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Everything done leaves a trace.
Kevin knew this too.
On the day of the plane hijacking, Kevin asked Starlight to go to the Crime Analytics Department to pinpoint the exact locations of Maeve and Homelander. Through this operation, Kevin was able to determine the whereabouts of Homelander and Maeve in the vast ocean.
Starlight is a member of The Seven; she has the right to use any resources of the Crime Analytics Department, including locating other members of The Seven.
Although, logically, such matters should first be reported to Madelyn, and only after receiving Madelyn's approval could Starlight proceed.
But sometimes, members of The Seven only needed to act tough, and they could locate Superheroes even without Madelyn's consent.
Starlight used such a privilege that day.
However, while Starlight could use it, the staff naturally also had the right to report it.
Regardless of the outcome of the hijacking incident, Kevin asking Starlight to locate Homelander and Maeve that day was an inexplicable matter.
Kevin had thought that Vought would come to question Starlight and him, but before that, Kevin thought the person asking would be Madelyn.
He never expected it to be Edgar, the Boss who truly appeared in the second season.
After asking the question, Edgar stopped speaking, awaiting Kevin's answer.
Kevin gazed at the photo, and after a long while, he replied:
"Because I thought Homelander was going to do something… bad."
"Such as?"
"Such as this."
Kevin took out a syringe with residual blue liquid from his uniform pocket.
This was the syringe found in the room of the basement where Kimiko was held that day. Kevin had originally kept it hidden at home, but these past few days, he had been carrying it with him.
This was for this very moment.
Kevin placed the syringe on the table, carefully observing Edgar's expression.
But unfortunately, Edgar was too composed; even upon seeing the Compound V syringe, his expression didn't change in the slightest.
He merely said, indifferently:
"Very interesting."
Edgar's reaction was not unexpected by Kevin. In fact, he knew very well that even if he knew about Compound V, even if he was investigating Homelander, as long as he didn't touch Vought's interests, Kevin would be safe.
That's why Kevin dared to bring out Compound V here.
After all, for some people at Vought, this was no secret at all.
"Judging by your reaction, you seem to be quite familiar with this thing?"
"Of course, because this is one of Vought's products. It's called Compound V, and its purpose is to turn ordinary humans into Supes with superpowers. But so far, it can only be injected into infants."
Kevin's eyes widened slightly, showing appropriate surprise, and then, as if suddenly remembering something, he asked:
"Infants… Do you mean that our… superpowers… are not innate?"
"This is no secret to some people. Many within The Seven know about this, Homelander, A-Train, Translucent… and now, you too."
This included the retired Lamplighter, and Black Noir, whom Edgar deliberately omitted.
Most members of The Seven were actually very clear about what Vought was doing.
Only a few did not know, such as Maeve, Starlight, and… the former Deep.
The former two didn't know simply because they still had a side of light and justice in their hearts, and after Vought's analysis, they were not suitable to know the truth.
So they weren't told.
As for Deep…
He simply wasn't qualified.
As Deep himself used to mock, he was merely a filler brought in to prove the diversity of The Seven.
How could such a person be qualified to know about Compound V?
But now it seemed different.
In Edgar's eyes at this moment, Kevin clearly had the qualification to know this matter, allowing Edgar to personally inform him of it.
After stating this, Edgar said nothing more, seemingly giving Kevin time to process the information.
Kevin's eyes were slightly unfocused, and he leaned back in his chair, dazed for a long time. Only much later did he say:
"So… Homelander injecting adults… injecting this, was also at the group's behest?"
"If I said yes, would you be very disappointed?"
Edgar smiled and countered.
"…Disappointed about what?"
"Disappointed that you couldn't use this to bring down Homelander."
Edgar's words were astonishing. Kevin's mouth was slightly agape, unsure how to respond.
"What? No? Then it's disappointment that Vought, which has always been the Superheroes' backing, would do such… 'evil' things?"
Edgar said, then suddenly laughed and said to Kevin:
"But I think you wouldn't care about such things, Mr. Moskowitz. You actually don't care whether something is righteous or evil. You don't even care about Homelander's commands to you.
"In your life, you only care about one thing."
Edgar paused here, looking intently at Kevin, and after a moment, he uttered a word:
"Money."
Kevin was silent for a moment:
"You say that as if you understand me very well."
"Through the group's observation of your image and psychological analysis, I can say with certainty, yes, we understand you very well.
"However, that was in the past. In fact, we are currently building a completely new character model for you, to distinguish you from your past self. And through this new character model, we can easily see, Mr. Moskowitz, that you really like money."
This didn't require analysis; anyone could observe Kevin's recent behavior and know that he indeed liked money very much.
Even though most of his money was currently saved up, without particularly high expenses.
But he just liked saving money.
Edgar also saw this point.
He smiled and said:
"And whether you are tracking the Compound V matter, or this rescue operation, you are working for your own interests. So, let's speak frankly, Mr. Moskowitz… No, Deep."
Edgar sat up straight, meeting Kevin's gaze:
"What do you think about the position of the leader of The Seven?"
Not the Boss, what do you mean?!
Kevin leaned back slightly, his pupils dilated as he stared at Edgar.
This time, he was truly surprised, even more so than when Edgar personally came to find him.
The position of leader of The Seven represented extraordinary significance. He was the most famous star in all of America, the most popular Superhero, an existence adored by all people.
He was also Vought's most excellent and proudest 'masterpiece.'
The previous one with such treatment was Soldier Boy, and this generation was Homelander.
And whether it was Soldier Boy or Homelander, Kevin didn't believe he was qualified to replace them.
But now, judging by Edgar's meaning, he wanted to cultivate Kevin to be the leader of The Seven?
Is this guy trying to string me along?
Kevin looked at Edgar with surprise and suspicion. After a long period of contemplation, he let out a slight breath and asked gravely:
"Mr. Edgar, I am honored, but I am also very surprised. Why me?"
"Because you are more rational than Homelander."
"Where did you make that judgment? Just because of my recent save?"
"Not only that, in many ways, you are… stronger than Homelander."
Edgar used the word 'stronger' to describe Kevin. Kevin knew this definitely didn't refer to superpowers.
Edgar seemed to think very highly of Kevin, even wanting to cultivate Kevin to be the next leader of The Seven, but his true purpose was something Kevin never knew.
This was also true in the original work; Edgar seemed to only want to keep the large ship that was Vought sailing.
But what was the reality?
Regarding Homelander, Kevin actually wasn't too afraid of him.
After all, Homelander was easy to appease; just say some nice words that resonated with him, and Homelander would become completely conceited, not caring about Kevin's offense to him.
But Edgar was different. Edgar was smart, and Kevin, on the other hand, was not so smart.
In Kevin's eyes, Edgar was more dangerous than Homelander.
"I… deeply respect our leader."
After a long wait, Kevin finally ended with this sentence.
"Respect?"
But Edgar laughed. He no longer spoke to Kevin about making Kevin the leader, but instead tapped his fingers lightly on the table, saying in a prolonged tone:
"Well, let's assume that's the case."
Edgar scrutinized Kevin carefully, then seemed to have no intention of continuing the conversation with Kevin, leaning back in his chair:
"Alright, our conversation for today ends here, Deep. You may go about your business."
…So why did you come to see me today?
Kevin couldn't understand the thoughts of this big shot in front of him, but now that the big shot had given him his dismissal, Kevin couldn't very well continue to ask.
"Okay, I won't disturb you anymore."
Kevin said, then left the conference room.
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