Chương 85

"The plan we have worked on for so long still has not reached its final stage," Edgar said.

"We need to put him through the same cycle we used on Homelander. Make him a hero. Let him save people until his name is on every tongue."

"Whenever a crime happens, ask why Adam was not there to stop it. If he never received the information, use his name anyway," Edgar said.

"Make sure he hears about the people he failed to save. He must believe that if he takes one day off or leaves, people will die."

"But he isn't ready," the voice on the phone replied.

"I don't think we can control him the way we controlled Homelander." Edgar remained silent for several seconds.

"We will see. Implement the plan and accelerate it," Edgar said.

"Keep him trapped in his own doubt and tied to the Federal Bureau of Superhuman Affairs by the fear that leaving will cost lives. I have another plan for that. Keep him busy for two days while I handle it." The call ended. Edgar pressed a bell, and Black Noir entered.

"How is the distribution going? How many people have received the twenty-four-hour Compound V?" Noir placed a report before him. It contained the names of small gangs that had already received it. Edgar had started moving his pieces as soon as Adam joined the FBSA. Adam's strong morals made ordinary people the easiest way to bind him. The move carried a serious risk, but its reward was greater. Vought's twenty-four-hour Compound V had been moved secretly into the black market.

From there, it spread through America's underground network, and Supe crime rose with it. Adam's presence as Supe police kept that growth from becoming uncontrollable. That was the balance Edgar wanted. Each new criminal gave Adam another reason to remain with the FBSA. Once Vought brought the Bureau under its control, Adam would be drawn under Vought with it. The pressure placed on Homelander was producing positive results as well, despite his resistance.

Vought had almost secured control over its two greatest beasts.

"Accelerate the process," Edgar ordered.

"Move it beyond the gangs. Put it in the hands of smaller thugs." The same move would support Vought's demand for a federal military contract. State and county governments would also be pushed to buy Compound V for police and security agencies capable of controlling Supes. America was too large for Adam to cover alone. Edgar could already see Vought's sales rising. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

One day later, A-Train stood before a live crowd at Homelander's birthday celebration. He introduced Homelander and Starlight. Homelander smiled while walking onto the stage, but the expression was false as Annie moved toward the microphone.

"I'm happy to be here with all of you," she said. The crowd cheered.

"We always try to be there for you. That is why I am announcing Starlight House, a foundation that will help homeless and at-risk young people." A voice cut through her speech.

"Yo, Homelander! What about your Nazi girlfriend?" His smile broke.

"Guys, Homelander is human, just like you and me. We all make mistakes. He has also decided to donate ten million dollars to Starlight House," Annie said.

"No. No, no, no," Homelander said behind her. He had always known that he was not weak like these ordinary people. Adam had forced him to accept that he was no longer the strongest, but there was no doubt that he remained far stronger than everyone before him. Homelander stepped in front of Annie and took the microphone.

"I am nothing like you, yet you need me. You people should thank Christ that I am here to save you. I'm stronger than all of you, and my perfection makes me better." Silence spread across the live crowd. Millions watching the broadcast reacted differently. Some liked what they heard. Others could not believe Homelander had said it, while many hated every word. Elsewhere, Adam stood over a Supe he had caught. The Supe had caused destruction around him and killed several police officers.

One burst of Adam's heat vision killed him. Adam flew away. The body remained there. The number of Supe incidents had grown far beyond the original timeline. Adam could no longer dismiss it as an ordinary deviation caused by his actions. Compound V could not reach the outside without someone inside Vought. Homelander had been involved the last time it happened.

'Vought is doing this deliberately.' The entire game became clear.

'I understand now. That was a dangerous plan, Edgar.' Edgar was trapping him inside a moral loop and using the FBSA to keep him working. That was why the media repeatedly showed Adam as a savior and called him Supe police. The fame had never been free. Adam struck his own head.

"I made a huge mistake." He should never have given Victoria those two days. Adam halted his flight and landed. The road beside him stretched far ahead, with fields on one side.

'What am I afraid of, and why am I hesitating?' He could kill Victoria or Edgar. The government could label him a Supe terrorist, but it could not stop him. Even Homelander and every other Supe coming after him would not change that. Then Adam understood what he truly feared. After killing Victoria and Edgar, he would be forced to fight anyone sent against him. More people would die. That bloodshed would drive his friends away. No matter how powerful he was, he could not save everyone.

That moral dilemma was the chain around him. Adam released a deep breath and thought of Homelander.

'Yes. I am beginning to understand.' He remembered Uncle Ben's lesson.

'With great power comes great responsibility.'

"It seems I need to speak with Homelander." Adam flew away. Homelander was at a Vought campaign shoot with Queen Maeve. He had spoken to no one there, including Maeve. After the shoot ended, he sat at his desk and thought. A sound tore through the sky. Everyone looked up. Homelander raised his head as well and understood who was coming. Adam landed directly in front of him. Homelander's eyes widened slightly.