23.5

Worm, Chapter 23.5 Summary:

Weaver finds herself restless, crammed in a craft with Defiant and Dragon, en route to an Endbringer battle in New Delhi. She watches the monitor, tracking the growing number of capes joining the fight, feeling a knot of anxiety tightening with each new addition. The sheer number of small, unfamiliar teams hints at a lack of organization.

She changes into her old costume, lacking the usual undergarments. They’d mentioned painting it, but she decides to wear it as is, sans the armor. The new flight pack, a last-minute addition from Defiant and Dragon, is a mismatch in color. It boasts antigravity panels and propulsion wings, controlled by a glove or, as a backup, by bugs navigating switches within the pack itself.

Defiant explains the pack’s functionality, emphasizing its limitations. It’s not for swift escapes, but for enhanced mobility. He also reveals that they’ve built in nineteen control tracks for her bugs, allowing intricate control over the pack’s components. Weaver is told to study the documentation Dragon prepared, particularly regarding the pack’s vulnerability to electromagnetic interference.

Defiant admits they don’t have time to finish the pack’s ‘arms’, but she’s grateful nonetheless. He confesses to playing a part in her villainous turn and offers the flight pack as a way to make amends. Weaver accepts, and they agree to focus on the technical aspects of the device rather than dwell on the past.

She spends the remaining time familiarizing herself with the pack’s controls and reading the detailed, hand-drawn documentation. Defiant announces their impending landing, and she learns that her old team, the Undersiders, have been brought along. She’s allowed to interact with them, as long as it’s on camera and above board.

Upon landing, Weaver sees a field filled with Dragon’s ships and a mix of heroes and villains, including the Undersiders and Accord’s group. She tests the flight pack, nearly faceplanting, then makes her way to the Undersiders using the antigrav for short, controlled bursts.

She finds her old teammates, along with Foil (formerly Flechette), Parian, Accord, Citrine, and Ligeia. Regent teases her about becoming a hero, while Imp questions her motives. Grue asks if she’s surviving, and she admits she’s struggling. Tattletale assures her they’ve set up traps and misdirection to protect their territory while they’re gone.

Weaver expresses her concern about Heartbreaker, given the permanent nature of his power, but Tattletale is confident. She tells Weaver she’s “Skitter” today, a good luck charm, and forbids her from dying. Weaver corrects her, saying she’s “Weaver” now, but Tattletale insists on “Skitter” for the day.

Regent and Imp tease her about going soft, while Weaver jokingly asserts she’s still as badass as ever, citing her past actions. She admits to feeling a chill, wondering how many capes present blame her for Alexandria’s death.

Tattletale suddenly notices something and curses. Behemoth has surfaced. The ships announce the news, and the teams prepare to depart. Weaver tells the Undersiders they’re her family and that she loves them, much to Imp’s disgust and Regent’s mock horror. She promises Rachel they’ll hang out again someday, after everything has settled down.

Weaver takes flight, joining Defiant and Dragon. She watches the monitors as Behemoth, fifty feet tall, rampages through the city. Dragon’s AI are attacking him, but he’s barely affected. Local heroes, the Garama or “hot” capes, are being slaughtered. Defiant laments the absence of the Thanda, the “cold” capes, who are more ruthless and effective.

Dragon provides Weaver with an armband and radiation pills. She touches Weaver’s face, and Weaver realizes she’s installed a camera. The monitor shows the Yàngbǎn, the C.U.I.’s military parahumans, attacking Behemoth. Defiant explains that this is the first time in over a decade that they’ve left China, due to strained relations and their belief that the PRT and Protectorate are corrupt.

The Yàngbǎn are powerful, but Behemoth decimates their ranks. Dragon’s craft arrive, using freeze rays, containment foam, and other weapons to slow him down. Behemoth destroys several craft, but drones redirect his lightning attacks.

Weaver takes a radiation pill and activates her armband, identifying herself as “Weaver.” A map appears, showing their approach to Behemoth. Their craft lands, and they exit into a ring of Dragon-ships, providing a temporary safe zone.

Chevalier briefs the assembled heroes, emphasizing the need for search, rescue, and support, and warning them to stay at least a hundred feet away from Behemoth. He tells them to form their own teams and mobilize.

Weaver starts towards the Undersiders, but Defiant stops her. He says Dragon believes she can contribute more with the Chicago Wards, and they’re the team that wants her. Weaver reluctantly agrees and joins Tecton, Grace, Wanton, and three rookies: Cuff, Annex, and Golem. Tecton makes her the leader for the duration of the fight, due to her experience in Endbringer battles.

Weaver quickly assesses the rookies’ powers and learns they’re supplementing the Undersiders for the time being. She gives the order, and they move out, ready to face the monstrous Behemoth.