Mina Liao

“	Why can't we see that artificial life is still fundamentally life? Instead, we're going the opposite direction. Violence against omnics is on the rise, and even more governments are cracking down on their rights and freedoms. I can only hope that this project can change the conversation: that people can understand that the potential of artificial life is so much greater than whatever we have to gain by treating them as our property, or our servants.	„
	~ Mina Liao

Mina Liao
Status	Deceased
Nationality	Singaporean
Occupation	A.I. researcher Research director
Base	Yishun, Singapore (formerly)Nanyang Technological University, Signapore (formerly) Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom (formerly) Oslo, Norway
Affiliation	Omnica Corporation (formerly) Overwatch
Relations	Liao (father) Two elder siblings
Voice	Jeannie Bolet (English) Françoise Cadol (French) Adna Cruz (Brazilian Portuguese) Jessica Ángeles (American Spanish)

Dr. Mina Liao was the creator of Echo and one of the six founding members of Overwatch.

Story

A brilliant scientist, Liao specialized in software, though she wasn't nearly as skilled in hardware. Liao was introverted, and seldom spoke publically. She held belief in the potential artificial life and its power to transform the lives of humanity for the better. She believed that artificial life was still fundamentally life, and that there was more people could gain from treating AI as something more than servants. Jack Morrison considered Liao to be among the greatest scientific minds humanity had ever produced.

Background

Mina was born in Yishun, Singapore, as the youngest of three children. A child prodigy, Mina grew up in Singapore and was homeschooled. Consequently, her childhood was a lonely one. Her father, a scientist, was obsessed with alien life, and talked for hours about what it would mean for humanity if they discovered alien intelligence. However, Mina was interested in a different kind of intelligence, namely that of the artificial kind. She dreamed of creating a sentient robot, and believed that such an achievement would be akin to the moon landing.

Mina's penchant for the mechanical was evident from a young age. When she was seven, she rebuilt her family microwave, eliminating an irritating buzzing noise, and improved power output by 15%. It seemed inevitable that she would go into engineering. Upon completing primary school several years ahead of schedule, Mina enrolled at Nanyang Technological University, graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering. To the surprise of virtually everyone who knew her, she then enrolled in Oxford University to pursue a doctorate in computer science, which quickly evolved into a degree in artificial intelligence. Mina had found her passion, and graduated from Oxford at the age of sixteen.

Omnica Corp

“	When I joined Omnica, I saw a chance to finally achieve my ambitions. I had grown up watching my father looking through the eyepiece of a telescope and asking, 'What would it mean if we weren't alone?' I had wondered too, longed to discover. That's what set me on my path. Creating a sentient robot was like walking on the moon. I was part of it. Part of pushing mankind further.	„
	~ Mina Liao

Liao working for Omnica

After graduating, Mina quickly found work at a local robotics start-up. She was widely considered one of the preeminent experts in the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence, and her achievements made international headlines, and in so doing, attracted the attention of the Omnica Corporation. She was hired by the company as its youngest ever roboticist. Decades later, the writers of the Zurich Archive commented that it was when she was hired by Omnica that Mina Liao's life truly began.

At the time, Omnica Corp had seemingly nowhere to go with its omnics—they asked her to improve something that many thought couldn't be improved. Liao saw her employment as a means to finally achieve her dream of creating a sentient robot, and directed her efforts toward creating the next generation of adaptive AI.

She was stationed at the Outback omnium, and she and her team succeeded beyond anyone's wildest expectations. Under her guidance, Omnica's research division produced some of the most advanced AI the world had ever seen, meeting and exceeding each new supposed limit. In so doing, Omnica's machines became more and more sophisticated. For a short time, she was a media sensation; she reguarly appeared on television where she talked passionately about artificial intelligence and the untapped potential of omnics. However, she was not without her critics; Torbjörn Lindholm was a key example, who voricifously criticized Liao specifically, claiming that her work would lead to unforseen consequences. He was not the only one, as while publically, Liao was revolutionizing the field of robotics, behind the scenes, people expressed concerns that her experiments with sentience would go too far.

At the same time, Omnica was involved in numerous scandals concerning its omniums. However, Liao was either unaware of this, or ignored it. Her focus was entirely on her work.

Aurora

Mina Liao and Aurora

Liao was thrust further into the spotlight with the creation of Aurora. Omnica was deeply divided into her creation, and Liao herself was aware of the risks she was taking, creating such an advanced AI. However, she wanted to make the world a better place, and "the science felt right." After Aurora was created, Liao realized that her creation was sentient, which was not something the team had been aiming for. Exactly what caused Aurora's sentience was a mystery that Liao would spend the rest of her life trying to uncover and replicate. She would later theorize that it had been triggered by a subatomic particle travelling through a circuit at exactly the right moment during its passage through Earth's atmosphere. It was a one-in-a-billion event, and one that could never be replicated.

Liao campaigned to give her creation legal personhood, and eventually won in a US court. However, many were uneasy about such an advanced AI being created, and the United Nations put limits on further research. Furthermore, Aurora's creation subjected Omnica Corp to a level of scrutiny that it wasn't able to withstand. Investigations into Omnica uncovered evidence of corporate fraud, and the company was shut down.

The Omnic Crisis

Recruitment

“	You should join us. But I helped create the omnics. And who better to help us fight them?	„
	~ Mina Liao and Jack Morrison

Liao is recruited into Overwatch

Liao's expertise in omnics was the thing that led her to be recruited into Overwatch to help stop her creations. She was caught aback by the offer, pointing out that she was the one who created the omnics. However, as Jack Morrison pointed out, who better then, to help Overwatch fight them? He was looking for a robotics expert who could educate Overwatch on the nature of the threat they faced. Liao accepted his offer, intent on helping her new comrades understand what omnics were, how they worked, and how to put an end to the Crisis.

Liao was given the position of research director. However, despite Morrison's backing, Liao wasn't made a member of Overwatch on the spot, but was rather treated as a "trial recruit." Many Overwatch soldiers were uneasy around her, noting the irony that someone instrumental in designing omnics was now helping them fight against the machines. Her old critic, Torbjörn Lindholm (who'd also joined Overwatch) especially resented her, as his warnings about her work into AI had become manifest. However, they collaborated in designing a new weapons system called the Siege, with Liao handling the herons while Lindholm handled the turrets.

Liao's inclusion in Overwatch generated a more hostile response in the UN than was anticipated. The furor lasted for a few weeks, as Gabrielle Adawe argued on Overwatch's behalf. In this time, Liao was integrated into the team absent of her influence. Ultimately, it was decided that Liao would be evaluated in the field.

Arrival in Canada

“	I'm happy to look at your lens if you need it. Sorry? I can tell from the glint coming off it. Refraction. Shattered during the mission? Those TFW12 lenses have a tendency to do that on impact. Bit of a design flaw.	„
	~ Liao and Vivian Chase's first encounter

Liao during the North American campaign

Liao was deployed with an Overwatch force of around thirty soldiers to Canada. Gabrielle Adawe and Gabriel Reyes made it clear that the mission was a chance to prove her worth. Otherwise, she was off the team.

While en route, the Overwatch forces deployed in Montreal to help a CANSOFCOM-CSOR team in the middle of a rescue mission. Liao remained in the helicopter, where she was rejoined by Morrison, Torbjörn Lindholm, and a number of CAF operatives. She offered to help fix the lenses of one of the commandoes, Vivian Chase. Chase tersely refused, and was uneasy realizing that she was in the presence of the scientist who'd helped design the omnics. Morrison stood up for Liao, however, causing her to blush.

After-action

“	This is great work. I've actually been thinking about this too. I have a solution that utilizes a little more redundancy. With all due respect, Doctor, we have this in hand. And when we were asked to collaborate on this project, our agreement was that your domain would be the air and I would be left to handle the land. Herons, turrets.	„
	~ Liao and Torbjörn

Mina Liao

Liao and the rest of the Overwatch team joined the CAF in their base in the Laurentian Mountains. Commanding Officer Fournier of the CAF briefed the assembled team on their strategy. With the aid of Overwatch, the CAF would clear out all omnic forces from Canada's southern cities down to Toronto, after which they would use infantry to establish a permanent perimeter against the Detroit omnium's forces. As the CAF's actions up to this point had been focused on defending Quebec, Chase was dubious of the plan, but Liao introduced them to the herons—devices invisible to omnics that, when combined with turrets, would easily mow them down. Campbell further explained that with defender's advantage, these devices would make it easier for the CAF to defend the cities they planned to retake. Chase's unit was assigned to provide tactical support to the Overwatch strike team.

Later in the infirmary, Chase agreed to let Liao look at her cybernetics. She explained that she couldn't fix Chase's cybernetic lenses, but could provide her new ones. Liao offered to further upgrade her, but Chase, wary of Liao given her history with Omnica Corp, just wanted to be fixed. Liao obliged, and after the operation, Liao walked her through the new interface. Chase found herself enamored with the upgrades. In the armory, they encountered Lindholm and Doctor Karlsson, who were discussing the herons. Liao offered her feedback, but Lindholm rebuffed her. Liao was visibly deflated, and discussed the matter with Chase, relating Lindholm's mistrust, and the gamble Morrison was taking in having her on the team. Chase asked Liao if she had any regrets, to which Liao responded that of course she did, but maintained that Omnica had taken all due steps to prevent the scenario now facing them. She pointed to Omnica's record in improving humanity, and stated that she knew people wanted her to apologize for what had happened, but refused to. She also noted that Lindholm had created omnics such as the Bastion Siege Automaton E54 and Titan, and that in a way, he was also responsible for the Omnic Crisis. Chase was sympathetic, but only to a point.

Ottawa and Toronto

“	Talking to Campbell after the report. I guess I saw something I recognized in his distrust of you. Something I didn't like. And it made me realize that—I owe you an apology. The mission was a success, and...it would have gone very differently without you. I fear I may have, well, misjudged you, Mina. And I'm sorry for it.	„
	~ Torbjörn

The joint Overwatch-CAF force was deployed to Ottawa. However, the Siege failed to operate, and they were forced to retreat. Lindholm and Liao still at odds, as Lindholm refused to let Liao take to the field as she wasn't a soldier. Later, they deployed in Toronto, and once again, the Siege failed to function correctly. Chase convinced Lindholm to swallow his pride and contact Liao, who, politely, instructed him on what to do over the radio. Eventually, they got the weapons system operational. The Toronto operation was a success, the Siege system successfully downing a Titan during the battle.

Back in the Laurentian Mountains base, Liao gave Chase further upgrades, after which she was approached by Lindholm. He told her that he'd explained to Campbell and Fournier that the glitches with the Siege had been on his end, not hers, and that his report to Campbell had made him reconsider his position. He apologized to her, and while pleased at the concession, Liao managed to remain courteous. They shook hands, and after he left, she gleefully told Chase that she never thought she'd see the day when Lindholm did that.

The Puppetmaster

“	I want to stop the Crisis...to do everything I can. This is something I can do.	„
	~ Liao presses her case to enter the field

Afterwards, Chase and Liao went over the course of the war. Chase pointed out that the omnics were reacting to human tactics on a global scale. She suggested that the omnics were all communicating with each other. Liao pointed out that as there were millions of omnics operating in the field, that would require some sort of hierarchy to filter the information. Chase suggested that there was an outside source directing the omnics, which Liao declared wasn't possible. However, she wasn't conviced by her own assertion, and decided to search network traffic for any evidence of this supposed outside source. Chase suggested that they could cut off the omniums from the entity giving them orders, and Liao realized that this changed the entire nature of the war.

Liao confirmed that a telecommunications system was active, and was relaying orders to the omniums. At dinner, Chase asked the assembled soldiers as to how one would destroy an omnium. Multiple theories were raised, then shot down, before Liao revealed her findings about the omniums receiving outside orders. If they were able to get inside an omnium, and shut down its internal access ports, they could quarantine the omnium from outside control. However, getting inside at all would be hazardous—potentially a one-way trip, and Liao would have to go in with them.

Morrison was aghast at such a suggestion, pointing out that not only did Liao have no field training, but she was too valuable an asset to risk in such an op. However, Liao maintained that there was no other option. Furthermore, given her role in precipitating the Crisis, she had to do this. The others relented, and they began to make plans to attack the Detroit omnium.

Detroit

To prepare for the operation, Liao procured detailed schematics of the Outback omnium per the time she'd been stationed there. As all the omniums utilized the same tech, it could give them a rough guideline for the layout of the Detroit omnium. The plan was submitted, and given approval by the CAF. Later, Liao upgraded Chase's cybernetic limbs, allowing Chase to duck and slide via leg boosters.

The next day, they were deployed to Detroit, as a combined Overwatch/CAF/US Army assaulted the Detroit omnium. While initially successful, the assault turned into a disaster as the omnium deployed a pair of Titans, which began tearing through the human forces. Liao made a plan up on the fly—use the herons to carry them inside the omnium through the main entrance (as opposed to the original plan of using an access hatch). However, they could only spare so many, as they needed the majority of the herons for the siege. Only three people could be carried in, who would be Morrison, Chase, and Liao herself. The trio successfully entered the omnium as its giant doors closed behind them.

Liao noticed that the omnics had changed the interior of the omnium. She explained that the omnium hadn't detected their presence yet, but as soon as they started deactivating the access points, they would. They planned to deactivate the first point together, then split up to deactivate the others, then reconvene on the final port. Liao was uneasy about splitting up, given her lack of combat experience, but Chase explained that while she and Morrison would do their best to protect her, splitting up was still the best option.

The first point was deactivated, and the omnics immediately attacked them. Liao was wounded, but Chase and Morrison realized that the omnics weren't firing, apparently out of fear of damaging the server room. Glad for the slight advantage, Chase and Morrison escorted Liao to the second server room, after which they departed to deal with their own server rooms.

Another omnic attacked Liao, and she was forced to hang on for dear life from a ledge. Chase used her agility to get to her in time, saving the doctor. The re-entered the control room, with Chase holding off the omnics while Liao deactivated the port. However, they were now cornered by omnics, and there was no way she could fight through all of them. However, Liao found an air vent which they were able to slip through, before descending back down to reunite with Morrison. Only one server room remained. However, in another gunfight with omnics, one of Morrison's Helix rockets hit pressurized oxygen containers, the resulting explosion destroying the omnics, incapacitating Liao, and triggering a fire that blocked access to the server room. However, Chase was able to shut down the last port, shutting down the omnium.

Induction

After the battle, Liao was carried out of the omnium on a stretcher. While her eyes remained closed, she gave Chase a thumbs up. Liao was commended for taking to the battlefield, and previous objections to her membership in Overwatch were withdrawn. With the operation a success, Liao was made an official member of Overwatch, and she and her team were entrusted with finding the outside source that had taken control of the omniums. Her official induction into the organization occurred two months after the operation, much to the joy of the strike team, and none more so than Lindholm, who went to bat for her qualifications and integrity. Liao was publically declared to be a member of Overwatch, and was named as its final strike team member.

Choose Your Future Well

“	It was my job to protect her, and in the end, she died to make the world a safer place. She was so young, and so alone, for so long. If anyone deserved this peace, it was Aurora. We should have found a better way so she could be here to see it.	„
	~ Mina Liao

Liao and Torbjörn go through data

After the events in Detroit, Liao managed to clone the specific frequencies of the AI she and Chase had stumbled upon. She used the data to verify that the omniums were receiving orders from the same source. Efforts were made to trace the signal, and it wasn't long before Anubis was discovered as the mastermind of the war, and that it was based in Cairo. However, deactivating the rogue god program would be far from simple.

Sometime after the Battle of the Bridges, Liao approached Adawe with a proposal. By this point, Anubis and humanity were effectively in a stalemate, but Liao proposed a solution that wouldn't require military force. She believed that if she could find Aurora, and share her sentience with the omnics, this would be enough to overrun Anubis's programming and turn the tide. Liao believed the physical components to support sentience resided in most omnic models, even some of those produced by Abuis itself. Adawe was skeptical at first, wary of the cost in resources, not to mention the risk that sentient omnics might willingly side with Anubis. Liao stated that when she'd been created, Aurora had demonstrated a clear moral code. Surely, in her view, other omnics would be similar.

Adawe eventually came around, seeing that sentient omnics would be of less value to Anubis than automated ones, even if they still chose to follow the god program. If a method could be found to spark sentience in omnics, Overwatch would support it. To this end, in addition to the pre-existing Overwatch robotics team, Liao brought several former colleagues from Omnica into the fold, including Lawrence Tai, Cory Powell, and Camara and Mathias Verne. It was Camara who managed to discover Aurora's location, and with a framework for their research, the team headed out to find the omnic, who was residing at a temple in the Himalayas.

Liao finds Aurora

Liao explained her idea to Aurora, who was happy to lend herself to the project. She leant herself to Liao's research, but after extensive analysis, the only method Liao and her team could find meant Aurora interfacing with the omnics of the world in a manner similar to that employed by Anubis. Essentially, they would be taking Aurora's conciousness and the sentience it carried, and would spread it globally in a giant pulse, spreading the quantum event of Aurora's "creation" a million times over. Exposed to the hyperfunctiality of Aurora's sentience, the the omnics would echo this ability back, granting each affected omnic sentience.

However, this would come at a cost—the sheer power required would overload Aurora's mind so severely, she would likely die. Even if by some chance she could be rebuilt, her 'soul' would be forever lost. Liao was determined to find an alternative way, but as days turned to weeks, as Aurora watched the casualties rise as the war dragged on, Aurora realized she could do something to stop it. This was compounded by the fact that omnics, who would be a new people were her gift, were dying too. Aurora took Liao aside and quietened her doubts. She was willing to say two peoples at the cost of her own life. Her only request was that the procedure take place in the heart of the Himalayas, in the abandoned temple where she had found meaning and purpose.

Liao and Aurora part ways

Liao proposed a test of the broadcast system prior to connecting Aurora directly into the network. Reyes overruled her however, fearing that a test might alert Anubis to their plans. Liao would later blame herself for not pushing harder against his refusal, believing that a test might have made it possible to preserve Aurora's conciousness. Her fears were made manifest, as while Aurora's conciousness was successfully beamed into Anubis's omnics, granting sentience to all omnics capable of it, it came at the cost of Aurora's life.

Striking at the Source

Liao's plan worked (to a point), as omnics were granted sentience, and a significant portion of them either threw down their arms, or allied with humanity. However, Overwatch needed to move on Anubis if they were to end the war, and Reyes ordered Overwatch to move on Cairo. Liao, still reeling from the loss of Aurora, requested to remain at the base ahead of the Anubis strike. Through her grief, she worked with Lindholm to compose a picture of Anubis's defenses, and propose routes into the Anubis facility. The operation was a success, and Anubis quarantined. Months later, the war was over.

Overwatch

Early Years

Liao installs Athena

The Omnic Crisis ended with a human victory. However, multiple countries, corporations, and individuals attempted to drag Overwatch's name through the mud, putting every choice the group had made under the microscope. In the case of Liao, questions were raised concerning her delay in using Aurora to end the crisis. However, none of the accusations stuck, and Overwatch's charter was expanded.

Despite the events of the Omnic Crisis, it was not enough to dissuade Liao of her firmly held belief in the potential of artificial life and its power to transform the lives of humanity for the better. She dreamed of improving upon the original omnic designs. She threw herself back into robotics research, wondering how she could evolve omnics to the next level. In light of Anubis's actions, Liao wanted to restore the world's trust in AI, seeing it as a necessary tool for human innovation. Several years after the war's end, Liao unveiled her first major project—Athena. She was named after the Greek goddess of wisdom, symbolizing that Liao had gained wisdom from past mistakes.

Athena was not truly sentient (supposedly), but proved useful in helping conduct Overwatch missions. The success of the project paved the way for easing, though never eliminating guardrails on Liao's research. Privately, Liao still grieved for Aurora, and sought to heal both her pain and the world's. She noted that after the Crisis, relations between humans and omnics were deteriorating, even as omnics were becoming more human. She lent her voice to key moments in the fight for omnic civil rights, and joined a handful of political rallies and marches to support omnics' quests for independence, argued powerfully before several political bodies in favor of omnic rights, and opened her trove of Omnica Corp research to allies. During her life, she visited the Shambali several times and was warmly received by the monks, spending many hours in private discussion with Mondatta.

Over the following decade, the question of omnic rights, and countries' inconsistent addressment of the issue, forced the UN's hand. It ordered hearings on the matter, where Liao was called in as an expert witness for omnic sentience. Drawing on her research notes and her time in the American court with Aurora, Liao's evidence for omnic sentience was undisputable. The UN declared that every omnic should be given legal personhood.

The Gwishin

Liao in South Korea

Liao led the investigation into the origins of the Gwishin, which had emerged from the East China Sea, threatening South Korea. The Omnic Colossus was beaten back and presumably destroyed, but Liao still had questions, citing some aspects of the warbot's design as unusual enough to warrant further study. She requested a long-term field assignment to South Korea, to study the remains and signal traces of the construct. The Korean military released pieces of the warbots for analysis, but Overwatch was denied a permanent base in the country. Liao studied the matter for months, but would not have a chance to report her findings before the Gwishin renewed their aggression.

The tactics Overwatch had used against the Colossus previously were no longer effective, but it was taken down by Soundquake nonetheless. Liao and Dr. Yi-an Lim analyzed military and civilian recordings of the Colossus. They realized it was an improved version of the original Colossus, and the timeline indicated that some form of AI was likely involved, accelerating the development process. Liao found herself reminded of the Omnic Crisis. However, an investigation confirmed that Anubis had not breached containment. Again, Liao requested time in Busan to analyze the situation and learn more about the mystery warbot. With Lim's endorsement, the South Korean government agreed, and Morrison stationed her in Busan, along with agents Soundquake and Rumble. Rumble's experience in robotic engineering gave her unique insight into the Gwishin, while Soundquake helped develop technology that could be used against a similar opponent. After all, if the Colossus could reconstruct itself once, it could do so again.

Sure enough, the Colossus made a third appearance, and had evolved yet again. Once again, it was defeated, and this time, the bulk of the wreckage was retrieved before it could sink beneath the waves. Studying it, Liao realized that the Colossus was indeed omnic in design, but had not been constructed by any known omnium. Overwatch attempted to investigate, but Gwishin drones forced them to retreat. Liao concluded that an omnium had been constructed on the seafloor of the East China Sea, presumably constructed by Anubis. She theorized (correctly) that Anubis may have constructed other omniums, but she lacked evidence. However, the Korean government refused to grant Overwatch permission to establish a watchpoint within their borders, and without a permanent base, Overwatch was forced to leave the country.

Liao was infuriated, but shared her findings with Lim, and Overwatch's monitoring equipment was left in place. In the aftermath, Morrison routed significant funding towards Liao's projects, including new facilities in Oslo.

The Echo Project

“	After all these years, it feels good to finally focus on the research that I am truly passionate about. The Athena prototype has been deemed a success, so much so that Jack's finally agreed to authorize my new project [imitating Jack] "Pending further evaluation." And the timing couldn't be better. People are as scared of omnics as ever, even at a time they seem more human than ever. Those omnic monks in Nepal stating that they believe they possess souls, just as we do, and the other day I read a story about manufcaturing omnics in London walking off the line claiming they "heard the music" and wanting to search for meaning in life.	„
	~ Liao in her personal log.

After Busan, Liao took up residence in Overwatch's Oslo facilities, which served as her primary lab. Her research had originally been hobbled out of fear she would attract negative public attention, but her years as a decorated and loyal Overwatch agent had earned her some leniency. In Oslo, Liao was allowed to return to her true passions of AI and robotics. While there, she consulted with Neumann Labs, as well as surviving god program maintenance teams.

Liao's theories would become the foundation of the Echo Project. She pitched the idea of an adaptive robot to Commanders Morrison and Gabriel Reyes. Something that could accompany strike teams and fulfill any role required of it, from piloting a ship to providing medical care. In truth, this adaptive robot would be Liao's fifth attempt to create such a robot—the other four remain classified.

Morrison, though reluctant to move forward with the idea, approved it in light of the success of Athena, but had Liao give him her word that it wouldn't get out of hand.

Liao inspects Echo

Due to Overwatch’s restrictions on artificial intelligence research and development after the Omnic Crisis, Liao was forced to limit Echo’s capabilities. What she created was a multirole, adaptive robot that could be programmed to learn different functions: anything from medical support to construction: but had serious limits to its independent decision making. Critically, Echo had multiple layers of protections, failsafes, and security to keep it under control. Echo was used successfully on test missions alongside Overwatch strike teams, but Overwatch leadership was reluctant to put it into full service. However, the truth was that Liao had programmed Echo with a powerful, general artificial intelligence that learned by observation. From the heroes she was around all the time, she would learn how to do what they did, and how they did it. After thousands of hours in the scientist’s presence, much of Liao’s behaviors (including her speech), were adopted by the Echo robot. This secret that was known by very few, including Blackwatch agent Jesse McCree, who had been assigned to run security for Project Echo, and act as Liao's bodyguard. A friendship developed between the two of them, and he was often party to her work on Echo.

Liao and Echo

To outsiders, the closeness between Liao and McCree appeared odd. However, Liao could tell that McCree's cowboy persona was just that—a persona. Every so often, she caught a glimpse of the funny, loyal, intelligent man that McCree really was. Their friendship began when she noticed McCree interacting with Echo as if she was a full person from the very beginning. Through watching the two of them, Liao's view of Echo changed. In her personal logs, Liao noted that the project moved faster when she came to view Echo as more than an apology for what had happened to Aurora. By treating Echo as a childlike intelligence rather than an obligation, Echo's development advanced considerably.

Death

“	So...this is it. Did...Did I make the world a better place?	„
	~ Liao's last thoughts

Liao is killed in the blast

A year after McCree was assigned to the Oslo labs, Liao was killed in an attack on her lab, caught in an explosion. As her life flashed before her eyes, she wondered if she'd made the world a better place. She recalled being recruited by Omnica, by Overwatch, and her creation of Echo. She reflected that all she wanted was to help the world. McCree, who'd been outside at the time, rushed in, and found Liao severely wounded. He sat there with her while she died.

Legacy

“	She sought the universal truth. She sought to repay a debt not her own, which had never been hers to pay, but which weighed on her thoughts until the end. We can only pray that she is now at peace.	„
	~ Mondatta at Liao's funeral

Liao's 'echo'

With Liao's death, the Echo Project was discontinued. Echo herself entered the field for a variety of missions, with her abilities and intelligence continuing to grow, but she was ultimately shelved when Overwatch was shut down.

Liao was buried with full honors, even as the Oslo attack was being investigated. Her funeral was attended by a number of individuals, including Torbjörn Lindholm, Jack Morrison, Lena Oxton, Winston, Vivian Chase, and Mondatta, along with a number of his fellow monks. Mondatta spoke at her funeral. McCree was absent however, as he was focused on tracking down Liao's killers.

In light of Liao's death, many Shambali voluntarily entered a year of silence, mourning their friend.

After Winston's recall order, through his manipulation of the Deadlock Gang (that went slightly off-plan although was ultimately successful), McCree recovered Echo, reactivated her, and sent her off to join Winston's reformed Overwatch, arriving in time to aid them against Null Sector. Echo considered herself to be Liao's legacy, her 'echo.' As Echo continued to adapt, those around her wondered if she'd remain an echo of Liao, or become her own person.

Multiple volumes chronicled her achievements. In posterity, Liao was better known for her work with Overwatch than Omnica. Still, her work with Omnica was not forgotten. The Zurich Archive noted that Liao was responsible for both cementing Omnica's dominance in robotics, yet was also responsible for Omnica's end, however unwittingly. It further noted that Liao achieved 'redemption' in this field, as that while she enabled many of Omnica's excesses, she never orchestrated them. Her focus was always on the work.

At some point, fragments of her personal log were recovered. She left behind numerous writings, and in posterity, she was regarded as one of the most powerful human voices for omnic integration.

Trivia

• In 2016, a Brazilian magazine identified Liao as an upcoming hero and a cryogenesis expert. This may be due to the author mixing up Liao with Mei.

Misc. Character Information

• Chicken rice was her favorite dish.
• Liao disliked Dr. Moira O'Deorain.
• Liao's eyes were hazel-colored.
• In interactions between Moira and Echo in Overwatch 2, Moira states that Liao appeared to have more affection for Aurora than Echo. However, given the antagonism between the characters, the objectivity of this claim is dubious.

First Strike

A possible early version of Liao, as seen in First Strike

• The cover of the cancelled comic Overwatch: First Strike shows six human characters, five of them being known founders of Overwatch. Given that there are six founders in all, many fans at the time speculated that the sixth character, a young woman with glasses, was Liao.
• When Jeff Kaplan was asked directly about this, he replied he would have to dig up the answer (at the time of the interview, over 3 years has passed since the cancellation) and reminded the interviewer that First Strike is not canon and was cancelled so that it would not be put into the canon.
• The woman in question bears some resemblance to Dr. Karlsson, who appears in Overwatch 2: Sojourn; both Karlsson and the mystery woman have gray hair, wear glasses, and were (apparently) active in the early days of the Omnic Crisis.