The Beginning

A-Train came out of Vought International vice president Madelyn's office, his face dark.

He had marched in ready to argue about his share of the revenue from film and television projects.

Why did everyone else get four percent while he got only three?

But that old woman Madelyn had flatly rejected his demand for a raise and given him a stern dressing-down.

A-Train had never been one to think before he spoke. Lately, his careless remarks during public appearances had left Vought International's Public Relations Department scrambling again and again to protect his image.

And the criticism wasn't the worst of it. A-Train now faced a serious test.

Madelyn had decided that, in three days, the company would hold a race between him and Shockwave, a superhero under its banner whose recent performance had been impressive. They were calling it the Showdown of the Century.

Shockwave was another hero known for his speed. After taking part in several rescue operations and appearing frequently in the public eye, he had seen his approval rating soar.

The question of who was faster, A-Train or Shockwave, had become an increasingly popular topic among the media and on online forums.

The company had good reason to arrange a race. Interest in the matchup was at an all-time high online, and Vought International wanted to show the public what the world's true number-one speedster looked like.

Whoever won, Vought International stood to gain enormously.

Madelyn had made it clear to A-Train: if he lost, he would be kicked out of The Seven.

The Seven needed the fastest superhero in the world, not the second fastest.

A-Train was miserable.

He had no confidence that he could win the Showdown of the Century.

He had noticed the threat Shockwave posed long ago. The man's performances had been outstanding, and his abilities were not to be underestimated.

But A-Train could not lose his place in The Seven.

Even with the company quietly skimming his share of the profits, A-Train earned an unimaginable amount each year. If he lost his title as a member of The Seven, his income would plunge, and his fame would vanish.

He might have to give up his extravagantly lavish lifestyle and become just another second-rate hero at the company.

A-Train left Madelyn's office with a gloomy expression. As he turned, he came upon Homelander staring blankly at his own enormous portrait on the corridor wall.

No matter how bad A-Train felt, he still had to say hello.

Everyone in The Seven knew Homelander was even harder to deal with than Vice President Madelyn.

Only when A-Train greeted him did Homelander come to his senses. Looking a little uncomfortable, he forced an awkward smile in response.

Homelander had a habit the other members knew well: whenever he had nothing to do, he liked to stand in the corridor and stare at that portrait.

Everyone took it for vanity. Little did they know it concealed a startling secret.

On the other side of the wall behind Homelander's portrait was Vice President Madelyn's office.

Homelander could see through walls. As long as he focused, he could see everything happening on the other side.

All this time, Homelander had been watching Madelyn's every move in her office through that wall.

Homelander's infatuation with Madelyn bordered on obsession.

Madelyn alone knew it.

Homelander had hinted at his feelings to her several times, but Madelyn was an exceptionally shrewd woman, and she had put that knowledge to good use.

Someone as powerful as Homelander could easily slip beyond the company's control. It was because of Madelyn that he obeyed its orders almost without question.

Starlight was touching up her makeup in front of a restroom mirror. Madelyn had specifically arranged for her to attend a signing event for the company's latest magazine issue.

Starlight and The Deep's fight with the Mysterious Villain the previous night had caused quite a stir. The company wanted to use the event to let the public know she was safe and sound.

In fact, by the time Homelander arrived the previous night, Starlight and The Deep were already gone, and the mysterious supervillain had been dealt with. Starlight had not returned to company headquarters until that afternoon. As for The Deep, he had reportedly asked Madelyn for time off at short notice and had not appeared all day.

Starlight was concentrating on her makeup when A-Train's anxious voice suddenly came from the restroom. He seemed to be talking to someone on the phone.

Starlight's hearing far surpassed an ordinary person's, so she caught every word.

"Baby, do you still have that thing I asked you to hold on to?"

"Trust me. I can keep it under control. I really need it right now..."

"Last time? I told you, last time was an accident..."

"Baby, believe me. This is the last time. I can't lose that race. If I do, I'll lose everything I have..."

"Okay. I'll come see you now."

A-Train hung up.

Starlight realized the conversation held several crucial clues.

A-Train was about to enter a hugely important race, but he didn't seem confident. He wanted something from his girlfriend...

Whatever it was could help him win, but it appeared to have some harmful effect. That seemed to be why his girlfriend was reluctant to give it to him.

Starlight did not yet know about A-Train's upcoming Showdown of the Century with Shockwave. But she sensed that whatever he wanted to use could have far-reaching implications. It might even be connected to the investigation Fubuki and the others were conducting.

Perhaps that thing was one of the secrets Vought International kept hidden.

Starlight was still debating whether to share what she had heard with the Blizzard Group when A-Train emerged from the restroom.

He visibly froze when he saw her.

Starlight's heart skipped a beat. If A-Train realized she had overheard his conversation, things would get difficult.

What he did next put her at ease.

"Well, if it isn't our superstar Starlight!" A-Train said. "We were all worried about you after what happened last night. It's great to see you're okay."

Starlight nodded. "Thanks."

A-Train had urgent business to attend to. After that brief exchange, he said goodbye and hurried away.

Starlight thought for a moment, then picked up her phone and called Mitarai Fubuki.

At the time, Starlight had no idea that the conversation she had overheard by chance would set a series of events in motion.

From that moment on, Vought International's hidden dark side would be revealed to them, piece by piece.

The author may need to be subtle about Homelander's particular feelings for Madelyn, since the "mommy issues" angle probably can't be stated outright. You get the idea.

(End of chapter)