Homelander: New Legacy

[12] : Secrets and Suspicions

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Queen Maeve knocked on the door incessantly, her expression showing signs of impatience and anger. Roger glanced at the time and slapped his forehead. Vought Enterprises must have been unable to reach him and sent Queen Maeve instead. Since he didn't have his phone, they likely tracked him using the location chip and sent someone to notify him.

Realizing this, Roger looked at Kimiko, who had just come out of the bathroom after getting dressed. He waved his hand, signaling her to hide in the bathroom. Kimiko, who had assumed an attack stance towards the door, looked confused by Roger's gesture.

With a sigh, Roger stood up and said to Kimiko, "Hide first. Don't worry; you won't be harmed." He then pushed Kimiko back into the bathroom and shut the door.

Queen Maeve wasn't inherently bad. When she first joined the Seven, she was just like Starlight, a young woman with dreams of becoming a superhero. However, over time, after being threatened by Homelander and witnessing too much, she abandoned her dreams and became a highly effective tool for Vought Enterprises.

Roger's memories of the original story were a bit hazy, and he wasn't sure if Maeve knew about Compound V. Regardless, she couldn't find out about Kimiko now. He couldn't risk her potentially informing Vought Enterprises. Maeve wasn't yet the version who had rediscovered her original purpose and fought against Homelander; she was still just a tool.

After tidying up the potato chips and soda, Roger finally opened the door and greeted Queen Maeve, "Good afternoon, Maeve."

"It's not a good afternoon," Maeve replied with a scowl. "You've disappeared again without explanation, and you're in casual clothes. Are you serious?"

"Even superheroes get tired. Come in; it's not a good look for you to be seen in your hero outfit out here," Roger said.

"Whose fault do you think that is?" Maeve retorted, glaring at Roger but stepping inside nonetheless. Roger looked around to ensure no one was recording before closing the door and asking, "Did you come alone?"

"Ashley wanted to send a filming crew, but... we saw you left in casual clothes on the surveillance footage," Maeve explained.

"That's good, at least I don't have to put on a show for the cameras right now," Roger said, sitting on the couch.

Maeve looked around the room and then turned to Roger, asking, "What exactly are you trying to do?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, your behavior has been off these past few days. You're not as enthusiastic in front of the cameras, and now you've gone missing without a word... You know, Translucent is already missing. The Seven can't lose another member, especially Homelander."

Roger understood why Vought was concerned. If it weren't for Homelander's close ties with Vought and all the work he'd done for them, they wouldn't have sent Maeve. It could've been a company therapist or a Vought executive connected to Homelander.

"You've certainly become the model Vought wanted," Roger said suddenly, sitting on the couch opposite Maeve.

Maeve was all about the cameras and thinking about Vought's interests. She had transformed from the idealistic girl she once was into a true "celebrity." She was no longer a superhero but a star created by Vought.

Hearing Roger's words, Maeve looked at him in disbelief, almost wanting to check his forehead to see if he was unwell.

"Do you even realize who you're talking to?" Maeve snapped, but just then, a noise came from the bathroom.

It sounded like something fell—a disposable cup or a toothbrush. Maeve's attention snapped to the bathroom, and Roger buried his face in his hands, knowing the situation with Kimiko was about to be exposed.

"Homelander, the bathroom..." Maeve began, but was cut off when Kimiko burst out, lunging at Maeve with claws aimed at her neck.

Maeve, however, was not like the gang members Kimiko had fought earlier. Not only was she superhuman, but she was also skilled in combat. Despite the sudden attack, Maeve quickly grabbed Kimiko's arm and threw her against the wall.

Kimiko crashed through the wall, landing in the adjacent room. Fortunately, no one else was inside, or they would've been severely injured. Kimiko stood up amidst the rubble, unscathed. She glared at Maeve, ready to attack again.

Maeve clenched her fists, stepping over the broken wall, prepared to fight. Just as they were about to clash again, Roger stepped between them, shouting, "Enough! Do you want to tear this place down?!"

"She attacked me first!" Maeve yelled at Roger.

Kimiko, unable to speak, glared at Maeve, signaling she saw her as an enemy.

"She's been through a lot of abuse, so she's a bit unstable. She didn't mean it," Roger said quickly, trying to calm the situation. Turning to Kimiko, he added, "She's not an enemy. She's Queen Maeve, a superhero. You've seen her on TV. She's a good person, understand?"

Roger held them apart, ensuring they wouldn't fight. Maeve and Kimiko, although still tense, didn't resume fighting. Kimiko, while still wary of Maeve, didn't attack again. Maeve scrutinized Roger before saying, "You need to tell me what's going on here!"

"I will, but not here. This isn't the place for that conversation. Maeve, you'll need to cover the cost of the damage you caused. You know what to do," Roger said, trying to defuse the situation.