A Deal Is Struck

Shawn POV:

A week and four days later...

My training of them only grew all the more intense. After the third day, they were showing signs of growing used to the lifting, therefore, I put weights on them. Just enough for them to get used to the equipment I was going to have for them. I did have to admit, they shaped out to be better prepared for this upcoming deployment than I had expected.

So far, each was capable of both lifting and running enough to avoid fire without harming themselves or their patient. Except for Virginia, each was able to quickly diagnose and treat their patients in times of high stress. As for Virginia, she pushed through to get enough to diagnose whatever common wounds she would encounter in the missions. Anything else, and I knew she was going to be clueless. 

All things considered, I was proud of my team, even Marco, who surprisingly was quite the exceptional medic if he put his mind to it. With two days left, I was confident I wouldn't lose anyone on the first mission. However, not everyone shared my opinion. I had received word of potential bad news. 

Apparently, as my training and my methods hadn't gone unnoticed by the other soldiers. Adawe was receiving no end of complaints on my team's behalf, and I was being summoned to her office. She would no doubt question my plans and if she didn't like what was said, pull the plug on my operation. 

I go to knock on her office door, only to find her assistant already opening it for me. Judging from both of their unpleased faces, I was expected. 

"Good afternoon, Madam Adawe." I greet her. 

She ignores it, sliding a tablet towards me. I don't have to gaze at it to know it was a list of complaints. But I do as I want to see if any of my team complained. Reading through the list of thrity complaints, I was pleased to see not even Marco had placed one against me. 

"I understand." I tell her putting down the tablet.

"Oh, do you?" She says with a bit of sarcasm, that I ignore. Oh, she was pissed. I don't respond as I knew she was going to vent her anger.

"I give you the best opportunities a person could have, something I knew someone like you would ask for. Allowing you to pick your own team, leeway to training them, not having many superiors to answer to. I've given you more than what a person should have. Enlighten us, what are your goals with your team."

I waste no time in explaining my plans for what I have in store for them. Each sentence, I see her mood darken more and more. After I finish, I quiet down, waiting to hear her response. 

"Sometimes, when I'm talking to you, I often think to myself, it's like I'm talking to a 12-year-old. Then I remember, oh that's right, that's because he is." 

I pretend to be offended, "That's a bit rude. I'm only doing what you wanted."

She looks at me like I'm an idiot. "What I wanted? What I wanted was for you to train a team of medics capable of saving people like you did in London. People who save lives, not risk their own running around on the battlefield. Plus, that makes it sound like you did what we agreed you wouldn't do.

Just when I thought you were taking things seriously, you go and do whatever you want when you get the chance. This is a war for the sake of humanity that we're fighting if you don't remember. You leave me no choice on the matter. Your team is getting disbanded, and you will deploy under the supervision of another team tomorrow."

My face grows serious at her order, "I will do no such thing." I retaliate, making her face red with anger.

"You dare defy my orders Mr. Rose?" She asks, but I don't back down.

"You tell me that I forget that we're fighting a war but how can I forget, I was there. I was there when fellow members were shot down next to me. I am fully aware of the horrors that await us outside this building. I'm doing what I am, for the sake of humanity. 

You know as well as I do, that no matter what we do, we always get countered by the omnics. What I'm doing, is to ensure our fellow officers' safety. Adawe, I'll make you this deal. Let me and my team deploy for this mission. If it turns out terrible, and we fail because of my own ideals, I promise, that I will train whoever you command me to. I'll use my abilities whenever you command, and I'll reveal everything I know about this war, damn the consequences of releasing that information."

Her eyes narrow. "And on the infinitely small chance that you do well?" She asks.

"Well then I would have saved our troops lives and we successfully complete the mission. Plus, I'll get more students to train in the successful new way I've created." I offer. 

Her eyes close, her annoyance is still present on her face. The deal was too good for her to pass up. Either way, she has much to win on either choice. Plus, with the offer of all his knowledge on the war, whether it was proven or not.

"Fine. But remember these are good lives we have at stake here. Any decision that I make is for the sake of humanity and the integrity of Overwatch." She says.

Rising to my feet, I respond, "So long as I wear this outfit, the same can be said for me." Not looking to exchange any more words, I leave. 

I immediately push that entire conversation out of my thoughts. It was only understandable that she would feel that way after all. My method would be unheard of, but it was the perfect way to ensure our soldiers' survival. That being the case, I had more important things to worry about than Adawe. 

As it was the day before we were to be deployed, I allowed them to take the day off. Right before the meeting, I instructed them to meet me in our training lab. Coming into the room, I was met with many faces of worry. 

Seeing me enter, Virginia asks, "So... are we done for?" The concern clear in her voice. 

"Not at all, in fact, she gave us her blessing." I tell them. I knew that they had yet to meet her, but her reputation preceded her, therefore they knew that wasn't the case. But I didn't allow them to dwell on that alone.

"When I look at all of these faces before me, I can't help but feel proud. Proud that you guys have decided to take the next step in the field of medicine with me. As much as I don't want to admit it, I couldn't have done this alone. No matter what happens tomorrow, everyone, stay safe. Remember what I taught you, and you'll come back fine." They pay attention to my words and as I finish, I pull out a box I hid from under the table. 

"Now, I have some gifts for you. Our uniforms, that will make us stick out like a beacon on the battlefield." They were white versions of our regular Overwatch uniforms, with a little twist added on my end. The Overwatch insignia housed a miniature heron that would shield my fellow team from Ravagers eyes.

Next was a sort of backpack that helped them lighten whoever was being carried on their back, allowing them to run unhindered. It also contained a revised version of my shield, that could deflect bullets from them. 

"The first one goes to you, Steve Wolfe." Their eyes grow wide as they realized that I called him by name. "You will be a runner tomorrow."

Pulling out the next set of gear, "Virginia Stone, you will also be a runner. But you're not leaving my side, understood." She shakes her head multiple times in excitement as she gleefully grabs her uniform.

"Dwayne Cobbs, you'll be a runner." Grabbing his uniform he says, "And a damn good one." 

"Leslie Hall. You'll be on medic duty." 

"Felix Jenkins. A runner."

"Spencer Newton. A runner."

"Sonya Dunn. Medic."

Marco looks at me and I beam a smile back at him. Seeing my smile, his face gets a bit with worry. "And you, number 8, will be a runner." He swallows his disappointment hard before I slap him on the back hard.

"I'm joking, Marco Riley. You'll be a medic." They all look at me in surprise, but I ignore their looks, it was much better this way. Marco will try his best to impress Leslie and will have no problem contesting the level of healing Leslie and Sonya can do. Plus, he was a lazy runner. 

"I am proud to call you guys the Rose Rescue Specialist. Now, go get some rest. You'll need all that you can get." They nod their head and rise to leave. Once they exit S3bastain comes next to me,

"Wanna place bets on who dies first?"