Homelander in Action

Vought Tower, The Seven's conference room.

Everyone had arrived.

Maeve sat on the left side of the long table, a glass of whiskey before her, already pouring herself drinks early in the morning.

Black Noir sat in a corner, utterly still, like a statue.

Yet various cartoon characters floated above the table. He could communicate with those imaginary figures without speaking, and seemed quite content entertaining himself.

Translucent's seat was empty, but there was a butt print on the chair.

As for A-Train, he was currently seated at the far right, every inch of him radiating unease.

His legs trembled incessantly beneath the table, while his fingers anxiously tapped against its surface.

Ever since Lu Heng had slapped him in public, A-Train's standing within The Seven had plummeted.

Starlight sat beside Maeve, quietly observing everyone.

She had only joined the team a few days ago and was still adapting to this bizarre environment.

Naturally, an occasion this grand did not exclude The Deep. His face was projected onto the large screen.

He was joining remotely.

He was at his home in Seattle. Given the rather blissful expression on his face, along with the fact that the camera did not capture his lower half—

What he was doing remained unclear.

In any case, far from the core of The Seven, he could do whatever he wanted!

Could things possibly get any worse than they already were?

Just as everyone sat in nervous anticipation, Homelander finally entered.

He pushed the door open slowly, his cape sweeping out a perfect arc behind him.

Even his expression was perfectly disguised—solemn, righteous, with a trace of heartbroken indignation.

He never forgot to put on an act, even in front of his own people.

He took the seat at the head of the table, folded his hands atop it, and swept his gaze around the room.

"I called everyone here today because I've made a decision."

The conference room fell silent.

Even Translucent did not dare make a breathing sound.

"The Seven are a symbol of America, a benchmark of justice, a beacon admired by people around the world."

"But certain things that have happened recently have forced me to reflect... Have some people who don't deserve to be here infiltrated our team?"

A-Train's legs shook even harder.

On the screen, The Deep's face visibly turned pale.

"So, starting today, I will conduct an internal restructuring of The Seven."

Homelander's gaze fell first upon the screen.

"The Deep."

"...I'm here," The Deep's voice came from the speakers.

"Everyone has seen your performance in The Seven, but your abilities are too limited, and your practical combat value is also quite low."

"And your private life..."

Homelander paused. "I won't say it publicly. I'll leave you some dignity."

"I suggest that you voluntarily apply to leave The Seven. Vought will arrange another position for you."

"Make it dignified. It'll be better for everyone."

The Deep's mouth opened and closed, but his expression looked especially strange.

"Homelander... oh... I can change..."

If you can't find the book by its title, try searching for the author. It may have simply been renamed!

"No need to change." Homelander could no longer hold his expression together.

"You only need to leave my team. And don't think I don't know what you're doing, you goddamn fish!"

The Deep instinctively stood at attention on the screen, and then the large display showed his full body.

Maeve glanced up, then gave a contemptuous snort.

Starlight turned her head away. Her former favorite idol had actually been this disgusting in private.

Her idolized image of him shattered all over the floor.

Homelander's gaze shifted toward A-Train.

"A-Train."

A-Train jolted as though struck by lightning.

"Vought covered up your drug use, but that sort of thing might fool children. No one actually believes those PR talking points."

"You nearly ran over a civilian during a community running event, and the video is still circulating online."

"Do you think you're still qualified to wear that uniform?"

A-Train's lips trembled.

"Homelander... please... I can quit. I'm already quitting... Give me one chance..."

"Chance?" Homelander tilted his head. "I gave you chances. Vought gave you chances too. You snorted them all away yourself."

"No! That's not how it is!" A-Train abruptly shot to his feet, his chair sliding backward and crashing into the wall. "You can't do this to me! I've given my life to The Seven for so many years! Collaborations, endorsements, commercial events—I never missed a single one!"

"So you think your value is only commercial?" Homelander smiled. "Then go talk to Vought's finance department. Don't talk to me."

"You can't do this!" A-Train's voice turned shrill. "I fought for Vought, bled for Vought! You can't treat me like this! I want Madelyn! I want Edgar! I'll take this to upper management! To upper management!!!"

The conference room door was pushed open at that moment.

Ashley rushed in, clutching a stack of documents, half her hair already in disarray.

"Stop! Everyone, stop!"

Panting, she stood beside the conference table and slapped the documents down onto it.

"Homelander, you can't make this decision unilaterally! A-Train's and The Deep's contracts are both still in effect. Forced termination involves breach-of-contract penalties, commercial compensation, termination of licensing agreements..."

"I don't care!!"

"You should care!" Ashley's voice rose several octaves. "A-Train's collaborative sneaker line brings in five hundred million dollars a year, and The Deep's ocean conservation merchandise brings in three hundred million! If you kick them out, Vought will lose eight hundred million a year outright!"

"What does eight hundred million have to do with me?"

"Of course it has something to do with you! Your personal brand value is tied to The Seven! If The Seven's commercial revenue falls, your endorsement fees will also..."

Homelander's eyes lit up.

That was not a metaphor.

They literally lit up.

Two red glows flickered deep within his pupils, like two stars on the verge of ignition.

Ashley's words came to an abrupt halt.

She had even forgotten who she was dealing with. The person across from her was Homelander!

If Homelander did things logically, she would not be losing clumps of hair.

The temperature in the conference room plummeted.

Everyone felt that oppressive force.

In terms of combat power, Homelander stood leagues above the rest of The Seven. Who would dare confront him head-on?

Just then, another voice came from the doorway.

"Ashley, don't make things difficult for yourself."

Lu Heng leaned against the doorframe with both hands in his pockets, looking as relaxed as a neighbor dropping by for a visit.

"This is an internal matter for The Seven. The captain has the authority to decide who stays and who goes. You're in public relations—you have no business interfering here."