"The Deep." Soldier Boy clapped him hard on the shoulder. "What did you come back to Vought for?"
The Deep stammered, unable to get a word out. He kept feeling that he was in for trouble.
Ashley sighed helplessly. "Sir, The Deep was attacked in the Atlantic Ocean by an octopus called Kailong. That octopus said some strange things."
She glanced hesitantly at The Deep. Seeing his swollen, piglike face and how he was too scared to speak, she couldn't help questioning whether any information this thing brought back was reliable.
Soldier Boy thought for a moment, then asked, "A giant octopus?"
Inside the tank, Guppy gracefully swished his tail fin and reached the other end in an instant, leaving him no choice but to turn around helplessly. Over and over he went, even the ripples he stirred up trembling with frustration.
The Deep sensed Guppy's emotions and was affected by them, recalling the humiliation he had suffered in the ocean.
His chance for revenge was right before him.
He took a deep breath. "Yes, sir! That damned bastard was secretly bad-mouthing Vought in the ocean for discharging wastewater and polluting the environment, and I caught him red-handed. I tried to reason with him, but he even insulted you and Mr. Homelander. It was despicable! I couldn't stop myself from attacking him. Unfortunately, I lost."
Ashley and Soldier Boy exchanged a look, each seeing shock in the other's eyes.
Just how stupid did someone have to be to invent such an absurd lie?
First, Vought was a company in the superhero business. It didn't discharge wastewater into the ocean at all. Second, there was no way The Deep would stand up for Homelander and Soldier Boy. It would be a miracle if he didn't curse them behind their backs.
Lying