Many Years Later
Angela Ziegler stood motionless on the outskirts of Zurich. Her everlasting smile grew even larger as she tried to contain her anticipation. She closed her eyes and took a deep, drawn-out breath. The crisp air filled her body and soul. She was by no means tense, but she felt her shoulders slump down even further.
“Oh, how I’ve missed you, my old home,” she gently hummed to herself. Her voice resonated as if in song.
She almost got to return home a few times during her tenure at Overwatch. One of her main assignments took place in Geneva at one of the main Overwatch bases, located only a few hours away from Zurich. But time escaped her, and she couldn’t leave her duty for even a second!
Ever since she joined Overwatch, she had been traveling the world putting her medical and technological knowledge to the limit. Between natural disasters, the Omnic Crisis, civil wars, terrorist attacks, and mundane research, she never truly had a time to stop and rest. She could use the time off, but how could someone like her rest?
The world needed her!
But now, Overwatch was disbanded—more like torn down—by the governments who felt threatened by an independent group with that much power and influence…and secrets. In fact, the Swiss base in Geneva recently was destroyed. Based on the investigation that took place, it seemed to be destroyed by Overwatch agents. Something must have happened—some type of power struggle, perhaps.
Whatever happened, was an absolute mess of a situation. Not only did many Overwatch workers, agents, and volunteers die at the building’s collapse, but her two commanders, Jack Morrison and Gabriel Reyes, were also presumed dead—though no bodies were ever found. The prison on the basement level was broken into and all the prisoners in there were either dead as well or had escaped.
When this occurred, she was called by the U.N. to explain what had happened and to give an update on Overwatch. She discussed an array of topics with them and watched as the world leaders decided to shut down the organization for good.
Though a member of Overwatch herself, she agreed with the world governments. Overwatch had become too militaristic during her tenure. She felt herself constantly frustrated with what the organization prioritized. Thankfully, the group mostly respected her own mission: to help and heal as many people as possible.
And, thankfully, that was a mission that she could continue with or without Overwatch.
Wanting to enter her old home with some personal style, she placed her staff on the ground beside her and removed the blue coat draped over her. Gently, she folded it with grace before putting it in her luggage. Her now-revealed armor beamed in the god rays piercing the dark grey storm clouds overhead.
Perhaps her most recognizable contribution to Overwatch was this Valkyrie suit. The armor not only provided protection during combat, but also had a pair of wings on the back which allowed her to fly in and help anyone in need—regardless of a person’s location. Combined with her Caduceus Staff, which applied her Nano biology in a way that healed wounds quickly and efficiently (or provide a boost to one’s strength should the need arise), her kit proved time and again to be invaluable.
The armor she currently wore was actually an upgrade. She was able to make improvements from her first design of the suit. Sadly, the prototype went mysteriously missing from the wreckage of the Geneva Base. She hoped that whoever possessed it now was using it in a way beneficial to humanity.
But on the bright side, she was thankful that the U.N. allowed her to keep her current model despite them wanting to repossess all of Overwatch’s assets.
Angela stretched out her wingspan as far as it could go. The metallic wing converts emanated a hard light, which took the place of feathers if it were the wings of a bird—or her preferred comparison, an angel. She even wore a circlet above her head that resembled a halo, simply for effect.
As she did so, she heard a sharp gasp near her. Though she was unaware that she had an audience nearby, Angela was not phased in the slightest. People naturally gravitated toward her visage whenever she wore the suit. She simply rotated in the direction of the sound and continued to give her everlasting smile.
She saw the face of a small girl peering from the side of a nearby, run-down house. The girl jumped slightly when Angela looked at her. She swiftly retreated to the back of the house, out of sight from the angel.
“Don’t be afraid, little one,” Mercy politely requested. She used her wings to glide over to the side of the house. The child was nowhere to be found. “She must have gone inside,” thought Mercy.
Mercy returned to the front of the estate and rapped on the door politely.
No answer.
She repeated the kind gesture and added in her melodic, sweet voice, “My name is Mercy. I just want to say hello!”
No answer.
Mercy started to become generally curious about her eavesdropper. Did this child need help? Was she alone? Did she have parents?
To dispel Mercy’s speculations, the girl whined from inside, “But Mommy…” followed by a sharp, “Shhhh!” This befuddled Mercy even more. She knocked one more time—much slower in tempo.
Finally, an older voice responded. “Go away!”
Fully aware her newfound friends couldn’t yet see her, Mercy maintained her smile, hoping the gesture would translate in her speech. As a doctor, she has worked with many stubborn patients over the years and knew how to deflate a situation. “It’s okay! I don’t mean any harm.”
“Little late for that.” The older female voice coldly shot back.
Mercy’s everlasting smile faltered. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you are not welcome here anymore, Doctor.”
“But this is my home!”
“And you’ve done a fantastic job remembering that fact!”
Mercy furrowed her brow—not in aggression, but confusion. “Whatever has happened, I can help.”
“You mean you don’t even know what happened? Okay, here’s how you can help: tell no one where we are and leave us ALONE!”
Mercy jumped back as a loud “Thud!” vibrated the door as the woman kicked it, signifying the end of the already brief conversation.
Mercy dealt with many aggressive people over the years, but she never had an already-closed door slam in her face before.
Angela leaned on her staff and looked back at the city center of Zurich. A growing fear seeped inside her soul. What happened here? The place looked normal on the outside! In fact, it looked exactly like it did when she left.
Maybe that was the problem…
During the Omnic Crisis, her home of Zurich was evacuated as Omnic forces were predicted to move from Germany into Switzerland. Mercy was in London at the time, so she couldn’t help the citizens or the refugees with the trek. However, when she worked at the Overwatch base in Geneva, she reconnected with some of them to hear about it.
Fortunately, the Omnic army never actually invaded Zurich! They went East instead. And now that the Omnics were routed and the war finished, Zurich should have been safe from any threats. Was the city ever declared safe again?
Mercy reached in her luggage and pulled out her Caduceus Pistol. Though she considered herself a pacifist, her Overwatch Commander requested that all field agents have a means to defend themselves. She reluctantly attached it to her left hip. She rarely used it, even when on the front lines. Yet ironically, she felt safer with it nearby—as an option, at least.
She dropped the rest of the luggage on the doorstep of the house. “I’m leaving some rations, medical supplies, and clean clothes here for your family, in case you need them. I am going into the city. Please, if you know of where I should start looking, I will leave you be.”
No answer—not that she expected any at this point.
As she turned, the voice reluctantly called out, “The remnants used the University as a base. Check there. Room 333.”
Mercy started jogging to the city center of Zurich. Most of the people she knew of and grew up with escaped to Geneva. But there was one name—or nickname--in particular that rose to prominence: Junior. After asking a few people, she discovered that he stayed in Zurich and was to report when it was safe to return.
And if he never gave the all clear, then was Zurich still a ghost town?
Why?
She greatly missed her adopted brother! Unfortunately, the two didn’t exactly leave on the best terms. She meant to write to him, to apologize and reconcile with him. But she was busy with work.
After all, the world needed her...right?
Mercy grew impatient. She jumped into the air as her wings took over. She flew swiftly to the city gates, secretly praying that everyone who stayed behind was safe and that her worst fears had not come to pass.
Angela Ziegler stood motionless on the outskirts of Zurich. Her everlasting smile grew even larger as she tried to contain her anticipation. She closed her eyes and took a deep, drawn-out breath. The crisp air filled her body and soul. She was by no means tense, but she felt her shoulders slump down even further.
“Oh, how I’ve missed you, my old home,” she gently hummed to herself. Her voice resonated as if in song.
She almost got to return home a few times during her tenure at Overwatch. One of her main assignments took place in Geneva at one of the main Overwatch bases, located only a few hours away from Zurich. But time escaped her, and she couldn’t leave her duty for even a second!
Ever since she joined Overwatch, she had been traveling the world putting her medical and technological knowledge to the limit. Between natural disasters, the Omnic Crisis, civil wars, terrorist attacks, and mundane research, she never truly had a time to stop and rest. She could use the time off, but how could someone like her rest?
The world needed her!
But now, Overwatch was disbanded—more like torn down—by the governments who felt threatened by an independent group with that much power and influence…and secrets. In fact, the Swiss base in Geneva recently was destroyed. Based on the investigation that took place, it seemed to be destroyed by Overwatch agents. Something must have happened—some type of power struggle, perhaps.
Whatever happened, was an absolute mess of a situation. Not only did many Overwatch workers, agents, and volunteers die at the building’s collapse, but her two commanders, Jack Morrison and Gabriel Reyes, were also presumed dead—though no bodies were ever found. The prison on the basement level was broken into and all the prisoners in there were either dead as well or had escaped.
When this occurred, she was called by the U.N. to explain what had happened and to give an update on Overwatch. She discussed an array of topics with them and watched as the world leaders decided to shut down the organization for good.
Though a member of Overwatch herself, she agreed with the world governments. Overwatch had become too militaristic during her tenure. She felt herself constantly frustrated with what the organization prioritized. Thankfully, the group mostly respected her own mission: to help and heal as many people as possible.
And, thankfully, that was a mission that she could continue with or without Overwatch.
Wanting to enter her old home with some personal style, she placed her staff on the ground beside her and removed the blue coat draped over her. Gently, she folded it with grace before putting it in her luggage. Her now-revealed armor beamed in the god rays piercing the dark grey storm clouds overhead.
Perhaps her most recognizable contribution to Overwatch was this Valkyrie suit. The armor not only provided protection during combat, but also had a pair of wings on the back which allowed her to fly in and help anyone in need—regardless of a person’s location. Combined with her Caduceus Staff, which applied her Nano biology in a way that healed wounds quickly and efficiently (or provide a boost to one’s strength should the need arise), her kit proved time and again to be invaluable.
The armor she currently wore was actually an upgrade. She was able to make improvements from her first design of the suit. Sadly, the prototype went mysteriously missing from the wreckage of the Geneva Base. She hoped that whoever possessed it now was using it in a way beneficial to humanity.
But on the bright side, she was thankful that the U.N. allowed her to keep her current model despite them wanting to repossess all of Overwatch’s assets.
Angela stretched out her wingspan as far as it could go. The metallic wing converts emanated a hard light, which took the place of feathers if it were the wings of a bird—or her preferred comparison, an angel. She even wore a circlet above her head that resembled a halo, simply for effect.
As she did so, she heard a sharp gasp near her. Though she was unaware that she had an audience nearby, Angela was not phased in the slightest. People naturally gravitated toward her visage whenever she wore the suit. She simply rotated in the direction of the sound and continued to give her everlasting smile.
She saw the face of a small girl peering from the side of a nearby, run-down house. The girl jumped slightly when Angela looked at her. She swiftly retreated to the back of the house, out of sight from the angel.
“Don’t be afraid, little one,” Mercy politely requested. She used her wings to glide over to the side of the house. The child was nowhere to be found. “She must have gone inside,” thought Mercy.
Mercy returned to the front of the estate and rapped on the door politely.
No answer.
She repeated the kind gesture and added in her melodic, sweet voice, “My name is Mercy. I just want to say hello!”
No answer.
Mercy started to become generally curious about her eavesdropper. Did this child need help? Was she alone? Did she have parents?
To dispel Mercy’s speculations, the girl whined from inside, “But Mommy…” followed by a sharp, “Shhhh!” This befuddled Mercy even more. She knocked one more time—much slower in tempo.
Finally, an older voice responded. “Go away!”
Fully aware her newfound friends couldn’t yet see her, Mercy maintained her smile, hoping the gesture would translate in her speech. As a doctor, she has worked with many stubborn patients over the years and knew how to deflate a situation. “It’s okay! I don’t mean any harm.”
“Little late for that.” The older female voice coldly shot back.
Mercy’s everlasting smile faltered. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you are not welcome here anymore, Doctor.”
“But this is my home!”
“And you’ve done a fantastic job remembering that fact!”
Mercy furrowed her brow—not in aggression, but confusion. “Whatever has happened, I can help.”
“You mean you don’t even know what happened? Okay, here’s how you can help: tell no one where we are and leave us ALONE!”
Mercy jumped back as a loud “Thud!” vibrated the door as the woman kicked it, signifying the end of the already brief conversation.
Mercy dealt with many aggressive people over the years, but she never had an already-closed door slam in her face before.
Angela leaned on her staff and looked back at the city center of Zurich. A growing fear seeped inside her soul. What happened here? The place looked normal on the outside! In fact, it looked exactly like it did when she left.
Maybe that was the problem…
During the Omnic Crisis, her home of Zurich was evacuated as Omnic forces were predicted to move from Germany into Switzerland. Mercy was in London at the time, so she couldn’t help the citizens or the refugees with the trek. However, when she worked at the Overwatch base in Geneva, she reconnected with some of them to hear about it.
Fortunately, the Omnic army never actually invaded Zurich! They went East instead. And now that the Omnics were routed and the war finished, Zurich should have been safe from any threats. Was the city ever declared safe again?
Mercy reached in her luggage and pulled out her Caduceus Pistol. Though she considered herself a pacifist, her Overwatch Commander requested that all field agents have a means to defend themselves. She reluctantly attached it to her left hip. She rarely used it, even when on the front lines. Yet ironically, she felt safer with it nearby—as an option, at least.
She dropped the rest of the luggage on the doorstep of the house. “I’m leaving some rations, medical supplies, and clean clothes here for your family, in case you need them. I am going into the city. Please, if you know of where I should start looking, I will leave you be.”
No answer—not that she expected any at this point.
As she turned, the voice reluctantly called out, “The remnants used the University as a base. Check there. Room 333.”
Mercy started jogging to the city center of Zurich. Most of the people she knew of and grew up with escaped to Geneva. But there was one name—or nickname--in particular that rose to prominence: Junior. After asking a few people, she discovered that he stayed in Zurich and was to report when it was safe to return.
And if he never gave the all clear, then was Zurich still a ghost town?
Why?
She greatly missed her adopted brother! Unfortunately, the two didn’t exactly leave on the best terms. She meant to write to him, to apologize and reconcile with him. But she was busy with work.
After all, the world needed her...right?
Mercy grew impatient. She jumped into the air as her wings took over. She flew swiftly to the city gates, secretly praying that everyone who stayed behind was safe and that her worst fears had not come to pass.