The Villain Wrangler | Overwatch

Chapter 35

Winston grumbled, pinching his nose. Finally, he sighed. "Athena? Call Hammond."

The call connected, and Winston waited impatiently for Hammond to answer.

"Winston! It's been ages! What can I do ya for?"

He growled faintly. "Hammond. Simon called for help, and the current Director of Overwatch wants to send up aid and supplies. Did you want to come, or are you going to keep hiding in that zoo?"

"Simon what? You know what, you're in what, Gibraltar? Send a lift, this needs to be face-to-face."

The call disconnected and Winston scowled at the phone.

"Should I have Lena prepare the Orca?"

"No. But tell Angelica I need to speak with her."

He scowled at the monitor until Angelica knocked on the door frame.

"Hey, Athena said you had a problem?"

"Yes." He sighed and adjusted his glasses. "When I left Horizon, it was in the company of a siamang named Hammond. Simon was leading a revolt against the scientists, and Hammond and I wanted nothing to do with his plans. When we reached Earth...." He sighed. "We went our separate ways. I came to Overwatch, and Hammond decided to research humanity at the Smithsonian Zoo."

Angelica lowered herself onto a chair, considering. "So, what? I'm sorry, but I don't really understand what you need me for in this."

Winston sighed. "He would be an asset on Horizon, and to Overwatch as a whole. We would just need to liberate him."

She narrowed her eyes. "What's the catch?"

"He hasn't told any of the staff that he's intelligent."

"Oh. Goody. This will be fun, and I can see the headline now. 'Overwatch steals critically endangered lesser ape from Smithsonian Zoo, more at eleven.'" She pinched the bridge of her nose, thinking. "Right. I'm guessing you can get in touch with him? Ask him to talk to his handlers, and we'll arrange a pickup."

She rose to take her leave, then turned back at the doorway. "There aren't any other big surprises coming, are there?"

"Not that I'm aware of, no. But Simon might have some coming."

She sighed and left, making arrangements with Athena while Winston called Hammond to let him know the plan.

—

Angelica yawned as she disembarked from the Orca.

"Right, so, I don't know what special things you want as far as accommodations, but we can set you up in an empty room for now. If you leave us a list, we can make changes while you're on Horizon, if you're planning on going."

Hammond looked up at her as he trotted along awkwardly. "Truthfully, a series of handholds along the corridors would be a great start. Gibbons are more arboreal than the rest of you primates."

"I will inform Torbjörn, and request that he begin modifying the more heavily used paths," Athena chimed in, while Hammond grinned up at the speaker.

"God program?"

"One of them. Athena and Tyr are the most vocal, though I believe Zenyatta and Ao Kuang have frequent philosophic discussions, and I know he plays video games with Hana," Angelica explained. "And here's your room. It's a little out of the way from the rest of the private quarters, but it had the best access to the cliffside from the window. If you don't like it, we can find you-"

She stopped when Hammond swung onto the windowsill, holding onto the frame as he leaned out the window and studied the area.

"I love it. And I'll talk with Torbjörn about the holds. He's going up, too? Yeah, we'll talk."

Angelica nodded and turned to go.

"Hey, wait a tick." She turned back, cocking an eyebrow at Hammond. "You were planning on going up, too, yeah?"

"Yes. Why?"

He shook his head. "Don't. Simon always was a slimy bastard, and he'd be pleased to have an attractive hostage. Send up someone else, polite, diplomatic, but able to hold their own in a fight. Someone who'd be believable as a second-in-command."

"You think Simon's planning something?"

Hammond snorted. "Simon's always planning something. Weather he'll act on it..." he shrugged. "Food for thought."

—

Jack watched the ship lift off, arm around Gabe's shoulder. Once it was out of sight and the well-wishers had left for their own work, he pinned his partner with a glare.

"So, what did Angela actually tell you?"

Gabe sighed, leaning his head against the wall. "I could leave, you know. Ghost right out of here."

"Gabi," Jack started, taking a step forward.

"She doesn't know. It doesn't look like it's decaying more than it has been, but she's working blind," he snapped, shoulders stiffening.

Jack didn't reply, just stepped forward, arms open. Gabe sighed and walked into them, resting his head on Jack's shoulder.

"I might be able to exist like this for decades, or I could crumble to dust next week, Jackie. And Ange has no idea how to tell, or how to fix it," he said softly.

Jack hugged him tighter. "So we need Moira's notes."

Gabe nodded glumly. "Except she kept those as hardcopy, and would have no problem burning it if she knew I needed it."

We might be able to assist.

They jerked apart, staring at the dragons. All four were lined up, watching them with varying degrees of attention.

Gabe studied the dragons in turn. "How do you think you can help?"

You are a part of our new family. It is our duty to protect family. One of us can fetch the notes you need, one of the green ones announced. Gabe realized he couldn't tell them apart, and wondered how Ange did.

One of the blue ones nodded. Whichever of us goes, we will be unable to assist should the base be attacked again. Leaving the sides of our chosen... weakens us.

Gabe nodded, considering. "So, one of you can go and get Moira's notes, but that will affect Hanzo or Genji until you return and recover. That about it?"

The dragons nodded.

Jack sighed. "Alright. You four, go talk it over with the Shimadas, figure out who's going. And talk with Tyr, too. Make sure everyone's on the same page."

The dragons swarmed off as Jack rested his head on Gabe's shoulder. "We really need to upgrade the servers so all the God Programs can poke their heads in," he muttered.

Gabe raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Jack nodded, looking a little embarrassed. "Ange seems to get along with them, and I think that kind of outreach might help us more than hurt."

"You're probably right. Let's go bother the kids, see what we need." He sighed and dropped his head on Jack's shoulder again. "And figure out how to tell Angelica."