Vought Future Academy, Observation Deck Meeting Room.
Tifa stood by the window, the Manhattan skyline in the distance bathed in the golden light of the afternoon sun, and a wisp of black smoke drifted from the direction of Hell's Kitchen.
Hundreds of people died in the explosion, and the entire dock was burned to ashes.
This was just a casual remark mentioned in the morning news report.
Tifa understood that it was Lynn's plan, a result of his indulgence.
People die every day in this city, and these deaths add to the numbers on Vought International's financial statements.
She looked down at the paper in her hand, an interview outline written by Lynn herself, containing three questions.
I've been watching all this way, but I still don't understand what these three questions are trying to ask.
During this period, she spent almost 24 hours a day with Kara.
Adrien Veidt implanted 30,000 Logic Lock into Subject No. 001, attempting to control this incredibly powerful creature with code and instructions.
Lynn said that logic is meant to be broken, and only emotional bonds can keep Kara firmly in control.
Tifa became the one who kept Kara here, and she took Kara to see the outside world.
The day before yesterday afternoon, they went to a discount supermarket in Queens.
The checkout line was very long, and in front of them was an old lady wearing an old coat.
The old lady held a few coins in her hand, a discounted loaf of bread in her arms, and a cup of cold coffee.
The cashier was extremely rude and impatiently urged the old lady on, leaving her with no choice but to keep her head down.
Kara was standing right next to her, holding a can of cherries that she hadn't paid for yet.
She stared quietly at the coffee in the old lady's hand for two seconds, watching the steam rise from the paper cup.
Tifa watched Karajan in a tiny arc.
This girl possessed the power to destroy an entire neighborhood, yet she used that power to heat up a cup of coffee.
And then there was that time in Central Park, when Kara was sitting on a bench eating ice cream when she suddenly stood up, her face pale.
" Tifa, twelve blocks north, someone's heart stopped."
She had barely finished speaking when her toes were already off the ground.
Tifa grabbed her wrist. " Kara, no. If you fly, everyone in the park will see you."
Kara fell back to the ground and remained silent for a long time.
She listened intently until she heard sirens, then sat down again.
What bothered Tifa the most was watching the news that night.
The news channel is showing footage of Homelander resolving the bridge hostage crisis.
On television, a blond man wearing a Stars and Stripes Cloak stands in front of the Statue of Liberty, flashing a smile that his PR team has repeatedly tested.
Kara sat on the sofa, hugging her knees, and turned to ask a question. " Tifa, why does his face always look angry when he smiles?"
The sound of footsteps coming from the end of the corridor interrupted Tifa's thoughts.
The door was pushed open, Lynn walked in.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"No, sir."
Tifa handed over the outline. " Kara is changing; she'll be there soon."
Lynn didn't take it, and waved her hand.
"You can keep it. You've been in the room today too."
Tifa paused for a moment, "Me? I thought this was a formal interview."
"She needs a familiar anchor. Anyone would be nervous facing a stranger alone."
The reception room was large, with a white round table, three chairs, and a tea set on the table.
Lynn sat down by the window and poured three cups of black tea herself.
The door opened.
Kara walked in.
The white dress was picked out with Tifa the day before yesterday; her blonde hair was tied in a ponytail.
When she saw Lynn, she wasn't flustered. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes bright, as if she were examining something new and unfamiliar.
"You're Mr. Lynn?"
"It's me."
Lynn pointed to the chair opposite her. "Sit down. Would you like some tea?"
Tifa said black tea should have sugar added.
"Then add it."
Lynn pushed the sugar jar over.
Kara put four pieces into the cup, and seeing that she was about to put in a fifth, Tifa, who was standing next to her, couldn't help but cough softly.
Kara stopped and guiltily put the clip back in its place.
Lynn observed all of this, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said nothing.
He didn't care about such things; a perfect weapon only needed a sharp blade.
"Let's just treat this as a normal chat." Lynn put down her teacup and placed her hands, folded, on the table.
"I'll ask you three questions. It's okay if you can't answer them; these questions don't have standard answers, nor are there right or wrong answers."
"Good."
Kara sat up straight, placed her hands on her knees, and looked like she was listening attentively.
"First," Lynn turned to look out the window, "What do you think this city needs most?"
Kara didn't answer immediately, and also looked out the window.
In her world, this city was never quiet.
Even through dozens of layers of soundproof glass, as long as she concentrates slightly, the sounds of the entire Manhattan would flood her mind like a tsunami.
The traders' heart-wrenching screams in the stock exchange.
The ear-piercing roar of the subway rubbing against the rails in the underground tunnel, the quarrel of a couple smashing plates in a low-rent apartment, and the screams of a drug addict in pain in the alley.
The sound of millions of hearts beating simultaneously, and the endless, fake laughter on television screens.
"We need quiet."
Kara tilted her head and thought for a moment, then gave this answer, "It's too noisy here. Everyone is talking loudly, but it seems like no one wants to listen to what others are saying. They need to quiet down."
Lynn nodded, picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Secondly, if you could fly anywhere, where would you go first?"
This time, Kara didn't speak immediately.
She looked down at the tea in her cup, her fingers circling along the rim.
About a minute later, Kara looked up at Tifa: "I want to go see where my sister grew up."
Lynn glanced at Tifa, then looked back at Kara.
"Why?"
Tifa always talks about a water tower and a very tall mountain.
Kara said seriously, "When she talks about those things, her heart slows down. I want to know what kind of place can slow down a person's heart."
Lynn put down her teacup.
"The third question."
He interlaced his fingers and rested them on the table.
Do you know Homelander? Do you think he's happy?
This is a trap.
Vought portrayed Homelander as the savior of all mankind, a perfect totem.
He is synonymous with invincibility, the embodiment of justice, and enjoys the worship of hundreds of millions of people.
Anyone would believe he is happy.
But Kara didn't hesitate for a moment. Meeting Lynn's scrutiny, she said firmly, "He's unhappy. He's scared."
Lynn laughed out loud, leaning back in his chair. "Very good, very good."
Kara blinked, not understanding what she had said right.
You'll soon have a code name.
Lynn stood up and buttoned up his suit jacket.
"A public identity, a well-paid job. The whole world will know you, and they will look up to you like they look up to the brightest star in the sky."
"What kind of job?" Kara asked curiously.
"Work to make that city a little quieter."
Kara thought for a moment, then stood up as well. " Mr. Lynn."
Lynn had reached the door and stopped.
"Are you scared too?" Kara asked earnestly, standing by the table.
Lynn stood with her back to them for two seconds.
He didn't turn around or answer; he simply turned the doorknob and walked out.
The door closed gently.
The footsteps in the corridor were neither hurried nor slow, exactly the same as when they came.