keepcalm-reapon:

Gabriel’s “I don’t give a shit” attitude when it comes to rules and red-tape is probably exactly what made him the perfect person to lead the Strike Team. He was willing to do the shit that needed to get done, even if it meant pissing off entire countries, because he knew that’s what it took to make a change. And it worked. He and his team stopped the Omnic Crisis.

But it’s also probably what prevented him from becoming Strike Commander of Overwatch. The UN were happy to use Gabriel’s skills to end the Crisis, but beyond that, they needed someone they could control, someone they could trust to do as they were told, and Gabriel wasn’t that person. They chose Jack instead – he was charismatic, he was young, and most importantly, he was good at following orders.

What if by the time the Uprising took place, he was starting to realise it, and starting to try and break out of that role? And the UN, scared of losing control of such a powerful organisation, decided to blow it sky-high instead and pin the blame on Reyes, and the story about their fighting was just a cover-up?