22.2

Worm, Chapter 22.2 Summary:

Skitter, cuffed in an interrogation room, makes a call to her newly appointed lawyer, Mr. Calle. He’s on his way, currently in her territory, gathering intel about her from the locals. He’s speaking with a “young lady, dark-haired”, and Skitter provides a code phrase, “fly in a paper box”, to confirm his contact’s identity. Calle promises to arrive quickly, inquires about her food preferences, and advises her to remain silent. Skitter requests a BLT, a sugar donut, and tea.

Tagg, watching her, comments on her casual demeanor. He attempts to unsettle her by discussing the horrors of the Birdcage, a prison for the most dangerous parahumans. He recounts his experience in Lausanne, fighting individuals affected by the Simurgh’s song, people stripped of their morality. He describes the grim reality of having to kill these fundamentally altered individuals, including children. Tagg emphasizes that he hates the Birdcage, but would rather use it than let threats like Skitter roam free. He reveals that others have tried to follow in Skitter’s footsteps, leading to death and destruction, citing the recent example of Hiemal in Alaska.

Mr. Calle arrives, a strikingly handsome Latino man with a noticeable scar on his face. He introduces himself to Miss Militia and Tagg, requesting a private meeting with his client. He pointedly asks that the observation room behind the one-way mirror be vacated and cameras turned off, much to Tagg’s irritation.

Alone with Skitter, Calle reveals they have until 8:30 PM. He outlines the numerous charges against her, including assault, battery, hostage-taking, treason, and complicity in various crimes. Some charges relate to specific events like the bank robbery and the attack on Lung, while others are more general. Skitter clarifies some of the charges, expressing surprise at being charged for attacking Lung’s henchmen. Calle notes a conspicuous lack of charges involving major heroes, suggesting they might have withdrawn them. He also mentions a charge of battery against Emma Barnes, one of the girls who bullied Skitter.

Calle informs Skitter that she’s being charged with treason for effectively declaring war against the U.S. government by taking over her territory. Skitter admits to more recent crimes, including arranging a psychopath’s death and putting maggots in someone’s eyeballs in self-defense. She also reveals she’s facing a premeditated murder charge for killing Coil, who was secretly Director Thomas Calvert.

Calle states that they could likely get most charges dropped in a jury trial, but Skitter insists she doesn’t want one. He suggests they could paint her as a bullied teenager pushed to the limit, but she’d face consequences if she pleads down. Skitter wants a binding agreement to ensure the PRT can’t change their minds after getting what they want. She suggests using public knowledge as leverage.

They spend an hour and a half drafting terms for Skitter’s surrender, followed by a tedious wait for printing and revisions. Finally, Tagg, Miss Militia, the Deputy Director, Clockblocker, and Mrs. Yamada return to hear the terms.

Calle presents the document, outlining Skitter’s offer of official surrender for a select few crimes, televised for insurance and to signal the Undersiders to stand down. In return, she requests leniency for the Undersiders, allowing them to police the city’s underworld without PRT interference, effectively a truce. She also demands Tagg’s retirement, citing his unyielding, combative nature as detrimental to the city’s need for peace and compromise. She proposes Miss Militia as his replacement, arguing for a cape to lead the local PRT to foster a shared perspective and understanding.

Tagg derides Skitter’s arrogance, pointing out her captivity and surrender. He threatens to send her to the Birdcage via Dragon and Defiant, keeping her away from insects until her trial. Skitter counters by asserting her belief in the Undersiders’ capabilities, warning that they would surprise the PRT if pushed.

Miss Militia suggests a figurehead leader with her as the real power, but Skitter insists on a full leadership role for Miss Militia to set a precedent for change elsewhere. Tagg dismisses her ambition, calling her “not that big a fish.”

Skitter adds one more request: not to be sent to the Birdcage or face harsh punishment. She proposes being used to hunt down Jack Slash and the Slaughterhouse Nine, similar to Armsmaster’s absolution and mission.

Tagg reveals that Skitter’s intel is outdated. The Slaughterhouse Nine attacked Toybox, a black-market organization of tinkers, stealing their technology and kidnapping the tinkers themselves. The Nine, now enhanced with powerful tinker tech and possibly clones, have disappeared, likely using pocket dimensions to hide. Miss Militia explains that they believe the Nine have gone into a cryogenic stasis, potentially emerging days, months, or years later, making them impossible to track.

Skitter, reeling from this revelation, realizes Tattletale was unaware due to her power outage and the chaos surrounding them. She asks if Jack Slash knows he’s supposed to end the world within two years, but Miss Militia believes he doesn’t, making it impossible to predict when he’ll wake his team.

Calle suggests revising their terms based on this new information. Tagg agrees, emphasizing the need for speed as sundown approaches and rejecting their current terms. He exits with Miss Militia, and Skitter notices her guarded posture around him, offering a glimmer of hope. However, she overhears Tagg mentioning something about “her father” to Miss Militia, leaving her with a sense of unease.