Chapter 33: The Hero We Don't Deserve or Need
The ride there wasn't as bad as it could have been.
Of course, everyone was quiet, but there was S3bastian there singing, 'Paranoid by Black Sabbath' the entire time.
It seemed to lighten the mood even though the risks of this mission was fresh on everyone's mind.
Even I was super nervous about this plan as I knew that Anubis was always watching and could react to us attacking one of his most powerful omniums.
I did know that the same time I was attacking his omnium, the Canadian army and Overwatch collaboration was at Ottawa trying to retake cities in Canada to form their heron siege fortress.
I didn't know if he had a presence in that battle, but he definitely had a tough decision of choosing what battle to partake in.
The stratoscopter slowed down, telling us that we were nearing our objective as it as far as possible to avoid detection.
We exited as the stratoscopter powered down and we trekked the rest of the way there.
It took us around fifteen minutes until a large daunty rectangle building came into view.
There were a multiple buildings that trailed behind the first that formed the factory that we needed to infiltrate.
The surrounding area was stripped of its trees, crawling with patrolling Bastion units.
The clear area didn't help us at all as we had to hide blocks away from the omnium to stay hidden.
If we wanted to enter the building we would have to use at least three of the EMP bombs, which would doom our mission as we also needed extraction.
I sent S3bastian ahead as we hot wired some abandoned hover cars that were nearby.
After collecting at least six different cars and pulling into cover, we waited, the fate of the mission and our lives in S3bastians hands.
S3bastian POV:
'I think I can solo this mission.'
I walked uncontested through the ranks of my mindless brethren, while carrying two EMP bombs.
I knew that I was SUPPOSED to just plant the bombs at the entrance and let them go off one behind the other to allow them to enter and shut down the fusion reactor.
But, as Shawn said, there was evidence that there were two fusion reactors here, but its location was unknown.
Shawn had a good plan, but obviously since I'm the omnic, I know a better one.
I just needed to gather a little more information and I could deduce where the second reactor could be located.
Walking through the double metal doors to find rows of unmoving Bastions just waiting for instructions.
Easily moving past the Bastions, I pause in front of one.
My calculations say that this is the best location for the EMP bombs, so I reach out and place a bomb in the Bastions hand.
He doesn't even register what happened as something so miniscule wouldn't alert the 'god'.
Placing the other EMP bomb at his feet, I wonder past them to begin my search for the other fusion reactor.
Using the schematics that Blind Badger provided, I can see that the first fusion reactor is centrally located like any other omnium.
I could only assume that the second one would be closer to the back of the facility.
I dont travel far when I get a buzz on my radio, of Shawn trying to commune with me.
I ignore it as Im doing Auroras work right now and dont have time to hear him complain about genius.
Honestly, I found both Shawn and this Aunbis guy to both be annoying.
Thanks to the signal jammers I had, Anubis couldnt just outright take control of me.
But that didnt stop him from communicating with me in different ways.
He went so far as to message me through song names on Spotify.
So I preferred Shawn, even though he nagged me alot, I still had a lot more freedom with him than I would with Anubis.
I was too busy in my thoughts that I didnt sense a presence walk right past me then pause, turning around to confront me.
"Halt. Identify yourself."
I turn to see a tall omnic, with a black exoskeleton with metal shoulder guards holding a rifle.
He looks rather impressive with his design and from the density of his armor, I can tell he's bulletproof, and his weapon is probably deadly.
"S3bastian, heard you were having some problems with the second fusion reactor and now I'm here.
If you would be so kind as to show me where that is, we can get back to killing those humans am I right?"
He just stands there not moving as I can tell he's either trying to communicate with Anubis or calculate what I said, either way I need to distract him.
I clap my hands together, which brings his focus back to me, "I'm really busy if you didn't know. I still have other omniums to visit before I can get back to the frontlines."
I turn around to start walking, knowing that the rifle can't touch me. I hear behind me,
"Wait."
I turn back to see that hes holding his hand out instead of the rifle to stop me.
"Take the elevator to the second floor, then take a right where you'll find the second reactor in the lab.
It was malfunctioning so we placed it there until it was fixed."
Bingo was his nameo.
"Thanks. Hail Anubis." I raise a fist in the air and begin to follow his directions."
I walk for a couple of seconds before I hear the sound of someone following me.
I begin to walk faster and the footsteps echo faster down the hall as well.
I full on sprint and the omnic does too.
Making it to the elevator, I spam hitting the call button before the omnic can make it to me.
The elevator door opens and I hit the second floor button and the close door button.
The elevator door begins to close but a metal hand catches them, causing them to open once more.
He slowly steps in as I refuse to look at him.
The elevator doors close and neither of us say anything with only the elevator music playing.
"So... good weather we're having huh?" Saying the first thing that come to mind to break the silence.
"I must accompany you as you do not know the passcode required to enter the lab." He explains.
The elevator lurches up and slowly begins to climb up to the second floor.
"I like your design. It's so badass."
He doesn't respond, continuing to look ahead at the elevator doors and not at me.
My hand slowly creeps up to touch him, but he slaps my hand away.
The doors open and he exits, "Follow me."
While walking behind him, my eyes couldnt help but drift down and appreciate the material his legs were made out of.
When Shawn upgraded me, why couldn't he use this type of metal as well.
It was so sleek, and I would bet that when bullets struck it, it didnt even leave a scratch.
I wasn't paying attention to see him stop and ran into him.
He turns to me clearly annoyed.
"My bad, Im just amazed by your... ahem. You never told me your name." I manage to get out, confused by what's happening to me.
"I am the Ravager-7000 unit. I was not designated a name."
"I name you, Gunther. Because you have that gun and you're black like a panther." I tell him.
"That is wholly unnecessary. I do not require a name for my only purpose is to exterminate humankind." He counters.
He turns and punches in a code into the pad and the lab doors open to reveal a giant metal ball surrounded by glass sitting on a table.
He steps in and I remain behind him.
"The fusion reactor. There were first reports of issues about three days ago to which it was disconnected from its base....."
He stops talking as he notices my hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry I have to do this."
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Shawn POV:
To say the soldiers were getting nervous was an understatement.
We've been waiting for any sign of S3bastian for almost thirty minutes, so of course, they were turning to me for answers I couldn't give them.
I was scrambling to come with a new plan until I hear in my headset,
"Alpha Brat this is Supreme Overlord come in."
While keeping my voice down, I respond with hushed rage.
"You had one job. Literally one of the easiest things, I've asked you to do."
"And its going off in 30 seconds."
I take a deep breath then turn to the rest of the troops.
"We're on in thirty seconds."
Everyone pauses for a second before the drivers snap into action.
All cars crank as someone begins a countdown until the EMPs go off.
When the person counts to 10, we take off, heading towards the omnium.
We get close enough that some of the Bastions take notice and begin to form a line to block us.
The soldier shouts one, and a blue electric dome starts to spread from within the building.
It stops just at the last of the Bastions, causing them to short circuit and fall.
The dome stops before the first hover car which allows them to pass over the fallen Bastions.
Since we're uncontested, we actually increase our speed, and the front of the building is fast approaching.
We make it a couple of meters away from the doors of the omnium before the Bastions start to stir.
Just as the Bastions begin to rise, a second EMP goes off, covering everyone in a blue light that stuns the Bastions once again.
We rush into the omnium past rows of Bastions as Gabriel walks next to me.
"Why don't we have these devices on Overwatch?"
"I sent them over to Torbjorn but if they're not upgraded it won't matter in a couple of weeks." I say.
"What do you mean by that?" He asks?
I realize that I messed up and revealed some information unintentionally.
"The materials used to assemble them are degradable, and with the war going on, theres little supply coming in for them." I try to salvage.
That seems to appease him as he walks away faster.
I take that time to look around at all the Bastions who were still on the ground.
While looking, I feel a tap on my shoulder.
Turning, I see S3bastian holding the body of an omnic on his shoulder, that on a closer look, I recognize as a Ravager.
"What are you doing with that?" I question.
"His name is Gunther and I think I'm in love." He says causally.