12.02

Chapter 12.02 Summary (1077 words)

Skitter, along with Grue, Bitch, and her dogs, embarks on a boat ride across the Endbringer-made lake, a part of the city devastated by Leviathan. She finds the experience exhilarating, a stark contrast to the constant anxiety that has plagued her for the past year and a half. She reflects on how her life before gaining powers was consumed by worries about school, her family, and social interactions, all of which now seem trivial compared to her current challenges.

The Undersiders arrive at a partially submerged building, their meeting point with other villain groups, including Hookwolf’s Chosen, Faultline’s crew, the Merchants, the Travelers, and Coil. The meeting is tense, with old rivalries and recent conflicts simmering beneath the surface. Hookwolf reveals that the Undersiders and Travelers have been secretly taking over territories in the city, using the distraction of the Slaughterhouse Nine’s presence to secure their positions.

Trickster admits they didn’t know about the Nine’s activities before starting their takeover, but Hookwolf accuses them of exploiting the situation. A truce is proposed: the Undersiders and Travelers must abandon their territories while the other groups focus on the Nine. Coil reveals a prophecy from Dinah Alcott, stating that if Jack Slash survives his visit to Brockton Bay, the world will end in a few years.

Despite the dire warning, the Undersiders and Travelers refuse to give up their territories, fearing that the other groups will use the truce to consolidate their power and attack them later. Hookwolf, seeing an opportunity to eliminate his rivals, manipulates the other groups into siding against the Undersiders and Travelers. Miss Militia suggests a compromise where all powered individuals from each group move to neutral territory, but this is rejected due to the risk of being attacked by the Nine or betrayed by rivals.

Hookwolf, having successfully divided the groups, offers a truce to the Merchants, Pure, Faultline, and Coil, leaving the Undersiders and Travelers isolated. They are forced to leave the meeting, their plans to take over the city thwarted and their alliance with Coil strained. The chapter ends with them departing by boat, facing an uncertain future and the enmity of the other villain groups.

The boat ride is a new experience for Taylor, and she finds herself surprisingly enjoying it, likening it to the thrill of riding Bitch’s dogs, but without the underlying fear. She reflects on the constant state of anxiety she had lived in for the past year and a half, a life filled with worries about school, her family, and social interactions. Now, amidst a dangerous situation, she feels a strange sense of calm, realizing there are moments when she is helpless to act, and accepting the present.

Upon reaching the meeting place, they find Hookwolf and his Chosen, along with other groups like Faultline’s crew, the Merchants, and the Travelers. The atmosphere is tense, with past conflicts and grudges evident. The arrival of the Merchants, with their noisy and flashy tinker-made boat, further escalates the tension.

Hookwolf reveals that the Undersiders and Travelers have been making moves to take over territories in the city, using the Slaughterhouse Nine’s presence as a distraction. Trickster claims they were unaware of the Nine’s activities before implementing their plan. Purity expresses surprise at this revelation, confirming the takeover.

Miss Militia states that their priority is to gather information about the Slaughterhouse Nine, but Hookwolf insists that the Undersiders and Travelers are taking advantage of the situation to conquer the city. A truce is proposed: the Undersiders and Travelers must cease their territorial expansion and stay in a hotel on the Protectorate’s tab until the Nine are dealt with.

Coil adds a new layer of urgency by sharing information from his sources, claiming that if Jack Slash survives his visit to Brockton Bay, it will have dire consequences for the world. He reveals that Jack Slash is a catalyst for an event that will lead to the deaths of a significant portion of the world’s population. Weld identifies Dinah Alcott as Coil’s source, a precog who has been missing since April.

Coil admits to offering Dinah training and relief from her powers in exchange for a year of service, claiming he did not kidnap her. Hookwolf sees this as an explanation for Coil’s past successes against the Empire. Coil insists that Jack Slash must die to prevent the catastrophic event.

Hookwolf, seizing the opportunity, demands that the Undersiders and Travelers agree to the truce and give up their territories to maximize their chances against the Nine. Coil supports this, as do Skidmark and Purity. The Undersiders and Travelers are caught off guard by Coil’s willingness to sacrifice their progress for his anonymity.

Trickster points out the unfairness of the deal, as it would allow the other groups to strengthen their positions while the Undersiders and Travelers are sidelined. Grue and Trickster refuse the terms, leading to further arguments. Faultline emphasizes the need to prioritize collective survival over personal gain, but Trickster insists they will still help against the Nine without giving up their territory.

Hookwolf accuses them of planning to attack the other groups from behind, while Grue denies any intention to betray a truce. Miss Militia proposes a compromise, suggesting that all powered individuals from each group move to neutral territory. However, this is rejected due to the risk of being gathered in one place, making them vulnerable to the Nine or internal betrayal.

Hookwolf, having successfully divided the groups, asks the Merchants, Pure, Faultline, and Coil if they are willing to form an alliance against the Undersiders and Travelers. Purity, Coil, and Skidmark agree, while Faultline refuses, citing their mercenary nature. Hookwolf then negotiates a truce with Miss Militia, agreeing to minimize their activities and avoid attacking civilians while focusing on the Nine.

The leaders of the new alliance shake hands, leaving the Undersiders, Travelers, and the heroes isolated. The Undersiders are forced to leave the meeting, their plans to take over the city thwarted and their alliance with Coil strained. They depart by boat, facing an uncertain future and the enmity of the other villain groups.