The global press conference for Vought International was packed to capacity.
The spotlights converged on one point, Lynn Morris stood in the center of the stage.
This time he chose a dark gray casual outfit.
He appeared approachable.
Behind him was the emblem of the newly established "General Administration for the Registration and Management of Superman Affairs".
It was a shield formed from a V-shape, encircling an olive branch.
Order, peace, and redemption.
This is a new product that Vought International has carefully packaged for this chaotic era.
"Today, I stand here not as an entrepreneur, but as a citizen, an ordinary person like you, who is both worried and hopeful about the future."
In a dark basement in Chicago, a thin boy is huddled in a corner, hugging his knees.
On the old television in front of him was Lynn's handsome and sincere face.
The boy glanced instinctively at his reddened hands, which still seemed to retain the scorching heat of the out-of-control Flame.
On television, Lynn continued, "We've seen the tragedy in Illinois, the panic in Washington. The awakening of power shouldn't become a disaster."
Therefore, the core of the Metahuman Registration and Management Act is not control, but assistance.
Lynn stretched out her hands in a gesture of acceptance.
"I hereby announce the official commencement of the first phase of the bill. Starting today, we will begin a three-month period of voluntary registration and capacity assessment."
"During this period, any Metahuman registers with the headquarters will receive complete legal immunity. Any mistakes you may have made in the past due to your inability to control your powers will be wiped clean."
At the scene, countless reporters gasped in shock, and a commotion erupted like a tidal wave.
These conditions are more than just lenient; they're practically a pardon!
"Furthermore, every registrant will receive a substantial skills development grant. More importantly, Vought International's top-tier expert team will provide you with free career development planning."
"We will teach you how to control your power, how to transform this talent into a respectable job, a socially recognized identity. We will make you the pride of your family, not a monster."
"We don't make chains, we only provide ladders."
"A ladder that leads you from confusion to light."
The speech has ended.
There was no Q&A session.
Amidst thunderous applause, Lynn turned and left the stage, leaving the world with a compassionate and heroic figure who turned the tide.
Back in the office, that gentle facade crumbled.
He walked to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of whiskey.
Motoko Kusanagi came to his side.
"Boss, we have initially identified a total of 3,142 highly potential SOMS individuals."
"All individuals have had initial profiles established and have been categorized into five levels—S, A, B, C, and D—based on their potential commercial value, the strength of their social networks, and their potential threat level."
Lynn took a sip of his drink, his gaze sweeping across the star map.
The so-called "voluntary registration" is nothing more than giving the sheep the illusion that they are walking into the sheepfold on their own.
A true shepherd knows the location of every sheep from the very beginning.
"Very good. Continue to refine the data model. I need to understand each of their weaknesses, their desires, and their prices."
"Clear."
"In addition, Lecter has submitted a report that I would like you to review."
"Let him in."
The office door slid open silently.
Hannibal Lecter walked in, carrying a leather-bound folder.
"Boss, what a brilliant speech."
He bowed slightly and placed the folder on Lynn's desk.
"You have shown the way to the altar to the lost sheep."
Lynn opened the folder.
The title is: " New Era Hero Personality Reshaping Plan ".
It's over a hundred pages long.
There are no dry theories in it.
It is filled with various virtual reality scenario scripts, drug-assisted psychological intervention procedures, and memory correction schemes based on "narrative implantation".
It's less of an academic report and more of a detailed instruction manual for producing "heroic products".
Your core idea is very interesting.
Lynn turned to a page that described in detail how to handle a case where someone accidentally injured a family member due to a loss of control over their abilities.
"By stripping individuals of their old social relationships, a perfect ' Vought- style family' is constructed for them in virtual reality, and then 'heroic behavioral norms' are implanted through positive incentives and negative punishments."
"A rough individual needs meticulous polishing to become a work of art."
In Hannibal's eyes, there flickered a morbid, creator's pleasure.
"We will create a brand new childhood for them, brand new friends, and a brand new faith."
"When they graduate from the virtual world, they will genuinely believe that serving Vought is their innate mission."
What is the final product qualification rate of this process?
"Over 90% of them will become the most loyal, obedient, and commercially valuable heroes."
Hannibal added.
"As for the remaining less than 10%... defective products, I think the Strategic Operations Department would be happy to recycle these interesting raw materials and add some fresh blood to our villain actor pool."
The plan has been approved.
Lynn made a decision.
The General Administration of Scientific Research will fully cooperate with you.
"My pleasure."
Hannibal bowed slightly, then turned and left.
Only Lynn and Motoko Kusanagi remained in the office.
Lynn stared at the news headlines playing on a loop on the screen.
The Savior Arrives! Lynn Morris Brings the Dawn to the Superman Era!
The Vought Act: The Greatest Humanitarian Aid in Modern Civilization!
The world is singing for him.
" Motoko."
"Exist."
"Make that fire-playing kid from Chicago your number one target."
" Kayle, a student at Roosevelt Public High School, comes from a single-parent family and has long suffered from school bullying. His SOMS awakening characteristic is 'uncontrolled Flame,' which has caused a level 3 fire. His commercial value is assessed as A, and his threat level as B+."
Motoko Kusanagi retrieved the relevant data.
"The target's psychological profile shows that he has extremely high instability and antisocial tendencies. According to the model, the probability of him being modified into a 'defective product' is as high as 27.4%, far exceeding the average."
Lynn listened to Motoko Kusanagi's warning, but a smile of even greater interest appeared on his face.
Perfect raw materials are certainly desirable, but isn't it more interesting to tame a wild Beast and watch it eventually lick your palm?
"He's the one."
"Let him be our first success story."
"A marginalized teenager, abandoned by society, with the help of Vought, turns over a new leaf, masters his powers, and ultimately becomes a hero who protects the community..."
"The public will like this story."
Lynn stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the city below.
"Notify the public relations department to prepare a front-page headline for the first chapter of our 'prodigal son's return' story."
"The show's about to begin."