Worm: Interlude 11b, Sting 26.6

“There we go.  Back to  the subject of Purity and the baby…  Aster?”

“Yes, Aster, sir.”

—Worm: Interlude 11b (Anniversary Bonus)



Someone advanced.  I felt tripwires snap and break.

Letting a hostage go?

I turned and started to fire before the individual in question could step through the doorway.  By the time I made the conscious decision and started squeezing the trigger, the individual in question was emerging.  The bullet made contact, passing through their head.

A life taken.  A hostage killed.  But I couldn’t afford to take any chances.

No.

I shook my head a little.

A Nice Guy, not a hostage.

He needed to focus on people to use his power.  That focus was far weaker if he couldn’t see someone.

[...]

My bullet took Cherish in the head. Another bullet struck Screamer.

I hesitated.

Then I shot Aster, who was held in a Hatchet Face’s arms.

—Worm: Sting 26.6