Chapter 41: The Aftermath
As soon as the soldiers returned to the base, everyone knew it was a failure.
They didnt even have to look at the soldiers dejected faces to know.
If they had succeed they would be getting deployed to protect Ottawa instead of them returning.
BUt everyone respectully remained silent as they knew that the joint operatives just got out of a hard fought battle.
THe leaders of this mission went directly to a debriefing, knowing full well the negative reception they were about to face.
As Jack explained what happened, everyone's faces held a solemn expression.
Not long did they lose a heron, but they lost the momentum they had going for them to raise morale.
As Jack finsihed recounting the events in Ottawa, Major Campbell took the lead.
"What do you have to say for yourself, Captain Chase?" He questioned.
Jack raised an eyebrow in confusion. He was appointed leader of this operation, therefore the failure was on him, not her.
In fact, he made a point as to how Chase had made an effort to try to salvage the mission.
"There are no excuses. We did the best we could with what we had." Sojourn responds.
The moment the mission failed, she knew this was going to be the result. So, the only thing she could do was hold her head high and answer their questions.
"It seems to me that you took over in situations where First Sergeant Morrison was supposed to be leading. I think your suggestion for retreat over the radio was premature and lowered the troops performance to those who heard it."
That wasnt fair and Jack couldnt stand by while her name was being sullied.
"I disagree Major, in fact, if I had listened to that call, good men would still be alive." Jack says.
"Well, thats true. Tell me, why did it take so long for the heron siege to be set up?" He asks and the lead engineer steps forward.
"There were..... complications with the heron. Even I can't accurately explain the issues we faced but the estimated time till it was operational was 18 minutes." He says timidly.
All eyes go to Torbjorn, who immediately gets defensive.
"Of course, there would be complications, this isn't Liaos area of expertise. Now it if was causing an Omnic Rebellion, she'd have no problem with that." He says.
The room turns to Mina who is visibly deflated at Torbjorn's statement.
"You are incorrect to say there would be complications on my end, Lindholm. The system was easy to understand and all lights were green for me. How could this not be my area of expertise if I know how Omnics see?" Mina counters.
Major Campbell interjects before Torbjorn can respond, "Yes, you would know how Omnics can see. In fact, you would probably know how they think as well. All that time at Omnica creating these machines, I wonder how you truly feel about them? If there were complications, I would wager it would be with the one who probably is hesitant to destroy their own work."
THe room is silent at his clear jab at Dr. Liao as everyone has mixed feelings about his statement.
Torbjorn's face remained indifferent, but the Major's word stirred something a guilty feeling within him that he quickly ignored.
From the time that she's known Major Campbell, Sojourn knew that he would often say things that were out of line and this is one of those moments.
As Jack looked at the generals faces, who didnt try to hide they were aligned with what the Major said, he finally understood what was happeneing.
Overwatch had a reputation, one that they were apparently doing anything to uphold.
They'd rather throw good people under the bus than let the hope that Overwatch instills vanish.
It was no secret that Mina Liao was a new member to Overwatch that hadn't yet taken to the field or proven herself.
Coupled with her involvement with Omnica Corporation, Major Campbell used this to his advantage to turn the blame to Chase and Liao.
I wasnt going to stand for it.
"Major, Mina was the one who first brought the idea for the heron forward. It was her and her team that developed the heron, and risked their lives to test it. Calling into question where her loyalties is was out of line." Jack admonishes the Major.
"Well, I'd have to see if Commander Reyes agrees with your statement." The Major replies.
Jack's eye twitches at his statement but before he could reply, Liao speaks up.
She was tired of constantly being blamed for the war. Tired of everything somehow being her fault. But most of all, tired of her work being questioned.
"It's funny how easy it is to forget the good a person has done, and only focus on the bad.
Yes I was a part of Omnica Corporation and yes I helped develop omnics.
You bring it up any chance you get like you want me to apologize, but I won't.
I did nothing wrong. My research was limited and supervised by the government. I did nothing they didnt approve of and my work improved the lives of humans worldwide.
To say that I'm responsible for this war is ludicrous. If I recall correctly, the omnics you meet in the field, mowing down the soldiers, are by Lindholm's design, are they not?"
Torbjorn avoids the gazes at him as he thinks back to first designing his peacekeeping omnics.
Now they're instruments of war and he wishes he didn't design them so efficiently if he knew he would be facing them.
While Torbjorn remain quiet at her words, Major Campbell decides that the situation got out of his hands a little.
"Nevertheless, a new plan is being formed and we'll keep everyone updated. This meeting is adjorned."
The generals leave first followed by Major Campbell and CO Fournier.
Torbjorn breaks out of his stupor and looks at Liao one last time before waddling away back to the armory.
Jack approaches Sojourn.
"You're not to blame for what happened. Without you, it would have been a different story."
Sojourn sighs, "I know, his problem isn't with anything we've done. It's... what I am."
She holds up her hands for Jack to see which he understands what she means.
People were always having a problem accepting change. It wouldn't matter if the change helped everyone, as long as there was something negative about it, people would focus on that instead.
"It's hard, isn't it? Being in this position where you're augmented. It's like you have this superpower—you can see the danger coming, but you don't have the power to protect them from it. I know, Chase. And I know it wasn't your fault.
But now it just comes down to you accepting who and what you are and making the most out of it." Jack advises her.
With no more left to say, Jack leaves the room. Sojourn lets his words soak in her mind before she takes a glance at Liao who never left and heard everything.
Giving her a nod, she too exits. Jack's words echo through Liao's mind. She knows they were for Chase, but somehow, they also inspire her.
Shawn gave her advice to keep pursuing her dreams, and she basically dismissed him.
Its time she stops worrying about what everyone else was going to think and start her research again.
The world needed hope in omnics again and she could provide that.
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