Sage immediately looked at Soldier Boy, her eyes clear again, with a hint of fear and resentment.
The veteran before her operated on a logic completely unlike a normal person's decision-making process. No one knew what he would do next.
Soldier Boy chuckled. "You're back?"
Sage nodded and quietly backed away, keeping her distance from Soldier Boy.
Soldier Boy lit a cigar. "Congratulations. There's an old saying in the East: before heaven entrusts someone with a great responsibility, it first puts their mind through suffering and their body through toil."
"I hurt you to temper your mind. It was also part of the test. I'll give you a bare pass. From today on, you're one of us."
For all her deep cunning, Sage was still profoundly shocked by Soldier Boy's shameless behavior.
The corners of her eyes drooped as she rolled them in a huge, silent show of disdain. "Heh. Should I thank you, then?"
"No need." Soldier Boy pulled a business card from his pocket. "Ashley's number is on there. Contact her and explain the situation. She'll arrange a room for you."
Swallowing her anger, Sage put away the card and left, still shaken. With every step, the pain in her body grew worse.
Homelander watched Sage walk away, looking thoughtful. He could see that her brain was still slowly growing.
"Kid, there's something I need to tell you."
Soldier Boy patted Homelander's shoulder and laid out the matter of backing a political puppet.
He asked, "Is there anyone at Vought International you really trust who could take Pete's place?"
After thinking for a while, Homelander said, "That's a really good idea, but finding someone won't be easy."
The candidate needed absolute loyalty and obedience, as well as ability and boldness, to maximize Vought's interests.
A name sprang to