The Hunter | Overwatch

The Siege Begins

The Next Day, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, 3:21 P.M.

The rotors of the stratoscopter whirred as it cut through the slightly windy city around the Ottawa River, casting a shadow over the shining streams of water. Inside, the tension was palpable; soldiers checked their weapons, murmured last-minute tactics, and exchanged terse nods. Shaun, seated toward the back of the craft, felt his heart pound. The faint ache in his side reminded him of his injury, but he ignored it, trying to mask his anticipation under a calm expression.

Jack stood at the front, giving a final briefing. “Once we land, our primary objective is to secure the installation points for the Siege. Remember, these positions are crucial to defending the city. Canadian Special Forces and Overwatch are working together—this is our chance to gain ground.”

Shaun listened closely, noting the seriousness in Jack's voice. He knew he wasn’t going in as an active combatant; Jack had given him a supportive role, monitoring communications and equipment during the mission. It wasn’t what he had hoped for, but he still had a chance to be here—to contribute. As he glanced around, he caught sight of Chase, her sharp gaze scanning the team with intensity. She seemed almost as tense as the rest of them.

---

They began their descent toward the uninhabited city, their footsteps quick to ensure no sound would escape. Shaun marveled at the engineering, the sheer stealth of it all. But as the stratoscopter touched down, his awe was quickly replaced by the focused hustle around him. Everyone had a part to play, and they moved with practiced efficiency, leaving no time to linger.

Shaun disembarked, staying close to Jack as he watched the team unload their supplies. Torbjörn was already directing his engineers, grumbling about the “very windy attitude” as he helped guide the heavy cases containing the new Siege units. Liao supervised her own team, her eyes never leaving the crates as they were carried inside.

“So, this is it,” Shaun murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

Jack, overhearing, placed a steady hand on Shaun’s shoulder. “Keep your eyes open. Today’s about staying sharp, learning. This isn’t just any mission—our tech and intel could turn the tide.”

As they moved to the installation site, Shaun noticed a shift in the atmosphere. Tensions simmered, unspoken but evident, especially between Torbjörn and Liao. Even Chase, who usually exuded a calm intensity, cast wary glances at Liao, as though measuring her every movement.

They reached a ridge where the Siege units were to be set up, overlooking a valley that was a known Omnic route. Torbjörn grunted as he worked with his engineers to deploy the first unit, a turret-like structure that looked almost bird-like with its long, antennae-like sensors.

“Careful with that!” Torbjörn barked, his voice echoing off the mountainside. “These are delicate machines, not toys.”

Liao rolled her eyes. “We designed these to be durable, Torbjörn. They’re hardly going to fall apart from a little snow.”

Torbjörn shot her a glare. “Durable, sure. But not immune to careless hands.” His fingers tapped at the control panel as he configured the unit.

Shaun glanced between them, sensing the tension. He could tell Chase had noticed it too. She was nearby, arms crossed as she observed the setup. Though she didn’t say anything, her gaze flicked between Torbjörn and Liao, her expression skeptical.

Jack caught Shaun’s eye and gave a subtle shake of his head, as if to say, “Let it go.” Shaun nodded, refocusing on his own duties, checking the monitoring equipment as instructed.

---

The hum of the Siege unit activating was drowned out by the sudden blaring of alarms. Shaun’s heart jumped, and he instinctively moved closer to the others. Jack was already at the communicator, assessing the threat.

“Omnics, inbound,” a voice crackled over the comms. “Multiple hostiles, heading right for us.”

The soldiers snapped into action, weapons at the ready. Torbjörn’s unit, the first of the Siege devices, began to hum with energy, sensors swiveling as it locked onto the incoming threats.

“We’ve got this,” Torbjörn muttered. “Just stay behind the line, kid,” he added, glancing at Shaun.

Shaun gritted his teeth but nodded, retreating to a safer distance where he could monitor the system.

The Omnics surged into view, a mass of metal and circuitry against the white snow. The Siege unit’s sensors clicked, tracking each Omnic, and then fired, sharp bursts of energy tearing through the advancing horde. Shaun watched, wide-eyed, as the turrets released devastating rounds, dismantling omnics with precise shots.

The Canadian Special Forces, positioned along the ridge, provided additional cover fire. Chase, moving with seamless coordination, took command of her unit, calling out orders and coordinating strikes with Jack.

“Stay focused,” Jack’s voice cut through the chaos. “Our objective is to hold them back long enough for Torbjörn’s team to install the second unit. Liao, you ready?”

“Almost,” Liao replied, her fingers dancing over her tablet as she activated the next set of units. She seemed unfazed by the Omnics closing in, her focus entirely on her work.

Shaun’s pulse quickened as he saw a cluster of Omnics break through the defensive line, heading directly toward Liao’s position. He looked toward Jack, who was already moving to intercept, but the omnics were closing fast. Shaun took a step forward, then stopped, remembering Jack’s warning to stay out of the front lines.

But then he saw Chase, already sprinting to intercept. With swift, precise movements, she cut down the omnics before they could reach Liao. She didn’t say a word, merely gave a curt nod to the scientist before returning to her position.

The second unit activated just as the first began to wind down, recalibrating as it prepared to recharge. Torbjörn, seeing this, let out a satisfied grunt.

“See? Now that’s engineering,” he muttered.

Liao simply nodded, though her gaze held an unspoken challenge. Shaun, watching them both, sensed the tension was far from over.

---

Hours later, as the final Siege unit activated and the last of the Omnic forces were repelled, the team began to regroup. Jack approached Shaun, clapping a hand on his shoulder.

“Well done. You stayed focused. Not bad for your second mission.”

Shaun nodded, but his attention drifted to Chase, who was making her way over, her expression unreadable. She stopped in front of him, arms crossed.

“You did fine out there,” she said, her tone measured. “But remember, experience matters. Don’t rush it.”

Shaun met her gaze, nodding. “Understood.”

She held his gaze a moment longer, then gave a short nod, turning back to her team. Shaun watched her go, her words sinking in. Today had been a step forward, but he knew he had a long way to go.