?"
"Now, why would I do that?" he asked innocently. "She's going to be an asset to Talon."
"Like hell!" McCree sneered, firing at Reyes' neck. The bullet passed right through as Gabriel melted into smoke and began circling the group. He regained his form behind everyone, though Hana was ready as she whirled her mech around and activated her defence matrix, evaporating every bullet of the large shotguns with the deft flick of her fingers. Genji sprang into action, pulling out his blade and lunging at Gabriel, who evaporated under the slash of the sword.
D,va continued blocking his bullets when suddenly, all the systems in her mech jammed and her eject system activated without her activating it. The next instant, she was tossed out of her mech as she haphazardly landed on the metal floor, pulling her gun out. The mech's lights were bright purple. She glared at Sombra, who was nonchalantly leaning against the wall, almost not paying attention.
"Hey! Leave my mech alone!" Hana snapped, firing her little pistol at Sombra, which may as well have been as useful as a peashooter; Sombra deftly tossed a small device into the air, transporting to it at the next second as she avoided all the fire. She landed right by the mech and typed a few things into her Holovid before anyone could react.
The mech whirred to life, charging sporadically at Genji and McCree depending on who was closer. The two barrelled out of the way as Mercy hung back, trying to use her nanotechnology to help the twosome fight.
"Alright Gabe," Sombra nearly moaned, going back to leaning against the wall. Hana gasped as the smoke began to swirl around her, Reaper taking form and grabbing her by the wrist, quickly wrenching D,va's gun from her.
"Come with me for a while, will you?" he asked in a melodic yet raspy voice.
"Guys! Help!" Hana cried as Reaper began pulling her away from the group.
"Hana!" Genji shouted as he dashed for the group, only to be intercepted by the rampaging MEKA suit. Nobody could reach her as she was whisked away to a very familiar room, the shouts of her team fading into the background.
"Hana! Hana! Are you okay?" she heard Winston cry through her mic. Reaper tsked, and pulled the communication device out of her ear, crushing it in his other hand as he forced the teenager to the room from the video.
The door was open, to Hana's surprise. She kicked and fought for all she was worth as Reaper took her inside, Sombra following closely behind, her face still neutral.
The smell was horrid. Decay and blood and burning flesh assaulted Hana's senses as she grew dizzy for a moment. The metal room was disgusting, with blood splattered in various places, some drier than others.
Then there was Tracer. The girl was motionless on the metal bench that must have been Talon's sorry excuse for a bed. Her right leg fell off it at an entirely unnatural angle, as though the joints weren't even there anymore. The skin below it was black and twisted and burnt and sick, the sickening sight only interrupted by one of the painful metal cuffs.
"Wake up, my Pet," Reaper ordered, remote in hand.
His words seemed to jolt Lena awake as she snapped her eyes open and heaved herself into an upright position. Her eyes were dull and tired, as though she was done with everything.
Then Lena noticed D,va, and her eyes widened in horror. She turned to Reaper, her eyes pleading as she watched Hana struggle in Reyes' grasp.
"Oh? You want me to let this girl go?" he asked, almost teased.
Lena coughed for several seconds before opening her mouth to speak. "L-let D,va go…" her voice was like a nail on a chalkboard, grating and painful to listen to.
"Hmm. I could, you know," Reaper admitted. "But I thought I'd test something out on her, first." Hana squirmed in protest as Reaper forced her to the ground, pinning her under him with his boot on her back, impossible to move as she tried to push away from the musty and disgusting floor.
Hana flinched as she felt him attack some small object to the back of her neck. It pierced her skin and latched on mercilessly. She didn't feel anything immediately wrong, though. She had the feeling that wouldn't last.
"You see this, my Pet?" Reaper cooed. Hana watched, pinned to the ground, Lena's mouth fell wide open. "I think you know what this is. What did you call it, Sombra? The Toy? Well, let me tell you. I call it a chronal destabilizer."
Hana flipped the words over in her head a few times until it dawned on her what was happening. "You're threatening me as blackmail?" She roared from her position on the ground. "You're an absolute sicko! Don't you dare listen to him, Tracer! Everybody is coming! We can get out of here!"
Reaper chuckled. "You know, perhaps Tracer could, but what about you, D,va? Let me tell you. If I activate it remotely, or if anyone tries to remove or tamper with it… well, Pet, do you know what that means?" he turned to Lena, who was trembling, tears streaming down her face. "It means pro gamer Hana Song will join you in being the world's next freak."
Reaper let Lena comprehend his words before continuing. "She'll be torn through space and time just as you are. She will be stuck in that void of time for who knows how long, given I wouldn't be the one to stabilise her, and she'll have no way to reach Overwatch once they flee this place. Why, she could be stuck as a freak-of-nature ghost for all eternity, dreaming about things that no person would ever be able to suffer through in a single lifetime, and it'll be all your fault. Because of you, she will be the next victim of Chronal Disassociation. Now, you wouldn't want that, would you?"
"Don't listen to him, Tracer!" Hana cried, but the words went unheeded as Lena shivered from her spot on the bed.
"Don't… please don't do that. Please… Please… Please…" Lena begged, barely reaching her cuffed hand out, trembling like a new-born deer. She looked as though she desperately wanted to reach them, yet lacked the strength to leave the bed.
"You can stop me, and you know exactly how to do so," Reaper declared ominously.
Hana watched the life drain from Lena's eyes, as though her body lived yet her spirit died. A horrible look of hopelessness that Hana would be able to picture for the rest of her life was the expression of the broken, shattered person in front of them. She slouched over and bowed her head.
"Don't you dare!" Hana cried out again. "Don't you dare do it! Who cares if I'm lost in time or whatever? DON'T YOU DARE GIVE UP OVER THIS!" Her words didn't reach the prisoner.
"Okay… I give up. I'll do whatever you want… Just don't do it… Please…"
There was no more fight. No more defiance. No more joy, stubbornness, or anything. Her voice was empty and defeated. Tracer was gone.
Lena Oxton had finally broken.