15.8

Worm, Chapter 15.8 Summary

Skitter communicates with Coil via her swarm-clone, discussing a potential alliance with Parian. Coil is skeptical of Parian’s terms, implying they make the Undersiders appear weak, but agrees to negotiate through a liaison. Skitter feels a surge of frustration and betrayal towards Coil, considering his recent assassination attempt, but forces herself to remain calm, focusing on their shared goal regarding Dinah.

Skitter informs Parian that others will contact her, urging her to discuss the matter with Flechette. Despite the lingering pain from her injury, Skitter prepares for a mission with Trickster and Genesis, suspecting Coil’s involvement. She reflects on her readiness to die, if necessary, for Dinah’s sake, and how her death might affect her father and her territory.

The mission involves confronting the mayor at his home during dinner. Skitter uses her swarm-clone as a decoy, while Atlas carries her to a nearby glade. She meticulously prepares her swarm, creating multiple clones as a precaution. Trickster and Genesis are already at the location, with Trickster observing the mayor’s house through binoculars. Genesis, in a ghostly form, floats nearby.

Trickster explains the plan: to intimidate the mayor and his family during their dinner, ensuring his presence before his trip to Washington. Skitter is uncomfortable with targeting the family but goes along with it, rationalizing it as a necessary act for a greater purpose. Genesis breaches the house, followed by Skitter’s swarm. Trickster swaps two approaching police officers with them. Skitter creates a swarm-clone inside the house to interact with the mayor’s family.

The mayor, his wife, their twin daughters, their son Rory, and his girlfriend are present. Trickster initiates a conversation, suggesting the mayor should hear from all his constituents before making a decision in Washington. Rory attempts to use his phone discreetly, but Skitter has Atlas snatch it away. The family’s lack of fear and the mayor’s confident demeanor raise Skitter’s suspicions.

Trickster continues the conversation, arguing for Brockton Bay’s continuation, while the mayor counters that the Undersiders are criminals. Skitter writes a warning on the wall with bugs: “Triumph” above Rory’s head and “Prism or Ursa” above his girlfriend. Before Trickster can harm one of the twin daughters he swaps with a chair and holds at gunpoint, Genesis intervenes.

Triumph, the mayor’s son and a superhero, shouts, incapacitating Trickster and Genesis, and destroying Skitter’s swarm-clone. He then starts to clear the room of Skitter’s bugs. Skitter, realizing she can’t abandon Trickster, decides to enter the house herself, hoping to save him and escape without harming the innocent family members. She’s aware this might be a trap set by Coil but proceeds nonetheless, determined to protect her team and their mission.