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bakerstreet2017-01-26 09:50 pm
socketeer) wrote in bakerstreet2017-01-26 09:50 pm( picture prompt meme )
 the picture prompt meme I — Comment with your character.
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socketeer) wrote in bakerstreet2017-01-26 09:50 pm
the picture prompt meme I — Comment with your character.
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Maybe a more direct warning would have gone over better. It wouldn't have changed Winston's mind, but he would have taken some of Morrison's thoughts into consideration. Instead, this feels more like he's being tested. This was never about trying to prove that he could do things "better." He's never had anything but respect for his old strike commander.
Of course, Winston knows what Morrison is getting at here, but his shoulders tighten, bunching up as he raises more onto his back legs—as if that alone would put them on equal footing. ]
It depends on how big this gets, and how the government responds. Right now, we're doing what we can, taking things one step at a time.
[ It's a weak answer and he knows that, but Winston also isn't here to prove anything to Morrison. He doesn't answer to him anymore; Morrison himself has made that crystal clear. ]
It was just Lena and I, for a while. [ Which had been discouraging, he'll admit, but maybe something is really starting to come together now. Soon enough he might find himself in over his head, but he also isn't afraid to ask for help and support. Too bad it doesn't seem like the man who inspired this all in the first place will provide any of that. ]
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[He's been watching them from the very start--Winston has to know that by now. He would've done well to scrub the systems a little more thoroughly, if only to catch his strike commander authorizations, but Jack supposes that everyone really did think he was dead. He's been using that to his advantage across the board, and though he hasn't outright confessed, Winston is much smarter than he'll ever be.
Doesn't mean he knows what he's doing with a new Overwatch. Taking things one step at a time is not a legitimate strategy, not when the government could step in at any moment. Jack has a few good ideas as to why they haven't, and wonders if Winston has considered it.]
They haven't moved on you yet because you haven't screwed up.
[Everything they've done so far has been beneficial, all things considered. The UN is just biding its time--it's nice to have someone around to mop up the messes, but it's even better to have someone who can take the fall when things inevitably go south.]
And before you say that you're not gonna screw up, well. You will, eventually. Then they'll have their scapegoat.
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Then again, he's here. He's talking to Winston, even if it's not in the most collaborative way. And while he might be gone without a trace tomorrow, Winston figures he should make the most of Morrison's presence while he has it.
For all of Winston's smarts, he isn't a politician and he hasn't played the game the way that Morrison has. He's acting on emotion and moral imperative and the level of shrewdness needed for this job hasn't been formed yet.
And no, he wouldn't argue that they'll never screw up. Scientific method requires constant failures to find that one significant success, and Winston doesn't expect this to be an easy journey. He's quiet for a long while after Jack finishes speaking, staring down at the rocks between them. ]
So what would you suggest? [ How can he not ask for advice, when Jack Morrison is standing right in front of him? He looks up at Jack's face then, eyes steely. ] And don't tell me to give it up.
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[He says that with the faintest hint of a wry smile on his face--like he's joking to himself and he doesn't expect Winston to find it funny. Wouldn't it be great if they could just do everything right? Though Jack supposes if that were the case, they wouldn't have fallen apart in the first place.
Besides, what does 'right' really mean? Did Overwatch have any business running the world? Telling people what was best for them?
Jack thinks he owes Winston a real answer, but he isn't sure that he has one. Part of him wants to be on board--stay, help them, do it right this time. Make up for abandoning them to UN hearings as Overwatch fell apart. He keeps saying he doesn't believe in this anymore, but how long can he keep lying to himself?]
You should give it up, but I know you won't. All you can do is keep fighting.
[That's something he most certainly knows how to do.]
But don't do it in my shadow. Make your own way.
see keyword 8)
[ Oh. Wait.
It was a joke.
Winston catches the slight curve of Morrison's mouth, then tilts his head to one side in a sense of wonderment. So he's still capable of doing that, then. It may only be a small indication, but it's proof to Winston that their strike commander isn't completely gone.
At least Jack doesn't make much of an effort to tell him to outright stop. It's too late for that anyway. It'd been too late the moment Lena had contacted him and he'd realized he wasn't the only one still yearning for days gone by, for purpose, for a reason to roll out of bed and face the world every day.
Keep fighting, huh? Winston's never been as much of a combatant as other members of Overwatch, but he's certainly capable of it. The way he'd handled that Talon raid is testament to that. Besides, it's more about persistence anyway, isn't it? He's pretty sure that's what Morrison is getting at.
That final bit of advice causes Winston to blink a few times before he manages a smile of his own. ] No offense, sir, but I wouldn't even know where to start when it came to emulating you. [ Could they be more different? Morrison is a soldier, Winston's a scientist. Their temperaments are hardly the same, especially now, and that's to say nothing of them being different species. ]
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I can funnel you money. Equipment.
[That seems like a good compromise--Jack has his own war to fight, but if he's breaking into shady financial operations and sabotaging Talon anyway, it's no skin off his back to toss Winston some funding. Sticking around will just hurt their credibility. A new Overwatch can't be seen with someone willing to bomb and steal and generally be no better than the terrorists he hunts.
The plan, of course, is to give himself up if it looks like the UN is going to crack down on the whole operation. 76 will be more than content to go to prison for the rest of his life if it means the rest of them get to walk free. Of course, he’s pretty sure it won’t shake out that way—they won’t let that happen, which means he has to keep this potential course of action to himself. Jack Morrison might be dead, and 76 would like to keep it that way, but he realizes there is value in coming back to life at the right time, should the situation arise. An ace up the sleeve is still an ace, even if it’s one he’d rather not play. Winston needs to think that he's divorcing himself from this in every way that he can.]
But I ain't gonna stay. I can't do this again.
[He put far too much of himself into Overwatch the first time. There isn't much left, at least not enough for him to risk having it all crumble on him again. Overwatch is theirs now, and Jack thinks it's for the best. Wasn't that the point of it all anyway? To pave the way for a new generation of heroes.
Here they are, and he's overstayed his welcome as it is. Time to pass the baton and trust that he taught them well enough to do right by his legacy.]
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Money and equipment doesn't seem nearly as useful as the wisdom that must have percolated after all of those years as strike commander, but Winston can't push Jack to do something if his heart isn't in it. He's already given so much. It wouldn't be right to demand more, would it.
And sure, money and equipment wouldn't hurt, especially as their efforts continue to grow and as they gain more members. But Winston isn't entirely comfortable with the idea of accepting that kind of help from the so-called Soldier: 76, given that he has a pretty good idea where those resources would be coming from.
Even understanding Jack's position, Winston can't act like he's not disappointed. He's not a politician, and tends to wear his feelings on his sleeve. Or his shoulders, as the case may be, as they slump downward and he lets out a sigh, knuckles pressing a little too hard into the rock. ]
We can get our own equipment. But it would make sense to keep some kind of line of communication open. For emergencies. [ Winston works to keep his tone firm instead of questioning. He shouldn't be asking for permission here, but he also doesn't want to seem too authoritative. It's a hard, awkward balance to strike. If he's ever felt less certain of himself, of this whole idea, it's now. ]
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Besides, he has his ear to the ground and eyes in places he’s sure they won’t find. If there’s a real emergency, Winston won’t need to contact him. He’ll know.]
For emergencies.
[It’s a half-hearted agreement, but he tries to play it off as exhaustion rather than a lie. It’s easier for everyone that way. Less painful.
Jack shifts a little where he stands, like he's debating how to proceed. After a moment, he speaks.]
I'm breaking into the locker where Angela has my equipment when we're through here. [One way or another.] I'll be gone before anyone's up.
[The implication, of course, being that Winston should ask him whatever he needs while he's still here.]
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Maybe Morrison thinks that he let them all down with the way that Overwatch fell apart (or blew up, more accurately), but Winston's never assigned blame in that way. It takes more than one person to drag down an entire organization of Overwatch's size, and all Jack had ever wanted was for it to succeed, right?
Winston is maybe a little let down that he isn't willing to help now, but he can understand the reasoning if nothing else. Maybe he can try to impart Jack's words to the others too. That's his job now, isn't it?
The sudden admittance isn't surprising, exactly, but Winston still raises an eyebrow and shakes his head. ] You don't need to break into it. I'll give you access. [ There isn't much point in keeping his gear from him when they've already talked things over.
The fact that Morrison's going to leave without speaking to anyone else isn't going to go over well, but Winston doubts that he can convince him to stick around much longer than he has already. He huffs out a breath, the finality of this sinking into the pit of his stomach. ]
What are you going to do? Once you leave.
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But Winston is in charge now. He can do what he likes, and it won't be Jack's problem once he's gone. He needs to go, before he's convinced to stay. It's hard to resist the tug of his people and his cause. All he can do is remind himself that it isn't his cause anymore. He has other work to do.]
I have a contact to meet.
[Jack has been in touch from the inside on secure lines of communication, if only to keep her from storming here herself. They're not ready for that, not yet.]
She's waiting for me.
[He steps down from the rocks and says that with the ghost of a wry smile on his face, like Winston should be able to put two and two together if he really thinks about it.]
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It might be hard to hear that their old strike commander doesn't want to stand with them, but it's something they all need to accept so they can move on from it. So they're no longer operating in someone's shadow, but on their own merits.
The mention of a contact comes as a surprise. Winston had been under the impression from what Morrison said that he's mainly been operating alone. Who could it be? Someone that he knows? Or a new ally who doesn't know Jack's true identity?
That smile is the most mysterious thing, and Winston tilts his head uncertainly. It's something he'll have to mull over later. ]
I... suppose I shouldn't keep you then.
[ Winston could let Morrison leave just like that, but it wouldn't seem right. Not when he has no idea when their paths will cross again.
He starts after him, lumbering movements that quickly bring him to Jack's side. ] Sir, I.... I wanted to thank you. For everything you did. [ The world may no longer appreciate Jack Morrison's actions, all the good he'd done over the years, but Winston does. Jack had given him a place, a meaning, and that's something that's clearly stayed with him to this day. ]
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They'll cross paths again, as much as he's loath to admit that. For now, it's best for them to part ways. He starts to make his way back into the base, but waits at the entrance for Winston to catch up.
The compliment is flattering, and maybe he needed to hear it, but it's still clear that Jack doesn't quite know how to take it.]
Don't thank me.
[All he did was what they asked of him. Maybe it won't amount to anything in the end, but perhaps there's something to be said for the people (and moon gorilla) who are willing to try. He might not be able to offer them anything else, but he can't think of anyone better to honor that legacy.]
Just make sure it isn't for nothing.
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