29.6

Cuff accuses Weaver of engaging in “crazy mastermind” talk with Satyr, hinting at unspoken plans. Satyr reveals Scion’s presence, shocking everyone. Leonid, with his super-hearing, confirms Satyr’s claim, and adds his ability to sense heartbeats, making him a living lie detector. Satyr’s flirtatious attempts are rebuffed by Imp.

Satyr explains that Scion likely entered through the same portal they did, and that Cauldron had contingency plans (B through F) to be deployed from this facility against him, potentially buying time or refining strategies. He states the prisoners above are part of these plans, but Scion’s arrival renders them ineffective.

Cuff assesses the massive metal barrier where the Doctor is sealed in, concluding it’s impenetrable, even with her powers. Satyr explains it’s a power-created column, dropped 2,500 feet with a panic room at its core. Floret states their plan was to wait for another group to breach the steel, but the Custodian’s actions changed that. Weaver admits to giving the Custodian the disintegration knife, which Satyr accepts as a setback. He mentions that the Irregulars are close to breaching the other side.

Satyr, with Floret’s detailed input, leads the group towards the other staircase to join the Irregulars. He dismisses the importance of numbers against Scion, and reveals that Revel, Exalt, and Vantage are incapacitated by Blowout’s stunning power. Blowout’s unrecorded long-term stunning ability raises concerns for Weaver about the captured heroes’ well-being.

Satyr is unfazed by Weaver’s potential actions against his teammates, Spur and Nix, stating he’ll seek revenge later. He lets Weaver’s group maintain the lead, focusing on the potential backstab from the Vegas team, whose true motives are suspect. Rachel expresses her dislike for Satyr, comparing him to Tattletale, which surprisingly leaves Satyr speechless. Lung calls Satyr “substanceless,” to which Imp lists similar words. Weaver emphasizes their shared goal of stopping Scion and forbids fighting among allies.

On the fourth floor, they encounter Custodian copies, indicating Scion’s slow descent to the second basement level. Satyr theorizes that Scion is delayed because of the abundance of Case 53s, whom he sees as “distorted” versions of himself, akin to flawed offspring. Shadow Stalker adds that Cauldron used Case 53s as psychological warfare against Scion, like a scent to confuse a predator.

Weaver points out that Scion could easily destroy the Case 53s, but Satyr suggests he has reasons not to. They increase their pace as the Irregulars breach the column faster than expected. Imp uses Sveta, trapped in a sphere, to gather information about the Doctor’s situation. Sveta reveals that Weld and a few others are protecting the Doctor, but she’s injured and unable to provide much help.

The lights go out, and Satyr begins creating a duplicate, alarming Weaver. He explains he can’t stop once he starts. Weaver threatens to attack if he continues. Satyr halts the process and asks about Weaver’s goals, expressing his distrust of those without ulterior motives. Weaver insists their goals are straightforward: save the Doctor, get answers, stop Scion.

Floret feigns listening to Weaver’s bugs, likely a distraction. Weaver realizes Leonid is the real threat, using his sound powers to draw attention while others act. Satyr claims Weaver’s presence complicates things, as they might agree on their objectives regarding the Doctor. A distant explosion occurs. Satyr says that he wishes to both help and hurt the Doctor. He admits they’re playing head games but insists they remember how to “walk a straight line.”

Satyr mentions that powers from a bottle mess with the body, while natural triggers mess with the mind, hinting at Ms. Lindt (Rachel) and Shadow Stalker’s altered states. He offers Shadow Stalker direction, but she dismisses him as “crazy.” Satyr forces a confrontation, despite claiming there’s no time. Lung ignites his claws, and Floret attacks with her buds, hitting Shadow Stalker and Lung. Blowout attacks Lung, empowered by the audience’s reaction.

Weaver attacks Satyr and his team with her bugs, focusing on exposed skin. Golem and Cuff engage Satyr’s duplicates. Rachel and Canary subdue Leonid, who teleports to Satyr. Imp threatens to release Sveta, halting the fight. Satyr reveals he was willing to wait until it was too late, avoiding responsibility for potentially dooming humanity. He lets Weaver’s group go, saying it’s “for love.”

Lung confirms Scion’s approach. Weaver’s group, despite the lack of escape routes, heads towards the stairwell, away from Scion. They encounter the remaining Irregulars, who are quickly dispatched. Cuff and Imp enter the hole leading to the Doctor, followed by the others. Golem seals the entrance, buying them a few seconds. Shadow Stalker flees, leaving Weaver and Golem. They descend, joining the others in the unknown depths below.