- Doomsday - Volume One: Gods and Monsters

Chapter 46: Rose

(AN: Posting a chapter not months after the last chapter was released?!? What is this madness! Hope you enjoy it!)

Jay had begun the plane's descent towards an Overwatch official landing strip, relatively distant from prying eyes but near enough to Zurich for efficiency, his wrinkled yet stone grip remaining adamant upon the controls of the aircraft, it was as simple as walking or breathing to the veteran. Jay had a tired look, all the years of continual action had finally begun to catch up with him, and while he paid no attention to his peers, he was quickly starting to realise it himself. Not only had he served during the Omnic crisis, but he had served with distinction, his efforts vital in humanity's fight for survival. But now? Jay wasn't really sure... Could one of the greatest pilots really just retire? He had been having thoughts like this a lot recently.

Unconsciously, Jay began flipping various switches signalling the plane's gradual descent as the nose drooped, the vast countryside surrounding the near city of Zurich looked idyllic to the pilot, and a continual sense of fulfilment to be up in the clouds. However, perhaps it was soon becoming time for him to leave, it wasn't as if he hadn't done his part, on the contrary, his work had been quite essential. A heavy sigh left the older man as he continued down this line of enquiry, was the world really a safer place now then when he had started, the Omnic crisis had ended by definition but a whole new crisis had emerged out of the embers, hostility between human and machine was as bad as ever, and even those who wish for reconciliation are nowhere near breaking any new ground. Furthermore, new issues seemed to be arising every day, new terror groups, distrust in governments, in Jay's mind something had to happen soon, he wasn't sure what, but something would shake up the whole world in a big way.

With both palms upon the control wheel, Jay directed the plane gently onto the landing strip, preparing for the sudden jolt of hitting cement, a rush of excitement would course through him each time, regardless of how many times he had felt the same energy, it always hit the same way, just as he had felt as a young man in the air force. However, Jay realised that this was ultimately a selfish desire to continue soaring high above the clouds, there were over people in his life that he also had commitments to, slowly pulling a small photo out of his breast pocket. Flipping the photo over in his hand, the image had a glossy texture, giving it a more nostalgic tone, showing three small children, his children, well, not his small children anymore, but he had a family to return to.

Tilting his head back slightly, attempting to hear any noise from his rider, though any noise that could be heard before the plane's roar had now been drowned out. Thinking upon his passenger, a small smile descended onto his face, he hadn't known the young man for that long, but in the times they had interacted they had certainly formed a bond, they shared a strong mutual respect. Jay recalled the hesitancy from Overwatch members like Amari and Morrison, thinking it ridiculous to allow such a danger into the organisation, thoughts about the damage it would do to Overwatch's reputation was obvious. But Jay had always had faith in the 'monster', that he could arise from this preconceived perception, to become something greater than, and for the most part he had been correct.

As the plane hit the tar-mack, Jay's smile now grew slightly more relaxed, he began to think, perhaps with people like [Y/N] showing up, passing the torch won't be so hard, I can trust the future of my family to him, and those who will also pick up the mantel... Yet, as the plane gradually began to slow, and eventually grind to a halt, Jay's mind quickly reverted back towards his work at hand. Those thoughts were nice for the future, but for now he could still be useful, and he intended to be useful for as long as possible.

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[Y/N]'s large frame barely fit out of the plane door, having to duck largely to enter, leveraging himself by holding the top frame of the exit, Jay got a good laugh at watching his theatrics. Hoisting the large travel bag over his shoulder, [Y/N] quickly said his goodbyes towards Jay, wishing him well and to see one another soon, [Y/N] had enjoyed seeing an old friend, or at-least someone he could let his guard down towards. As if appearing from thin air, a large black car had appeared at the base of the plane's stairs, leaving little room for [Y/N] to move much, [Y/N] analysed the reinforced plating and tinted windows. However, [Y/N] had grown used to these precautions, the higher-ups had soon realised that they couldn't really do much to stop [Y/N] from coming and going as he pleased, so simply hiding him as well as possible was their second best conclusion.