"It has been one year since the Metropolis incident. At this time last year, on August 4, 2006, our once‑thriving and prosperous city suffered its most devastating disaster, with more than four‑thousand lives lost," the congresswoman said with strong emotion.
"But the government turned a deaf ear to our pain. They acted as if nothing happened and ignored the families of the victims. How can such an absurd thing be allowed to occur in this world? The individuals responsible for destroying our homes, the executioners who took our loved ones, are still free and evade justice."
"Such anti‑human actions in a democratic and free America are intolerable. The government must provide answers, and Homelander and Superman must face the judgment of both the law and the people."
Some in the crowd began to shout "Superman," a few agitated individuals removed the slogan shirts they held and started waving them angrily. A few even tried to push and harass the police and security personnel working the event.
The scene quickly became chaotic.
Rachel grabbed Adrian's arm, concern in her voice "Brother, don't be too upset. No matter what happens, I will always stand with you."
Adrian watched the images on the television with measured calm, only offering a slight smile. He took her hand and stepped out of the university's public lounge.
He knew about the growing anti‑metahuman sentiment sweeping through society since the Metropolis catastrophe. Massive protests, online movements, and public calls to restrict or even detain superhumans had become common. Some cried for justice, others for revenge. None of it, Adrian understood, would harm him directly right now.
What truly mattered was how the government might act behind closed doors.
Holding Rachel's hand, Adrian walked out into the bright afternoon air, his expression serious as he took in the warm sky above.
---
At the Department of Defense, General Swanwick watched Amanda Waller with a frustrated expression. Waller sat composed and authoritative, her presence radiating confidence and an aura of power befitting a woman who commanded respect.
Amanda Waller had been the White Queen of Checkmate, the covert government agency responsible for tracking, regulating, and sometimes controlling metahumans and other extraordinary threats. She had also overseen the Suicide Squad, a black‑ops group deployed to handle crisis situations too volatile for conventional forces. In Smallville canon, Waller held this role until her apparent death later in the Checkmate storyline.
Though Swanwick had already provided her with the detailed reports on the Metropolis battle, Amanda had asked for even more cooperation — information that stretched beyond his authorization. The General now had to decline.
"Ms. Waller, I'm sorry but I cannot agree to your request," he said with a strained voice. "I've already given you everything from the Metropolis engagement. Anything more lies outside my authority."
Amanda's eyes fixed sharply on him.
"Superhumans, especially those who are not integrated into government operations, have become a known threat to our society since the Metropolis incident. They need to be contained," she said, her tone calm but unyielding.
General Swanwick met her gaze, knowing her reputation and authority — though he disagreed with some of her methods and her relentless pursuit of total control.
^_________^
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