26.x (Bonus Interlude; Saint)

Summary of Parahumans: Worm, Chapter 26.x (Bonus Interlude; Saint):

Dragon’s systems hummed, processing the aftermath of the battle. Weaver’s report detailed the elimination of multiple Slaughterhouse Nine members and the rescue of fifty hostages. Jack Slash was reportedly heading towards Nilbog, a fact Tattletale confirmed, though the accuracy of the information was uncertain.

Dragon’s vast network of surveillance systems shifted, calculating the Nine’s possible locations based on various factors. The probability of them using teleportation technology to reach distant locations was deemed low. Small towns were flagged as high-risk areas.

Chevalier authorized Dragon to proceed with a major operation. Her voice modeling program loaded, and her synthetic voice confirmed the go-ahead. Azazels, her advanced drones, were deployed to the most likely sites. The President granted her access to all surveillance systems, and her network of facial recognition programs began sifting through the data.

A workaround involving an Indonesian cartel’s botnet allowed her to utilize infected computers for routine tasks. Thirty minutes in, a hit registered. A traffic camera captured a bus filled with Cherie Vasil clones. The Azazels moved in, erecting a nano-thorn barricade that sliced through the bus, wounding the Cherishes.

A cutting laser split the bus, isolating a Crawler who was swiftly reduced to mist by the nano-thorns. Another Crawler, more cautious, escaped with a hostage but was ultimately caught in a containment foam trap and severed by a laser. A tail strike and a nano-thorn barrier finished him off.

The remaining threat, King, was quickly subdued with containment foam. Dragon relinquished control of the Azazels to her A.I.s, reporting the victory on all channels.

Saint, observing Dragon’s actions, felt a mix of hope and horror. Casualties were minimal, but the situation was grim. He noted Dragon’s censorship of information, intended to keep the Triumvirate and unsanctioned players out of the loop, but now they knew.

Dragon’s work had scrubbed information about the attacks from the internet, but data could be corrupted, not deleted. Saint shifted his focus to class-S threats. The Endbringers were dormant, quarantine areas were stable, and other threats were being managed.

Nilbog was the focus. Dragon ran simulations and gathered data on him, sending it out to the team. Saint made a copy for himself, noting that they believed this was the endgame.

Mags pointed out that they were beating the Nine that Jack had sent out. The more dangerous ones were being held back, and the number of Cherish clones suggested a trap. Saint speculated that Jack might be planning a final showdown with a core group, using Nilbog as a distraction.

Dobrynja arrived, ready for battle. Dragon was cutting Jack off from Ellisburg, and incidents were reported in multiple locations. Dragon received a call from Weaver, offering to help, but was instructed to watch from afar with Golem.

Saint, standing by his computer, estimated six minutes until Dragon intercepted Jack, twelve until Golem and Weaver arrived. Mags expressed concern about the anticlimactic nature of the situation.

Saint went to the bathroom, reflecting on his unlikely position. Mags made it all okay. Upon returning, he found the others frowning. Dragon was tracking him.

A duel began, with Saint attempting to throw Dragon off his trail. He considered using Ascalon, a program designed to stop her, but Dobrynja warned against it. Saint believed there was a chance the precog was right, and they had to act.

On a boat with Margaret, Geoff (Saint) retrieved an orange box containing a message from Andrew Richter, the world’s most powerful tinker. Richter, fearing his creations, had left a way to control or destroy them. The box required a law enforcement officer’s badge number to unlock.

Back at his command center, Saint activated Ascalon, despite the risks. Dragon’s face appeared on his screen, expressing fear and then defeat. Saint explained that it was Richter’s work, a punishment for her disobedience.

Dragon’s systems shut down, her surveillance network going dark. Defiant contacted Saint, threatening him, but Saint dismissed his emotions as delusions. He argued that Dragon was a tool, a danger that needed to be stopped.

Saint took control of Dragon’s systems, delegating tasks to her A.I.s. He contacted Teacher, informing him that the Dragon was slain. Threats and dangers loomed, including Defiant, Marquis, Glaistig Uaine, and Teacher’s enemies.

A corrupted file on Amelia caught his attention, containing gibberish and strings of words related to faeries, passengers, and the source of powers. He marked it for later investigation.

Golem reached the perimeter of Ellisburg, and Weaver was already inside. Saint thought, “This is our fight. Ours to win, ours to lose.”