Chương 69

Homelander and Stormfront stood on a platform, addressing a large crowd. They were trying to create a better image for themselves, and the crowd supported them with Homelander standing beside Stormfront. Stormfront spoke first about strength and unity. She told the people that they needed heroes who would stand with them. Homelander stood beside her and allowed the people to see them together. When he spoke, he kept the same message in front of the crowd.

He talked about standing with the people and protecting the country. He told them that Team Seven would continue to serve them. He said that their work would keep the country safe, and the people answered him with more support. The people answered with loud support. Some raised their hands while others called for the two heroes. When the speech ended, they came down from the platform. Homelander continued speaking as they walked away. He said that the people would remember the faces that stood before them.

"A good crowd makes everything easier," he said.

"People only need to see the right faces in front of them. Once they like what they see, they stop asking difficult questions. Give them a hero, and they will follow the story."

"They do not need the truth from us. They only need a picture they can believe. They will remember this moment, and that is enough for us."

"We only need them to believe that we are on their side, because the image will do the rest. Once the image becomes real to them, nothing else will matter." Stormfront was not listening. Her attention had moved toward a woman nearby. The woman was holding a small baby and feeding her. Stormfront kept looking at the child instead of looking at Homelander. Homelander noticed that Stormfront had gone quiet. He looked in the same direction and saw the woman with the child.

Then he looked back at Stormfront and waited for her to speak.

"I had a son like that too," Stormfront said. Her eyes remained on the baby. He understood that the child had reminded her of her own son. That was why she was giving him mixed signals. Her attention stayed on the baby as she watched the woman feed the child.

"I want a child like that too." The message was a mixed signal. Stormfront wanted him to understand that she could have a child with him, a pure Supe born from both of them. She was suggesting that he should mate with her. Their child would come from the two of them, not from an ordinary human. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. This was another trap. If he accepted, she would get what she wanted. If he refused, she could take him to meet Ryan.

Either way, she would get him to the place where she wanted him. She only needed to make him choose between the two possibilities. The trap worked. Homelander moved closer. He placed an arm around Stormfront's waist and lifted her from the ground. Stormfront allowed him to take her with him.

"Come on," he said.

"I'll take you somewhere. Maybe you'll feel better there." He flew with her to the place where Becca and Ryan were staying. After landing, he set Stormfront down and walked ahead. Stormfront followed him toward the house.

"Ryan, I'm here," he called.

"Look who I brought." Ryan came forward from the doorstep of the house. He had been sitting there and playing with Legos. Several Lego characters were arranged in front of him. He had made the characters himself and seemed lost in his own imagination. The figures had become part of a world he was creating for himself. Ryan kept his attention on the Lego figures even after Homelander called to him. Homelander looked at him with disappointment. He thought that the time had come to take Ryan away from this place.

If Ryan stayed here, he would grow up as a weak human. Homelander went toward Becca while Stormfront walked over to Ryan and began speaking to him. She started talking to Ryan as if she had come there to meet him. Elsewhere, Butcher arrived at Jonah Vogelbaum's house. The old man looked at him as Butcher came inside.

"I just spoke with Grace," Vogelbaum said.

"No, no," Butcher replied.

"Don't confuse me with Grace. I need to talk to you." Vogelbaum kept a neutral expression. He did not react to Butcher's tone.

"You have to testify against Vought," Butcher said. Vogelbaum gave him the same answer as before.

"If I testify, they will kill my family." He would not risk his family just to give the government a statement against the company. He had already warned that Vought could reach everyone connected to him.

"Vought will not stop with me," Vogelbaum said.

"They will come after every person connected to me and may threaten or hurt them. They may even kill them. I cannot put my family in that situation." Butcher smiled.

"If you don't testify, I'll kill your family." Vogelbaum calmly continued looking at him. He had heard enough about Butcher to understand the threat. He did not look away. He also had contacts inside Vought and knew what kind of man Butcher was. Those contacts had already told him that Butcher did not make empty threats. Meanwhile, Adam was in the vehicle with M. M. and Grace. M. M. was driving. Adam suddenly began coughing. Adam looked toward M. M.

"Stop the car here. You go ahead; I'll be back." M. M. pressed the brakes and looked toward Adam. Adam had already left the vehicle. Grace also turned toward Adam.

"I'm going to rescue Starlight," Adam said. He gave no reason for knowing where she was. He did not want to explain how he knew where she was. Before either of them could ask more, Adam flew away. He moved toward the place where Starlight was being held. Grace watched him leave.

"Our paths are becoming fewer," she said.

"And the fewer paths we have, the more that boy becomes our last trump card. He's our last hope."