After packing up some essentials and sentimental mementos, Maggie, Elena, and Annie all pilled into a van waiting for them outside and were off to meet Annie's benefactor. They took the long way to reach their base of operations, taking back paths to avoid any Martial Law checkpoints. Maggie never let go of Elena the entire drive, even when the pair of them fell asleep.
"Maggie, Elena, you can both wake up now," Annie informed them sometime later. The pair awoke to find themselves approaching the garage of a fancy mansion. Maggie spotted several security cameras on their approach and it began sinking in how she was really doing this. Elena must've sensed Maggie's nervousness and leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek. Maggie smiled at her and returned it with a kiss on the lips.
Once parked, the driver lead the trio to the backyard garden where their benefactor awaited them. He glanced away from the flowers he was tending to and gave Maggie a smile.
"Well. Long live the Queen," he said.
"Stan Edgar," Maggie acknowledged.
"You don't seem too surprised to see me," he observed.
"This is no time for surprises, Stan," Annie said. "Of course I filled her and Elena in on everything."
"A wise decision," he complimented.
"You know, I still can't believe that Neuman sprung you after what you tried to pull on her," Maggie said.
"Come now, I taught Victoria to be as ruthless as possible. She wasn't pleased with my actions, but she understood them." His voice trailed off as he reaches the end of that statement. He tries to hide it, but Maggie noticed a brief somber look on his face at the mention of Victoria. "Now then, let's continue this conversation indoors, shall well." Edgar said, clearly to get himself and his look of vulnerability out of their sight. He didn't even bother to wait for a reply and headed inside, with the others basically shrugging their shoulders and following after him.
"Would any of you like a drink?" He asked when they enter the living room.
"No thanks. Kicked the habit," Maggie declined. "Just so we're clear, I don't fully trust you."
"Another wise decision. But, if there's one thing you can trust, it's my hatred for that overly ambitious mascot that got too big for his tights," Stan said ending that statement with noticeable venom in his voice.
"Isn't that what I am for this team? A mascot?" Maggie asked and Stan smirked.
"A symbol is more like it. Well, what we hope to mold you into that is," he explained.
"We're doing this the right way, Stan," Annie reminded him. "Don't go trying to turn this into one of your business ventures."
"I wouldn't dream of it. I learned a long time ago how marketing Supes was a terrible business model, truth be told; PR nightmares the lot of you. Either raging narcissists or noble bleeding hearted fools."
"Wow, you sure know how to flatter a woman," Maggie said.
"Well, it's the truth," he said then turned to Annie. "Ms. January, do you remember back when you first joined the Seven and how you bravely saved a woman from being raped only for someone to have recorded you to make it look like you were the violent party?"
"I try not to."
"Regardless, you see my point. If we are to succeed, the both of you will need to check your nobility at the door. Not fully of course, since the goal is to get people to believe in actual superheroes, but remember that your nobility can be used against you if you aren't smart about it. Don't forget that Firecracker has control of the airwaves and won't hesitate to use any botched heroics to her advantage."
"Ok, we get it. Don't be too noble. So, do you have an actual plan in place?" Maggie asked.
"We wouldn't be talking if I didn't. We have our Queen. Now we need our Knights." Stan picked up a remote control and pressed a button on it, turning on the television to show the image of four individuals.
"I recognize them. Weren't they implicated in the Godolkin Massacre?" Annie asked.
"More of Homelander's PR," Stan explained. "When a violent Supe riot broke out on Godolkin University's campus, courtesy of Cate Dunlap, Marie Moreau, Jordan Li, and Andre Anderson worked to stop it. But, Homelander knew they wouldn't serve his forthcoming regime and had them imprisoned, throwing in Emma Meyer for her association with them. Victoria sponsored Marie and had information regarding her innocence left to me should something…happen to her." Again, it lasted for a second, but Maggie spotted the remorseful look on Stan's face.
Guess it's true what they say. Even evil has loved ones, Maggie thought.
"Rescuing these four is our first priority," Stan continued. "But when doing so, I must stress the use of Guerrilla tactics. Now is not the time for the world to learn of Queen Maeve's survival."
"Fine by me. I'm happy to stay out of the spotlight for a little while longer," Maggie said.
"Any idea where those four are being held?" Annie asked.
"Not yet. Victoria's assets, while vast, aren't quite on Vought's level. It shouldn't take long for me to locate them, however. But, for now, you three should retire to your rooms and rest from your long journey. We're going to have a lot of work to do soon."
Once more Stan left the trio without another word. Naturally Maggie had plenty of other questions, but decided to forgo them for the moment. A member of the mansion's staff lead her and Elena to their room and the duo let out an impressed whistle at their lodgings. The room was quite spacious and fully furnished. Elena goes to the bed and marvel's at how soft it feels.
"Wow, Maggie, you've got to check this out," she said. Maggie, however, was distracted from Elena's words by the sight of the slightly ajar closest door. She opens it fully and gives a resigned sigh at what she saw. It's her Queen Maeve uniform, looking brand spanking new. She reaches a hand towards one of the arm bands and she flashed back to her fight with Homelander and him blinding her in her right eye. She retracts her hand and stumbles back into Elena's arms.
"Are you ok?" She asked.
"Yeah…no," she admitted. "Seeing that costume just made everything feel so real, you know. Baby, what if I can't do this?"
"You will," Elena said taking Maggie's face in her hands.
"How can you be so sure?" Maggie asked while kissing Elena's hands.
"Because I know you and your stubborn as Hell ass won't rest until we have our lives back."
"But, Homelander," Maggie started.
"But, nothing," Elena interrupted. "You said you made that son a bitch bleed once before. You can do it again. I believe in you. It's time for you to believe in yourself."
"You're too good for me," Maggie sighed.
"Hey. Don't say things like that. You and I, we're good for each other. Say it." Maggie didn't reply at first and Elena pressed their foreheads together. "Please say it."
Maggie took a deep breath. "W-we're good for each other."
"Say it again."
"We're good for each other."
"Again."
Maggie felt a smile form on her lips. "We're good for each other," she repeated with a happy giggle.
"You're damn right," Elena said with her own gorgeous smile. The two of them shared a long kiss and headed over to their bed. They lie down wrapped in one another's arms and drift off into a peaceful sleep.