16.5

Worm, Chapter 16.5 Summary

Azazel, the Dragon suit, is intricate and detailed, unlike the others Skitter’s team faced. It’s not heavily armored, but its internal mechanisms are dense and complex. Skitter realizes that Dragon’s power allows her to understand and utilize other tinkers’ designs, explaining the rapid production of these suits. Dragon likely joined the Protectorate and the Guild to access tinker tech and resources. This realization demoralizes Skitter, as it highlights the potential danger of tinkers, especially Dragon.

Azazel is erecting barriers that cut through anything, similar to what Armsmaster used against Leviathan. These barriers are meant to restrict movement, a tactic effective against both the Undersiders and the Slaughterhouse Nine. Skitter explains the danger to her team, emphasizing the need to avoid the barriers. They discuss tactics, ruling out a direct assault due to the suit’s unknown capabilities and the likelihood of containment foam.

Their plan is to avoid being cornered and to find an opportunity to break the machine. They decide to take a longer route, avoiding the barriers and searching for their missing teammates. As they travel, Skitter notices another Dragon suit, the drone-deployer, approaching.

Faced with a difficult decision, Skitter leads the group on a zigzag path, away from the drone-deployer and towards Azazel, who then takes flight and heads towards them. Skitter realizes they’re being herded towards the barriers. She reverses direction, but the drone suit flanks them, leaving only one path that leads into the area with the barriers.

Skitter spots a shortcut through a minimall and leads Bentley through a display window. They crash into the mall, aiming for the exit on the far side to escape the drone-deployer. Drones try to block them, but Skitter maneuvers Bentley between them. They’re hit by an electric charge, causing them to fall. Bitch continues on, pursued by a drone.

Azazel appears, and Skitter realizes she’s trapped as the suit sets up a barrier around her. She’s frozen, unable to move without risking being cut. Azazel approaches slowly, and Skitter tries to buy time by warning it that she might fall, prompting it to clear the area beneath her with a blast of hot air.

Skitter is now trapped in a dome of the disintegration barrier. She asks Azazel questions, learning about the other suit, the Glaurung Zero, and confirming that the suits communicate with each other. Skitter devises a plan, claiming Imp is nearby and invisible, potentially in danger of being crushed if the suit moves. She uses this lie to freeze Azazel in place.

Skitter decides to use fire to destroy the barrier, but she needs to deal with Azazel first. She organizes her bugs and prepares a spiderweb-net, then lights a match. The barrier burns away quickly, and Skitter escapes as Azazel sprays containment foam. She uses the spiderweb-nets to disable two drones and block Azazel’s foam spray.

A grappling hook from Azazel’s chest captures Skitter, but it freezes, a tactic to counter the Siberian. She waits until it goes limp, then frees herself. Skitter signals Regent and Imp to return, then finds a hiding spot to observe Azazel.

Grue, Sundancer, Ballistic, and Genesis arrive, and Skitter explains how she immobilized Azazel. They discuss their victories, having taken down multiple suits. Shatterbird attacks Azazel with a glass wrecking ball, and Sundancer uses a flame orb to melt the suit. They watch it burn, joined by Trickster and Imp.

Skitter feels bad about destroying the expensive suit, but the others reassure her. They acknowledge their luck in exploiting the suit’s AI limitations. A phone rings—it’s Tattletale, informing them that the phones are back on and Dragon has left the city. The suits are retreating, and the Dragonslayers provided information that helped slow Dragon down.

Tattletale explains that the combination of the suits’ destruction and Dragon’s focus on the Nine led to her withdrawal. The PRT and Protectorate are unwilling to continue the costly fight. Tattletale officially declares victory: the city is theirs. Coil orders the Undersiders to stand down and take a few days off.

Skitter wants to go somewhere uncostumed, and Tattletale confirms it’s allowed. They hang up, and the group is stunned by their victory. Coil has his city, and Skitter is relieved, knowing that only Coil stands between her and Dinah’s release.