[Early Morning, The White House]
As usual, the President walked into his office, surrounded by several secretaries and officials.
After arranging a few matters, one of the secretaries stepped forward and whispered something in his ear.
The President nodded. "Everyone, I have a guest. Please leave us."
Once everyone had gone, a man walked in.
Wilson.
The President took out a box of Cuban cigars and pulled one free, "Want one?"
Wilson shook his head, "Mr. President, I'm here to ask for your authorization to begin the Swordbearer Plan."
The President paused, then clipped the end of the cigar as he said, "Are you completely confident?"
Wilson shook his head again, "Only fifty percent, sir."
The President looked back at him, "Fifty percent, and you expect me to approve this plan?"
"Wilson, we're talking about the strongest superhuman in the world."
"I'm afraid not even a nuclear weapon could kill him."
"So tell me, how do you kill someone who's invulnerable, who survived a fuel-air bomb without dying?"
Wilson pointed toward the garden outside the office, "I'd like to leave that question to a professional."
The President lit his cigar, turned around, and saw several flashes of electricity appear in the garden. A woman descended from the sky.
"Storm?"
The President's expression changed immediately. He stood up and looked at Wilson warily.
He suspected Wilson had defected. After all, Storm belonged to the Seven, and if the two of them were together, there was every chance Wilson had joined forces with the enemy.
Wilson quickly said, "There's no need to worry, Mr. President."
"Storm and we share the same goal. She wants Homelander dead too."
"That's right, Mr. President."
Storm walked into the office with a smile, "Homelander is our common enemy. If we don't eliminate him soon, I believe he'll become a threat to the Federation."
The President shot Wilson a questioning look.
Wilson took out his phone and played a video.
It was the massacre at Sage Grove Psychiatric Hospital.
After watching for a few seconds, the President looked up.
"What is this?"
Storm explained what Sage Grove was, then said, "Mr. President, Homelander released these test subjects. He already has an army of superhumans under his command. You can't hesitate any longer."
The President took a puff on his cigar, "Back to my earlier question. How do you intend to kill Homelander?"
"His eyes, Mr. President."
Storm pointed at her own eyes, "Homelander's eyes are his greatest weakness."
"If you can hit them, even a pen could be driven in and used to stir his brain, killing him."
"Of course, actually doing that won't be easy."
The President frowned, "How do you know that?"
Wilson explained, "Storm was the first superhuman created with Compound V. She's the wife of Vought's founder. No one knows Homelander better than she does."
Storm lifted the corners of her cape and gave a slight curtsy.
The President said in surprise, "You're that man's wife? Then... doesn't that make you very old?"
Storm laughed, "Mr. President, that's a cruel thing to say. A woman's age is always a sensitive subject."
"I've been rather fortunate. It seems my lifespan is extremely long, and I remain forever young."
"Not long ago, I attended my daughter's funeral. It was a very sad occasion."
"I hate my nearly immortal life, but now I know why I was given it."
"God kept me alive until today so that I could kill Homelander and remove this enormous threat to the Federation."
The President exhaled a cloud of smoke, "I have to admit, that's quite a revelation. But are you confident you can kill Homelander?"
Storm glanced at Wilson, "The Secretary mentioned the Swordbearer Plan to me. With that plan to support us, and one more person, I believe we have a chance."
The President looked at Wilson, "The Guardian?"
Wilson nodded, "Yes, Mr. President."
The President frowned, "He's still a child. And he's Homelander's son. Can he really do it?"
Wilson said, "He's been preparing for this day all along. And as Homelander's son, he has an advantage."
"He'll make Homelander lower his guard and expose an opening."
The President closed his eyes and thought for a moment, "Even with Storm and the Guardian, how do you plan to get Homelander to the site of the Swordbearer Plan?"
Wilson suggested, "The Federation could invite him there, as long as we come up with a reason that appeals to him."
"A while ago, people proposed making Homelander Secretary of Defense. Should we use that as the excuse?"
The President rejected it immediately, "No."
"Wilson, I hope you understand."
"Even if you told me you were one hundred percent certain you could kill Homelander, I still have to prepare for your plan to fail."
"So neither I nor the Federation can have the slightest connection to this."
"If you fail, I don't want Homelander taking his anger out on the Federation, or on me."
"Not only do I have to distance myself from you, but if you fail, I'll have to stand on Homelander's side."
"Only then can I ensure the Federation isn't destroyed by that devil."
"I can provide everything your plan needs, including personnel."
"But whether it's weapons, supplies, or people, none of it can have any connection to the Federation."
"So you'll have to think carefully about how to get Homelander to the operation site."
Storm suggested, "Perhaps little Ryan can help us."
At once, both the President and Wilson turned to look at her.
———
[Inside a Room]
"No!"
"I won't!"
The eight-year-old boy shot into the air in agitation, both eyes glowing red.
"I'm not going back to that monster who killed my mom. Never!"
Storm stood protectively in front of Wilson and smiled, "Ryan, it would only be temporary."
"If you can earn his trust, you'll be able to lead him to the Swordbearer Plan site."
"That's the only way we can kill him."
Wilson added, "Ryan, think about your mother."
"She finally escaped that monster and lived a peaceful life with you."
"But he destroyed everything."
"He killed your mother. Don't you want to avenge her?"
Ryan's eyes glowed even brighter at those words, "Of course I do!"
"Then you have to learn to control yourself."
"You need to learn patience. Only then will you have the chance to take your revenge with your own hands."
"Ryan, you can do it."
Encouraged by Wilson, Ryan hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.
Storm let out a breath, "Then next, I'll have to write Ryan a good script, one that gives him a legitimate reason to enter Homelander's field of view."