overplays | a pushpin through my sternum

a pushpin through my sternum

[The last mission had been a success... in most aspects. A bust on an arms dealer gang, it'd gone mostly smooth. The one hitch in the operation is currently sitting in the medbay, waiting for Mercy to come back from her errand, staring at the wall as if he could burn a hole into it.

Genji's role in the mission had been scouting. It was a role he fit well in, given the skillset he brought with him from the Shimada clan. Usually it went off without a hitch, Genji able to feed the assault team information and slip back out before he'd been spotted, but every now and then there was a hiccup. This had been one of those times; he'd been spotted by one of the gunrunners before he could slip away and rejoin the team, which by itself would have been unfortunate but workable. Except Genji had then chosen to engage the dealers rather than retreat. Fight them on his own.

By the time the team had caught up, the damage had been done: Genji's right arm and left leg were out of commission, both broken open, sparking and oozing green biofluid.

Despite Genji's impulsive behavior, the gunrunners had been busted, and Genji is now left alone with his thoughts. With two of his limbs out for repair or total replacement, whatever would be required in the end, Genji is effectively grounded. Mercy's left him alone in the medbay to fetch temporary replacements for him, but she's already warned him that they're nowhere near as advanced as Genji's custom limbs; they're there to allow him a full range of motion around the base and nothing more. They wouldn't stand up to combat or the maneuvers Genji is meant to be able to do. Which is all to say that Genji won't be reentering the field for a while. That alone is enough to make Genji regret his actions. Being stuck at base with nothing to occupy his mind or his time is the last thing he wants. He can already feel the itch of restlessness creeping under his skin at the very idea.

He's pulled from his darkening thoughts by the sound of the door opening, and his mouth starts moving before he even looks to see who's there. A note of agitation threads through his words.]

About time -

[Then he looks up. His mouth snaps shut, body tensing, because he realizes that it's not Mercy standing in the doorway. Suddenly Genji understands exactly why Mercy is taking so long with the prostheses. A dip of his head turns the impassive, stoic stare of his visor into a glare.]

Commander Morrison.

[Genji would have to be blind, deaf and dumb to not see where this is going.]

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[It takes time to install the replacements, make sure they're in proper working order, and to get him adjusted to functioning with them. All in all, a few days time, far shorter than his initial adjustments the first time around. He doesn't bother Jack again until he's certain he won't be missing a step and falling flat on his face every other second. When he's ready, he deigns to send a message along with an Overwatch agent heading to the Strike Commander's office to let Jack know.

He could make this simple, go to Jack's office himself and talk with him there. But no. Genji doesn't want to talk in what is considered Jack's territory. He wants a more neutral territory, somewhere more open, which is what leads Genji to calling him down to the gym. Well, that and wanting to test the full extent of his replacements, now that he's gotten the basics of walking back down. He doesn't immediately acknowledge Jack's arrival when he walks in, caught up in catching himself out of the stumble of a flip. Once he's straightened himself out he bothers to send the commander a short bow of the head.

The look of the replacement prostheses is stark in contrast to the rest of him; they're far simpler, built for function over appearance, a plain steel. But they serve their purpose, and that's what they're there for. Not much else, which Genji is quickly beginning to learn.]

Is your schedule that light today?

[Usually a comment like this would come with a biting tone, sucking any levity out of the words. Not this time. It falls short of teasing, but it's certainly lighter than much of anything that's come out of Genji's mouth since he woke up after his surgery. For once he's not trying to get a rise.]

[Their conversation stays on Jack’s mind, of course. It’s a small victory, but it feels important, like he finally has a way to get through to the kid—find common ground and make this less miserable, let him know he’s not alone. There’s an ulterior motive too, of course. Genji is a liability in the field until he gets his shit together (as evidenced by the fact that he needed entirely new limbs after his last mission), so Jack will facilitate this as much as he possibly can. Everyone wins.

When he gets the message that Genji would like to meet, it's a victory that's a bit bigger.

He postpones a phone call and clears his afternoon, unsure of how long this is going to take, but not wanting to have to rush out, not when there's progress to be made. Jack isn't wearing the blue coat this time--he's opted for a tight short-sleeved shirt and his utility harness, making his way down to the training gym.]

I told you I'd make time.

[Busy as he is, Jack likes to think he still keeps his promises. The lack of hostility in Genji's tone is noted, but he knows to approach with caution, figuratively speaking.]

[Genji notes the lack of ostentatious trenchcoat with a slight tilt of his head, and finds himself oddly relieved for its absence. The lack of it already seems to make Jack less Strike Commander Morrison and more... well, Jack. Certainly the lack of the Overwatch logo stamped right on his sleeve is a marked improvement, as far as Genji's concerned.]

So you did.

[His tone is thoughtful, as if noting something unexpected. Which isn't far off the mark. Genji hasn't bothered to get to know much of anyone beyond name and where they sit on the chain of command since he woke up from surgery; all he has are his assumptions to go off of, and his image of Commander Morrison could be summed up by 'married to his work' and 'unapproachable'. Yet here he is, answering Genji's beck and call as he said he would, and dressed down for the occasion to boot.]

Do you regularly ignore your schedule for your subordinates?

[Still no outright hostility, but it's impossible to miss the probing point of Genji's line of questioning, sharp and alert despite the fluid ease of his movements as he stretches. He isn't nearly foolish enough to let their last conversation take his guard out completely. Just because Jack left his blue coat behind doesn't mean he's completely shed his title for this visit. Genji knows that there's no way he hasn't attracted all sorts of attention with his current attitude and condition; what he's attempting to figure out is how much of Jack's presence here and now is genuine and how much of it is trying to keep a closer eye on Overwatch's erratic asset.]

[Ah. There's the attitude. It's not hostile, so Jack will be thankful for that, but it's a good reminder that he still needs to approach with caution. He hasn't made it to the point where he can't ruin this--not yet, anyway.]

It was just a few phone calls. Nothing I can't postpone.

[Sure, they might not have been happy about the reschedule, but whatever. Jack is strike commander. He invites them to argue with him about what calls he takes and when.

For now, he does his very best to seem casual and approachable, knowing that more often than not he's anything but. He already has a few ideas to break the ice further, but he'll let Genji state his intent first.]

What can I do for you, Genji?

[At first Genji had called Jack with the intention of picking the conversation back up where they had left off. Intended to try and fish more details of the SEP out of him. But the fact that he decided to show up without that coat of his, that they've managed to catch the gym at a time where they're the only two occupying it, and Genji wanting to test his temporary prostheses - he decides to shift tracks.]

Would you spar with me, Commander?

[There's a question mark, sure, but the words come out more as a challenge than an invitation or question. He's not sure how willing Jack will be to take him up on it with so many factors in play; these aren't Genji's custom limbs, he's not meant to do more with them than have full function, Mercy has made sure he was taken off the schedule for missions until his replacements came in and would likely have both their heads if she knew they had even considered sparring.

But Genji's restless, ready to push his limits, and beyond that he's curious about Jack's abilities. No better way to see them than from up close and one on one. So Genji attempts to goad the other man, just in case an extra push is needed.]

With this handicap in place, perhaps you will even stand a decent chance of beating me.

[Jack had a feeling this was what it would be. They’re in the gym, they’re alone (no pesky spectators), and he did, subconsciously, dress for the occasion. He’s done nothing with his life but fight, so he knows the value of a good spar. It can tell you more about a person than they can say about themselves, more often than not.]

If the doctor gave you the clear.

[He’s not about to abort this meeting to ask Angela if that’s the case, and he probably wouldn’t be surprised if Genji says yes either way. They’ll just have to watch themselves—Jack is pretty confident in his ability to do that, and in his ability to reel Genji in.

He hopes, anyway. There’s still a chance this could all blow up in his face.

Jack smirks a little at what’s clearly a taunt, sloughing off his utility harness, unclipping weapon holsters from his belt. He knows that Genji is just as curious about him as he is about Genji—that much the kid won’t be able to hide.]

I still got a few tricks.

Of course.

[It's an absolute lie, and Genji is certain Jack will know it. But he's also certain that Jack won't call it off either. He's already shedding his unnecessary gear, and Genji's eager for the ensuing fight, bouncing slightly on his feet as he waits. He imagines this won't be a full display of just what the Commander can do, but that's all right. As long as Genji gets a good fight out of it either way.

Raised as he was, Genji too knows the value of a good fight. It'll be interesting to learn more about the Commander beside that PR persona of his.

Once Jack has finished shedding the unnecessary gear, Genji doesn't bother with signals or countdowns. He's immediately moving to cross the distance between them, darting forward into Jack's space, starting out simple with a hook aimed at Jack's jaw.]

[That is totally an absolute lie, and Jack knows he should confirm with Mercy before anyone throws the first punch, but they're ready to go and he's already planning on taking it easy on Genji--at least for now. Doing that without him picking up on it will be the real challenge. He doesn't imagine that Genji will take lightly to being handled with kid gloves.

But Jack is acutely aware of the amount of damage he can cause if he really puts his mind to it, and he's not about to undo all of Angela's work. So it's not kid gloves, really. It's the same kind of restraint he needs to exercise in a spar with any non-augmented individual.

That doesn't mean he isn't going to make this a challenge. Jack is fast--inhumanly fast, perhaps more than other products of the SEP, and dodging Genji's first blow is almost effortless. He supposes he could take the hit, but he imagines this will be more satisfying. He's quick to sidestep, attempting to flank and retaliate with a punch of his own.]

[The speed is surprising. Hearing that the commander was physically augmented is one thing, witnessing it in action is another. It's much easier to tamp down on frustration of his strike being so easily dodged when he's aware that the man he's fighting isn't exactly the average human either. His dodge is somewhat sloppy in turn, nearly stumbling over his less agile leg before he catches his footing and corrects himself, just avoiding the blow.]

Fast. But I wonder if you would be fast enough to beat a machine like me.

[Genji's prostheses had all been built to capitalize on his strengths, and speed was chief among them. He knows Jack is likely aware of just what he's capable of, but again, knowing is different than facing it yourself. Then again, he must have plenty of experience handling machines after his efforts against the omnics.]

We'll have to test that sometime.

[For now he'll go for a feint, faking a strike at Jack's side only to switch up toward his face at the last second.]

You're not a machine.

[Just partly machine--and Jack is pretty sure saying that is going to make Genji angry, but it's out before he can stop himself. Jack circles him, trying to gauge where he's going to throw his weight next.

Facing Strike Commander Jack Morrison one-on-one is not exactly something many people get to do. Hyper-aware of his own strength and the damage he can cause, he has very strict rules about who can and can't spar with him. Until somewhat recently, Gabriel had been his default, but all of that is increasingly complicated, so Jack hasn't been able to let loose for some time.

He's still not sure if he really wants to do that with Genji, but the cyborg is certainly faster and stronger than an ordinary human, giving Jack the opportunity to push in a way he hasn't been able to. He counter-circles, twisting and snapping his arm up to block Genji's feint.]

[Genji darts back when his hit is blocked, scowling behind his faceplate at the Commander's words. They are, at once, both reassuring and infuriating. Genji has been struggling with his identity, who and what he is after the surgery that saved his life, and as much as he wants to believe he's still a man he can't bring himself to see it. Not when he looks at his palms and sees flat metal instead of lifelines. Not when he has to adhere to a strict diet while he adjusts to his mechanically-aided internal organs. Not when he vents steam instead of sweating.

The idea of accepting himself as something in between is one that hasn't crossed his mind. The thought of accepting himself is not one that will occur to him for a long time yet.]

Tell me, Commander, are you aware of the exact percentage that needed rebuilding? The exact ratio of flesh to metal?

[It's as much a genuine question as much as it is an angry rebuttal. Did the Overwatch Commander fuss himself about knowing the small details of the man they'd taken in and then changed into a weapon? Was it just another signature to him, just another recruit in the field? Did the reality of Genji Shimada ever bother Jack Morrison at all?

Genji darts back in, and this time his blow comes harder than the first two. Harder but sloppier, a sure sign that he is, indeed, angered. He's not so much striking at Jack now as he is venting energy through motion. Motion that just happens to be aimed at the Commander's face.]

If I am not a machine, then what was I supposed to be?

I'm aware.

[He's had plenty of sit-downs with Angela about the issue. Sharing the designs of Genji's cybernetic augmentations with him isn't a HIPPA violation, at least not to his knowledge--he's sure Angela would have given him an earful if that was the case. He imagines it falls into some strange grey area, where ordinarily it would all be private, but there's just enough tech involved and Genji is a field agent, which means that as commander, he has to know what he needs and what he's capable of. It seems invasive, but all of this is invasive. Jack wishes it could be different, but the fact of the matter is that it's not.

This time, he eats the hit, partly because he thinks that maybe he owes Genji that much. He can feel the anger behind the blow, but he doesn't really have to worry. Jack is genetically engineered to take a beating, and as twisted as it is, maybe it will do Genji some good to let loose on him. Jack staggers backward a few steps, and he raises his fists in a defensive position.]

A machine functions within certain parameters.

[Even the god programs functioned within programming--they just had to learn how that programming had evolved. Genji might feel powerless now, but Jack is adamant that he still has free will.

Or maybe that's just what he tells himself to feel better about turning a kid into a living weapon.]

You don't have those restrictions.

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