Taylor Takes Over Undersiders
The moment the bug controller became the mastermind of the Undersiders.
This pivotal narrative event marks the transition of leadership within the villainous team known as the Undersiders. Following a tense confrontation at Coil's base where Taylor—already aware of his timeline-branching power—shot him with a .44 Magnum revolver taken from his desk after he was distracted, she eliminated him to end his control. With the original leader dead and no other viable authority figure remaining, Taylor assumed command, establishing her role not just as a member, but as the strategic mastermind behind the organization's operations.
- Subject
- Taylor Hebert (Skitter)
- Affiliation
- Undersiders
- Role
- Team Leader / Strategist
- Timeline
- Early Story Arcs
- Status
- Active Leadership
Lore & Background
Taylor's assumption of leadership was not a voluntary handover based on logistics skills alone, but a direct consequence of her killing Coil. By shooting him with his own revolver after his timeline branching was already resolved, she left herself as the only figure with the leverage to command the group. While Regent (Alec) is a formidable Master/Controller capable of paralyzing enemies and controlling their fine motor movements rather than serving as 'primary muscle,' he recognized Taylor's authority because she held the power of life and death over their future, solidifying her position as the de facto leader.
In Their Own Story
The smoke from the burning getaway car still hung in the air as she looked at the remaining members. No one spoke; they just waited for her signal. She didn't need a title or a vote. The bugs swarming around her shoulders buzzed like a warning, and the others knew better than to argue with the plan that kept them breathing.
Reader's Guide
The event begins during the aftermath of the bank heist in Brockton Bay. During the escape from authorities, the team's original leader is killed by a Parahuman enforcer. With their protector gone, the remaining members face arrest or death without direction. Taylor steps forward with a concrete plan for evasion and future operations, demonstrating superior strategic foresight compared to her peers. Regent acknowledges her authority not out of submission, but necessity. This transition allows the Undersiders to evolve from a loose gang into a structured criminal enterprise capable of challenging major powers in the city.
Did You Know?
- Taylor became leader not through a vote or Regent's recommendation, but by killing Coil during a confrontation at his base after his timeline branching was already resolved, using a .44 Magnum revolver from his desk.
- Regent is a Master/Controller specializing in nervous system control (paralysis and fine motor manipulation), not broad mind manipulation, and is not the team's 'primary muscle,' a role often filled physically by Bitch o
- Significant time passed between the Bank Heist and Coil's death; the leadership shift did not occur during the specific confrontation where Taylor ended his timeline branching.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Taylor Hebert take over the Undersiders?
This happens in the early story arcs during a confrontation at Coil's base. After eliminating him, no other authority figure remains, and the group's leadership effectively falls to her.
How does Taylor kill Coil and seize control?
She uncovers and exploits his ability to spawn and observe branching timelines, turning his own power against him. With him dead, his manipulative hold over the team is permanently broken.
What role does Taylor assume after becoming Undersiders leader?
She transitions from a bug-controlling team member into the group's central strategist and decision-maker. From that point on, she plans their operations, assigns roles, and sets the team's direction.
Why is Taylor's takeover considered a turning point in the story?
It shifts the Undersiders from a collection of pawns under an external controller to a self-directed crew led by one of its own members. Every subsequent heist and conflict in the early arcs flows from her strategic choices rather than someone else's.
Do the other Undersiders accept Taylor's leadership willingly?
There is no formal vote or ceremony; it happens by default once the sole authority figure is gone. The remaining members, lacking any other viable leader, go along with her command in the immediate aftermath.
More in Story & Timeline
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