Sacrifice

Chapter Two

The inside of Talon's base looks totally different than the outside. Which is good, I s'pose, because if it looked the same on the outside it'd be ridiculously out of place. The main room is clean, the wood floor polished and shiny, a couple newish sofas along one wall, and a thick fur rug in the center. I goggle. Haven't seen something so tasteful since our last commission. Immediately I glance around, fingers twitching slightly as I plan potential exits. The door we came through is about the only option. There's another exit opposite me, but I spot a fingerprint scanner by the doorknob, and so I rule it out. I could always blow the roof off the place, but somehow I don't think that'll leave me on good terms with Ms. Boop.

The Boop herself drops her guns on the couch and punches the mic next to the fingerprint scanner. "Stop stalling and get over here," she says. "They won't hurt you." She winks over her shoulder at me. My hand twitches a little faster.

"I told you to do the job quietly," says a gravelly voice from over the mic.

"I tried," Sombra says with a giggle. "But Overwatch ruined that, so I had to adopt twins. Come up here and meet them."

The bloke on the other end makes a frustrated noise and the mic shuts off. Sombra turns around and puts her hands on her hips. "Put those guns down," she tells me - I'm the only one who hasn't. "Reaps is in a bad mood. He'll be looking for an excuse to hurt you."

I hurriedly set down the armful of weapons and then back up till my shoulders touch the wall, inches from my escape route.

"No need to be nervous, Nino," she says with a small smile. "I won't let them hurt you. They're a little rough round the edges, but they're really quite sweet once you get to know them."

Roadie snorts in derision. I can't keep from noticing he's far more at ease than I am, and that only makes me feel worse. I wrap my arms around my waist and tap the floor with my foot, eyes flicking round the room.

The door next to Sombra opens. Through it steps a man in a black coat and an evil-looking mask covering his face. Ah. Reaper. Makes sense, that name. After him comes a beautiful woman with pale purple skin and more cleavage than I've ever seen in my life. I swallow hard and try not to stare.

For a moment, the two strangers watch us and no one says a word. I can feel the purple woman's eyes on me but I don't look her way. Dangerous, ladies like her. Can't tell me feet from me hands when they're around.

Vixen is the first to open her mouth. "Who are these imbeciles?" she asks, silky-cold.

"Rat and Hog," Sombra says, grinning at me. "They helped me return the haul. You should thank them."

"How many times have I told you," Reaper says, "that deviating from the plan is a waste of my priceless time and effort?"

She shrugs. "I think they're cute." She addresses us. "Hog, Rat, this is Reaps and Widow." She glares at Reaper. "And they're usually more friendly. Reaps just has a PMS problem."

I hear Reaper make a choking sound under his mask and I twitch a smile.

"Nice t' meetcha," I say. "Quick question." I point a finger at Sombra. "Why you put up with this little bugga anyway?"

"Because it's easier than getting rid of me," Sombra says. "Now, Reaps, I want you to be honest. New recruits?"

"Absolutely not," he says.