Vought International's global press conference was packed to capacity.
The spotlight converged on one point, and Lynn Morris stood in the center of the stage.
This time, he chose a dark gray casual suit.
It made him appear approachable.
Behind him was the emblem of the newly established "General Bureau for Superhuman Registration and Management".
It was a shield formed from a distorted "V", surrounded by olive branches.
Order, peace, and salvation.
This was the new product that Vought International had carefully packaged for this chaotic era.
"Today, I stand here not as an entrepreneur, but as a citizen—an ordinary person like you, who is worried about the future yet filled with hope."
In a dark Underground Room in Chicago, a frail teenager was hugging his knees, curled up in a corner.
On the old television in front of him was Lynn's handsome and sincere face.
The teenager subconsciously glanced at his own reddened hands, where the searing heat of uncontrollable Fire seemed to still linger.
On the television, Lynn continued, "The tragedy in Illinois, the panic in Washington—we have all seen it. The awakening of power should not become a disaster."
"Therefore, the core of the 'superhuman registration and management act' is not control, but assistance."
Lynn extended his hands in an inclusive gesture.
"I hereby announce that the first phase of the act is officially launched. Starting today, we will open a three-month voluntary registration and ability assessment period."
"During this period, any super-powered individual who comes to the General Bureau to register will receive complete legal immunity. No matter what mistakes you may have committed in the past due to an inability to control your powers, they will all be wiped clean."
At the scene, countless reporters gasped, and the sound of commotion rose like a tide.
This condition was more than generous; it was practically an amnesty!
"Not only that, every registrant will receive a substantial ability development grant. More importantly, the top expert team under Vought International will provide you with free career development planning."
"We will teach you how to control your powers, how to transform this gift into a decent job, and an identity recognized by society. We will make you the pride in your family's eyes, rather than a monster."
"We do not create shackles; we only provide a ladder."
"A ladder that leads you from confusion to the light."
The speech ended.
There was no Q&A session.
Lynn turned and left the stage amidst thunderous applause, leaving the World with a back view that seemed compassionate and capable of turning the tide.
After returning to the office, the gentle disguise faded.
He walked to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of whiskey.
Motoko Kusanagi came to his side.
"Boss, we have initially locked onto a total of 3,142 highly potential S.O.M.S. individuals."
"All individuals have had initial files created, and based on the commercial value of their potential abilities, the strength of their social networks, and their potential threat levels, they have been classified into five grades: S, A, B, C, and D."
Lynn took a sip of his drink, his gaze sweeping across the star map.
The so-called "voluntary registration" was merely giving the flock the illusion of walking into the sheepfold on their own.
The true shepherd knows the location of every sheep from the very beginning.
"Very good. Continue to deepen the data model. I need to know the weaknesses, desires, and price of every one of them."
"Understood."
"Additionally, Dr. Hannibal Lecter has submitted a report that requires your review."
"Let him in."
The office door slid open silently.
Dr. Hannibal Lecter walked in, holding a leather-bound folder.
"Boss, a brilliant speech."
He bowed slightly and placed the folder on Lynn's desk.
"You have pointed out the path to the altar for the lost lambs."
Lynn opened the folder.
The title was: "New Era Hero Personality Reshaping Plan".
It was over a hundred pages long.
There was no dry theory inside.
It was filled with various virtual reality scenario scripts, medication-assisted psychological intervention processes, and memory correction schemes based on "narrative implantation".
Rather than an academic report, it was more like a detailed production manual for "hero products".
"Your core philosophy is very interesting."
Lynn flipped to one of the pages, which detailed how to handle a case where someone accidentally injured their family due to a loss of control over their powers.
"By stripping away an individual's existing social relationships, constructing a perfect 'Vought-style family' for them in virtual reality, and then implanting a 'hero code of conduct' through positive reinforcement and negative punishment."
"Rough individuals need fine polishing to become works of art."
In Dr. Hannibal Lecter's eyes, a kind of morbid, creator-like pleasure flickered.
"We will create brand new childhoods, brand new friends, and brand new beliefs for them."
"When they graduate from the virtual World, they will genuinely believe from the bottom of their hearts that serving Vought is their innate mission."
"What is the final success rate of this process?"
"Over 90%. They will become the most loyal, obedient, and commercially valuable heroes."
Dr. Hannibal Lecter added.
"As for the remaining less than 10%... the defective products, I think the Strategic Operations Department would be very happy to recycle these interesting raw materials to add some fresh blood to our villain actor pool."
"The plan is approved."
Lynn made his decision.
"The General Bureau of Scientific Research will fully cooperate with you."
"My pleasure."
Dr. Hannibal Lecter bowed and turned to leave.
Only Lynn and Motoko Kusanagi remained in the office.
Lynn looked at the news headlines looping on the screen.
"Savior Arrives! Lynn Morris Brings Dawn to the Superhuman Era!"
"Vought Act: The Greatest Humanitarian Rescue in Modern Civilization!"
The World was singing for him.
"Motoko."
"Yes."
"List the kid in Chicago who plays with Fire as target number one."
"Kyle, a student at Roosevelt Public High School, from a single-parent family, has long suffered from school bullying. S.O.M.S. awakening characteristic is 'uncontrollable Fire', has already caused a Level 3 fire accident, commercial value assessment is Grade A, threat level assessment is B+."
Motoko Kusanagi pulled up the relevant data.
"The target's psychological profile shows extremely high instability and anti-social tendencies. According to model simulations, the probability of him being transformed into a 'defective product' is as high as 27.4%. Far exceeding the average."
Lynn listened to Motoko Kusanagi's warning, but a smile of even greater interest appeared on his face.
Perfect raw materials are certainly good, but isn't it more interesting to tame an unruly Beast and watch it eventually lick your palm?
"That's the one."
"Make him our first success story."
"A marginalized teenager abandoned by society, who, with Vought's help, turns over a new leaf, masters his powers, and eventually becomes a hero who guards a region..."
"The public will love this story."
Lynn stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the city at his feet.
"Notify the Public Relations Department to prepare the front-page headline for the first chapter of our 'prodigal son returns'."
"The good show is about to begin."
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