The Matter of Genji

"Jack, you can't do that!"

"And why not, Gabriel!? He's nothing but the next in line to the yakuza."

"He was never involved and you know it. We can't turn him into a weapon! It's against his will! Against our own morals in which Overwatch stands!"

"We have orders from the U.N. Gabe. There's nothing we can do for that criminal."

"Don't you dare treat Genji like you treat McCree! They are both victims of circumstance. Besides, they're under my custody. You can't force orders upon them! If Angela found out about this, she would agree with me!"

"Gabe, he could have answers to what happened to the yakuza after you picked him up! Maybe he was just a distraction for the Shimada clan to escape!"

"That would never happen! Wave had been keeping close tabs on Genji, his brother, and the clan. They were planning on killing him and almost succeeded because you wouldn't allow me to move in right away! All because you don't trust any of Wave's information!"

"I can't trust someone I haven't met! What if he's just a spy trying to take down Overwatch from within!?"

"Wave wouldn't do that! He's been nothing but helpful with each and every Blackwatch mission. He helped save Genji's life! I'm pretty sure he's earned some trust. Besides, if I asked Wave, he could give me a full report on what happened to the Shimada clan."

"While you do that, I'm having a word with the Shimada. You're dismissed Reyes," Jack said as he entered Genji's medical room.

Gabriel was pissed. The thought of Genji being weaponized was awful. He feared this would break the kid's spirit and anger Wave. However, he had no authority over it or any of the new programs the Strike-Commander had approved. Wave told him about the experimental flight program, and saw all the dangers that came with it.

Gabriel sighed, seeing there was no reason to be upset just to take it out on others. He needs to figure out what happened to the Shimada clan. Wave had the answer, but he wanted McCree to ask Beak. He was more worried about Genji's situation and how Wave would take it.

So Gabriel told McCree to text Beak about the Shimada clan, while he was going to message his concerns for Genji to Wave. But just before he sent it, Soundwave texted him to go to the observation room. Gabriel wasn't surprised that Wave knew about the room. Angela had put Genji in a room with a one way mirror to monitor his mental state because of his condition. Only Gabriel and Ana knew about this room. The Strike-Commander would too if he read the report.

Once he was in the room, Gabriel was greeted with the sight of Angela listening in on the conversation between the young Shimada and the Commander of Overwatch. Gabriel sat next to Angela as he watched the scene play out.

"How are you feeling, Mr. Shimada?"

"I feel fine. Thanks to Dr. Ziegler, I'm going to live."

"So, you feel indebted to her?"

"Her, McCree, Commander Reyes, Wave, and Beak. They're the reasons I'm alive now. How I survived the beating my brother gave me."

"Cut down by your own brother. Must have hurt you a lot."

"It did, but it wasn't his fault."

"Do you resent him?"

"I could never resent my brother."

"Yet he cut you up and left you a cripple."

"Not of his own accord! The Elders were the ones to make him!"

"Oh? Then why did your brother cut you down instead of sending someone else to do it?"

"Stop it," Genji said. He didn't want to hear this. Especially from someone who didn't know the situation. From someone who didn't know him or Hanzo.

"He was head of the clan. Why didn't he just go against the elders' wishes?"

"Stop it!"

"Why didn't he strike you in a way that you would st-"

"SHUT UP! YOU know Nothing!" Genji yelled out. Jack was knocked back against the wall by Genji's dragon spirit that circled him as winds picked up around the room. Jack was amazed that Genji harbored immense power even though was crippled.

"You know nothing about me or my brother! You know nothing about our life or situation! YOU have no RIGHT to Judge Us!"

Gabriel and Angela quickly jumped into action. They both made their way into the room to get to Genji. Though, Angela was immediately pushed against the wall like Jack. The doctor and Strike-Commander tried to move, but the winds were too strong.

However, Gabriel wasn't affected by the winds at all. He quickly made his way over to Genji, gently took his head in his arms and hugged him close. Gabriel lightly rubbed the back of Genji's head to calm him. He knew he was calming Genji as the winds began to die down. When the winds died completely, Gabriel found his voice to speak to a dazed Genji.

"Genji, it's alright. Jack doesn't know anything. You know that your brother didn't have a choice," Gabriel said as he glared at Jack. "That's why your brother asked Wave to call us in. Hanzo wanted us to stop your family and save you because you were in danger."

"I'm safe?" Genji asked in his dazed state. "My brother saved me?"

"Yes, your safe Genij. Your brother wanted us to save you. He loves you too much to have you die, remember? You both knew this was the only way to see each other again."

Genji gazed around the room and he realized how messy it was. Then he turned to Jack and Angela with concerned looks. "Are you two alright?"

Angela rushed to his side and checked over his vitals. "We're fine, Genji. I'm more worried about you. Do you have any headaches? Any pain anywhere?"

As Angela began to fret over Genji, Gabriel pulled Jack out of the room. "What the hell were you thinking!? Genji is very frail right now! He's not in the right state of mind to talk to you or anyone, but Angela and the people he knows!"

"Gabe, I'm sorry about what happened, but I have my orders. The U.N, won't take no for an answer. Do you really think we can trust him though?"

"Of course! He's just a victim! We can't-"

"No, I was referring to Wave," Jack interrupted. "It didn't take you too long trust him. What did he do to earn your trust so easily?"

"Information, that's all," Gabriel replied simply. "That's all he's ever done for me."

"It has to be more than that! Information can only get you so far! How does he even get such info!? Is he a hacker? Have you ever met face to face!?"

"Jack, why are you so worried about Wave? He's been helping use since the day we busted most of Deadlock!"

"I'm just afraid of losing the person I care about!"

Silence. Jack looked away as Gabriel's head snapped in the direction of the Strike-Commander. Gabriel smiled softly as he saw a hint of blush on the Commander's cheeks.

Gabriel knew that Jack cared after all those years they worked together since they met in S.E.P. They fought through thick and thin on the battlefield, always having each other's back. They founded Overwatch together and spent a lot of time together. Looking back, Gabriel found that he cared deeply for Jack. It was one of the main reasons for accepting Wave's alliance so easily. Wave could be the key to solving problems to Overwatch and Blackwatch. Now, Gabriel saw that Jack felt threatened by his alliance with Wave. Jack felt that Wave was stealing his best friend from him or that Gabriel was replacing him.

Gabriel grabbed both of Jack's shoulders and forced him to face his direction. Jack hesitantly looked up like a shy child looking at an adult.

"Jack, you could never lose me, and you're not getting replaced! I made an alliance with Wave to help you as well as me. He's only looking out for the good of Overwatch and Blackwatch. The reason Wave wanted me to move on the Shimada clan was to recruit the brothers and bust the yakuza."

"Are you sure about Wave? I trust you, but I have no way of knowing how trustworthy he is. How can I tell if Wave is leading you into a trap or not?"

Gabriel squeezed Jack's shoulders in reassurance as he closed his eyes and smiled at his blond friend. Jack stared at his friend, a bit surprised at how big his smile was.

"Jack, I could give you Wave's contacts and have him give you information that he gives to Blackwatch. It comes with some conditions, but I'm sure you and Wave could come up with a compromise or something. Wave doesn't mind giving out free information, but he doesn't want the information to be shared unless it's needed by the higher ups to allow you on mission. Hell, he doesn't want the world to know he exists. I have my suspicions, but I don't want to ask."

"Why do you think Wave is hiding?" Jack asked. Gabriel looked away and frowned.

"I can't really say. I know he's an elite hacker and spymaster with some serious covert operation on the field. What I heard from McCree and Genji confirms that Wave fought in a war, but lost a lot. That includes his and his daughter's voice, their home, and three of his sons. Not to mention he could be hiding from surviving enemies since I have no clue if he won the war."

Gabriel looked at Jack and saw uncertainty. So he pulled Jack into a hug which surprised him.

"Gabe!?"

"Jack, you can trust Wave. Once you start texting each other I'm sure you'll trust him and any of his decisions. He only wants what's best for humanity."

Jack sighs, "Fine, I'll try to trust him, but you cut all contact with Wave if I find any signs of betrayal. Now we need to have Genji modified."

Gabriel quickly pulled out of the hug and pushed Jack against the wall. "Jack, we can't turn him into a weapon! That's-"

"I know! It's against our morals."

"Not only that! Wave would be furious with us and cut the alliance!"

"Gabe, there's nothing I can do. The U.N, ordered this to be done, we can't do anything about it or they would take Genji and have it done through a private organization like Vishkar."

Just then, Jack's phone goes off. Gabriel let's him go to check who it's from, but smirks once he sees the look of shock on his face. Gabriel couldn't help but chuckle.

"It seem that I don't need to get you Wave's contact info after all."

"How did he-"

"We've been over this. What did he say?"

"H-he wants to me to tell Genji about the cybernetics and the honest truth about it being order by the U.N. He wants you to be present as well."

"We that's reasonable."

"You're not surprised by this!?"

"Not at all. Wave must have figured we had no choice. So, he wants us to break it to him lightly."

"But why?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Gabriel glares at him. "To prevent Genji from attacking anyone here, Jackie. Especially after what happened earlier."

"I-I see."

"The other reason is that Genji reminds Wave of his son. The situation between the Shimada brothers were similar to Wave's sons, except neither of them made it out alive."

"I had no idea. I'm sorry for not trusting both of you."

"Yeah? Well I just hope you will listen to us when it comes down to the line. Safety is what Wave looks out for."

Just then, Gabriel got a message. He checked it and was extremely surprised. He had to read it over to believe what he was reading.

"What? Who's it from? Wave?"

"No, it's McCree," Gabriel replied. "If what he sent me is true, then we should be careful about upsetting Wave in anyway possible."

Before Jack could say anything, Gabriel turned his phone to Jack. The text was short, but what it said shocked Jack.

"He got rid of them?" Jack asked. "Who's McCree referring to?"

"You wanted to know happened to the Shimada clan, then there's your answer," Gabriel replied. "It seems that Wave took all of them out. And judging how we couldn't find any traces of Shimada clan's death, he's even better than I thought."

"Do you think if we crossed him, Wave would eliminate Overwatch like the Shimada clan?" Jack asked. "Is he going to be a threat to Overwatch?"

"No," Gabriel replied. "Wave sees our line of work as important to humankind. He wants us to have peace and prosperity if anything with omnics. Wave has lived a life through hell, and has a goal for world peace. He won't take out the only organization willing to achieve his goal."

Jack sighed. "I suppose you're right. Let's go and tell Genji the bad news and hope for the best. There's just too much for me to worry about right now."

Jack and Gabriel walked back into Genji's room to tell Genji and Angela the horrible order the U.N. had planned. Angela left to try and steady herself after hearing what she's been ordered to do pretty soon. Gabriel took this time to tell Genji that Wave can't do anything against this. Gabriel also told Genji that he'd be able to move, and work alongside him and McCree.

Genji seemed to relax as Wave was mentioned. Wave was the one to save him, so he trusted him with his life. Wave had told him that Gabriel wanted to recruit him for his skills, and if getting cybernetics would allow him work alongside Gabriel, then he would accept them.

Laserbeak watched the whole thing. She didn't like how much Genji has to go through, but for him to live in the care of Blackwatch, Genji has to take on the cybernetics. Laserbeak was just glad that Genji is willing to accept the order as an opportunity to live like a normal person.

Laserbeak was left to monitor things at Overwatch, while Soundwave was out monitoring events around the world. He was checking on those Jack had invited to join Overwatch, such as Mei-Ling and other scientists to go to the newly built Ecopoint: Antarctica to study weather anomalies and cryostasis. He took note of those in the Lunar Colony and those who escaped.

Soundwave was actually watching over a Lena Oxton. The young British pilot was called to join Overwatch and their experimental flight program. Soundwave also kept tabs on the terrorist group known as Talon as they were targeting Gérard, a good friend of Commander Reyes.