United States nationwide superhero security procurement plan:
8 strategic-class heroes: stationed in eight major metropolitan centers, including Washington and New York - $800 million/year
Standard coverage for 8 large cities: (10 district-class + 100 block-class heroes per city) - $480 million/year
Standard coverage for 300 mid-sized cities: (one complete superhero team per city) - $15 billion/year
Total annual bill for the entire United States: $16.28 billion!
The figure was even more outrageous than she had expected!
Still, from the perspective of nationwide strategic deployment, the allocation was quite reasonable, and reinforcements could be dispatched at any time if needed later.
But looking at the enormous staffing numbers in the contract, Moira suddenly noticed an utterly absurd loophole.
The eight large cities needed 880 superheroes, while the 300 mid-sized cities needed a full 7,800!
Yet as far as she knew, even counting every last mutant currently at Vought International... didn't they have fewer than eighty?!
But as far as she knew, all the mutants currently at Vought put together seemed to number fewer than eighty.
"I have a question."
Moira stared hard at Roland.
"Does Vought really have that many superheroes right now?"
Roland smiled and shook her head, answering without the slightest hesitation.
"No. And even after we recruit enough mutants, Vought will still need to put them through rigorous training. Once they graduate, we'll send them to report for duty in the various cities in batches. But rest assured, charges only begin on the day a hero actually takes up their post."
She pointed to the exorbitant contract in Moira's hands and winked.
"What you're signing now is effectively an exclusive right of first purchase. Once you sign it, whenever Vought produces new superheroes, the United States will always receive priority."
Moira felt so angry she could almost laugh.