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Gulp.
Ellis swallowed hard.
Galactic... President?
The picture being painted was too big, so big it left him breathless, so enticing he couldn't refuse.
Driven by a blind trust in Homelander's past track record and his own damn political ambition.
The fear in Ellis's heart vanished, replaced by a surge of fanaticism.
He suddenly stood up and firmly grasped Homelander's hand.
"Let's do it!"
"Tell me, Anthony. What do you need me to do? I'll handle Congress, and if the budget isn't enough, I'll print more money!"
"We need to let those alien scumbags know that Earthlings aren't lambs for the slaughter, but hunters with guns!"
"We'll deal with that later. Right now, we have immediate trouble to handle."
Homelander glanced at the clock on the wall.
"Tomorrow morning, you will hold a White House press conference."
"Inform the World about this alien invasion crisis. And order the evacuation of all residents around St. Charles Town in Missouri."
"Reporting it so soon?" Ellis hesitated, "This will cause panic. Social order will fall into chaos..."
"Panic stems from ignorance and helplessness." Homelander smiled confidently.
"This time is different, because I will be attending."
"As long as I stand there, the people won't see panic; they will see hope."
"They know that Homelander will handle everything."
"Furthermore, I need you to cooperate with me in announcing two new policies." Homelander leaned in and whispered a few words into the President's ear.
Ellis's eyes widened instantly.
He was a Republican, backed by countless large conglomerates and capitalists. The policies Homelander mentioned were practically subverting their rules.
"This... Anthony, this will offend many people." Ellis hesitated, "Those mad dogs on Wall Street will blow up my phone..."
"Wall Street?"
Homelander turned his head, red light flashing in his eyes, a contemptuous smile on his lips.
"Matthew, at this very moment, do you think those Vampires on Wall Street matter?"
Ellis shuddered and immediately snapped back to reality.
Wall Street? To hell with Wall Street.
Can those capitalists block Heat Vision? Can they make me the Galactic President?
No.
But the man in front of him could.
Ellis straightened his back, his face taking on an expression of righteous solemnity.
"For the interests of the people, what does offending a few capitalists matter?"
He stood up, buttoned his suit jacket, and looked grave, "Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, see you at the Rose Garden."
...After leaving the White House, Homelander habitually patrolled his territory before returning to Vought Tower.
Pushing open the office door, he let out a soft sigh, poured himself a glass of milk, and called out:
"Skynet, dim the lights and change into a Nurse outfit... Oh wait, change into the tight leather suit, the Catwoman-style one."
However, the response wasn't Skynet's gentle voice.
It was the sound of a liquor bottle shattering against the wall.
Smash!
Homelander looked up.
He saw Jessica Jones sitting on his desk.
Skynet was not in the room, clearly having tactfully avoided the situation.
"Sorry, I didn't bring a Nurse outfit. I am wearing leather, though..."
"Jessica?"
Homelander paused for a moment, then smiled.
"What's this? Not sleeping so late, coming to my place to scrounge for a drink?"
"Cut the crap."
Jessica jumped down from the desk and walked unsteadily toward Homelander.
"You're going to space?" she asked.
"Yes," Homelander nodded.
"I heard it's dangerous?"
"It's alright, slightly more dangerous than fighting old ladies for discounted eggs at the supermarket," Homelander replied with a laugh.
"Can't you be serious for once?!"
Jessica suddenly exploded, giving Homelander a hard shove.
Homelander cooperatively took half a step back.
"That's a whole Planet! Some kind of fucking God!"
Jessica's eyes were slightly red.
"Who do you think you are? Superman? Okay, you really are like Superman, but what if you die there!"
"Are you expecting me to collect your corpse? In space, hundreds of light-years away?"
"I won't die, Jessica." Homelander reached out, wanting to touch her face.
But she reached out first, grabbed Homelander's collar, pulled him toward her, and whispered fiercely:
"You know what? You're a bastard, Starr."
"Jessica, you've had too much to drink..."
"I haven't had too much!"
Their faces were inches apart, their breaths mingling.
"Since you're going off to die..."
"Then there are some things I won't hold back on anymore."
Having said that, she didn't hesitate for a second and kissed him directly.
Homelander was stunned for a moment.
Then, the smile in his eyes rippled outward.
"You asked for this, Miss Grumpy."
He wrapped his arm around Jessica's waist, turning passive into active.
Immediately followed by the sound of a leather zipper bursting.
Documents, pen holders, and a computer crashed to the floor from the desk.
"Gentle... you bastard..."
"Weren't you the one who started it?"
"Shut up... kiss me..."
Outside the window, the city lights were brilliant.
Inside the window, was the passionate release of a storm.
Notice! Harvested special popularity value +50,000! (From Jessica Jones)
...The next morning.
Sunlight spilled onto the messy sofa bed in the office.
Jessica lay in Homelander's arms, sleeping like a log.
Homelander opened his eyes, feeling refreshed.
As expected, proper exercise helps relieve stress.
He gently pulled his arm out and got up to put on his uniform.
Glancing at the still-sleeping Jessica, Homelander smiled, then pushed the door and left.
"Good morning, sir. The President's White House press conference starts in half an hour."
"Yeah, I know. Remember to prepare the follow-up publicity."
After speaking, Homelander straightened his cape and strode toward the platform... The next morning, Washington D.C., White House Rose Garden.
Despite it being a short notice, none of the major media outlets were absent.
Cameras and microphones filled the lawn, and helicopters circled in the sky.
At nine o'clock sharp.
President Ellis and Homelander walked onto the podium side by side.
No pleasantries, no nonsense.
"My fellow countrymen, citizens of Earth."
Ellis's voice spread across the World through the microphones.
"I regret to inform everyone that we are once again facing a severe challenge. According to Vought V.G.D. monitoring, a highly threatening alien ecological weapon is awakening on the soil of Missouri..."
As the President spoke, part of the truth regarding the 'God seed' was disclosed.
Though it was glossed over, the devastating prospect still left the audience in front of their TVs breathless.
"For safety, I have signed an executive order for the mandatory evacuation of St. Charles Town and the surrounding areas."
The crowd began to stir, and reporters' questions came in a swarm.
Just as the panic was about to reach a breaking point.
Homelander stepped forward and took over the microphone.
He simply stood there, that tall figure, that Star-Spangled Banner suit, acting like a stabilizing force that instantly suppressed the unease on the scene.
"I know you are afraid," Homelander's voice was steady and powerful, "and I also know that you are afraid of more than just aliens."
"I've seen many comments saying, 'I'm more afraid of going bankrupt and being homeless than being killed by an alien.'"
"This pained me greatly."
He paused, staring into the lens as if making eye contact with every ordinary person.
"Today! I stand here just to tell you—!"