Shoutout to Shanmay. May you snipe an ulting mercy out the sky as Widow.
With that victory, the entire world responded. Where once there was fear and doubt in the very air itself, there was hope. Humanity, who was for months left with no choice but to defend and extract citizens, now had a new objective. We could attack them.
At first no one could believe their eyes as the omnics surrounding the omnium paused, motionless like the abandoned cars that dot the cities. As it turns out, there were Ravagers nearby, who without Anubis' influence, returned to their normal selves. Fortunately, they also didn't hold a grudge against humanity and laid down their arms.
The other "hostile" omnics, were easy pickings for the soldiers, as the US army immediately began their deconstruction of the omnium. I didn't have time to stay around for Sojourn and Mina to wake up. Much like with Jack, we were both being redeployed as there was plenty of work to do. Plus, I pretty much knew that trying to convince Sojourn to leave the Canadian army and join Overwatch was not going to happen. She had too many reasons to remain, so I wasn't even going to try. I had no idea what Mina would be doing, but I figured it was work related to disrupting the communications commanding the omnics.
Nevertheless, I was due for another talking with Madam Adawe. One that I wasn't looking forward to. I knew that she didn't trust me, and I was ok with that. At this point, I've learned that I'm not hero material but if she was going to constantly pester me as to what my motive was or to reveal the future, I was going to have to stand my ground.
Fortunately for me, I didn't have to meet her face to face this time, as I was scheduled a call with her on the communications device. Finding a quiet spot in my designated room, I join the call already in session.
"Private Rose, reporting." I announce myself.
Even though she maintains a poker face, I can tell that she pleased that I'm more formal this time. But that quickly fades as the overall sense that she doesn't like me returns.
"Good work on each of your missions, Private. I have contacted you personally to bring you good news. Apparently, members in high command are thoroughly impressed with your prowess. As you have shown great leadership skills by taking command when needed, and your medical knowledge, you are being promoted to Private First Class. I hope that you will continue to do great things for the sake of humanity. Congratulations." She explains.
Even with my little knowledge into the rankings of the military, I knew that was just a step above the lowest rank. I knew without a doubt that I had impressed someone in the higher ranks, but Adawe didn't want me skipping ranks. Then i started imagining myself being a lieutenant at this young of an age and managed to hide my smile. Remembering where I was and who I was talking to, I quickly regained my composure.
"Thank you." I say keeping it as simple as possible. I wanted this conversation to end quickly.
"Yes, keep up the good work." She says with no emotion as if reading from a script. "However, I wouldn't be too hasty to celebrate as there is plenty of work to do now." She continues. She was right, with my new rank came more responsibilities. I only hope that I didn't have to train any new recruits.
"Right now, I have operatives focusing on the nearest source that commands omnics based on the data that Dr. Liao provided. Even though we have this information, it isn't easy work dealing with the problems. We have many targets from omniums, to these so-called Ravagers. Plus, you'll be required to provide medical assistance in areas where heavy causalities are expected. But, as per my requirement, you are not to train anyone expect in the medical field. I don't want you or your omnic's influence on my men."
It takes everything in me to not smirk or smile at hearing that as not only was it funny, but it was what I wanted.
"However, there is a matter that we need to address." Her tone and face grow serious making me question what she was about to bring up. Fearing the worst, I get ready to get defensive.
"I have a vision of how I want Overwatch to be in the future when this is all over. I want it to be a beacon of hope and those who want to lead others and the world to a better future. In it, will be leaders that can inspire those around them by setting an example. That being said, I know of your unsavory dealings with a criminal group in the past." She explains.
I ponder for a second what she means before I realize that she's referring to the Shimada. I had forgotten that they were considered criminals even though what they did was lighter than their rivals.
"What about it?" I question raising an eyebrow.
"It disqualifies you from ever having a place of leadership in Overwatch." She explains.
When she says that, it ticks me off. Not because I particularly wanted a leadership role, but how it seems like she was trying to oppress me even though I haven't done anything to warrant it.
"I'm just going to speak freely. Listen, I respect you and all, but don't let your dislike of me get in the way of whats good for everyone else. I'm here to help humanity but if you plan on hindering me due to necessary decisions done in the past, then maybe Overwatch isn't for me." I stand my ground by setting a boundary. If I did indeed impress the top brass, they wouldn't see too kindly to me leaving. I didn't want to have to pull that card, but I had to make it known that I would.
She chuckles, throwing me off. "You misunderstand me young man. I don't have to like you or anyone for that matter. We all have a responsibility to do and mine is Overwatch. While it might be true that for now, you're here to assist humanity through Overwatch, I can tell that you're using your knowledge to get something that only Overwatch can get you. Since my priorities are for Overwatch, is it wrong of me keep the one with the ulterior motive at a distance.
As for your background, the Shimada is a group renown for producing assassins. One of which you no doubt are. You wouldn't have even gotten an invitation to Overwatch without my say so, therefore, I didn't hold it against you. I'm respecting your decision to help, but in the future, people will no doubt bring up your background and use it against us, so a leadership role wouldn't be ideal."
Hearing her explain herself, ticks me off more, but I calm myself down. "Then why not explain it like that beforehand? Why go through such a roundabout way to say all that?" I ask.
"You did the same before when I met you in person. I'm only just matching your energy, as they say. And apparently quite better at it as well. Now if you're done whining, want to hear your mission?" She asks with a cocky smile. Rolling my eyes I start to listen.
"Funnily enough, it seems that there are certain areas in the world where there is absolutely no omnic activity recorded there. Almost as if they don't even know if the war is happening. One such place is Japan, namely a place called Hanamura. According to Mina's intel, there is a single Ravager there, somehow providing communications to another area. But there is a problem. While Overwatch works with the Japanese government, according to their politics, we are unable to send a team to eliminate the threat. That's where you come in. We have an insider, who specifically asked for you. A Mamoru Shimada."
[A/N: I know a lot of you are going to say, hey this isn't like the Genesis shorts. I know. When I started this, it was way before they got their shit together to make that. Plus, even after, it still doesn't quite make sense as it conflicts with what they have on their own wiki. For example, they say they based Aurora's sacrifice on the principles Anubis was using to control the omnics. Meaning they imply they knew of him from the beginning. But in the Wiki, it states they don't find out about him till later when they triangulate his position years later. Don't get me wrong though, I did enjoy watching it and enjoy much of the content they produce and hope they even make a movie out of Overwatch. It's just they have a lot of holes and conflicts in their lore.]