12.03

Chapter 12.03 Summary (911 words)

Grue, upset by Coil’s actions during the meeting, vents his frustration as the Undersiders and Travelers regroup. Tattletale suggests Coil’s actions might have been a necessary strategy given his powers and situation, but Grue remains unconvinced. Skitter points out Coil likely has more undercover agents, possibly even within their own ranks, suggesting he might be assisting them indirectly.

Trickster, the leader of the Travelers, joins them, and they discuss the meeting and the Slaughterhouse Nine’s recruitment efforts. Imp, Grue’s sister, has stayed behind to spy on the meeting, causing Grue concern. Skitter reveals she can enhance her ability to sense through her bugs, a skill she had previously abandoned due to its overwhelming nature, but now sees its potential value.

Trickster suggests they relocate to Ballistic’s nearby headquarters to discuss strategy. At the Travelers’ hideout, they unmask and discuss the Slaughterhouse Nine, comparing them to chess pieces. Jack Slash is likened to the king, Siberian to a special queen, Crawler to a special rook, Shatterbird and Burnscar to bishops, and Mannequin to a knight. Cherish, Regent’s sister, is a wildcard, capable of manipulating emotions at a distance. Bonesaw, the medical tinker, is a game-changer, capable of altering the rules of engagement.

Trickster patches in Noelle, a former field commander for the Travelers, via webcam. Tattletale lies to her about working on a solution to her unspecified problem, as instructed by Trickster, who suspects Coil knows something he doesn’t want the Travelers to find out. Noelle suggests a strategy against the Nine: to change the game, making the predators the prey. They discuss the possibility of capturing and controlling some of the Nine, like in the game of Shogi, where captured pieces can be used as one’s own.

They consider targeting Jack, Bonesaw, Cherish, Burnscar, or Shatterbird. Grue, Tattletale, Skitter, and Bitch head back to retrieve Imp. As they reach the parking garage entrance, they encounter four members of the Slaughterhouse Nine: Siberian, Jack Slash, Bonesaw, and Cherish. Jack Slash, noticing them, remarks, “This is not an exit.”

The Undersiders and Travelers gather, Grue expressing his anger at Coil’s betrayal. Tattletale offers a possible explanation for Coil’s actions, suggesting it may have been his only option. Skitter suggests Coil’s undercover agents might be a form of assistance, and Trickster reveals Genesis is also spying on the meeting. Grue worries about Imp’s safety, and Skitter mentions her untapped ability to sense through her bugs, which she had previously dismissed as useless. Realizing its potential, she decides to work on it.

They decide to meet at Ballistic’s headquarters to discuss strategy. Along the way, they discuss the Slaughterhouse Nine’s recruitment targets: Regent, Armsmaster, and one of the Travelers. They also deduce that Burnscar likely visited Faultline’s crew.

At the hideout, they unmask and compare the Nine to chess pieces, with Jack Slash as the king, Siberian the queen, Crawler the rook, Shatterbird and Burnscar the bishops, and Mannequin the knight. Cherish is difficult to categorize, but her emotion-manipulating powers make her a priority target. Bonesaw is the wild card, capable of changing the rules of the game with her medical tinkering.

Trickster connects them with Noelle, a former Traveler leader, via webcam. Tattletale, as instructed, lies to Noelle about working on a solution to her problem. Noelle suggests changing the game to make the Nine the prey, and they consider capturing and controlling weaker members, similar to Shogi.

They discuss potential targets, ruling out Jack, Bonesaw, Siberian, Crawler, and Mannequin due to their defenses or abilities. Cherish is also deemed too risky due to her familiarity with Regent. They settle on Burnscar and Shatterbird as the most viable options.

Grue, Tattletale, Skitter, and Bitch leave to pick up Imp. As they approach the parking garage entrance, they encounter Siberian, Jack Slash, Bonesaw, and Cherish. Jack Slash smiles and says, “This is not an exit.”

Grue is furious about the meeting’s outcome. Tattletale speculates that Coil’s actions might have been his only option, given his power and operational constraints. Skitter proposes that Coil might be aiding them indirectly through his undercover agents.

Trickster informs them that Genesis is also spying on the meeting. Grue expresses concern for Imp’s safety, prompting Skitter to reveal her neglected ability to perceive through her bugs. She resolves to develop this skill further.

They agree to convene at Ballistic’s headquarters to strategize. En route, they discuss the Slaughterhouse Nine’s recruitment targets: Regent, Armsmaster, and a member of the Travelers. They also infer that Burnscar likely attacked Faultline’s crew.

At the hideout, they remove their masks and analogize the Nine to chess pieces: Jack Slash as the king, Siberian as an unstoppable queen, Crawler as an unkillable rook, Shatterbird and Burnscar as far-reaching bishops, and Mannequin as a stealthy knight. Cherish’s emotion-manipulating abilities make her a high-priority target. Bonesaw, the medical tinker, is deemed a game-changer due to her ability to modify the rules of engagement.

Trickster establishes a video call with Noelle, a former Traveler leader. Following Trickster’s instructions, Tattletale deceives Noelle about working on a solution to her unspecified problem. Noelle suggests altering the game to turn the Nine from predators to prey. They explore the possibility of capturing and controlling some of the Nine, akin to the game of Shogi, where captured pieces can be redeployed.

They discuss potential targets, eliminating Jack, Bonesaw, Siberian, Crawler, and Mannequin due to their defenses or abilities. Cherish is also deemed too risky due to her familiarity with Regent. They conclude that Burnscar and Shatterbird are the most feasible options.

Grue, Tattletale, Skitter, and Bitch depart to retrieve Imp. As they approach the parking garage entrance, they encounter Siberian, Jack Slash, Bonesaw, and Cherish. Jack Slash, spotting them, remarks, “This is not an exit.”