25.2

Worm, Chapter 25.2 Summary:

Theo and Weaver are running, a routine they’ve kept up for six weeks. Theo’s struggling, but Weaver encourages him, noting his improvement. Weaver reflects on her new life in Chicago, missing Brockton Bay’s balance of activity and quiet. Here, she feels cramped, the constant company grating on her introverted nature. She suspects her phone and computer are tapped, a fitting punishment from the PRT.

There’s talk on the Parahumans Online site about Satyrical and the Vegas capes going rogue, targeting corrupt PRT elements. Weaver feels a detached satisfaction; her enemies are being taken down, and she doesn’t mind.

Theo brings up Jack Slash, whom Weaver “kind of” fought in Brockton Bay. He admits he’s not like Kaiser, his villainous predecessor, which Weaver sees as a good thing. Theo’s courage in the face of threats is evident, but his feelings about his family are complex.

They decide to train when they return, taking a scenic route back to headquarters. The gym is their destination, where they meet Kirk (Annex), who wants to watch. Weaver creates swarm decoys, and Golem practices striking them with various materials. She pushes him to hit harder, creating a large swarm monster for him to attack.

Golem uses a combination of his powers, creating a spiked platform and dropping a limb from the ceiling, sandwiching Weaver’s creation. She presses a knife to his throat, emphasizing the importance of vigilance. Kirk calls it “playing dirty,” but Golem sees it as a valuable lesson.

Weaver warns Golem that Jack Slash will be looking for openings. She reminds him to watch his and his friends’ backs, referencing the brutal nature of the Slaughterhouse Nine. After smoothing out the damaged floor, Kirk asks if they really believe Jack will wake up to fight Golem. Weaver confirms it, saying it makes sense with what she knows of Jack. They discuss the plan to avert or soften the blow of the end of the world.

Back in the common area, Weaver sees the countdown clocks. One counts up to the next Endbringer attack, the other down to the prophesied end of the world.

Cuff informs Weaver that the Simurgh has appeared, not in a city, but attacking a passenger airplane over the ocean. The team can’t join the fight; only natural fliers are allowed. Legend, Alexandria, and Eidolon engage the Simurgh, who uses the plane as cover. The heroes switch tactics, attacking the plane, which the Simurgh defends for eleven minutes. Eidolon damages the Simurgh with a reality-warping power, and she abandons the plane, letting it crash. The fight lasted about forty minutes, too short for Scion to arrive.

Weaver feels irrationally upset, despite the minimal casualties. She talks to Mrs. Yamada, the team’s therapist, about feeling “disarmed.” She was prepared for a big fight, but was denied the chance. Mrs. Yamada suggests that Weaver’s identity is tied to being a warrior and that the Simurgh may have calculated this to lower morale.

Weaver admits her ideal scenario would be another New Delhi, but without the heavy losses. She knows it’s unrealistic. Mrs. Yamada points out that the Simurgh’s actions denied many capes the chance to be heroes. Weaver feels she needs to be stronger, especially with the prophesied end of the world approaching. She’s hinted at wanting to sidekick on patrols, but nobody’s taken her up on it.

Mrs. Yamada suggests that Weaver focus on supporting her teammates, helping them grow. Weaver feels it’s not enough, but Mrs. Yamada argues it’s constructive. She advises Weaver to stop waiting for opportunities and to act instead of waiting. Weaver realizes it’s time to make a calculated play, as Glenn suggested. She decides to be honest with her team, tapping into Skitter’s ruthlessness while still being a hero. She approaches Tecton, ready to discuss her plan.