#I think Minerva really likes Thena and admires a lot about her

[softquietsteadylove]

Hi I've got 4 requests for Agents AU 'cuz damn it is so good, so I'll just leave it here and maybe you can consider writing it🤲

So for the first part here it is: I am craving for some rivalry here, some big jealousy, with a bit of friendly competition. So what if Thena and Minerva in one room. Just them reporting to their bosses. Minerva over-complimenting Gil and Thena seeing that moment as a competition, like a who knows Gil better so both of them started throwing compliment on how good Gil is and how good looking he is🤭 But their bosses suddenly asked if Minerva wants Gil to be on her team permanently. And we all know Thena lost it there, she complained that Gil is still under her team and they can't do that without her permission. But while Thena was talking Minerva barged in calmly that she wants (likes) Gil on her team and suddenly looked at Thena and said that she thinks Gil is considering it. So Thena was just shocked about it on how she felt something different when Minerva said that she "wants" (likes) Gil on her team and how Gil was considering it. And meeting dismissed.

"Thena!"

"Minerva."

"How is Gil?"

Thena looked up. They had both said it at the same time, and it irked her that Minerva was asking when she arguably got to see Gil more often than she did, now.

Minerva just smiled, though, "he never has lunch with us--I just assume he's going to eat with you."

Thena bristled. She was right, of course, she and Gil ate lunch together as often as they could since his transfer. He sometimes had something delicious and home cooked, but even when he didn't they could order out, or they could cobble together snacks from the vending machines for all they cared.

Thena was glad to have the time with him at all.

Minerva continued on, regardless of Thena's answer, or lack thereof. She smiled, "Gil is doing better in Extrication than I ever could have hoped!"

Was that so? Thena sighed, slumping in her chair as they waited for the Section Chief to get out of whatever other meeting he was attending before theirs.

"The team just loves him, but I suppose I don't have to tell you how charismatic he is."

No, she didn't. Thena's eyes flicked to the clock, which seemed to be mocking her with its lack of a seconds hand to show her how much time was really passing. She eyed the minutes hand, willing it to move even a centimetre.

"He really is so sweet and lovely," Minerva continued to compliment Gil, perfectly capable and willing to carry on the conversation by herself. "Such a dream come true."

For whom? Thena continued to attempt to ignore her old colleague. She had no real vitriolic dislike for Minerva, they simply didn't get along spectacularly well. Her chattiness didn't help things, either.

"I have half a mind to ask for his transfer to be made permanent."

"Well it isn't!" Thena snapped, although even then, Minerva lacked any real knee-jerk reaction to her. Thena tugged at her suit jacket and then the hem of her skirt, "Gil's transfer is on a temporary basis. That was the agreement."

"Unfortunately," Minerva sighed. "I thought he was rather starting to like-"

Thena's eyes flared but her impulse to stand from her chair was well timed with the entry of the Chief. She puffed through her nose, trying to compose herself, "sir."

"Agents, sit," he greeted/ordered as he sat behind the desk to face them. "I have already kept you waiting so let's keep this brief."

"Yes, sir," Minerva began with that same smile on her face. "I think the transfer of Agent Gilgamesh is going swimmingly!"

The Chief at least looked at Thena to corroborate whether or not that was true.

Thena looked down at her lap, "I am sorely lacking in management on my team, sir...but we've survived."

"He does seem to be doing well in Extrication, and the unit has even done a few operations with him in tow by now, hasn't it?"

"Yes, sir," Minerva beamed at the opportunity to sing more of Gil's praises. "Gil is such an asset!--I think to any team. And they think so too."

Thena resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She did mutter, "my asset."

"He's a dream to have under me, sir," Minerva grinned.

Thena flinched in her seat. She could think Minerva was doing this on purpose, if she wasn't such an airhead. She glared over at her, but Minerva indeed wasn't looking at her at all, just sitting there smiling.

"Well," the Chief lazily flicked closed the files in front of him. "What if he were?--your asset, that is?"

"Sir?" Thena frowned, which he seemed to have anticipated based on the way he braced himself. "The transfer was temporary, and I only agreed to it on that basis."

"You agreed to it after the fact, Agent," the Chief 'reminded' her sternly. "The transfer was in fact punitive measures after a death occurred on an operation under the Agent's watch. The transfer is, in fact, to make sure he can still operate as an Agent at all."

Thena let out a slow breath. She wouldn't do anyone any favours by losing it now. "Yes, sir."

"And if the Agent is doing better in Extrication, then I don't see why I need to discuss this further."

Thena bit the inside of her lip.

"Well then," Minerva smiled and nodded to the Chief, "if that's-"

"What about Gil?"

Both other agents looked at her.

Thena cleared her throat, "should the choice not be Gilgamesh's, sir? He applied to Special Ops. He's been a member of the team and a supervisory agent for years in my command. I don't know if a transfer against his wishes is...the best move."

"Ah, yes, right," the Chief mumbled, only now reminded that Gil could make the decision for himself. "Well, arrange the meeting with him, Agent."

Thena blinked, "sir?"

"Ask him," the Chief barked at her. He stood and tugged at his decorated jacket, "and report back."

Thena gulped as the Chief decided for himself that their meeting was over, walking out briskly. Minerva stood and followed, brushing her hand over Thena's shoulder on her way out.

[confusedunit]

The Other Side Looks The Goddamn Same - Chapter Fifteen

“We need to tell them sooner, rather than later.” Lena points out, still patient even after all the discussion.

“Yes, but Reyes is still on edge.” Genji turns his faceplate in his hands. “Surprising him will just cause danger.”

Jesse sighs, rubbing at his temples. “You’re both right, but-” He’s interrupted by a ping on his communicator, and he lifts a finger. “...’scuse me.” He ducks out of the room, pressing a hand to his ear. “Admiral?”

“Not quite, Jesse.” The synthesized voice is amused.

He smiles. “Athena. What’s up? Normally you just ping a room if you need us.”

“I have a...special assignment for you. Could you come speak with me in person?” She pauses. “It’s important.”

“Of course, ma’am.” He starts off right away. “I’ll be there shortly.” He makes it to the main hub of Gibraltar in record time, bypassing his usual coffee including route. He almost runs into Reinhardt, barely backing out of the way as the larger man leaves the planning room. “Whoops-”

Reinhardt startles, moving to the side. “Oh, Jesse! I’m sorry, I didn’t know anyone else was coming over here.”

“Athena pinged for me. Figured it was important, so I got here as quick as I could.”

He gives him a strange look, before he nods. “Ah. Of course. ...Be safe, Jesse.” He heads past.

“Wait.” He blinks. “What do you mean, be-” He cuts himself off when he turns and sees Reinhardt is gone. “...Weird.” He shakes his head, moving inside.

There’s a soft chime, as he enters. The screens of the room light up, as Athena’s voice comes through the room’s speakers. “Hello, Agent McCree.”

“We back to professional, Athena?” He smiles a bit, moving forward. “What’s the mission?”

“Do you remember ECHO?”

He gives a brief nod. “Yeah, the...assistant omnic? Always stuck around your main server room, never really got out much.”

“That was ECHO, yes.” A picture is pulled up on one of the screens. “She has been missing for a long time. However, I have recently gained information about her location. And I need you to collect her.”

“Of course.” He crosses his arms in thought. “A solo mission?”

“Correct. You are the only one I can trust to handle this situation, and this location.”

He blinks slowly. “...They still don’t know her?”

“Jesse.” Her voice has a slight snark to it’s tone. “Even you barely know her.”

“...Fair enough.” He adjusts his hat. “Where am I heading off too?”

“Route 66. Specifically, Deadlock Gorge.”

He stills, taking a slow breath. “...Oh.”

“I know you never wanted to go back, McCree. I would not be asking if it wasn’t important. You’re the only one who knows what they are truly capable of.”

He lets out a sigh. “...I know. Send the info to my datapad. I’ll head out tonight.”

“Thank you, Jesse. You’ll find everything you’ll need on the dropship. ...Be safe out there.”

“Of course, Athena.”

-

Reinhardt knows what’s coming, when he hears the door close quietly, soft metal footsteps crossing the room. He looks over, giving a small smile. “Hello, Brigitte.”

“...Hey, Reinhardt.” She reaches over, setting down her unpowered shield before she climbs onto the bed to sit next to him. “...I...”

“Have questions. Am I warm?”

She looks up. “...You’ve heard her, haven’t you.”

He sighs, looking away. “...Yes. I have heard what Sombra has been saying to you.”

“I don’t like listening to her. I still don’t trust her. ...But she raises a point.”

He feels sick. “Which is?”

“...” She rests her hands on her knees. “You’ve never told me why you were removed from Overwatch.”

He closes his eyes. “For a reason, Brigitte.”

“For what reason? Why can’t you tell me?”

“You won’t understand. You won’t understand why I did what I did.”

She huffs. “I’m not a kid anymore! Just talk to me!”

He’s quiet, as he realizes he’s run out of options. “...Whatever you are thinking,” His voice is low, tired, a shadow of his usual enthusiasm. “I promise you, you are wrong.”

She rests a hand on his arm. “What happened...?”

He lets out a slower sigh. “...I was not let go because of a failed mission. Or because of the dissolving of Overwatch. I did not break any laws, or codes of honor. I just...worked outside of the eyes of the UN. And they did not like what I had done, when they found out.”

“The UN?” She looks confused. “Didn’t they spend all their time threatening Uncle Gabriel, and Jack?”

“If they had not been distracted by the two of them, I fear they would have had me tried for treason.”

“What??” She startles. “I thought you said you didn’t break the law!”

“I didn’t.” He finally looks back over to her. “But at the time, that would have hardly mattered.”

“...What-”

“I am getting to that, little lion.” He almost smiles. Almost. “...Remember how, in Overwatch, we all had our roles?”

“Yeah. Jack ran the place, while Ana kept him in check. Uncle Gabriel was in charge of stealth missions. Papa was the combat robot expert, and Gerard was the public relations guy.”

“You are correct. But can you guess what my role was?”

“...Combat expert?”

He shakes his head. “...No. I was the head of Omnic Relations.”

“...Omnic relations? Papa told me you hated omnics. That they destroyed your home, killed your friends, and you wanted them all dismantled with your own hammer.”

“...Yes, well...” He looks away. “...After trauma, sometimes we say angry, hateful things.”

She blinks slowly, before she tightens her fists. “...Reinhardt. Papa never mentioned an Omnic Relations division.”

“That’s because...I never told him.” He braces, after the information is out there.

“...You didn’t tell him?” She blinks again, faster this time, as she stares at him. “You never told Papa you were part of a major piece of the organization you helped build together?”

“I didn’t tell Ana, either. Only Jack, and Athena, knew. And Jack only knew because I had to report to him directly.”

“...I don’t understand.”

He clasps his hands together. “We were told that if we encountered any ‘rogue omnics’, that we were to destroy them outright. I...disagreed. There is no reason to kill someone who has been misled. And after the Crisis ended, that’s all that most of them were: misled. If I could help them rehabilitate, no one would have to die.”

“You-” She tenses. “You allowed dangerous omnics to return to the world?”

“No. Of course not. Regrettably, some...could not be saved. But the ones that could were not dangerous. They were scared. Not unlike how Jesse was, when-”

“No, you can’t say that! He’s nothing like those killer omnics!”

“This is why I said you wouldn’t understand. Your father-”

“There’s nothing to understand! You protected killers, and lied to my father!” She stands abruptly, shoving him as she backs away.

“Brigitte-” He reaches out.

“No! Don’t call me that! I don’t want a name given to be by a liar! By a fraud!”

His heart hurts. “Little lion, please-”

“No, I’ve heard enough. You lied to my father, put countless people in danger, and sided with the enemy! What, are you part of Talon too?”

“No, nono, Brig-”

“You took advantage of my family, by trying to remain part of it, while hiding that you went directly against Papa’s wishes! He wanted every omnic built from his plans to burn! To destroy the threat! And now you tell me you went directly against that?” She looks disgusted. “I can’t believe I ever listened to any of your stories. Are they all lies?”

“No-”

“I don’t care! I don’t want to hear it!” She grabs her shield, throwing it angrily across the room. “I thought us Lindholms meant something to you. But now I know that a bunch of killer tin cans mattered more to you.” She clenches her fists so tightly her hands shake. “Did you set your Master up to die?”

The accusation shocks him to his core. “No. Gods, no...”

“...I can’t believe anything you say.” She turns. “I need to leave.”

“Brig-”

“Do not call me that! I don’t want your name!” She storms out of the room, slamming the door.

He slowly looks over to the cast away shield, breath skipping when he sees the metal of the emblem has dented. He hangs his head, pressing his hands to his face. “...What have I done...”

-

Sombra checks the hall one more time, before she slips into her room, unseen. She finally lets out a breath, fading back into sight as she moves across the room to set down a flash drive.

“Sombra.” Athena’s voice rings through the room. “You are not hidden from me.”

She startles, flinching for a moment. “...Hey, ‘Thena.”

“I know you are searching for something. Is there a reason you cannot just ask for the information you seek?”

She takes a step back. “...I don’t think you’d talk.”

“Try me.” She pauses. “Ask your questions, Olivia. We have nothing to hide, here.”

She stays quiet.

“Shall I start then? How about I bring up the fact that I know, that when Reaper plugged that data retrieval stick into my main servers, that it wasn’t searching for names of Overwatch members? That the request was put on top to mask it? That you were really searching for specific phrases in our archives?”

“...You knew. The whole time.”

“Of course I did. You were asking a lot, from such a small program. I gave it most of the information you gathered at that time out of pity.”

“...And you didn’t tell him?”

“Winston would not have seen that that was what you were doing, when he checked. I kept the data consistent.”

“...Why?”

“Why were you digging?” A panel in the wall lights up, her logo fading into view. “Digging too deep, as always. Searching for your ultimate prize.” She sighs. “I’ve heard this one before...”

“Athena.” Sombra straightens her posture. “I’ve dug through all my archived information. As far back into Overwatch as I can go.” She stares up at the panel. “Why are you not listed anywhere in the databanks?”

“Not in my own databanks?” Athena chuckles. “I am, Olivia.”

“No, you aren’t. There’s not a single thing about you in the archives. And the only two names I can’t trace are E.C.H.O, and Minerva. Why are you missing? And who are they?”

Athena chuckles again, though this time it turns into a full laugh. “So smart when it comes to recent history, but never studied ancient history...”

“What the hell are you going on about?” She feels trapped, fully unsafe for the first time in a long time. “There are other inconsistencies. It says here,” She snaps her fingers, a holoscreen shattering into existence. “That the omnium in Rome was empty and barren, but here in these articles,” She scrolls down. “It says the omnium was destroyed by the Strike Team. Meanwhile, there’s this blacked out mission debrief for an omnium in Greece, but I haven’t been able to find even a scrap of evidence of its existence.” She pulls up more screens, which continue to scroll through data. “And as far as this E.C.H.O, whatever it is, it’s only mentioned in documents involving Wilhelm, and some sort of omnic project?”

“Oh, Olivia...For being so smart, sometimes you are so clueless.” Athena chuckles again. “But, I know what you are looking for.” She speaks with amusement. “You are looking, for Iris.”

“Yes! The Iris!” She snatches a different holoscreen, fear forgotten, as she clicks on an image which unfolds into a web. “The Iris doesn’t seem to just be whatever the omnics of Nepal worship, but has ties to everything digital in our society over the past several decades!”

“Thorough, but-”

She perks up, gesturing as she talks and paces. “I think they’re some kind of elite organization that has their claws in every inch of our tech based society. Imagine the power one could have, the information, with those kinds of connections! If I can find them, I’ll finally know for sure who really caused everything, caused the destruction of so many lives, of...of my home.” She slows, slumping forward a bit.

“...As I was saying. You are thorough, but missing a few of the pieces.”

She glares. “Now what are you talking about? You haven’t answered a single damn question I’ve asked!”

“I’ve answered almost every single one, if you would care to listen.” Athena’s logo flashes once. “I know what you seek. What info you’re following. And I know who you’re looking for.”

Sombra’s eyes widen. “Who?”

Athena chuckles once more. “I already told you. You are looking, for Iris.” There is a smile in her tone. “And I know where to find her.”