Crystalline Universe: Team Fortress 2/ Overwatch

while making the final tests on Mike's armour, Ethan spoke.

[Ethan] - "Are you nervous? "

[Mike, with a dead look on his face] - "If I'm alive, yes, if I'm dead, no. "

[Ethan] - "Huh... Mike, please, just tell me what are you planning. "

[Mike] - "Isn't it simple enough? You can tell, don't you? "

After taking his gloves off, the doctor looked back at the young man, who still looked calm while remaining in his usual cold silence.

[Ethan] (hesitant) - "I told Kadyn what you wanted me to tell... "

[Mike] - "And? "

[Ethan] - "She's worried about you... I don't think what you did there was the right action. "

Mike, while covering his face with both his hands, stared down at the floor.

[Mike] (in embarrassment) - "God damn it... that dumb girl. "

[Ethan] - "Her heart belongs with you... you denied her... don't you know how heart-breaking it is for her? You... "

- (huh!) If my bloody last name wasn't Mundy...

Understanding his friend, the doctor decided to remain silent for another hour before finally reopening his mouth once again after ending the final test on the armour.

- I will be waiting for you in a ship after the ordeal ends. Everything will be ready, just make sure you survive.

- I hope I die instead of living but, I will make sure to get you back at your son's side, I know how painful it must be for a son that hasn't seen his father for years and a father in despair that has not seen his son for 31 years.

Answered Mike looking up with a small tear in his blue eyes.

- You are a good person Mike, I hope all this hasn't happened to you at all.

Mike remained unresponsive, putting his helmet on, he walked out of the laboratory.

Every step feels heavier, every time he comes across a random soldier or a member of the base's personnel they saluted him to show their respect, every memory he ever had flashes inside the mind. Wondering if what he'll do is the right thing, questions without answer clouded his consciousness. Is everything a dream or reality, these thoughts slowly become a paranoia for the young man. By the moment he arrived at the execution stadium, Mike started to question his sanity.

- Mike!

Snapping him out of his mind is the Sniper, standing beside him.

- Are you alright champ.?

Said the Sniper in a caring voice.

- Yeah, I'm fine, don't worry about me!

- Sorry if I'm a bit late, I had a meeting with the high council this morning.

- No, no it's fine, it's your duty after all.

- Nice armour right? I helped in its design, it truly fit you well after all.

Said the Sniper touching Mike's armour.

- I waited for this day for a long time, I always viewed you as my own son, my successor.

Mike did not answer, he instead said:

- It's soon time for me to go up there, right?

- Sure! If you want to make a speech in my place.

Said Sniper, surprised of his proposition

-It's fine then go on, I don't know how to make speeches perfect like yours.

Said Mike backing in his step.

- Hehe, don't worry, one day, you will be even better than me at making a speech.

Said Sniper advancing toward the exit.

Sniper entered the stadium with cheering and clapping coming from all four sides of the arena. Arriving at the center of the stadium surrounded by eight executioners, he started his charming speech, which every spectator calmed their voice and paid all their attention to hear.

Mike stood inside where he was while watching and listening to Sniper's talking. He's hesitant, he does not know anymore what will be his best course of action. Should he proceed with his plan or just pretend everything he lived through the last few days never existed. He knows if he does leave aside his past and the doctor, his life can go back to normal, Kadyn can still be his companion, Sniper can still stay as his uncle. But who is he to lie to himself like this, his overwhelming hunger for revenge, his sense of justice, the lives of innocents Sniper took in past, justice and the lives of Sniper's future victims matter more than his own good!

- Mike?

Turning his head, he saw Kadyn behind him. Walking a few steps to meet her, Mike said in response:

- Listen, you should go, you have a lot to live. Go on! Live! Don't die the same path as me!

Finishing his phrase, Mike walked his turn toward the exit door, leaving Kadyn behind, who remained where she was, crumbling with a face filled with worry and fear.

She has yet to understand what Mike's up to, she knows somehow, this will be the last time she'll see him as who he is.

The speech has already ended. The prisoner was already fixed to the execution stand. Mike advanced toward the convict on death row, the eyes of prisoner looked right into his own, demanding release from his pain. The proud and courageous agent of Overwatch who looked like he fears nothing a few days ago, now looking like a beaten up dog with not even the gut to speak. No man can imagine what inhuman horror occurred during his imprisonment or how Sniper managed to break a man's spirit to such a point where the prisoner totally lost his humanity. Mike bent down to talk to the convict, who, in return showed a little bit more humanity than he does before.

- I just want to ask a question, do you mind?

Whispered Mike.

Looking back at him, the man slowly said with his remaining stamina:

- Just listen.

- Why did you choose to work for Overwatch?

Hearing the question, memories slowly came back to him.

Thinking for a few seconds, he answered:

- Because it's a choice, a choice made by destiny. I could have worked for Talon if that's my destiny but instead, I worked for Overwatch that's all.

Mike, surprised by the answer, stood up and after a small reflexion.

- Thank you, that's all I needed to hear said Mike as his voice, again is filled with confidence.

-What are saying to the prisoner, Mike?

Said the Sniper after watching him speaking for a few minutes to the man.

Watching as Mike ended his speech and saluted the Sniper, people watching all over the stadium applauded in cheer as even Sniper himself started clapping his hands.

- Amazing! Young man, you sure have hidden talents.

Said Sniper impressed.

- Let this execution begin, said the Sniper in a gesture of the hand.

Giving Mike a laser sword, the Sniper stood back giving the young man enough space to feel comfortable executing the prisoner.

- You... Said the convict looking at Mike.

- Listen up carefully, said Mike while lighting up his sword.

- Once I free you from your restraint, run to hide in a secure location. Things are about to heat up.

Finishing his sentence, Mike raised his sword to take an aim at the prisoner's neck.

Seen that Mike was ready, the Sniper shouted:

- Ready..., set..., let justice rain upon this criminal!

To be continued...