"A tragedy, losing two of our most capable teammates."
Homelander clasped his hands behind his back, that trademark sunny smile plastered across his face as he paced past the meeting table. His boots clicked against polished marble.
"But the good news? Fresh blood joining our ranks. Just in time."
He stopped behind Translucent's chair. The invisible man's shoulders tensed as those hands settled onto them. The touch was gentle, almost brotherly, but Translucent knew better than to relax. If the newcomer beat him down again, Homelander would laugh and applaud from the sidelines instead of intervening.
"Translucent." Homelander's voice dripped with false warmth. "How long has it been since you felt this... energized?"
Translucent managed a dry chuckle and a shrug. His jaw still ached from yesterday's humiliation.
Before he could answer, Homelander released him and drifted toward another corner of the conference table.
"And you, Maeve." His tone shifted, teasing now. "Where did all that passion go? You remember, back when we were together?"
Queen Maeve didn't flinch. "That was a long time ago. I'm not young anymore."
She met his gaze with a calm smile, refusing the bait.
Homelander's ego, properly stroked by the display of control, allowed him to return to his seat at the head of the table. He leaned forward, fingers drumming once against polished wood.
"Before we begin, a reminder." The warmth bled from his smile, replaced by something colder. "Deep's death should serve as an example. If anyone here has skeletons they haven't buried properly, I suggest you dig deeper graves. Soon."
His laugh carried no humor. "Do you have any idea how many cities I flew to in a single day cleaning up his mess? It's exhausting, coming up with new speeches every time."
The room fell silent. Everyone sat ramrod straight, eyes forward. Satisfied, Homelander settled back and tapped the table.
"Good. Let's begin."
"How do they spend an entire morning discussing such trivial garbage?"
Jordan Evans walked side by side with Starlight through the Vought Tower corridor. The moment the meeting concluded, Homelander had launched himself skyward for some television appearance, leaving the rest to disperse.
Starlight's first Seven meeting had not gone well.
"Profit distribution after Deep's death. High-end commercial performances. Movie casting. Weekly schedules..." The young woman's voice rose with each item, indignation coloring her words. "Is this really what superheroes do all day?"
The gap between her dreams and reality hit like a thesis defense before breakfast when you'd been promised butter and jam. This wasn't the life she'd imagined.
Heroes were supposed to be ready to strike at any moment. Protecting the weak, punishing evil, guarding the city from the shadows like she'd always seen on TV and online.
"After yesterday, do you still think these people are actually heroes?"
Starlight fell silent.
Jordan's words triggered a memory search, and suddenly she could see that green-skinned bastard's leering smile right in front of her face. Her stomach turned.
I'm starting to feel it. I already feel like throwing up!
Jordan found her reaction somewhat amusing. She'd been sheltered too well, protected by her mother from the real world. Childhood spent striving to become a hero had cost her too much normal experience, leaving her blind to how things actually worked.
"But..." Starlight struggled with the words. "Not everyone is like that pervert, right? The Queen, Homelander... they've saved so many lives. Why would they sit through meetings about profit margins?"
She looked up at Jordan, the tall man who'd saved her from despair.
"They're not gods." Jordan glanced at her, voice calm. "Just mortals wielding divine power. Like you."
"And mortals love money. Even when they don't, they have other desires. Deeper ones you probably don't want to know about."
He paused at an intersection in the corridor. "In Vought's business plan, superheroes are entertainment products. You're the only one who took the job description seriously."
Starlight's eyes went blank. She'd hoped for comfort, maybe reassurance. Instead, Jordan tore open the wound and laid the bloody reality bare before her.
Then something clicked. She hurried after his retreating figure.
"Then why did you join the Seven?"
Jordan didn't stop walking. "To get close. Observe them. Find the bastards who don't deserve to be called heroes."
His tone never changed. "And then destroy them."
Starlight froze mid-step. Her pupils dilated.
Oh my god. He wants to wipe out the Seven.
There are bad people in the organization!
Should I expose him?
She hesitated, mind racing.
He killed Deep for me yesterday. Okay, never mind then.
By the time shock released her, Jordan had already left the Tower of Seven.
Jordan crossed the street to the café where he'd met Edgar, ordered a light meal, and waited. A server brought the food within minutes.
Three fantasy cards materialized on the table alongside his plate.
All SR-rank. Pulled from Homelander, Queen Maeve, and Starlight during the meeting.
[Fantasy Card: Superpower (Homelander)]
Type: Ability • Rarity: SR
The Boys universe - Homelander's superhuman capabilities. The strongest "superhero" ever created, with power far exceeding ordinary enhanced individuals.
Effect 1: Superhuman Strength
When grounded, Homelander wields near-Superman-level force. Flight reduces effective output significantly.
Effect 2: Power Burst
Instantaneous strength multiplication, capable of breaking free from suppression by three or more same-tier opponents simultaneously.
[Fantasy Card: Superpower (Queen Maeve)]
Type: Ability • Rarity: SR
The Boys universe - Queen Maeve's enhanced physiology. The world's most powerful female superhuman, second only to Homelander among the Seven.
Effect 1: Super Strength
Possesses force capable of damaging Homelander's defenses. Explosive leg power enables perpendicular wall-running at high speed.
Effect 2: Power Control
Professional combat training grants precision and technique far exceeding typical enhanced individuals of her strength tier.
Jordan studied the two cards side by side. Rare for a single meeting to produce two "superpower" variants.
Even among standard superhuman abilities, "super" came in degrees.
Then the problem presented itself.