14.7

Worm, Arc 14.7 Summary

Tattletale informs Skitter of three potential hiding spots for Jack and Bonesaw, settling on two based on their last known direction: a shelter beneath the central library and another near where Scion battled Leviathan. As they walk the perimeter of the bomb site, Sundancer clears the path. Skitter, walking with Tattletale, Grue, and Atlas, expresses a preference for checking the library first due to bad memories associated with the other location, a shelter where she’d confronted Leviathan.

Tattletale, curious, asks about the event. Skitter explains her mixed feelings, admitting she feels she didn’t try hard enough during the Leviathan fight because someone she hated was in the shelter. She attributes this incident as the turning point where her dream of being a hero faded.

The group discusses their strategy. Sundancer clears the remaining flames, and they decide on a direct approach, wary of a pincer attack if there are multiple exits. Tattletale suggests splitting up to cover both shelters, but Skitter raises concerns about the risk. They weigh the risk of letting the Nine escape and strategize against them.

Skitter proposes scouting the library alone while the others check the other site, leveraging her ability to fly and detect Jack at a distance. Grue expresses concern, but Skitter argues it’s the best balance of minimal risk and maximum effect, using her enhanced range from Amy’s modified bugs.

Tattletale, after considering, tells Skitter to go. Skitter takes off, flying erratically to avoid being an easy target. She uses relay bugs to sweep the area around the library, finding no sign of Jack or Bonesaw. The vault door is sealed.

An explosion alerts her to Siberian’s presence a few blocks away. Legend is engaging her, strategically destroying the environment to limit her movement. Skitter sends bugs to distract Siberian, but they are ineffective. She notices Legend holding back, seemingly conserving his strength for a prolonged battle of attrition.

Skitter, puzzled by Legend’s choice of battleground, continues to assist him, sending bugs into Siberian’s truck, only to find it empty. She informs Legend through a message written in the air with bugs: ‘TRUCK EMPTY – SIBERIAN BLUFF.’ She realizes Siberian might be using this as a tactic to outlast Legend.

Skitter contacts Tattletale, informing her about the situation and the empty truck. Tattletale mentions they’re about to breach the shelter door. Skitter asks for Tattletale’s insights on Legend’s strategy, expressing her confusion about his choice of location and tactics. Tattletale speculates that the Protectorate might have a larger plan.

Tattletale confirms the Nine aren’t in the shelter they breached. Skitter asks about opening the library’s vault door, and Tattletale explains it requires a command from the destroyed PHQ or PRT headquarters, suggesting Bonesaw might have hacked it.

Skitter, unable to use brute force, decides to involve Legend. She informs him about the Nine’s location with another message: ‘FOUND THE 9. UNDERGROUND SHELTER.’ and ‘MAYBE CIVILIANS INSIDE.’ Legend changes direction, heading towards the library while still engaging Siberian.

Siberian throws the truck at Legend, who obliterates it. He then uses a series of precise laser beams to cut open the vault door. Legend unleashes a barrage of lasers, some hitting Skitter, but they are surprisingly weak. Siberian gets close, forcing Legend to stop his actions.

Skitter sends bugs into the shelter, finding twenty civilians with mechanical parts, seemingly unharmed, and three more: Jack, Bonesaw, and Siberian’s creator. She attacks with her swarm, focusing on biting and tearing rather than a traditional sting.

Bonesaw, despite being flayed by bugs, calmly tries to use her tools but is hindered by silk threads. Jack, partially blinded, attacks, cutting Bonesaw in the process. Skitter attempts to burn Bonesaw’s anti-bug smoke with a chain of burning tissues, but it fails.

Legend, communicating with his team, dives towards the shelter. He grabs a civilian, gets mobbed, and blasts his way free, firing a laser through the library’s roof. Skitter warns the Undersiders to take cover as another stealth bomber appears, unleashing a devastating payload of various effects.

Skitter joins Legend, who thanks her for her assistance. He reveals that Crawler and Mannequin were in the blast zone, kept there by Piggot’s message to Crawler. The civilians in the shelter were controlled by Bonesaw’s spiders, and their deaths were a mercy.

Skitter asks if Brockton Bay can recover from this. Legend expresses hope, but Skitter’s bugs find Jack, Bonesaw, Siberian, and a fourth individual at the edge of the blast radius. Legend identifies the fourth man by his hand tattoos: a cauldron and a swan, calling him a “scholar.”

Jack looks up, and Legend fires, but Siberian pulls them to safety. The Undersiders and Travelers arrive. Legend, after firing at Siberian, reveals they need to back off, as they’ve broken enough of Jack’s rules, and Bonesaw’s “punishment” is likely coming.