Homelander's lengthy post convinced the public because most of what it described was true. The few lies were hidden well enough to escape notice.
Vought International had begun injecting infants in secret because its founder, Frederick Vought, wanted to realize his grand vision.
His intentions had been good at first. Things only began to change after Frederick Vought died and a new management team took over.
Compound V had repeatedly failed to gain approval. But the National Security Council and the Food and Drug Administration had particular historical reasons for refusing to approve a drug capable of bringing about such enormous social change.
Frederick Vought had told the National Security Council that injecting adults with the drug still carried an extremely high risk. Ordinary people could not bear that risk, but certain people could.
His idea was to introduce the drug into the military. The Cold War was then at a critical point, and the drug would undoubtedly have been a powerful asset to the Federation.
Besides, it was acceptable for soldiers to make sacrifices for victory in war.
Unfortunately, Frederick Vought understood science, but he did not understand politics.
He knew that if his research were put to use in the military, the balance would tip decisively toward the Federation. He would become a national hero, remembered for the indelible contribution his scientific work had made during the Cold War.
But the Federation's leaders did not see it that way.
Ever since the missile crisis, the Federation and its rival had continued to clash in minor ways, but neither dared launch another large-scale war.
Both countries sought global supremacy. Yet both understood that war could no longer settle who would rule, because each possessed vast stockpiles of ultimate weapons. If those weapons were used, they would devastate both countries