OVERWATCH: Origins

Old habits die hard Part 1

General John "Jack" Morrison was standing at attention carefully surveying the scene. He was on a stage overlooking a huge crowd that had gathered for a memorial celebration commemorating a great war. Banners of red, white, and blue were streaming in the open sky. While thousands were all waving flags with stars and stripes all celebrating the war's end. Soon his commander-in-chief would appear, honor the fallen, and present him with the nation's highest award. His parents and brother were in the front row all beaming at him. General Morrison stood straight with a posture radiating confidence waiting to be called into the podium. Any minute now the president would motion for him to speak and address this huge crowd. A crowd that was suddenly much larger than he realized. "I can do this" he thought to himself. As the general was beckoned he strode towards the podium, adjusted the microphone and spoke "Hey Jack! Time to rise and shine boy!"

Jack awoke with quite a startle. His heart was pounding and was still confused as to what happened. His grandfather meanwhile just chuckled and told him to get dressed and ready to leave. "You'll be helping me harvest the corn today." Jack merely grumbled and went to get dressed when he remembered the dream he had. It was a good dream and this time he had been a really important soldier. Other times he dreamed he was an adventurer or explorer who would make an impact on the world. "Well that would certainly be a change from life on the farm." he thought, but what if it wasn't just a dream? His brother after all had gone to the recruitment center in the middle of town and the last vidlog he sent was from Germany! "I bet he gets to see loads of places and do really cool stuff!" Jack would think about this later though or else gramps would get mad for being late. As he ran down past the kitchen towards the front door a voice called out to him "John make sure to take something with you to eat." Jack double timed to his mother who promptly handed him some toast with jam. "I'll be sure to have some supper ready when you two come back ya hear?" Jack looked at his mother who so very much shared the same features he had. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and a kind look coming from them. "Okay okay Bye!" "The harder I work the quicker I'll get done!" he thought.

"You're certainly in a hurry, don't you want to spend some time with your grandpappy?". His grandfather asked john who was hard at work securing the corn. "Gramps I live with you so I'm pretty sure we spend a lot of time together." Jack replied. "Besides mom said she would have something good cooked when we got there!". This was only part of the reason for his haste. Apart from the hot sun and dirt everywhere jack didn't really want to spend his day surrounded by nothing but corn. "Everything in time son. Besides I figured we could talk about some things." his grandfather said. "We could talk about how your brother is doing or how your school is going." Jack merely laughed, "Gramps we are in summer break and you've seen the vidlog Jacob sent us." His grandfather chuckled and said "I guess you're right. Well why don't we talk about you?". This caught Jack by surprise. Why would his grandpa want to talk about him? "Do you have an idea about what you want to do with your life?" his grandfather asked. "Uh I haven't really given it much thought." Jack hastily replied. This was a lie of course. In fact Jack had been thinking about what he wanted to do quite a bit. He thought about enlisting like his brother or maybe going to the small community college nearby. Either way Jack wasn't sure but as long as he could see more than just farms it would be a start. His grandfather must of noticed him in thought because he didn't sound convinced. "John Morrison I can always tell when a man is lying." "In fact I believe you already have some idea don't you?" he asked. Jack looked guiltily at his grandfather, "How do you know when someone is telling a lie gramps?". "It's an old habit of mine. I promise it will just be between us too." his grandfather explained. "Well I thought maybe I could enlist like Jacob." Jack replied. His grandfather looked wearily at him. "A soldier's life is never an easy one nor is it easy for his family." "Your mother has  already lost a husband and worries everyday for one of her sons. I worry as well." Jack could feel a knot tightening in his stomach. Jack could barely remember his father as he was very young when he was killed in action. Though the memories of his mother and Jacob crying when they visited his grave would always be vivid to him. "A life in the farm isn't as exciting as some other jobs, but it's honest work and you'll always be there for your family. Remember that Jack." "Come on let's see what your mother has cooked up!". As Jack complied he thought "Another one of gramps old habits. Making people guilty about themselves." Still his grandfather had a point, while jack wanted to see and experience new things he cared about his family even more.

As Jack entered his home he could tell something was wrong. There was no scent of food in the air and there were people sitting in the living room. A man in a marine uniform sat beside his mother who was sobbing uncontrollably. She was holding a folded flag in a triangular case, the same as the one dedicated to his father. The look she gave him was all he needed to realize his brother was gone. before he could even begin to comprehend what had happened he ran to her and embraced her as tight as he could. Hot tears were cascading through his cheeks and then everything became a blur.

Years passed and Jack was slowly making his way back to his home on the farm. He had finished all of the tasks that needed to be complete and was pondering on how to best tell his mother about his decision. Jack knew this day would eventually come and believed his mother would not handle it well, not after Jacob died on active duty. He would be willing to compromise at least, he thought to himself. "I'll serve for a short time and then go back to the farm." he thought to himself. Ever since his brother's death Jack knew that he too wanted to serve his country. "Jacob died for this land and for our family. I have to do this." Sure enough his mother was not too thrilled with this idea. "ABSOLUTEDLY NOT!" she yelled. "I've already lost your father and brother, now you want to go off too?". "Mom I know how this might look but please try to understand. I want to do this!" Jack pleaded. "WHY, why on earth would you want to make this decision? After all that we've lived through and all the sacrifices we've made why would you even consider such a thing?" his mother demanded. "Your grandfather can barely keep the farm going and now you want to leave the farm?" Jack thought about this and said "It will only be for a short period I promise. After I am done serving I'll come back to the farm and run it like grandpa had always hoped." "Have I ever asked for anything mom? Have I ever given you a reason to disappoint you? Please just this once before it's too late, I want to know what serving with pride really means." His mother was taken aback by this and wondered if this was truly what he always wanted. "Let him go" his grandfather gently said as he entered the kitchen. "Jack needs this more than we realize. Just make sure to come back will you Jack?". His mother wasn't too convinced but she knew this decision was already made. "I can see that your mind is made up and that you intend to go through with it. A stubborn habit that your father had as well." "Just make sure you return safely understand?" Jack nodded, "I understand."