5.01

A dilapidated pub named ‘Somer’s Rock’, a fittingly grim setting for a clandestine meeting of Brockton Bay’s most notorious villains. Inside, the Undersiders—Skitter, Tattletale, Grue, Regent, and Bitch, all in costume—awaited the arrival of their counterparts. Skitter, still recovering from a recent encounter with the villain Bakuda, reflected on her new moniker, given to her by the PHQ and now spreading through the city after Lung’s escape.

The first to arrive was Kaiser, leader of the Empire Eighty-Eight, accompanied by the towering twins Fenja and Menja, and followed by Purity, a luminous figure capable of unleashing devastating energy blasts. Other Empire members—Krieg, Night, Fog, and Hookwolf—also joined, a surprising reunion considering their past splintering. Kaiser, known for recruiting white supremacists from across the country, commanded the largest parahuman force in the city.

Coil, a skeletal figure in a snake-adorned costume, entered next, alone but radiating an aura of strategic control. Tattletale whispered to Skitter about Coil’s reputation as a chessmaster, commanding a vast network of highly trained ex-military personnel.

Faultline, a mercenary leader, arrived with her unusual team: Newter, a neon orange mutant with a prehensile tail; Gregor the Snail, a hairless, translucent-skinned man with shell-like growths; Labyrinth, in a green robe and mask; and Spitfire, in a gasmask and red and black costume. Faultline’s crew, known for their effectiveness despite their oddities, had a minor feud with Tattletale over the recruitment of Spitfire.

The arrival of the Merchants—Skidmark, Moist, and Squealer—brought a wave of distaste over the room. Addicts and dealers with powers, they were considered the dregs of the villain scene. Skidmark attempted to join the table but was rebuffed by Kaiser and Grue, highlighting the hierarchy among the gathered villains.

Trickster, in a black costume and red top hat, announced his arrival with a flourish, followed by his team, the Travelers, all in matching red and black attire. They included a girl with a sun motif, a heavily armored man, and a massive, gorilla-like creature. Despite their nomadic nature, they had come to Brockton Bay to witness the unfolding events.

Coil initiated the discussion, focusing on the chaos caused by the ABB, led by Lung but driven by Bakuda’s bomb-based recruitment and violent tactics. The ABB’s actions were drawing unwanted attention from authorities and heroes, disrupting the operations of all the villain groups.

Grue revealed that the Undersiders had a recording of Bakuda’s ambush, offering it as a show of strength and a source of information about her capabilities. Despite their recent injuries, the Undersiders needed to project an image of being unscathed.

Coil proposed a truce among all groups, including a temporary cessation of hostilities with law enforcement, to focus on eliminating the ABB threat. Faultline clarified that her team would only engage if paid, while Kaiser, Grue, and Trickster agreed to the truce terms.

As the villains shook hands, Tattletale commented on the underlying scheming among them. Skitter, observing the gathered power in the room, realized the complexity and potential danger of the situation.