Blackwatch

Blackwatch is the covert operations division of Overwatch and was commanded by Gabriel Reyes. After rejoineing Overwatch after the Recall, Elias Neudecker becomes the new commander, recruiting experienced soldiers from around the world.

## **History**

Blackwatch was kept secret from the public as well as Overwatch itself, and was spearheaded by Gabriel using a smaller force to commit stronger actions against their enemies.

Eight years before the present day, Gérard Lacroix established a Blackwatch facility in Rome as part of an operation to bring down Antonio Bartalotti, a high-level Talon affiliate based in Venice. However, an undercover Talon agent planted a bomb in the facility in an attempt to assassinate Lacroix; though Lacroix survived the attack, dozens of Blackwatch agents were killed. Shortly after, Reyes sought retribution for the incident, deploying himself, Elias Neudecker, Jesse McCree, Genji Shimada, and Moira O'Deorain on a mission to capture Bartalotti. In what became known as the Venice Incident, they infiltrated Bartalotti's manor, killing or incapacitating numerous Talon guards. Upon reaching Bartalotti, Reyes ended up shooting him after being told that due to his connections, he could easily escape justice if brought in.

Despite the disagreements from some - mostly being McCree - Gabriel and Elias agreed it was best as they couldn't let the man go if they couldn't bring them in. Infiltrating his manor set them on an irreversible path.

The assassination set off the Talon guards to their presence, but the Blackwatch agents were able to escape with their lives. What they didn't escape however, was the media scrutiny that came with it. The existence of Blackwatch was revealed to the world. There were stories of assassination, coercion, kidnapping, torture, and worse. Governments called on the UN to shut down Overwatch because of Blackwatch's aggressive and repeated violations of many countries' sovereignty. A special UN committee launched a lengthy and highly secretive investigation into the claims. As the UN investigation proceeded, public distrust swelled. The investigations revealed the existence of O'Deorain's illicit research within Overwatch, and the organization disavowed any knowledge of her.

One year later, Blackwatch came under scrutiny after the Japanese government issued a complaint. The division and its agents were placed under suspension. While this was going on, the King's Row Uprising occurred. In violation of the suspension, Blackwatch agents, including McCree, scouted the area, and provided intel on Null Sector's fortifications.

As Overwatch's influence waned, people within Blackwatch sought to bring down its parent organization and turn it to their own ends. Overwatch was soon disavowed and therefore Blackwatch with it.

Years afterward, McCree noted that tactics used by Talon seemed to be based on those used by Blackwatch, and one of the Talon soldiers recognized McCree, implying a connection between the two organizations.

## **Members**

### *Original*

Blackwatch contained many of the *rejected* members of Overwatch and their few agents contained those who were too extreme for Overwatch.

* Gabriel Reyes (Commander)
* Elias Neudecker
* Jesse McCree
* Genji Shimada
* Moira O'deorain
* Fio

### *Recall*

After the Recall, Elias recruited Moira back into Blackwatch, and she maintained her Ministry position in Oasis. During this, Elias went around the world to gather gifted soldiers to join the reborn division.

* Elias Neudecker (Commander)
* Moira O'deorain
* Maxim Basuda ("Kapkan")
* Shuhrat Kessikbayev ("Fuze")
* Marius Streicher ("Jäger")
* Monika Weiss ("IQ")
* Gilles Touré ("Montagne")
* Gustave Kateb ("Doc")
* Jordan Trace ("Thermite")
* Miles Campbell ("Castle")
* Mike Baker ("Thatcher")
* Mark Chandar ("Mute")
* Ryad Ramírez Al-Hassar ("Jackal")
* Tina Lin Tsang ("Frost")
* Grace Nam ("Dokkaebi")
* Meghan Castellano ("Valkyrie")

## **Arsenal**

Blackwatch uses slightly-older models of weapons, as they aren't as susceptible to EMP blasts that most of the more modern weapons are weak to. Elias refers to them as 'the best era of military ordinance the world will ever know'.

### Aircraft

* V-56 Tiltrotor transport
* A10 "Warthog" fighter-bomber
* AC-130 "Spectre" dropship
* AH-64E "Apache Guardian" attack helicopter
* F-22 "Raptor" fighter jet
* F-35 fighter jet

### Land Vehicles

* M1A2 "Abrams" battle tank
* K2 Black Panther battle tank
* M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicle
* AAVP-7A1 personnel carrier