S03 · E02

Everywhere At Once

Both factions and the global weaving society as a whole scrambles to contain the threat. Groups of high-ranked faction operatives across major outposts in 4 cities deploy simultaneously. It goes badly almost immediately. A 7.0 WP weaver - elite, experienced - lasts 4 minutes against a single, still weak clone before having to retreat. The reason soon becomes clear; the moment one clone defeats a weaver, it learns their technique, but so does every clone on the planet. By only the 3rd engagement, the factions' best strategies are already countermeasured. Arden fights one herself and barely escapes, burning her store down in ways that leave her hands shaking. She reports back to Mordred in one sentence: "We cannot fight these conventionally." Liam moves through London with catatonic Lilith, shifting safehouses, monitoring progress with his crew. The civilian numbers are climbing faster than he thought. He had modelled for casualties. He didn't model for what seeing them would feel like.