The Hunter | Overwatch

Descent Into the Underground

The Next Day, Approaching Underground City, Montreal, 7:12 P.M.

The Overwatch jet hummed as it streaked across the darkened sky, the lights of cities below flickering out of existence as they approached their destination. Inside, the atmosphere was tense. Jack stood at the helm, staring out the cockpit window with his arms crossed, his jaw clenched. Beside him, Shaun shifted nervously in his seat, casting uncertain glances at Jack and Torbjörn, who was tinkering with his turret in the back. Liao sat beside him, furiously tapping into her tablet, analyzing the omnics’ activity in Montreal.

“What's the latest?” Jack asked, his voice calm but tight with controlled urgency.

“Canadian Special Forces are holding out in Montreal,” Liao replied, never taking her eyes off her screen. “But the Omnics… they’ve overwhelmed their defenses. They're deep underground now. There's not much time left.”

Shaun felt a pang of anxiety. He’d never seen combat like this before. Sure, he’d trained with Jack, Reyes, and Ana, but training in the safety of their base was nothing like diving headfirst into a warzone. He couldn’t help the gnawing doubt that twisted in his gut. What if he froze up? What if he failed?

Jack turned toward Shaun, his stern blue eyes softening just a little. “Stick to the plan, Shaun. Stay sharp. We’ve got your back.”

Shaun nodded stiffly. He wanted to believe in those words.

Torbjörn snorted, looking up from his turret. “Don’t worry, kid. You’ll do fine. Just don’t forget — when in doubt, blow ‘em up before they blow you up.”

Shaun let out a nervous laugh, trying to hide his unease. He appreciated the attempt to lighten the mood, but it didn’t exactly help.

---

The jet shook as it descended through the thick cloud cover, landing with a low thud on a deserted street. Shaun’s fingers twitched as they unclipped his harness, and he followed Jack and the others to the ramp.

The ruined city of Montreal loomed ahead, a ghost of its former self. Buildings stood in shattered remnants, casting long, jagged shadows over the cracked streets. Thick dust and ash filled the air, and the eerie silence was punctuated only by the distant sound of collapsing structures. The atmosphere was suffocating, like the entire city was holding its breath, waiting for the worst to happen.

As they moved through the ruined streets, Shaun couldn’t shake the eerie silence. This had been a thriving city, full of life. Now it was a graveyard. He clenched his fists, forcing the thought aside. There wasn’t time to dwell on what was lost. Not yet. They moved swiftly through the narrow streets, avoiding open areas and sticking to cover. Shaun’s heart raced as they descended into the tunnel that led beneath the city. The darkness closed in around them, the sounds of the surface fading away, replaced by the metallic clanking of distant machines.

Mina activated a wrist-mounted flashlight, illuminating the path ahead. The Underground City was a maze of long-forgotten corridors and abandoned metro stations. Its once-bustling halls were now littered with the wreckage of past battles. Destroyed omnics and human machinery lay scattered along the floor, creating a grim reminder of the ongoing war.

“This place gives me the creeps,” Shaun muttered, glancing around warily. His nerves were fraying, the sense of being trapped underground gnawing at him.

Torbjörn snorted, clearly unimpressed. “It’s just metal and stone, boy. Don’t let it get in your head.”

As they moved deeper, Jack motioned for the team to stop, raising his fist in the air. Ahead, the tunnel widened into an open chamber, and Shaun’s stomach clenched. The Omnics were here.