At the helicopter landing platform, Edgar looked at the image on the vehicle screen in front of him, where Maeve was being suppressed by the "Black Overlord" armor, and let out a sigh.
He picked up his phone and used The Seven's internal private channel to contact Homelander.
Originally, he had hoped Maeve and Starlight would work together and successfully rescue Arnold, so the deal with the Department of Defense could be completed.
But unexpectedly, even after Arnold had been brought out of the Empire State Building, Maeve was suppressed by a newly appeared suit of armor and looked like she had little chance of winning.
That forced Edgar to contact Homelander.
The sound of whistling wind came through the phone. Then he heard Homelander's voice, ["If you've got something to say, say it fast. I'm watching a show right now. Oh, looks like Maeve's about to lose."]
The muscles on the CEO's face twitched slightly.
'Damn it!'
'That arrogant bastard really didn't leave!'
'He's still watching for fun!'
Edgar took a deep breath, calming the irritation in his chest before saying, "Manhattan is in trouble right now. This is the perfect time to show our strength and image."
"If you can resolve this crisis, I believe our company's stock will rise sharply."
"I'm willing to give you 10% of the shares. What do you think?"
From the phone, Edgar heard Homelander chuckle, ["If I want Vought's shares, why don't I just kill you and take all of them? Wouldn't I make more that way?"]
A chill ran down Edgar's back, but he still smiled calmly, "No offense, but when it comes to running a company, I should have more experience than you."
He had expected a sneer or mockery. Instead, after two seconds of silence, Homelander said, ["Makes sense."]
That only made Edgar more nervous, because Homelander was not acting as crazy as he looked.
The CEO tested the waters, "So you agree?"
But Homelander replied, ["Why should I agree? You think 10% of Vought's shares is enough to make me follow orders?"]
["Edgar, I'm not that cheap."]
'This bastard!'
Edgar wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, "20%?"
["Still not enough."]
["Or maybe, for something this big tonight, you're not qualified to be involved."]
With that, the call was cut off.
Edgar's expression froze. He had been in business for many years, clawing his way up to build Vought into the most profitable company in the world.
And today, someone said he was "not qualified"?
"That damn—"
He squeezed his phone. Just then, it rang.
The Secretary of Defense was calling.
———
Near the Empire State Building—
Two red beams swept across the ground and struck Maeve, pushing her back.
At this moment, Maeve was covered in injuries. The gladiator style suit she wore was heavily damaged.
Since becoming a superhero, she had never been this battered.
She spat out a mouthful of blood, wiped her lips, and was about to charge again.
But she saw Mr. Z, wearing the "Black Overlord" armor, rise into the air.
["I'm bored of playing."]
["And your operation was authorized by the Federation, wasn't it?"]
["Those filthy people want to get their hands on 'Zero'? Not a chance!"]
Mr. Z shouted, ["Since the Federation ignored my warning, then tonight, Manhattan will become history!"]
———
As he spoke, far away in Times Square, a "Raptor" armor arrived in front of the "Earthshaker" launch platform, entered commands, and sent the launch signal.
Moments later, Maeve felt the ground begin to shake.
The "Earthshaker" had started again.
The earthquake returned.
Across Manhattan Island, people felt their bodies swaying. Windows in nearby skyscrapers kept bursting and shattering, fragments crashing down in waves.
On the streets, cracks split open across the pavement. Dust sprayed out from them. Pipes ruptured, and columns of water shot high into the air.
The earth gradually shook more violently. Manhattan felt like a small boat in a raging sea, forced to sway along with the trembling ground.
BOOM!
Finally, in Times Square, a shopping mall building spewed thick smoke, sparks flashing, snapped in half at the middle, and half the structure collapsed heavily to the ground, smashing into ruins weighing tens of thousands of tons.
At the ports and private docks around the island, boats tried to escape, but they were constantly attacked by "Deep Sea Mermen."
From the sky, you could see across the wide river surface. Many boats were burning and sinking. Numerous people in life rings flailed in the rising and falling water, screaming in panic and crying.
Thick smoke began to rise from Manhattan. The island looked as if it had reached the end of the world.
Crying and calls for help echoed everywhere.
Alex watched the scene without any reaction.
He even yawned.
"Why's it so slow?"
Alex believed that after he refused Edgar's request, bigger fish would take the bait.
From the current situation, without deploying weapons of mass destruction, there was simply no way to deal with those armors.
But the Federation could not possibly use such weapons on its own soil.
So they had only one choice.
Him. The Homelander.
Just as Alex saw the arch in the square collapse and kick up dust, his communicator rang again.
["Hello, Homelander."]
["I'm Wilson. Wilson Brown."]
Alex let out a small laugh, "Good evening, Mr. Secretary."
Of course he knew who Wilson was.
Originally, he had thought the call would come from Homeland Security.
Unexpectedly, it was their boss contacting him.
Secretary of Defense Wilson Brown.
["Let's keep this short."]
["I believe you already know what's happening in Manhattan."]
["Mr. Z has activated the Earthshaker. I admit, we have no way to handle this crisis."]
["And Mr. Edgar has informed me that he has no authority to command you."]
["So I want to ask, are you willing to fight for the Federation? For justice?"]
["Are you willing to personally resolve this crisis?"]
'Old fox!'
'Every single one of them!'
'What do the Federation and justice have to do with me?'
Alex smiled and said, "Of course I'm willing. But unfortunately, I'm just an ordinary citizen who flies around wearing a cape."
"I don't think I'm worthy of the honor of fighting for the Federation."
There was silence on the communicator for several seconds.
Then the Secretary of Defense chuckled, ["Under the Department of Defense, within the management and administrative division, the position of Director of the Superhuman Oversight Department, along with the rank of Colonel in the United States Army, would that give you proper authority?"]
The corner of Alex's mouth lifted, "Sounds good. And if you add the shares Mr. Edgar just promised, I think I'll have enough motivation to handle this."
The Secretary of Defense gave a low "Mm," ["I can agree to that on Mr. Edgar's behalf."]
"Really?"
"In that case, I'm sure you'll also agree that 20% is still a little low. I think 30% would be about right. What do you say?", Alex said with a charming smile.
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