Annie was incredibly excited, occasionally stealing glances at the back of the greatest and strongest superhero on Earth. Ever since she was a child, watching Homelander's exploits on the TV screen, she had dreamed of one day becoming like him. She sincerely wanted to protect civilians and be a hero they could rely on.
And now here she was in The Seven, the number one superhero team. That wasn't an exaggeration. There weren't many who could rival any of its members. And now she was among them.
— How are you feeling? — Homelander asked suddenly as they found themselves in the elevator.
— I'm... okay. — The girl tried to smile, but it came out too uncertainly. It seemed he noticed.
— And in reality? — He turned to her with a knowing smile on his lips.
— It feels like I don't deserve all this. — She averted her gaze from the hero's blue eyes.
— You're not alone in those feelings, — Homelander grunted, thinking of The Deep. — Но I assure you, you're not in The Seven out of pity. Your abilities are at the required level, and that's what matters.
— Really? — Starlight was surprised, unable to imagine being able to stand up against someone like Translucent.
— Otherwise, they simply wouldn't have taken you. Only the strongest are in The Seven. — Homelander chuckled and stepped out of the elevator with a confident stride, and Starlight hurried to follow him.
Soon they entered a spacious hall where all members of The Seven gathered at one table. Monitors hung on the walls, likely intended for more effective patrolling of the city.
— This is where we gather. And here is your seat. — The blonde pointed to one of the chairs.
— Really, I can? — Annie asked with unconcealed admiration.
— You can, — Homelander nodded and watched with interest as the girl carefully sat down at the table. — Well?
— It's cool... I mean, good. — Starlight corrected herself, seeing the hero's smirk.
— Well, excellent, — he nodded. — Then let's move on to some rules you'll have to follow, Starlight. Are you ready to listen?
— Yes, of course. I'm ready. — Starlight braced herself, clasping her hands on the table like a diligent student.
— First of all, everything that happens here must not go outside the building. That's fundamental, — Homelander began, seeing confusion in the girl's eyes. — Second, you report directly to me. Not to Madelyn or anyone else, but to me. If something worries you, you come to me.
— Understood, — Annie nodded, though she didn't see the point in stating it. After all, the entire Seven was supposed to obey their leader anyway.
— Since I introduced you as a member of The Seven, from this moment on we will start working together. Tomorrow we'll have to check your power levels and, if possible, help you master them.
— But I know how to control my powers. — Starlight countered uncertainly.
— We'll check that, — Homelander grunted. — The rest is easier. Be vigilant in the ladies' room, as Translucent usually hangs around there.
— What? — The blonde stared at him in shock. She could never have imagined the local Invisible Man spending time in the women's restroom for some reason.
— He likes to watch. — Homelander replied, as if that explained everything.
— Why? — Annie almost whispered.
— Because he can and he wants to. That's the kind of person he is, — Homelander replied with a smile. — And finally, you must not ruin your own reputation.
— In what sense?
— Don't go wild in the city streets. Don't get caught on camera when drinking or smoking. Watch your words. If your rating in the eyes of the people falls too far, even I won't be able to keep you in The Seven.
— I... I understand.
— Sorry, I didn't mean to overwhelm you. However, this is important primarily for you, — he placed his hand on her shoulder, forcing her to look him straight in the eyes. — You're in The Seven now, and the hardest part is behind you. Now you can go and rest in your apartments; you'll get the keys from Ashley.
With those words, Homelander stepped away to the panoramic window, beginning to gaze out at the night city. Annie carefully stood up from the chair and, looking at the hero's back, let out a quiet breath.
— Good night, Homelander. — The girl smiled uncertainly before leaving the hall. Certainly, the day had been far too full of impressions.
— Good night, Starlight. — The man's voice reached her.
Hughie felt out of his element and knew he didn't belong here. The death of Robin, his girlfriend, whom A-Train had run straight through, was the beginning of it all. It had literally broken him. The speedster, whom Hughie had been a fan of, didn't even apologize for his action, making excuses about chasing robbers. And Vought International simply sent a man who wanted to buy his silence with money. That had finally infuriated him.
After some time, a Brit approached him—bearded with a noticeable scar on his forehead—who introduced himself as an FBI agent. Billy Butcher, as the Brit was named, showed him papers with evidence that there were no bank robberies that day. Therefore, the guy simply couldn't disbelieve him.
As a result, he was now standing in a room with monitors showing surveillance footage from a club. But not an ordinary one—it was where the Supes spent their time. They drink, take drugs, and screw around left and right, things you wouldn't expect from those called infallible.
— There it is. — Butcher pointed to the screen, where A-Train himself sat on a couch.
The black superhero, who constantly wears his goggles because he runs at incredible speeds. He was in his blue suit with the letter "A" on his shoulders, as if saying he was always in first place.
— Wait... is he there right now? — Hughie asked, nervous at the mere thought that the speedster was literally just a few steps away from them.
— No, it's yesterday's recording. Turn up the sound. — Butcher asked the guard.
— You really managed to fly through some broad. — One of the Supes laughed, nearly naked, joining A-Train in drinking alcohol.
— That's nothing, I flew through her so fast I swallowed one of her molars... Like a bug on the highway. — The black speedster spoke enthusiastically.
— That's fucking crazy. — His companion commented, starting to laugh as if a hilarious joke had been told. And A-Train laughed along with him, literally guffawing.
— They're laughing, they find it funny. — Hughie began to breathe deeply, clenching his hand into a fist with indignation.
— Are you laughing? — An outside voice sounded, and the person Hughie didn't expect to see here entered the frame. He looked at Butcher, but he was staring intently at the screen, ignoring him.
— Homelander? — A-Train coughed, while his friend hurried to leave.
— You find it funny that you killed a civilian? — Homelander asked, and it was definitely him.
— Come on, everything's under control. — The black guy replied, looking warily at the superhero.
— Really? Because it doesn't seem that way to me. — Homelander grunted, looking at him with condemnation.
— Look, everything—
— Did you not notice her? Or were you unable to brake? — The blonde asked suddenly.
— I didn't notice.
— You're lying, A-Train. And you know I don't like it when people lie to me. — Homelander loomed over him threateningly.
— Okay, okay! I couldn't brake!
— How much had you taken?
— I didn't... Fine, I took some, a little.
— You're going to have to stop if you don't want to be kicked out of The Seven.
— For what? Because of the death of some broad?!
— You're losing control of your powers; your body can barely withstand that junk. You're becoming addicted to it, and your heart isn't made of iron, — Homelander replied calmly. — So Robin Ward's death is just the beginning; it'll only get worse from here.
— What's wrong with my heart? — A-Train asked with alarm.
— I can see how the drug is hitting your body, and your heart first and foremost. If you don't want to become another disabled Supe, you'll listen to my words. Have a good evening, — Homelander grunted, scanning the room. — And deal with the consequences of your actions.
The speedster couldn't utter a word, only staring at him. Realizing the man had nothing to say in response, Homelander walked out calmly, leaving the superhero alone.
— Fuck!! — A-Train screamed in rage and shattered a glass table, along with the booze, with a blow of his hand.
The recording stopped, and Butcher looked at Hughie. The intense gaze was unpleasant, but the guy didn't look away.
— What have you decided? Since even Homelander mentioned the situation with Robin, it means they have something to fear, — Butcher approached him, looking him straight in the eyes. — Well then, will you help me nail this bastard?