As a budget version of Captain Marvel, Stormfront's character card surpassed A-Train in rarity, reaching SSR level.
Lightning control as a superpower was definitely not weak. It would easily place at T1 level in this world's power rankings.
Unfortunately, she ran into Jordan Evans's unreasonable golden combo.
Truly a case of overwhelming force.
Under Jordan's control, the upgraded heat ray completely wiped out the area, turning the centenarian Nazi remnant to ashes in golden flames.
Then the gradually subsiding downpour washed the remains into the sewers, providing a comprehensive funeral service from burial to disposal.
With Stormfront gone as the source, the celestial phenomena she'd forcibly altered naturally vanished with her death.
After handling Stormfront's funeral arrangements, Jordan used superspeed to step forward and gently picked up the girl sleeping unconscious by the roadside.
First, a precise magnetic field controlled the charge to heat and dry her soaked clothes.
Then he activated Mind Network to read her memory information and locate her residence.
Finally, he soared into the sky and disappeared into the rain.
Vought Tower.
"What's going on? Our community heroes are being attacked frequently. Thirty-two have already gone missing?"
Madelyn looked at the report in her hand, brow furrowed.
Vought Community heroes were all ordinary superhumans, either outdated or lacking special abilities. Their commercial value was essentially zero.
However, this project itself served as an important tool for Vought Corporation to build its guardian-of-citizens image. It provided strong guarantees that superhumans could find reemployment opportunities.
Tap, tap, tap...
"I have breaking news, boss."
Crisp footsteps rang out. Ashley rushed into the office carrying a stack of high-resolution photos, predominantly red.
"Blue Hawk is dead. Murdered in the African American community he was in charge of. You'd better take a look."
Ashley quickly explained. "Washed-up hero with little popularity. Zero business deals, zero announcements since last year. His main job was security in an African American community."
"I remember now. That idiot who always dreamed of joining the Seven."
Madelyn took the photo, glanced at it, frowned, and threw it on her desk. She felt nauseous.
The photo showed a human corpse with bloody, mangled face, taken from different angles. Behind it, a long trench cracked through concrete ground, covered with Blue Hawk's blood and mutilated body tissue.
At first glance, it resembled the effect of being dragged several kilometers by car or train.
"His manner of death..."
"That's exactly what I wanted to say." Ashley nodded. "This execution-style killing method has appeared in our classified files as well."
"A-Train? But he's already dead."
"The security department immediately checked Shockwave's chip records. His movements that day didn't intersect with Blue Hawk's."
"If not him, could it be the resurrected A-Train?"
Madelyn had a headache. "It seems those missing guys are probably in grave danger as well."
"Someone is targeting us."
Ashley kept quiet.
Previously, Compound V was in Vought Corporation's hands. Almost all superhumans were under corporate control.
Even those who didn't become heroes as adults remained under long-term supervision. This unexpected loss was the first time they'd encountered such a thing.
"Don't worry about them. Send the reserve team to those communities and announce to the public that they've reached end of service and are retiring honorably."
Ashley quickly scribbled in her notebook. "Okay, boss."
At this moment, Madelyn remembered something. "By the way, the Starlight assault incident has been resolved, right?"
She was talking about last night. On her way home from work, Starlight encountered two men trying to rape a girl. She broke company rules and taught them a lesson.
However, the video was edited and uploaded online. The victim in the Deep incident from a few days ago was suddenly transformed into a super-powered manipulator who was sweet in person but abused violence and discriminated against ordinary people behind the scenes.
Coupled with previous public criticisms of superhumans, she'd been subjected to unprecedented large-scale online attack.
"Yes. The victims themselves came forward to refute the rumors. With help from our PR department, Starlight's support rate among female and family audiences has rebounded by seven percentage points."
"Well done." Madelyn nodded. "At this time, we especially need something to distract the public."
"By the way, what about the new Starlight combat suit designed by the costume department that you mentioned on the phone yesterday?"
"This is another matter I need to report."
Ashley gave an awkward laugh, seemingly considering how to bring it up.
"The new combat suit was rejected by Starlight. She thought it was too revealing."
"To be honest, I think women's combat outfits with openings up to the navel and exposed thighs are quite sexy. I'm sure a lot of male fans would buy them."
"But unfortunately, our sweetheart said she has the right to choose her own battle outfit."
"Are you kidding me?"
Madelyn's expression darkened after a brief moment of pleasure. "This is work, not child's play. Didn't you tell her that?"
"This is the company's decision. Either put on the new uniform and continue being a superstar, or go back to being a good girl. There are plenty of candidates lining up to join the Seven."
"But, boss..." Ashley hesitated, then whispered a reminder. "Mr. Edgar called specifically to ask you to take care of the two new employees who just joined."
"Oh, damn it. I completely forgot about that."
Madelyn slapped her forehead. She'd forgotten that this time's new additions to the Seven weren't the easily replaceable consumables of the past.
"There's just been so much going on lately. My brain isn't quite up to the task."
"Let's leave it at that. Maybe she'll figure it out herself in a few days?"
The two experienced women exchanged a glance. Then the phone on Madelyn's desk rang.
Madelyn answered. Upon hearing what the other person said, her expression immediately changed. She even subconsciously lowered her voice. "...What? When... how many people know now?"
Ashley, being quite perceptive, pointed to herself and then to the door. Madelyn, noticing this out of the corner of her eye, wagged her finger.
Ashley nodded knowingly and stood waiting, clutching her notebook.
Madelyn quickly hung up and stood abruptly.
"How many members of the Seven are at headquarters right now? Is Homelander there?"