05:30 AM — Engineering Deck, MOA Complex
The command room under Sublevel B was already humming with activity. Digital maps of old Manila sprawled across projectors, some so outdated they still marked the Manila Film Center and pre-2000 train lines. Civil engineers in Overwatch uniforms, many of them once public works volunteers, were hastily converting civilian schematics into viable combat data.
"Based on the old Metro sewer grid and LRT blueprints," said Lead Engineer Casimiro, pointing at a rapidly digitizing map, "these tunnels weave under almost every district south of Pasay. If they've spread hives through them, we could be dealing with dozens of nests—interlinked."
Thomas stood silently, arms crossed.
"Estimate time to produce a full digital model?"
"Four hours for the eastern sector. Eight if we want real-time sensor overlays."
"Do it in five," Thomas said. "Push drones, sonar, whatever we've got."
