12.x (Interlude; Jack)

Chapter 12.x (Interlude; Jack) Summary (1009 words)

“Which one of you dripping rectal cysts is brave enough for this one!?” Jack Slash’s voice boomed from atop Squealer’s monstrous, modified helicopter, addressing a bloodthirsty crowd below. The scene was a twisted festival hosted by Skidmark, featuring a dangerous drug cocktail and deadly challenges. Participants who survived a potent dose and a near-death experience, like being buried alive, would earn a green armband and discounts from the Merchant leaders.

As Jack held up a bowl of powdered pills, a sudden, violent interruption silenced the revelry. Skidmark, the host, was brutally dismembered, his blood and organs spilling out as he tried to crawl away. His desperate attempt to use his power was futile; he was sucked into the helicopter’s blades and instantly shredded.

On a nearby rooftop, Jack flicked his wrist, retracting the blade of his straight-razor. He smiled thinly at his assembled team: the Slaughterhouse Nine. Bonesaw, perched on Siberian’s shoulders, braided the feral killer’s hair. Shatterbird and Burnscar stood apart, the former with a book, the latter displaying miniature replays of Skidmark’s demise in flickering flames. Bonesaw’s monstrous creations and the rotting Hack Job waited nearby. Cherish, pale and fearful, stood in the shadow of Crawler, the most monstrous of them all.

Crawler, a behemoth with features of a bear and panther, was covered in armor plates, scales, spines, and coarse hair. His oil-slick body, studded with a hundred black eyes, dripped caustic venom. Six forked limbs, ending in scimitar-like claws, tentacles, and human hands, added to his terrifying appearance.

“Looks like Skidmark’s hosting a party,” Jack announced with irony. “Be sure to thank our hosts.”

Crawler leaped into the crowd, initiating a massacre. Shatterbird and Burnscar attacked the crowd’s edges with glass and fire, while Bonesaw’s creations herded the fleeing Merchants. Siberian, carrying Jack and Cherish, dropped from the roof, spared from impact by her unique nature.

As Siberian joined the carnage, Bonesaw, mounted on a mechanical spider, used an array of surgical tools to drag away a wounded victim. The terrified crowd scattered, lacking the courage to fight back.

Jack instructed Cherish to watch the show. An explosion rocked Squealer’s aircraft, now piloted by Siberian, who tore apart a Merchant before the vehicle crashed. The panicked Merchants, abandoning their friends, sought escape amidst the chaos.

Siberian, perched atop the wreckage, spat out a piece of flesh before leaping away. Jack, questioning Cherish’s loyalty, hinted at a future punishment being devised by Bonesaw.

Crawler rampaged through the crowd, his paralytic venom incapacitating those he didn’t kill outright. A gunman, turning from Crawler to Bonesaw, was dispatched by Hack Job, who then exploded in a puff of white dust.

Mannequin, headless and missing an arm, appeared, marred by paint and dust. Shatterbird, descending with a cloud of bloody glass, judged him for his failure. Bonesaw, skipping toward them, mocked Mannequin, causing Jack to caution her about her epidemic rule. Bonesaw assured him it was a limited cycle, with decreasing potency.

Shatterbird’s arrival coincided with Burnscar igniting Mush’s sandy form. Shatterbird ignored the chaos, studying Mannequin. Jack, deflecting a potential conflict, reminded them that occasional losses were acceptable, even beneficial.

A boy with glowing hair and eyes engaged Crawler, inflicting severe wounds with white flashes of energy. Crawler, despite losing chunks of his body, including his face, rapidly regenerated, his healing powers accelerated. Siberian, about to pursue the fleeing boy, was stopped by Jack, who had other plans.

Crawler rejoined the group, along with Burnscar. Jack revealed that Tattletale, a cape close to one of their candidates, wished to level the playing field. She proposed a game: if the Nine couldn’t reduce their candidates to one, they would take the first volunteer and leave, a blow to their reputation.

Cherish protested, recognizing Tattletale’s manipulation, but Jack saw it as a test. Limitations, he argued, fostered creativity and growth. Shatterbird pointed out that they always succeeded in the past, leading Jack to suggest a time limit and turns for each member, with penalties for failures and rewards for successes.

Bonesaw raised concerns about fairness, but Jack proposed adjustments. Mannequin, Crawler, and Cherish agreed to the new rules. Mannequin would go first, penalized a day for his loss, and would target the bug girl to avenge his failure. Cherish would follow, with a last chance to impress the group.

Jack outlined the rules: candidates must be informed, fail, and be eliminated or punished until one remained. Siberian’s test would remain the same, with the team assisting her in communication.

Jack announced the candidates: Panacea, Armsmaster, Bitch, Regent, the buried girl, and Hookwolf. They needed to eliminate five. After establishing their superiority, they would kill Tattletale and her allies.

The Nine returned to their carnage, Jack observing their dynamics. He noted Shatterbird’s pretense of civility, Siberian’s hunger, and Crawler’s explosive impatience.

Jack’s strategy involved balancing carrots and sticks, manipulating each member’s desires and fears. Shatterbird craved validation, Siberian sought stimulation and companionship with Bonesaw, Bonesaw desired family, Crawler longed for strength and a worthy opponent, Burnscar needed careful management, Mannequin had his mission, and Cherish lived in fear of her impending punishment.

Jack planned to manipulate the contest, ensuring either Hookwolf or Bitch survived, maintaining the group’s balance. He relished the challenge, the wind carrying the scent of smoke and blood.