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Returning to the Homelander's office in the new Vought Tower, all was silent.
Homelander sat alone on the sofa, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, the night view of Manhattan remained brilliant, with the lights of ten thousand homes gathering into a flowing river of light; those were Homelander's most important assets, the source of his power.
Ego, the Celestials.
In the memories of his past life, this was just a chapter in the second phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a family drama about 'Where's Daddy?'
But now, when he was truly in this World, facing a living Planet that had lived for an unknown number of years, the sense of oppression was real.
Although in the movies of his past life, that guy was killed by a group of goofballs for the sake of the plot, it didn't mean he was a weakling.
That was a first-tier combat power in the Marvel Universe, an existence that could crush an entire interstellar fleet with a snap of his fingers.
Although Homelander was confident in his own strength, facing an ancient crocodile like the Celestials, he should give the utmost respect.
"Now, I need to make this fire burn a little brighter." Homelander stood up, the red light in his eyes flashing for an instant.
Also, the Interstellar Home Project needs to be pushed forward.
Earth is too fragile; he must prepare for two possibilities and spread the population out; he can't put all his eggs in one basket.
As the Great Founder said, if people are saved and land is lost, both people and land are saved... Washington D.C., 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the White House.
A sudden, sharp whistle of breaking air tore through the atmosphere.
"BOOM—"
A red and blue figure descended from the sky, landing steadily in the center of the White House South Lawn.
The massive impact caused the surrounding turf to ripple outward like waves, but the ground beneath his feet was completely unscathed—this was the ultimate application of force dissipation.
Before the alarm could even sound, the White House guards had already seen who it was.
Their originally tense nerves relaxed instantly, and some even showed smiles of admiration.
No guns were raised, no shouts given, and there was no need to check identification.
The Secret Service team leader in charge of security jogged forward, stood at attention, and gave a standard military salute.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Homelander! Are you here to see the President? He's in his office."
"Good afternoon, Agent Johnson." Homelander smiled and returned the salute; as a frequent visitor to the White House, he knew the names of most of the familiar faces. "No need to announce me, I'll go in myself, I have some urgent business."
"Of course! That is your privilege."
Homelander strode through the corridors of the White House. The staff and cabinet secretaries he passed all stopped to salute him, their eyes filled with reverence.
Here, he looked more like the Boss of this land than the President.
He pushed open the door to the Oval Office.
President Matthew Ellis was standing by the window with a cup of coffee, looking at the monument outside, his face beaming with an irrepressible smugness.
Recently, his approval ratings had soared due to deep cooperation with Vought, making him feel that partnering with Vought was the greatest political investment of the century.
He had even prepared his campaign platform for next year—'Walking with Homelander, Making America Great Again.'"
"Look who's here!" Ellis turned around and opened his arms as if welcoming an old friend of many years. "Our national hero, our Guardian—Homelander!"
"You seem to be in a good mood, Matthew."
After a brief hug, Homelander walked straight to the sofa and sat down, his expression frighteningly calm.
"Of course! World peace, approval ratings skyrocketing, why wouldn't I be happy?" Ellis sat back on the sofa and crossed his legs. "So, tell me, why come to see me so early? Are you here to ask me to make a cameo in your movie?"
"If only it were that, Matthew." Homelander grinned.
"I've come to tell you that Earth is about to end."
"Cough, cough, cough!!"
The coffee Ellis had just taken into his mouth sprayed right out.
"What?! What did you say?!" Ellis wiped the coffee stains from the corner of his mouth and stared at Homelander with wide eyes. "Earth... is going to end again?"
"Don't joke like that, Anthony. Today isn't April Fool's Day."
"I never joke, Mr. President."
"As we speak, a seed from an extraterrestrial Celestial is awakening beneath the ground of Missouri."
"It will grow like cancer cells, devouring the soil, devouring cities, and eventually... devouring the entire Earth."
"Turning it into a part of itself."
"..."
Ellis didn't speak, his face turning visibly pale; his original high spirits vanished without a trace.
He went to get a cigar, his fingers trembling as he flicked the lighter to ignite it.
He took a deep drag and then slumped weakly onto the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"Chitauri, Dark Elves, Ultron... and now what the hell is a Celestial? Is Earth just destined to die?"
"And goddamn it, why is it always during my term?" President Ellis covered his face with his palm.
"Am I cursed? Have I become the unluckiest President in American history?"
"Don't be so pessimistic, Matthew."
Homelander stood up and poured himself a glass of water.
"Look on the bright side, Roosevelt only won World War II, but you? You've won interstellar wars."
"Great Presidents are always born out of crises. Think of it from another perspective... you will be the President who led humanity through the most crises!"
"When you leave office, history books won't say you were unlucky. They will write—Matthew Ellis, the man who stood tall through four doomsday crises. America's greatest President, the Guardian of humanity!"
"The greatest President? The Guardian of humanity..."
Ellis felt a surge of passion, his slump swept away. He looked excitedly at Homelander. "So how are we going to fight this time?"
"Planes? Tanks? Send out all the aircraft carriers?"
"That scrap metal can only stay in museums from now on." Homelander waved his hand. "This time, I'll solve it again."
"But what I want to say, Matthew, is that we can't always be so passive. Getting hit, then counterattacking, then getting hit again. This cycle must end."
Homelander looked at Ellis with piercing eyes.
"The Universe is a dark forest. If you don't hit others, others will come to hit you."
"If we want true security, we must go out."
"Go out?" Ellis was stunned. "To where?"
"To the sea of stars."
Homelander opened his arms as if embracing the entire Milky Way.
"I have a plan. A grand plan."
"What plan?"
"The Earth Expeditionary Force Plan." Homelander's voice was low and full of allure.
"Humanity must go out. We need a second home, a third home. We need to push the defensive line deep into the Milky Way Galaxy."
"An expedition...?" Ellis smiled bitterly. "But our technology..."
"As for technology, Vought will solve it," Homelander said confidently. "As long as you cooperate with me, Mr. President."
Homelander walked back to Ellis, leaned down slightly, and his voice was full of temptation.
"I promise you."
"You will not just be the President of the United States."
"In the future, perhaps you will become the first in human history... President of the Galaxy."