"Homelander is having a fan meeting in Manhattan. Translucent has a TV show to record today. Black Noir just went out on a mission. Queen Maeve and Starlight are doing a family-themed autograph session on the ground floor. The Flash, who specifically requested not to make any announcements, is also at headquarters today."
When asked by Madelyn, Ashley answered almost without thinking.
She spoke very fast, but her logic remained crystal clear. She could even describe the current work status of all Seven members.
A rare talent for the assistant position indeed.
"Go summon Queen Maeve to the command hall."
Madelyn thought for less than two seconds before deciding. "I'll contact Homelander."
She picked up the phone beside her.
"Okay! I'll go right away!"
Seeing Madelyn's urgency, Ashley, who'd been her assistant for years, immediately understood the situation's severity.
She pulled out her phone to make calls while running outside in her high heels.
For a moment, the corridor filled with rapid footsteps.
Five minutes later.
Upon receiving a whispered notification from a staff member, Queen Maeve immediately stood up. She left behind the fans and her partner Starlight at the scene, quickly departing for the elevator.
Starlight glanced at her retreating figure. A bright smile spread across her face as she took over the remaining autograph session.
In her mind, bringing smiles to children's faces and their families fit a hero's job far better than wearing revealing clothes or making movies to entertain the public.
The elevator stopped at the command center floor. Queen Maeve was greeted by Ashley, who'd been waiting.
"What on earth is going on?"
"To be honest, Your Majesty, I'm completely baffled myself."
Ashley led her quickly to the command hall. "Ms. Madelyn will be here soon. She'll explain everything."
Queen Maeve nodded, saying nothing more.
She easily kept pace with Ashley's almost-jogging speed as they walked through a corridor plastered with Seven posters into the spacious command hall.
A tall, dark figure stood with his back to the entrance, looking down at the city below through the glass.
The Flash.
Ashley paused, remembering that Madelyn had designated two members and hadn't called this one.
What should I do? Should I ask him to leave?
But he was recruited by Edgar himself. What if he doesn't respect me?
"What's wrong, ladies? Private meeting to be held?"
Jordan Evans turned around, hat brim pulled down. Backlighting made it impossible for either woman to see his face clearly.
"If that's the case, I can leave."
Queen Maeve glanced at him without a word, walked past Ashley, and sat down in the hall.
"Yes, Mr. Flash. Ms. Madelyn..."
A rapid sonic boom came from outside the window. Ashley shrank back, realizing Homelander had arrived.
"Maeve, you've come."
Footsteps sounded outside the command hall. Madelyn hurried in, greeted Queen Maeve, then looked at Ashley with puzzled expression upon seeing Jordan Evans, who shouldn't be there.
Ashley, feeling helpless under her boss's death stare, spread her hands. Her heart filled with grievance.
As strong footsteps echoed in the corridor, Madelyn immediately knew Homelander had returned. She stopped questioning Ashley.
"Alright, you can go now. Remember to close the door behind you."
Homelander strode into the command center. The moment he saw Madelyn, his previously serious face instantly broke into a bright, cheerful smile.
"Hello, Homelander."
Ashley smiled brightly, though Homelander didn't even glance at her.
She quickly pressed the close button and went outside.
The door closed slowly. Madelyn clapped her hands.
"Alright, everyone's here. Ladies and gentlemen, including the esteemed Flash, if you're interested, please join us."
Hearing Madelyn emphasize Jordan Evans standing by the window, her tone seemingly quite serious, Homelander instinctively felt annoyed.
However, judging from her tone, what she was about to say seemed very important. He quite rationally overcame his irritation and prepared to settle accounts with the new member later.
"I just received a tip from my contacts at NORAD. Five minutes ago, Transatlantic Flight 37, en route from Paris to Chicago, was hijacked mid-air."
"Based on available intelligence, there should be three hijackers."
"I want you to bring all 123 passengers back safely before the military arrives."
"Once we achieve this, no member of Congress will dare to continue opposing our proposal to enter the defense system."
Homelander nodded thoughtfully. Madelyn leaned closer to him, speaking softly and gently. "This is our chance. An unprecedented chance. You can do it, right?"
Homelander inhaled the milky scent emanating from Madelyn with delight and nodded confidently. "Of course!"
Madelyn secretly and quickly touched his handsome cheek. With the buff of maternal affection, the sunny boy's fighting power suddenly swelled to its limit.
He even felt that if he ran into that bastard again, he'd beat him to a pulp.
"Remember, you can't operate on foreign territory, or people will have leverage against you."
"But no one will protest when a hijacked plane is intercepted in international waters."
Madelyn explained the plan in detail. Homelander nodded repeatedly, listening attentively.
Queen Maeve came up behind the two. Although she usually acted nonchalant, she still took rescue missions involving hundreds of lives very seriously.
"Alright, let's get started."
"Since it's an aerial operation, Homelander can only bring one person. So Maeve, it'll be you two, the golden duo, going. Any problems?"
Queen Maeve immediately nodded. "I have no problem."
Homelander glanced back at her, perfect smile on his face, then turned to Madelyn. "Don't worry. I'll protect her."
"Oh, of course I'm not worried. Just keep an eye on the time. We need to leave soon."
"Excuse me." Jordan appeared behind the three unnoticed. "May I participate in this mission?"
Homelander's smile froze. His brows furrowed. He was about to reprimand when Jordan continued.
"With half the Seven team members now involved in the rescue, doesn't that further demonstrate Vought Corporation's emphasis on the lives of the people?"
It seemed to make a lot of sense?
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