Chapter Summaries

Kailong told Soldier Boy and Homelander that respected Super Fish gathered east of the Tonga Islands during the winter solstice, though it could not say where most Super Fish hid. Soldier Boy and Homelander planned to investigate, then evaded Kailong’s agreement to feed it.

• Homelander recalled that researchers had sent him into the Mariana Trench as a child, but Kailong questioned whether Super Fish could have been there.
• Kailong explained that awakened Super Fish hid in deep waters and that respected elders gathered east of the Tonga Islands on December 21 and 22.
• Soldier Boy and Homelander decided to investigate the gathering, while Kailong offered to guide them if needed.
• Soldier Boy suspected Kailong had an ulterior motive, but Kailong denied plotting against its kind.
• Kailong reminded them of Soldier Boy’s promise to let The Deep feed it small fish and shrimp, and Homelander denied responsibility for the agreement.

Kailong explained that ancient flood myths described humanity’s broken agreements with Super Fish and the ocean’s retaliation, but Soldier Boy challenged gaps in his story. Kailong agreed to explain further after Homelander and Soldier Boy hinted that The Deep could question the sea creatures.

• Kailong said ancient flood stories from different civilizations described the ocean retaliating after humans broke agreements with Super Fish.
• Soldier Boy questioned how the ancient Contracts had been made, why human records omitted Super Fish, and why breaking his own Contract would put all humanity at risk.
• Kailong praised Soldier Boy for his questions and said they were alike, while Soldier Boy rejected the comparison.
• Homelander hinted that The Deep could ask sea creatures about the flood, and Soldier Boy backed him up.
• Kailong agreed to continue explaining the story.

Homelander let Ashley listen in and record Kailong’s account of gaining his Contract power by consuming a Super Salmon. Kailong then explained that an ancient contract bound all humanity, leaving Soldier Boy suspicious that Homelander had secretly arranged a powerful position for him.

• Homelander told Ashley to listen to the conversation and record everything, making her his trusted assistant.
• Kailong said he gained his Contract power by consuming a fresh Super Salmon corpse he found on a winter night.
• Kailong suggested that mermaids and other legendary beings in human stories were inspired by Super Fish.
• Kailong explained that powerful nobles had represented humanity in an ancient contract that nevertheless bound everyone.
• Soldier Boy suspected Homelander had secretly placed him in a position of power, but Homelander denied having influence beyond Hughie, the incoming New York State governor.
• Soldier Boy mocked Kailong for giving him a meaningful look.

Soldier Boy planned for the coming Visitors from Beyond by preparing governments, Vought’s superheroes, and Compound V research. He recruited Kailong to help obtain Super Fish in exchange for a sperm whale, setting their cooperation in motion.

• Soldier Boy questioned whether a contract with Kailong could make all humanity suffer the consequences, and Kailong warned that Soldier Boy might represent the United States.
• Soldier Boy concluded that the Visitors from Beyond posed a grave threat and planned to alert governments, strengthen Vought’s superheroes, and improve Compound V.
• Soldier Boy asked Kailong to help him obtain more Super Fish, and Kailong demanded additional payment.
• Kailong rejected Soldier Boy’s offers of Super Fish and their remains, then asked for a sperm whale instead.
• Soldier Boy agreed to provide a sperm whale, and Kailong promised to lead him to some of the finest Super Fish.

Homelander and Soldier Boy prepared to follow Kailong into the deep ocean, where they encountered a gigantic octopus. As Homelander charged it and Soldier Boy followed, the water suddenly froze around Soldier Boy, trapping him.

• Homelander told Ashley to prepare a biological research team, and Kailong said they needed lights and other equipment to explore the ocean depths.
• Homelander flew off to find searchlights while a policewoman delivered headlamps and oxygen tanks arranged by Vought Headquarters.
• Homelander returned with flashlights, and he and Soldier Boy followed Kailong into the ocean with the headlamps.
• After diving more than 5,000 meters, Soldier Boy and Homelander saw a huge octopus tentacle withdraw from an enormous shape ahead.
• Homelander sped toward the creature, and Soldier Boy followed, but ice rapidly engulfed Soldier Boy and left him unable to move.

Soldier Boy broke through the endless ice and found Homelander battling the enormous Black Octopus in a frozen cavern. After the creature swatted Soldier Boy into the ice, Homelander severed one of its tentacles, and Soldier Boy used Exchange Points to inspect its stats.

• Soldier Boy smashed through the ice tunnels while searching for Homelander and avoided using his Chest Beam in case it hit him.
• Homelander's Heat Vision struck Soldier Boy, revealing his location and leading Soldier Boy to break into a vast cavern where Black Octopus waited.
• Black Octopus struck Soldier Boy with a tentacle and hurled him through the ice wall.
• Homelander cut off Black Octopus's tentacle with Heat Vision, and Soldier Boy kicked the creature beside its eye.
• Soldier Boy and Homelander discussed Black Octopus's strength and abilities, and Soldier Boy spent ten Exchange Points to reveal its Stat Panel.

Soldier Boy and Homelander fought Jerry, a powerful octopus with super strength, durability, cold attacks, and healing. Homelander severed all of Jerry’s tentacles, but the wounds began regenerating, leaving him wondering how Father had known Jerry could heal.

• Soldier Boy checked Jerry’s panel and saw that he possessed several high-level powers, including physical immortality, super healing, extreme cold, strength, and durability.
• Jerry chose Soldier Boy as his first target and attacked him with three enormous tentacles, while Homelander held back because Vought needed Jerry alive.
• Soldier Boy fought Jerry at close range and urged Homelander to cut off his tentacles, but Homelander hesitated because he feared killing him.
• After Jerry struck Soldier Boy, Homelander used his heat vision to sever all of Jerry’s tentacles.
• Homelander saw new flesh beginning to grow from Jerry’s severed tentacles and wondered how Father had known he could heal.

Soldier Boy and Homelander captured Jerry, but Soldier Boy’s Chest Beam could not remove its powers, so Homelander blinded it before they carried it away. At dawn, they brought Jerry to Homelander Lake, where Soldier Boy discovered Homelander had built a villa as a retreat for their family.

• Soldier Boy tested his Chest Beam on Jerry but found it could not strip away its powers, so Homelander used Heat Vision to blind it.
• Kailong ate Jerry’s blood and scraps, growing larger, before Soldier Boy burned most of the remains and decided to leave Kailong for The Deep to deal with.
• Soldier Boy and Homelander carried Jerry’s body over New York as dawn approached, drawing startled attention from people below.
• Homelander led Soldier Boy to Homelander Lake, where Soldier Boy discovered a renovated lakeside property and villa intended as a family retreat.

Homelander proposed using a Bible-based movie starring himself and Soldier Boy to turn Vought’s brand toward worship, while Soldier Boy worried about Homelander’s motives. The chapter ended with Soldier Boy suspecting Homelander was planning something reckless.

• Soldier Boy and Homelander laid the unconscious Jerry in a clearing and discussed the risks of publicizing the creature.
• Homelander showed Soldier Boy Vought’s publicity proposal, including Ryan’s debut in a suit Homelander had designed.
• Soldier Boy warned Homelander to show Ryan the outfit before putting him on camera, but Homelander brushed off the concern.
• Homelander argued that Vought’s crime-fighting publicity had become one-dimensional and that the company needed to address its shrinking market value.
• Homelander proposed making a Bible-based movie to deify himself and Soldier Boy and steer Vought toward worship, leaving Soldier Boy suspicious of his intentions.

Homelander persuaded Soldier Boy that his plan to turn Vought into an object of worship was a way to organize fans, and tricked him into agreeing to star in a movie. Soldier Boy approved their new Lakeside Villa, and they began preparing for the visitors from beyond that Kailong had warned them about.

• Homelander explained that Vought's worship brand would organize fanatics and strengthen its superhero lineup, and Soldier Boy agreed with the plan.
• Homelander revealed that Soldier Boy had also agreed to star with him in a movie, which was already in preproduction.
• Soldier Boy went to inspect the Lakeside Villa, and Homelander followed him, moved by Soldier Boy calling it their home.
• Soldier Boy praised the villa and suggested they move in after their vacation, and Homelander eagerly agreed.
• Soldier Boy and Homelander planned to prepare for the visitors Kailong had mentioned, and Soldier Boy decided to visit the White House to tell world leaders.

Homelander and Soldier Boy returned to Vought and told Ashley that a world-ending flood threatened humanity, but she warned that convincing governments would be difficult. Soldier Boy pretended to take offense and pressured Ashley to intervene, while she arranged to brief the president at a meeting that afternoon.

• Homelander and Soldier Boy left the lakeside villa and returned to Vought.
• At the Seven's meeting, Queen Maeve told the others that the Flash Army had gathered terrorists under a new supe leader who had escaped the military.
• Ashley served Homelander and Soldier Boy tea and liquor as they explained the looming world-ending flood.
• Ashley warned that the White House might dismiss their warning as a fabrication, and Soldier Boy insisted that he would negotiate with the government himself.
• Homelander teased Soldier Boy about negotiating, prompting Soldier Boy to threaten to confront the White House.
• Ashley stopped Soldier Boy and said she would explain the threat to the president at a meeting that afternoon, while Soldier Boy secretly enjoyed intimidating her.

Soldier Boy confronted The Seven over Stormfront’s attack on A-Train’s brother, but heard her explanation that a criminal who could copy appearances and powers had caused the confusion. Stormfront demonstrated the criminal’s ability by transforming into Soldier Boy.

• Ashley prepared an explanation for Soldier Boy, who told her he would address The Seven before leaving with Homelander.
• A-Train accused Stormfront of breaking his brother’s legs, and Homelander reprimanded the team for allowing their dispute to escalate.
• Soldier Boy demanded that Stormfront explain her conduct and the punishment prescribed by the Sword of Damocles Project.
• Stormfront said she had mistaken A-Train’s brother for a criminal who could copy people’s appearances and powers.
• Stormfront touched Soldier Boy and transformed into his form.

Gideon, calling himself Underground Raven, invaded Vought and copied Soldier Boy’s powers, but Soldier Boy beat him down before Homelander pinned him beneath a boot. Homelander demanded that Gideon introduce himself, while The Seven and their allies positioned themselves around the conference room.

• Gideon revealed himself as Underground Raven and caught Soldier Boy’s punch, copying his strength through their contact.
• Soldier Boy broke Gideon’s balance and battered him with a barrage of punches until he fell beside Homelander.
• Gideon threatened The Seven, but Homelander’s presence brought back his fear from their past encounter.
• Homelander planted his boot on Gideon’s head and crushed it into the floor as A-Train recognized him as the Supe tied to his brother’s death.
• Queen Maeve guarded the window, Kimiko and Kenji moved toward the doors, Black Noir stood at the entrance, and Starlight overloaded the display with electricity.
• Homelander gave Gideon one minute to introduce himself.

Soldier Boy examined Gideon and discovered that Gideon had stolen Soldier Boy’s powers at the cost of ten years of his life. When Gideon began charging a Nuclear Chest Blast in Vought Tower, Soldier Boy rushed to carry him outside.

• Homelander stomped Gideon into the Conference Room floor and demanded that he introduce himself.
• Soldier Boy used the system to inspect Gideon and found his level 7 Thief Saint ability, stolen Soldier Boy identity, and shortened lifespan.
• Gideon tried to copy Homelander’s powers by grabbing his ankle, but realized Homelander’s suit covered his skin.
• Gideon’s chest began glowing as he charged a Nuclear Chest Blast, and Soldier Boy recognized the danger.
• Soldier Boy grabbed Gideon and smashed through the window, carrying him away from Vought Tower while Homelander watched.

Homelander waited at Queen Maeve’s insistence while Soldier Boy took Gideon to North Brother Island, where they fought over the power-erasing Chest Beam. Their beams collided in a massive explosion, and both fell motionless as Homelander watched from a distance.

• Queen Maeve restrained Homelander from rushing to help Gideon, warning that he might be hit by Soldier Boy’s Chest Beam.
• Soldier Boy carried Gideon to North Brother Island and tried to dump him there, but Gideon clung to him.
• Gideon realized Soldier Boy’s curses seemed to trigger the Chest Beam, and Soldier Boy’s own chest began glowing as he cursed him.
• Gideon and Soldier Boy fired their Chest Beams at the same time, causing a massive explosion that destroyed the abandoned buildings on the island.
• Homelander scanned the blast site and saw both Soldier Boys fall to the ground motionless.

Homelander believed both Soldier Boys had died after their fall and broke down, but they woke up unharmed. With neither able to use his powers and both claiming to be the real Soldier Boy, Homelander and Queen Maeve could not tell which one was genuine.

• Homelander let go of Queen Maeve in midair, and she fell to the ground but survived.
• Queen Maeve found two motionless Soldier Boys and saw Homelander collapse in grief, believing his father had died.
• Both Soldier Boys woke up, and Homelander rejoiced when he realized they were alive.
• Homelander resolved to kill Gideon and take Ryan and Soldier Boy on a trip, but he could not identify which Soldier Boy was real.
• Queen Maeve asked whether they still had their powers, and both Soldier Boys said they could feel them but could not use them.
• The two Soldier Boys tested their durability, then argued and cursed at each other, leaving Homelander and Queen Maeve unable to tell them apart.

Homelander struggled to tell whether Soldier Boy or Gideon was his real father after both lost their superpowers. Maeve proposed beating them until one cracked, then dismissed the dilemma as simple, leaving Homelander confused.

• Soldier Boy punched Gideon, breaking his nose, and threatened to stomp him while Homelander intervened.
• Homelander found that X-Ray Vision showed no differences between the two men and feared choosing the wrong father.
• Maeve suggested that the real tough guy would prove himself through action, proposing that she beat both men until one cracked.
• Homelander rejected Maeve's proposal, and she told him to use his brain because the predicament was not difficult.

Homelander distinguished the real Soldier Boy from Gideon by asking how Ryan awakened his Super Flight, then prepared to take them back to Vought. Soldier Boy’s powers remained temporarily suppressed, and the group settled on an awkward way to travel while he recovered.

• Homelander asked how Ryan awakened his Super Flight, and Soldier Boy answered, "bang snap," exposing Gideon as the impostor.
• Homelander stepped aside and offered Gideon to Soldier Boy, who decided to take him back for research instead of crushing him.
• Queen Maeve recalled Ryan's flight awakening and understood Soldier Boy's answer, then realized Homelander had once treated her like a "bang snap" too.
• Homelander knocked Gideon unconscious and carried him, while Soldier Boy explained that his powers were temporarily suppressed and would likely return.
• Homelander agreed to fly back to Vought with Soldier Boy and Maeve, and Soldier Boy suggested riding on his back.

Homelander returned to Vought Tower carrying Soldier Boy, Gideon, and Queen Maeve, while Soldier Boy discovered that he had lost his powers. The others learned of Soldier Boy’s powerlessness after Private Angel healed his injuries from a fall.

• Homelander flew to Vought Tower with Soldier Boy on his back and Gideon and Queen Maeve in his hands.
• Soldier Boy fell when he jumped off Homelander and injured himself in the meeting room.
• Private Angel discovered Soldier Boy had broken bones and healed them with her powers.
• Soldier Boy told the gathered superheroes that he had lost his powers.
• Homelander explained what had happened after Kenji translated Kimiko’s question.

Soldier Boy briefed the Seven on the Super Fish and the Visitors from Beyond, warning that superheroes might become humanity’s last defense against an invasion. The Seven’s members pledged to stay and fight, while Ashley was left waiting at the White House and told President Lucas could not see her until the next day.

• Private Angel offered to find Piglet for V1, but Soldier Boy said his powers were beginning to return and he had other plans.
• Soldier Boy and Homelander told the Seven about the Super Fish and the Visitors from Beyond, then Soldier Boy warned them to prepare to defend humanity.
• Homelander and Soldier Boy offered the Seven a chance to back out, but Soldier Boy warned he would punish anyone who deserted when sacrifice became necessary.
• Kenji asked whether Soldier Boy and Homelander would risk their lives too, and Soldier Boy said he would give everything to fight for humanity.
• Kenji and Kimiko, Starlight, Maeve, Private Angel, Black Noir, and A-Train all declared they would stay and fight.
• Ashley waited at the White House to meet President Lucas, but the receptionist told her to return the following day.