15.2

Worm, Chapter 15.2 Summary

The Undersiders, following their major meeting, had taken time to handle personal affairs and plan their next steps. Skitter focused on cleaning up and organizing her territory. They prioritized dealing with the inevitable, deciding to confront the Chosen, who were bound to attack.

Regent, walking with Imp, called Skitter a dork for thinking about priorities. Imp expressed her desire to follow the planning, feeling left out of the “trio” of Tattletale, Skitter, and Grue. Regent and Imp joked about forming their own spin-off team.

Tattletale mentioned the upcoming mayoral elections, a potential complication with Coil’s involvement. She also discussed the fracturing of the white supremacist groups, the Chosen and the Pure, following the deaths of Kaiser and Hookwolf. Imp vehemently opposed any alliance with the racist groups. Tattletale clarified she meant a ceasefire, not an alliance, to buy them time. She had already negotiated a similar deal with New Wave, lying about Panacea and Glory Girl’s whereabouts.

Skitter mentioned wanting a tinker on the team, appreciating their value after encounters with Bakuda, Armsmaster, Mannequin, and Bonesaw. Tattletale pointed out the time investment required for tinkering, but Skitter argued that Bonesaw had accomplished a lot with minimal prep time. Regent jokingly called Skitter a tinker for creating their costumes, but she dismissed the comparison, saying she merely maximized her power’s potential while tinkers created new possibilities.

They arrived at Regent’s territory, marred by the Chosen’s graffiti. Shatterbird, under Regent’s control, cleaned the area using her powers. Regent’s taunting of Shatterbird disturbed Skitter, but he explained he was trying to keep her emotionally drained to prevent her from rebelling.

Tattletale confirmed that the people in the area were Chosen members. The Undersiders attacked, using Skitter’s bugs and Shatterbird’s glass shards. They identified Rune, Night, and Fog among the enemies. Victor, a skill-stealing cape, was quickly subdued.

Skitter decided to lure Night away, nervous but prepared. She tracked Night with her bugs, noting her enhanced form’s agility and lack of sensory organs. Fog advanced, slowed but not stopped by Shatterbird’s glass barrier.

Skitter, riding Atlas, pursued Night. She used her bugs and silk to hinder Night but struggled to counter her flashbangs. Night, avoiding direct confrontation, headed toward the others. Skitter kept pace, preventing Night from reaching her teammates.

Night suddenly slowed down, reverting to human speed. Skitter caught up, and Night retreated into a restaurant. She used smoke canisters but didn’t transform. Night collapsed, subdued by Imp, who had used a taser.

They returned to find Shatterbird containing Fog. The Undersiders had won decisively. Tattletale demanded the Chosen leave their territory. Rune argued, claiming they had nowhere else to go. Skitter countered, stating the Undersiders had earned the city through their actions against the Nine.

Tattletale announced they would “tax” the Chosen, taking their valuables. Imp pushed a protesting Rune to the ground. Tattletale declared they would also “borrow” one of the Chosen’s teammates, shocking everyone but Regent.