Homelander: New Legacy

[36] : Super Terrorist

Inside Vought Tower, Roger sat in his main seat, with The Deep nervously fidgeting with his hands, occasionally glancing at Roger.

"Homelander... I... I really... I already apologized to Starlight. Why is she still doing this... Why? Oh, God!"

The Deep held his head in his hands.

Ever since Roger had made him apologize to Starlight, he had been avoiding her, terrified of doing something that might upset her and cause her to complain to Roger again.

Over time, The Deep had convinced himself that Starlight had forgiven him and had stopped worrying about it. But now, with Starlight suddenly revealing the truth, he was caught completely off guard.

The Deep was plunged into deep panic, worried about his reputation and fearing he might be kicked out of The Seven.

Watching The Deep, who was filled with regret and fear, Roger exhaled slowly and said:

"Find an opportunity to apologize to Starlight publicly."

"What?"

The Deep looked up, eyes wide with disbelief:

"No... I can't do that. She hasn't even mentioned my name yet, so... I still have a chance. I... I can go to Madelyn... go to the PR department! Aren't they experts at handling this kind of trouble?"

"Things are different now, Deep. Most of the company's heroes are caught in a media storm, and do you know who the most innocent among us is? That's right, it's Starlight."

Roger picked up a remote and controlled a screen in the conference room, displaying various photos and information about Starlight, continuing:

"Unlike us, this kid genuinely wants to be a hero. She doesn't harm others easily, she doesn't fake a smile for her fans, and she has the purest dreams. She's one of the few ways the company can navigate this PR disaster...

"But now, this 'pure hero' has been tainted by someone."

Roger paused, looking at The Deep.

The Deep shook his head frantically, "No... I... I didn't mean to... She... she said she was a fan, so I..."

"That doesn't excuse what you did to her."

Roger placed a hand on The Deep's shoulder:

"I know you feel insecure, thinking your powers are weak, feeling disgusted by your own body. I've been trying to help you change that mindset... but none of that justifies bullying others.

"What's done is done, and no amount of apologies can change that. The only thing you can do now to salvage your image is to admit what you did in public and apologize to Starlight."

"But... The Seven..."

The Deep didn't want to leave The Seven.

In a world where superheroes are so popular, The Seven is the top-tier group. They get countless endorsement deals each year, making more money than an average person could ever dream of.

But if The Deep's actions were exposed and he was kicked out of The Seven, he would have to pay back those endorsement fees and would have no future to speak of.

Seeing The Deep's stubbornness, Roger shook his head in disappointment, and The Deep, unwilling to give up, continued:

"I can still go to Madelyn. She... she'll know what to do..."

"That might disappoint you."

Roger pointed to the conference room door, where Madelyn was walking in, holding some documents. She looked at The Deep and said: