A few days had passed.
Vought, top floor of the tower.
Homelander was watching the news with a look of disgust plastered on his face. Lately, a newcomer had been stealing his spotlight on television.
This was something Homelander certainly hated. He loved being the center of attention.
"So, no sign of him? Are you sure you're looking properly?" asked Madelyn Stillwell.
"Why? Why do I need to do this? We don't need whoever this is. All this company needs is me," replied Homelander.
Madelyn had asked him before to go after this new Supe that had appeared, but several days had passed and he still hadn't gone. His patience wasn't infinite. The fact was, he could fly, he was fast, it would be much easier. But if he didn't want to, he could very well send someone else.
"Alright, you don't need to do it. You're right."
Meanwhile, somewhere else. It was already getting dark.
Grace and James were at home. Nothing important was happening at the moment. He had been acting as a superhero for a few days now, and no sign of Vought or Homelander contacting him. Not that he was complaining; his current life was pretty good.
It basically consisted of staying at home being a slob all day. He even started to feel a little sorry for Grace. After all, he wasn't in school anymore and just stayed home.
Am I a lazy bum? he wondered. In the midst of all this free time, a thought began to creep into his mind.
Right now, are there people like me who need help?
He wasn't a saint or anything like that, but after all, he had received these powers, and it was kind of his duty to help his own kind.
At home, with nothing to do, he asked Grace:
"Grace, do you know anything about other people like me who are under Vought's thumb?"
Grace, who was resting on the sofa, turned and looked at him. "Why the sudden question? Something bothering you?" she asked, somewhat apprehensively.
"It's just that... you know, I sometimes feel kind of bad when I think there might be people in the same situation I was in."
"That's not your problem. It's not your responsibility to save everyone, and even you couldn't save everybody," she replied.
"I guess you're right..." Amidst this, his mind flooded with thoughts.
I know that's true, but to be honest, I kind of want to know the story of this body? Who am I, or rather, who was this person? Who were their parents, where did they come from, what's the history? I shouldn't know. I plan to live until I'm an old man. In 50 years, will I be able to sleep without thinking about this? I guess not... I owe it to at least know the story of the person whose body this is.
"You're right, it's useless to think about this. I'm going to bed."
"Okay, don't forget to close the windows. And don't stay up late. Good night," Grace replied. She'd had a day full of problems today, so she was quite tired.
James went up to his room and thought about whether he should really do this or not. And of course, he was referring to doing something about what he had just talked about with Grace.
Well, while lost in thought, he noticed the window in his room was open.
He approached to close it, but before closing it, he made a decision.
He changed his clothes, put on some pants, and left through the window without even telling her.
He simply flew after that.
And of course, going out at night into the wind of the sky was a very good feeling.
He flew, heading to a place where he could get help.
After cutting through the clouds in the sky at high speed,
He arrived at the place where Frenchie lived. He had been here before with the other guys, even before meeting Grace.
The place in question wasn't very "decent." It was kind of a house in a poor area full of bums and drug dealers, and there were a lot of "criminal" people in the area. Compared to Grace's house, it seemed like a very ordinary house.
He landed very discreetly in the back, went around, and went to the door.
Trusting Frenchie and knowing he was home, he knocked on the door three times.
It didn't take long for him to answer. He opened the door partially, as if hiding something.
His hair was messy and he seemed somewhat agitated.
"Boy..., it's you. Thought you were someone else. Good to see you. What are you doing here?" asked Frenchie, somewhat agitated.
What's his problem? Did he get into trouble? Anyway, not my problem, but why is his face red? Did he overdo it with the drugs?
"Actually, I came here because I wanted to talk to you. And well, Grace isn't exactly a person I think would understand me."
Before Frenchie could respond, James saw someone appear behind him through the small opening that only showed Frenchie's face.
It was a woman. The woman in question was beautiful, and she asked with a somewhat irritated voice:
"Who's this kid? Is he your son? Why didn't you tell me you had a son..."
James felt his head spin upon hearing that.
Oh... now I get it... That's why you're red... That's why you're acting strange and don't want to talk to me.
Frenchie, you bastard, with a beautiful woman like that. Damn it, you traitor, what kind of friend are you? I'm jealous, damn it. A beautiful woman like that, curse you. Frenchie, you really know how to destroy a man's ego. I definitely interrupted the lovebirds while they were having a good time. Damn it.
"Am I interrupting?" asked James, sounding rather lifeless.
Frenchie, sensing something strange about James, thought he might have been rude, so he promptly said:
"My apologies... haha... my manners. Come in, come in, just a minute," said Frenchie, closing the door.
Shortly after, he reopened it.
James entered.
The house in question was a mess. Besides that, there were syringes and drugs all over the place.
Well, not that James was going to judge or anything. More than anything, he was just concerned about his friend's safety.
They were in the living room, and by the way, the sofa he was on smelled like sex.
"How can I help? Make yourself at home. Also, let me introduce you to someone," said Frenchie.
Next to Frenchie was a woman. She seemed somewhat irritated or something.
She thinks I'm his son? What a problem.
The woman in question had black hair, and her bangs covered her forehead. She had fair skin.
She was the kind of woman that made you envious.
"Nice to meet you," said James.
"No need for that. You don't look like him. Who's your mother?"
What?
Frenchie got a little worried upon hearing that, since Cherie said it with a somewhat murderous aura.
She really thinks I'm his son?
"Cherie, he's not my son. You're not jealous, are you? You should already know you're the only one in my heart," said Frenchie, moving closer to kiss her.
But before he could kiss her, she grabbed his mouth with one hand and said:
"Hmm, I hope so. If I find out you're cheating on me, I'll cut your dick off."
James heard and couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh.
"Ha... ha..."
"But seriously, you came here, and I presume Grace doesn't know you came. Besides, something's worrying your heart."
Wow, he caught on very quickly. Well... maybe the fact that I'm not in the habit of visiting him helped...
"I'll be honest with you. That plan of ours isn't progressing, so I wanted to ask if you know some things."
"I see... Cherie, my dear, do you think you could give us a little time to talk?"
She was there smoking a cigarette.
She finished it, stood up, and said:
"I'm going to buy more, the pack's empty." Then she left.
"Isn't it dangerous to let her go out alone at this hour?" asked James.
"Dangerous? I think it would actually be dangerous for anyone who gets in her way. Don't worry about her."
"So, what is it?"
James began to explain the situation. He explained that he wanted to find some information about his past and also asked if Frenchie knew of any Vought facility that was keeping Supes under control.
"I see. But you know I can't let you do everything alone," said Frenchie.
"So you really know something?"
"I don't know much, very little. But Butcher might help. He told me he has information about something Vought is hiding and doesn't want anyone to find out," said Frenchie.
"Something they don't want anyone to find out? What would that be?" asked James.
"Well, he doesn't have proof yet, but he said that Susan told him about a drug Vought is developing to create Supes. He says it's mega-secret and only the higher-ups know about this drug."
"A drug to create Supes..." murmured James.
"Who's Susan?" asked James, curious.
"She's CIA. She passed the information to Butcher. If there's anyone who can help, it's her," replied Frenchie.
"I see... Could you contact Butcher for me? I wanted to investigate more deeply. Maybe Butcher can help me..."
"Sure, but I don't know if he'll come..." said Frenchie.
Frenchie called Butcher on the phone. It didn't take long, and he explained the situation.
Butcher understood everything and agreed over the phone.
Cherie, who had gone to buy cigarettes, returned at some point.
Damn, she's so sexy... thought James.
At some point, James also called Grace and told her he had gone out for a walk. And of course, she got very angry.
Around ten o'clock at night, Butcher and company arrived.
For some reason, M.M. came with him.
The whole group had gathered at Frenchie's place. At some point, Cherie left. After all, it wasn't appropriate for a woman to be in the middle of a bunch of guys.
Frenchie, Butcher, M.M., and James were gathered in Frenchie's living room.
At some point after gathering, Butcher took the reins and explained the situation. A so-called "Compound V" was in Vought's hands, and it was kind of the proof they needed to at least cause some damage to Vought.
"So now that our little group of lunatics is all together, I'm super happy about it, but I have a mission to give you. I talked to Susan, and she has information for us about this Compound V. According to her, a group of lunatics—or rather, a bunch of ragtag guerrillas—have been using Supes to fight. She wants us to investigate it."
"Is that all? A bunch of lunatics with Supes? Piece of cake. We raid the place, interrogate the bastards, and get out. Easy as pie," said M.M.
"I don't know, I have a bad feeling about this..." thought Frenchie.
"Because it's too easy. A walk in the park. It'll be a quick job. Now take these, you'll need them. And since I'm so damn smart, I already bought them for you. You owe me."
After finishing saying that, he threw some packaged documents at them.
Of course, they all caught them.
And they opened them.
"What the hell is this, Butcher? Is this a joke?" M.M. was the first to ask.
Inside the small packages were plane tickets.
"Asia? Why did you buy tickets for us to Asia, Butcher..." asked M.M., somewhat worried.
"Why...?" murmured Butcher.
They all understood upon hearing that.
We're going to Asia. But where in Asia?