John
Well, the game store was certainly something. I managed to pick up a Playstation 2, and a bunch of old games I used to play when I was little. Some nostalgia will do me some good right now.
Simpler times… before I was a walking tank. Before superheroes became a normal part of life. Before someone started doing some searching about me.
I made it back to the tower in no time at all. Admittedly, I had them tie up the bag and then went along the rooftops. After the phone call with Rachel… well, anyone I run into at the tower will be enough human interaction for me.
Most of the call consisted of small talk, sure, but I can't get over how broken Rachel sounded when she first called. Of course the truth was gonna hit hard, because why wouldn't it? If I were in Rachel's shoes, I'm pretty damn positive that if I'm not balling my eyes out, Alex would have to knock my lights out so I don't kill Jason.
But that's not something I ever wanted… I'm not stupid, the time would've come eventually where the truth came out… but I wasn't ready for it to be this soon.
It's only a matter of time before everyone else finds out. I'm not gonna pretend that they're gonna keep it quiet, especially from my loved ones. Hell, I'd be surprised if the whole damn militia didn't know by now.
Right now, I just need some time to myself. Time to unwind, and time to collect my thoughts.
You better believe I made my way straight to my room. Of course, knowing my luck, I ran into fucking Stillwell on the way up here. And uh… well, me and her got into it in the hallway.
Yeah, not fun. She was deadset on getting me to have an actual conversation about whatever ad she needed me to do. It essentially boiled down to 'We're talking about this!' against 'Give me a time and a place and leave me the fuck alone.'
Inevitably, I won the argument, and I did take a bit of solace in the fact that I'd actually pissed Stillwell off enough for her to cuss like a sailor all the way down the hall.
After that, I made it back to my room, and I wasted no time in hooking up my new PS2. First game I played? Ghost Rider.
I don't give a shit what anyone says, that game is fucking awesome, and I wish there were more.
I spent a good few hours playing the game, actually. Made it all the way to the underground military base, before I get a knock on my door.
Which leads us to now.
The rapid, rhythmic knock on my door catches my attention, and I can't help but to groan in frustration when I hear it. I wanna be alone right now, dammit!
What part of Do Not Disturb do these people not understand?
"This better be important!" I growl out as I pause the game, tossing the controller onto the couch as I stand to my feet. Considering I admittedly planned on staying in my room for the rest of the day, I've changed into my shorts and taken off my flannel. Yet, my bare feet still hit the ground with an audible thump.
A sign of my frustration.
However, when I throw open the door, ready to chew out whoever may be on the other side (Stillwell), my frustration fizzles out like a dying fire when I see who's on the other side.
It's not Stillwell. It's not Edgar. It's not even Maeve or Starlight. Shit, I'd have expected Homelander more.
But no.
The familiar clean and well dressed form of Alex stands on the other side of the door, meeting my now surprised gaze with a blank one, and he starts speaking the moment he sees me.
"Get dressed, get to the meeting room." It's not a request, and even if I'm not technically a part of the militia anymore, I know Alex well enough to know that he does things for a reason. "We have a problem."
"Shit." I can't help the way my head falls in frustration. After today, I really was hoping to be left alone for the day. Nonetheless, I nod my head and step away from my door, leaving it open as I move to my bed. "Come on in, fill me in while I get dressed." I gesture for him to come in, and he does so without hesitation, shutting the door behind him.
"The militia isn't the only CIA group I was involved with." Alex explained, mincing no words and wasting no time as he followed me to my bedroom. "I was brought on as an informant for another group. One which was meant to keep Vought in line, from what I was told."
"Fair enough." I nod along, because I can understand that. I mean, no more explanation should be needed other than fucking A-Train. "What about it?" I ask as I drop my shorts on the floor, snagging my pants as I turn back to Alex.
"The two men who went to the factory look a lot like two members from the group." Alex elaborated, never breaking eye-contact with me even as I turn away and snag my socks after I finish buckling my belt. "I can't be entirely sure yet, but they look close enough that we have a lead. The issue is that the group was dissolved years ago."
"What happened?" I ask as I sit down on my bed, looking at Alex as I grab my boots and slide my feet into them, covering the top of them with my pants.
"Ever heard of Lamplighter?" When I shake my head, Alex can't help but to chuckle. "Of course you haven't. He was on the Seven before Starlight. Officially, he retired, but the real story is that he immolated two kids trying to kill someone else."
I freeze when I hear that. I'm not stupid, I know what immolation means, and for it to have been two kids…
"Fucker better be dead." I can't help but to growl. Adults still piss me off, but kids? I will kill thousands before I let someone hurt a kid.
"Unfortunately not." Though his tone his level, his words tell me that Alex agrees with me there at the very least. "But he's no longer in the spotlight, and I'm obligated to keep it under wraps. But that's not why I'm here."
"Right, dumbfuck and jackass." I nod as I stand up off the bed, snagging my flannel and throwing it on as I turn to Alex. "Ignoring curiosity, what makes this so important? Could just be trying to be safer than sorry."
"That, I'll tell you in the meeting room." Alex assures as I roll my sleeves up, until they're resting at the base of my forearms. "I got the Seven waiting, because I feel they need to know to. Not to mention that considering the circumstances… well, I hope you don't mind working under me again."
"Fuck it." I reply with a shrug, shooting a small smile to the man as I move past him and out of my bedroom. "Maybe you can get a couple of these people in shape." I joke as Alex follows after me. I open the door and allow him to exit, and he turns to me and waits patiently as I dig my keys out of my pants pocket and turn around to lock the door.
Once it's locked, I follow Alex through the halls of the building, and I can't help but to be surprised as we walk through the halls. He doesn't need directions, he clearly knows where he's going, and I can't help but to wonder if it's due to his photographic memory or something else.
But I don't't question it. If it were my business, Alex would tell me. That's just the way he works.
I follow silently behind him, and in another life, one would probably think I was his bodyguard. But if there's one thing I know, it's that Alex is more than capable of splattering everyone in the building, myself and Homelander included.
With only silence between us, it doesn't take long to reach the Seven meeting room. The large mechanical doors are closed, and Alex comes to a stop in front of them before turning to me.
"Before we go in… Peter and Rachel are in there." He informs me, causing my eyes to widen in surprise. That was not something I'd expected, especially considering I've already talked to Rachel today.
"For what I assume is an upcoming mission?"
"Yes and no." Alex replied, a turning his gaze to face the still-invisible room as he spoke. "They are here to be briefed with you and your new team, but I could've simply done that at the base. I believe it would do them some good to talk to you, however." He admitted as he turned his gaze back to me. "I don't think I need to reiterate that they're taking things hard."
"Yeah." I can't help the guilt that slips through as I nod my head. It's not even my fault, but I still can't help but to feel bad. Simply because I know both of them are eating themselves alive, and it's not their fault either. "Well, just give us a moment before going over everything, alright? I know we'll have time later… but at the very least, give them a moment to see I'm fine."
Alex doesn't say anything for a few moments after finish, but as I turn to face the large doors that have begun to open, Alex turns to face the doors as well.
"Alright." It's level, unchanged, and collected when he says it, and one could almost think he's being sarcastic.
But I know Alex better than that.
When the doors open far enough, we step through and inside of the meeting room, and my eyes widen when I see who all is present.
All of my teammates are seated at their usual spots, looking confused or in most cases, bored as all eyes snap towards us when we walk in. Not just them, either. Over to the left of the room, Edgar and Stillwell stand. Edgar looks as calm as ever, while Stillwell looks rather frustrated and annoyed.
That's about all really get to survey, however, before an unexpected weight slams into me, and I find myself looking down at a head full of brunette hair tucked into my chest as I let a small laugh escape me.
"It ain't been that long, has it?" I joke as I wrap my arms around Rachel as well, returning the hug with a smile as my eyes flick up, and I spot the familiar form of Peter approaching with a smile. "Hey, Pete."
"John." Peter actually smiles at that, raising a hand for me to more than likely shake.
He knows me better than that.
A grin flies onto my face as I take one hand off of Rachel, reaching over and snagging Pete as I pull him in for a quick side-hug. He's obviously startled at first, but he's chuckling with a smile on his face once he realizes what's going on.
"You two alright?" I ask as Rachel pulls away from the hugging, looking up at me with a smile. Though… her cheeks are still visibly tear-stained, and it makes me wonder if and for how long she was crying even after our conversation over the phone.
"Better." Rachel assured with a small smile as she curled herself up against my said, an arm wrapping around my back as she looks up at me. "It's good to see you again."
"You two." I say with a smile of my own, offering a reassuring shoulder rub as I look at her, before glancing over at Peter. "What about you, Pete?"
Pete merely shrugs, offering a small smile as he does so. "Another day, another wackjob." His response causes me to snort in amusement.
"Ain't that the truth."
"Alright." As level as ever, Alex's voice speaks up loud enough to catch all attention as he looks at us three, the barest hint of a smile on his face. "That's enough for now. John, take your seat."
"Yes sir."
"Yes sir."
"Yes sir."
Even with my time away, it's almost a gut instinct still. When Alex gives an order, show proper respect. It was something he always drilled into us during training, even though he has no problem conversing with his subordinates.
Nonetheless, I take my seat next to Annie, who's now wearing her original Starlight costume as she offers me a smile. I return it with one of my own and a quick head nod, offering one to Maeve as well as Peter and Rachel come to stand side-by-side next to me. The moment was shorter than I would've liked, but if this is either that important, or Alex is that confident once again that they'll be fine.
"Agent McGrath, would you mind explaining what this is all about?" Stillwell stepped, barely hold her tongue as her irritation was visible on her face, looking at Alex with narrowed eyes. "You've refused to tell us anything until John was present, and I'd like to know why."
"Because it's better to tell everyone at once." Alex didn't even spare her a glance as he replied, almost completely ignoring her as he addressed everyone in the room. "To those of you who don't know, my name is Special Agent Alex McGrath, and I'm a CIA Agent who specializes in policing superhumans."
"Superhumans?" A-Train piped up with a raised eyebrow, because of course his big fucking mouth can't stay shut. "We're fucking superheroes, man. Call us what we are."
"Contrary to your belief, Mr. Franklin, you are superhumans. And not all superhumans are superheroes." Alex replied without missing a beat, his gaze snapping to A-Train with a stern expression. "And I'd advise thinking with your brain instead of your ego, because if another person dies at your hands, no lawyer will save you from me." It's a thinly veiled threat, more of a warning really, but A-Train being A-Train, he doesn't look like he gets the message.
He opens his mouth to say something back, and that's about when I'm ready to pipe in to shut him up, but Homelander clears his throat to silence the speedster.
A-Train's gaze snaps to Homelander with such speed that if he were a normal person, I'd have figured he'd given himself whiplash. He stares at Homelander's stern expression for a few seconds, before the man himself speaks.
"Knock it off."
And with those words from our leader, A-Train slumps down in his seat, his attention moving back to Alex.
Alex glances at Homelander and shares a respectful nod, before turning to addressing the rest of the room. "Today, many of you become privy to information that is not accessible to the public. That being said, this is your one warning. Should this information be leaked to the public, the party or parties responsible will be charged with treason and put under my watch. Is that understood?"
The rest of the Seven all look at each other, confusion in their faces and a little bit of frustration in others. But nonetheless, they all nod their heads in confirmation.
That's when Alex turns to Stillwell and Edgar. Edgar nods without hesitation, but Stillwell continues to glare at Alex in a display of annoyance.
Luckily for my entertainment, Alex isn't having that.
"Let me make this clear, Miss Stillwell." Alex says, turning and approaching the woman with his expression as level as ever. "This information is secret for a reason, and a secret it will stay. If you don't like that, you can either leave and keep what you already know to yourself, or I can arrest you right now." At that, Stillwell's eyes go wide, her expression turning to one of complete shock, and it doesn't escape my attention the way Homelander noticeably tenses up. But he doesn't say anything as Alex continues. "What will it be?"
After a few seconds, Stillwell lets out a frustrated sigh, but she nods her head in agreement. "Yes, sir."
"Good." Alex says without fail, before turning back to the rest of the room. "Now then, John?"
"Yeah?"
"What or who have you told about the militia?" He asks, and as much as I'd like to act like I've said nothing…
"I've mentioned it to Starlight and Maeve a few times." I admit freely, refusing to break under Alex's gaze as I speak. "I told Starlight about my first official mission… and that's about it?" I actually have to ask, glancing over at the two of them for confirmation. When they nod, I turn back to Alex. "Yeah, that's it."
"Well then, allow me to say this: Welcome to the militia." Alex says, and I have to admit that causes my eyes to widen in surprise. I can't help but to look over at Peter and Rachel, to see if they have an explanation, but a quick shake of their heads tells me otherwise. "As of today and for the time being, the Seven is not only a form of branding and entertainment, but a group of special agents for the superhuman militia."
"I don't mean to interrupt," Starlight pipes up, and when Alex's level gaze falls on her, she visibly flinches. I can't help but to silently chuckle at that. Alex was always intimidating in that manner, even before I knew what he could do. "Sorry, sir. But even with what John has told me, I'm still ot exactly sure what the militia is."
At that, Alex turns to look at Edgar, who nods without a word before raising the remote to the screens around the room and pressing a button.
A picture of the training room at Area 51 pops up onto the screen, showing Landon sparring with… Mina. Oof.
Tough break, bud.
Behind them are a few other militia members sparring and training, while Alex begins speaking.
"Ten years ago, I was authorized to begin forming a superhuman militia." Alex began to explain as he turned to face us. "And we are sanctioned not only by the United States government, but the entirety of the United Nations." At that, all eyes in the room bulge wide in disbelief, with the obvious exception of Peter, Rachel, and myself, as well as the surprising exception of Edgar.
Which doesn't escape my attention.
Nonetheless, Alex continues as I store that bit of information away for later. "As of today, The Seven becomes a part of this militia, due only to John's involvement in this team."
"Because he's a former member?" Maeve guesses, receiving an immediate nod in response.
"Exactly." Alex confirms. "With that being said, we begin the briefing."
"Six hours ago, two unknown men went to investigate the building that our dear juggernaut earned his abilities." Edgar picks up where Alex stopped without missing a beat, making me wonder even more how clued in the man really is. "As the area is completely off-limits by CIA order, and it possibly involves a former member of this militia, this is has been made a joint effort by the Seven and the militia."
"Don't you mean Vought and the militia?" Homelander is the one who asks, and now that I'm looking at him… his entire face seems tense. Tight in… frustration?
"No." Edgar shakes his head immediately. He presses a button on the remote, and the picture of training at Area 51 is replaced with… footage from the same camera that caught my escape from the factory. Only now, there's a van parked in front of the place, and I can see two men with shotguns approaching the factory. "Vought continues to handle the entertainment side of things, but the company itself will not be involved in this effort."
"We are notified whenever anyone goes to places that are limited to militia personnel." Alex spoke up once more as he glanced at the picture on the monitor. "And further investigation has discovered possible suspects." At that, Edgar presses the remote once more, and the picture changes. Now, there's a picture of two… government ?
The left is a man named William Butcher. A bearded man with a rough face that looks like it's locked in a scowl, scared on his face. Under it, says a few things about which organization he works or worked with, and as well as a small footnote talking about his time in the Royal Marines.
The other is… Marvin Milk? Okay, I have to actually stifle a laugh, and clearly I'm not alone on the front. I can hear Rachel snickering next to me, and even A-Train and Maeve have amused smiles on their faces at the name.
One thing they have in common is that they are or were a part of the same government outfit, literally just referred to as 'The Boys'.
Another thing though?
It takes a few seconds, especially considering my own amusement at someone with the last name 'Milk', but a second glance has my amusement fading away. My brow furrows and my eyes narrow as I suddenly get a striking sense of familiarity.
I've always been good with faces, and something about these two are familiar.
"William Butcher and Marvin T. Milk are former agents for a defunct outfit simply names 'The Boys.'" Alex explained as the pictures came up. "They're goal was relatively simple, similar to the militia. When superheroes abused their abilities, their job was to step in and put a stop to it however was needed. However, the group was dissolved when their leader, Grace Mallory, retired."
"Why did she retire?" Starlight asked curiously, but considering what Alex told me before we walked in here, I have to say that I have a pretty good idea.
"Lamplighter?" I can't help but to voice the question out loud, looking at Alex for confirmation. When he nods his head, things make a lot more sense.
However…
"You know about that?" Homelander abruptly asks, and I can see a look of shock on the faces of A-Train and Maeve as well, and even Stillwell looks baffled at how I could possibly know.
"Alex told me." I answer without elaborating any further as I turn back to the picture. "What gets me is that these two look familiar." I admit as I turn back to studying the pictures. Where have I seen these two-?!
"If there is a geezer up there with a big white beard, he's a world heavy cunt."
I have no clue why those words go through my head at first, but then I hone in on the picture of Butcher… and suddenly it all clicks.
"Annie," I bring a hand up and tap my knuckles against her shoulder, catching her attention as I point to the pictures. "Do they look familiar to you?"
Annie looks confused at my question, and she turns back to the picture, studying it closely to see if she recognizes either of them. After a few seconds, she sits back in her chair and crosses her arms.
"They look vaguely familiar, like I might've seen them before." She admits, turning to me. "Why?"
"They were at the Expo." I reveal, causing all eyes to widen as I point to Butcher. "He's the guy who was arguing with a priest, talking about God being a cunt." I explain further as I glance at Alex. "So either they were already interested in me, or-"
"Or you were an unplanned development." Alex nodded, understanding what I'm getting at as he too turned to look at the pictures. "That's concerning. Especially since these two were relieved of their CIA positions when the group was dissolved."
I look around to see what everyone's reactions are to the news. I expect annoyance, irritation, or confusion admittedly. However, what I don't expect is recognition.
So imagine my surprise when I look at Homelander, and see a surprised look of recognition on his face when he looks at Butcher.
His brow is furrowed, scrutinizing the picture intensely while Alex continues.
"Marvin is a concern, but Butcher is the really worrying one." Alex continues, causing me to turn back and focus on the briefing. "I've met the man once, and in that time, I was able to distinguish one thing: a homicidal hatred for all superhumans." He revealed as he turned back to the rest of us.
"What caused that?" Peter finally speaks, arms crossed as he studies the pictures closely, memorizing every detail he could. "For that matter, isn't he one himself?"
"No." Alex shook his head. "That was the problem with The Boys. Though it was comprised entirely of regular humans, the main issue is that all of its members have a personal interest against Vought. Each and every member had been wronged in some way by this company."
"If you're implying-"
"I'm not implying anything, Miss Stillwell." Alex interrupts Stillwell before she can even get a full sentence out, snapping his gaze to her once more as he moves closer to the woman, his arms still tucked safely behind his back. "I have many of your former employees imprisoned at the militia base, and there's a reason The Boys was formed specifically to handle Vought. I may be in charge of a joint effort with your leading team, but do not think that makes me ignorant."
Well… shit. I don't know how I expected Alex to shut her down, but I definitely didn't expect that. And it makes me wonder too… what exactly is Alex talking about? What am I missing?
The man who's back I broke suddenly crossed my mind.
I take a look at my teammates to see their reactions, and I have to say… they aren't what I expected.
Of course, Noir has no visible reaction that I can see, but both Homelander and A-Train look… angry, at Alex' words. Maeve however…
She looks absolutely shameful. Guilty.
Even Annie looks like she knows something, her gaze falling to the floor as she squeezes her arms for some sense of comfort.
What the fuck have I gotten myself into here?
"Vought has never been afraid to use less than legal means, and it's best we make sure every single person in this room is aware of that." Alex announced as he turned away from the still shell-shocked Stillwell, facing the room once more with a stern expression on his face. "My members already know this, so let me make this clear: no one is above the law, and it's the law that allows me to take control. I have the authority to suspend your rights, I have the authority to kill you on the spot."
Damn, Alex really isn't fucking around this time. I remember when I heard a similar speech, and I have to say that there's something surreal about hearing it again.
Just like that, I'm reminded that no matter how powerful I may be, Alex is on a whole different level from everyone.
"As of now, you all hold that same power." He continued, his eyes gliding across the room and meeting the gaze of every superhuman present, myself included. "But don't think for a second that grants you immunity from each other. Should one of you decide abuse that power, it is within the rights of everyone else in this room to decide whether to subdue you or even kill you should the situation calls for it." I don't miss the way his gaze lingers on Homelander for that last bit, and I'm honestly surprised when Homelander returns it with a scowl.
Even Alex knows something I don't about Homelander, and I'm beginning to wonder if all of Maeve's warnings might've had a good reason behind them.
"Do I make myself clear? I want verbal confirmation."
One by one, starting with Peter, we all reply with 'Yes sir' in respectful tones that we do indeed understand. Even Black Noir nods his head in affirmation, and I'm assuming Alex only takes that as an actual answer because Noir doesn't even speak.
When it's A-Train's turn however…
"This is fucking stupid." The dumbass says with a roll of his eyes as he looks at Alex. "Do you think you can just walk in and act like you control the place? Just who the fuck do you think you are?"
Alex doesn't respond for a moment, merely staring at A-Train as he processes the speedsters words as we all watch.
"He fucked up." Rachel whispers, leaning over towards me as she does so and making sure that the only two people in the room that can hear it are me and Homelander. Mainly me.
And she's not far off.
Slowly, Alex' expression darkens, his usually cool and level features tightening in a furrowed brow and tightened lips as his hands fall from his sides.
He begins making his way around the table to our side, and it's no exaggeration to say everyone jumps in surprise, myself included. With each footstep, and I do mean each footstep, something happens. A light pops and goes out, a screen malfunctions or outright shatters, the windows have cracks forming in them, even the Seven meeting table is beginning to shake.
"Someone takes your brother from you, Mr. Franklin, what are you going to do?" Alex asks, gaze still fixed on A-Train. The moment the question leaves his lips, the speedster jumps to his feet as if he's ready to throw down, glaring at the militia leader.
"Hey, don't talk about-"
"Sit down." In a literal blink of an eye, Alex clears what little distance is left between the two and harshly shoves A-Train back into his seat, a grunt escaping the speedster as he looks up at his aggressor in surprise. "You don't have the right to demand anything of me." Alex' gaze snaps towards me, and he nods me over. "John, how many targets have you killed?"
It takes me a moment to answer, both because of my own hesitation and because of how unexpected the question is, but I answer anyway.
"Three." I answer without fail. I don't miss the way a few eyes suddenly snap to me in surprise either.
"Do you remember their names?"
"Jefferson Briggs, Amanda Smith, and Maxwell Banes."
"Thank you." Alex responds with an appreciative nod before turning back to A-Train. "That boy is ten years younger than you at minimum, and he's been through more hardships than you could imagine. Do you really think outrunning a bullet or growing up in a crime infested area is anything compared to what I know those three have both been forced through and have willingly put themselves through?"
"You don't-!"
"Shut. Up." Alex shuts the speedster down immediately, completely uninterested in anything A-Train has to say as his expression shifts into a cold glare. "Of the three people John had killed, he remembers their names and why. All of them were targets, threats to innocent lives. Tell me, what threat did the woman you killed pose?"
A-Train doesn't respond, instead merely looking away. Unfortunately for him, Alex never plays that game.
"I asked you a question." Alex says, his hands moving behind his back as he speaks to A-Train again. "I expect an answer."
"Nothing." A-Train finally replies, looking up at Alex with an angry glare as he did so. "The stupid bitch-"
"Robin Ward had friends, family, people who loved her." Alex interrupts whatever spiel A-Train had prepared as we all watch, transfixed by how easily Alex is putting the speedster in his place. Not even I have seen anything this effective since I've been here. "She posed no threat, she was simply going about her day."
But that's Alex for you.
"And contrary to what the public has been told," At that, his glare shifts to Stillwell, staring cold icy daggers into her as he continues. "It wasn't because you were chasing bank robbers. It was because you were careless, and you weren't watching where you were going."
At that, my own eyes fly wide, before my gaze slowly shifts to look at Edgar. He was the one who'd told me a different story.
But Edgar's gaze shifts over to Stillwell, and it makes a lot more sense now.
Actually, a lot of shit suddenly makes more sense. Putting Annie in that shitty sexual costume, her own stress, Stillwell's constant badgering of me about this and that… the guy in the alley…
If she's willing to create a cover story over someone's death, what the hell else is she willing to do?
"That carelessness ends today." Alex continues as he leaves his spot by A-Train, walking back around the table and returning to his original place with Edgar as he faces us once more. "As of today, you are a unified team. I expect no more screw-ups of this caliber. No more innocent blood will be shed. The only deaths or injury to innocents in the future will be collateral damage, side effects. Have I made myself clear?"
Me, Pete, and Rachel respond immediately with noises and words of affirmation, but everyone else seems visibly put off by Alex's demeanor.
I feel a little sympathy for Maeve and Starlight when Alex's gaze hardens, and he steps forward.
"Black Noir, do I make myself clear?" He asks the mute, who nods his head firmly in affirmation. He understands the conditions.
Satisfied, Alex gaze then snaps to Starlight.
"Yes sir." Annie responds in a quiet voice, more than likely still unsettled by Alex' earlier display of power. Admittedly, a minuscule display, but it was still rather intimidating.
Wordlessly, Alex moves his gaze to Maeve, who lets a sigh escape her, but she nods her head.
"Yes sir."
"A-Train?"
"Yeah, fuck, whatever."
Alex' eyes narrow.
"Try again."
A-Train glares at Alex with the fiercest glare I've ever seen on the speedster, a snarl on his face, but he does as asked.
"Yes, sir."
Finally, Alex' gaze moved to Homelander, who looks… surprisingly aggravated. Compared to the boyscout I met on my first day, the man sitting in the chair looks like a wild dog ready to attack.
"Homelander?"
"Yes. Sir." Homelander says it with so much venom in his voice that it's honestly hard for me to believe this is the same man I met before, and I'm beginning to possibly see what has Maeve so on-guard around him.
Alex holds Homelander's glare with a fierce gaze of his own, before he addresses the whole room.
"For the moment, your only assignment is to keep an eye out for William Butcher and Marvin Milk. For the time being, your lives at Vought remain uninterrupted." He assured as he let his hands fall to his side. "Your contractual obligations still stand, but the moment any of you receive assignments from me, those obligations go on the back burner."
Some of us are eager for this to be over, while others probably don't want to irritate Alex again, so it's no surprise that we all nod our heads in acknowledgement.
That seems to satisfy Alex, who nods his own head. "Alright, dismissed." With those simple words, we all begin standing up off the table while Alex shares a glance with Edgar and nods his head towards the rooms exit. Edgar returns it, and turns to look at Stillwell, before the two begin following Alex out of the room.
However, Alex stops short of exiting, turning towards Peter and Rachel as I stand to my own feet.
"Six hours." Is all he says. Rachel and Peter both nod, and that's all Alex needs.
The three exit the room, and only then do I turn to Peter and Rachel.
"This was not on my list of plans for today." I joke with a grin as I push my chair in behind me.
"Your list of plans?" Rachel jokes with a raised eyebrow, shaking her head in amusement. "What, do you think we expected to spend half the day in Manhattan?"
"Fair enough." I agree with a chuckle. "But hey, long as y'all are here, may as well hang out for a bit."
"So… these are your former teammates?" Annie asks as she stands to her feet, looking at the three of us in confusion. "You're all so young."
"But we made our choice." Peter replies with a small smile and a slight shrug as he meets Annie's gaze. "Being teenagers doesn't change that."
"Wanna hang out with us?" I ask Annie, before glancing at Maeve. "That's an offer for both of you."
Maeve let's an amused chuckle escape her, but she shakes her head. "No thanks. I gotta process the fact that I'm a government agent now."
"Hah!" I can't help but to laugh in amusement at that, but I nod my head nonetheless. "Alright then, we'll see you later."
Maeve nods as she moves past us, leaving the room while I turn my attention back to Annie.
"I'll have to refuse." Annie replies with a small smile. "You probably want to catch up with your friends, and I have plans."
I nod my head at her words. I gotta admit, I'm a little disappointed… but hey, that's more time for me, Rachel, and Peter to just dick around. I have no complaints.
"So, what's it like being a superhero, Johnny?" Pete asks with a grin, earning me a chuckle.
"Well…"