"Go on then, take your best shot first," Erasmus said as a smile crept onto his face. "Then it's my turn."
"Starlight, stop," Maeve finally broke her silence, rising slowly from her chair to try and save Starlight from doing anything stupid.
Deep and A-Train also scrambled up from their seats, while Edgar's security personnel, along with Robert and Brian, all drew their weapons and aimed them directly at her.
Starlight's hands shook, the blinding light crackling around her knuckles as she looked around the room. She was backed into a corner, completely exposed, but the image of Hughie on that tablet kept her rooted to the spot.
"How... how could you possibly know about Gecko?" Starlight choked out, her voice a mix of terror and desperate hopeless defiance as she locked eyes with the teenager. "You weren't even there! You're just a sick monster... just like your father!"
"Starlight," Erasmus began, casually placing a hand over his heart. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words... there's really no need for name-calling. I played my hand, and now it's time to play yours. What's it going to be?"
He leaned forward slightly, the cold violet glow of his eyes casting an eerie hue over the glass table.
"But do keep one little thing in mind," he added. "Whatever you choose to do next, I won't lay a single finger on a single hair on your head. My father wants you alive, so my hands are tied. I can't harm you."
Starlight looked over at Queen Maeve, then at A-Train, who deliberately avoided her gaze, staring down at the table. She flicked her eyes toward the smug, grinning Kevin, the intensely amused Stormfront, and finally the drawn weapons of the security guards. She knew she was completely outmatched.
Slowly, the blinding light faded from her palms. Her eyes turned back to their normal, tear-filled human state. She lowered her arms, her shoulders slumping in total, crushing defeat.
"Secure Ms. January immediately," Edgar commanded, his voice calm.
"There is no need. She is already secure here with me," Erasmus interrupted, raising a finger to halt the guards. "Haven't you ever seen a movie, Stan? The villain captures one of the good guys, sends his goons to transport them to a holding cell, and then the good guy somehow magically breaks loose and escapes. Sit back down, Starlight. Now, with this matter out of the way, we're going to have a team meeting. Can you give us the room, Stan? We will head out to hunt when we are done."
Edgar stared down at the teenager for a long, quiet three seconds. His eyes didn't twitch, and his posture didn't slip. He slowly reached out, clicked his leather briefcase shut, and picked it up by the handle.
Edgar is a master pragmatist. Starlight is completely paralyzed by fear, and Vanguard is currently holding all the cards.
"Very well, Vanguard," Edgar said. "I shall leave you to your... executive decision. Just ensure that the situation remains under control. We cannot afford any more unauthorized variables today."
With a subtle nod to his men, Edgar turned on his heel and walked out of the room, his security personnel following closely behind him. The heavy electronic doors slid shut with a soft hiss, leaving the Seven completely alone with their temporary captain.
Deep raised his hand. Erasmus looked over at him and smiled. "Yes, Deep?"
"Sir, first of all, I think you're doing an amazing job," Kevin said, leaning forward eagerly. Funnily enough, whenever Homelander pulled stunts like this, everyone in the room was universally terrified. But right now with his bro on the helm, for the first time, only those with dark secrets to hide were shaking in their boots. The innocent were just along for the ride. "But, uh, I had a question. What's Compound V?"
"I don't know. Maybe a company secret? But it seems like pretty big news. So, when we're done here, you could... uh, ask Edgar about it. Anyway, this is it for today. My father should return soon so we can head out, but meanwhile, can everyone clear the room?"
"Oh wow, even me?" Stormfront asked playfully from his side. Erasmus hadn't noticed exactly when or how it happened, but she had been practically leaning on him this entire time. "I've been a good, quiet girl this whole time."
Erasmus looked over at her and smiled. "Especially you."
Then he turned his attention toward the security guards. "Robert, Brian. You guys were great today. Thank you."
"No need to thank us, sir. Anytime," Robert said, instantly straightening his posture with pride.
"Can you take my puppies back to my room, please?"
"Of course, sir."
"Thank you."
With that matter settled, Maeve silently got up to leave, eager to escape the suffocating tension. Kevin followed right behind her, still looking back at Erasmus like a loyal, wounded puppy. As the guards began wheeling the carts away with the barking pups, Starlight also rose, desperately hoping to slip out with the crowd.
"Sit back down, Starlight," Erasmus said quickly, his voice freezing her in place.
A-Train had just taken a massive step toward the door, feeling an overwhelming wave of relief wash over him as if he had just been miraculously delivered from a death sentence. But his lungs seized up when Erasmus's voice cut through the quiet room once again.
"A-Train... can you stay for a second, please?"
A-Train sighed and let his head drop the moment the heavy doors closed behind the others. The split second of relief he had felt vanished entirely when he heard those words. He turned around slowly to face Vanguard, who was now casually walking around the long table toward him.
Erasmus had a slow, relaxed smile on his face. A-Train forced a shaky, terrified smile right back at him.
"Hey buddy, calm down. Your failing heart is deafening my ears," Erasmus said as he casually laid a hand on A-Train's shoulder. "I just need your help."
"You need my help? Sure, man. Ask anything," A-Train stammered, his body completely tense under the boy grip.
"Yeah, I guess, uh..." Erasmus sighed, his hand shifting slightly on the speedster's shoulder. "Well, you can help me understand something, Reggie. I don't know... maybe I am stupid. Am I stupid, Reggie?"
A-Train choked on his own saliva, his eyes widening to the size of saucers as his chest heaved frantically. Hearing his real name roll off Vanguard's tongue felt like a physical bullet to the chest. His failing heart hammered so loudly against his ribs it felt like it was going to snap them.
"N-No! No, man! Jesus, no!" A-Train stammered, his hands flying up in a desperate defensive gesture, his voice pitching high with panic and fear. "Vanguard, bro, look at me, I don't think you're stupid! I swear to God, I don't! I was just... I was backed into a corner, man! Starlight, she... she had dirt on me, okay?! She knew about Popclaw, she knew about the V... she forced my hand! I wanted to tell Homelander, I swear I did, but I couldn't risk the leak getting back to me! Please, man, you gotta believe me, I'm loyal to the brand! I'm loyal to your dad!"
A-Train spilled all his secrets under the slightest bit of pressure. Starlight simply closed her eyes and let out a heavy, defeated sigh.
"I know, buddy. I know," Erasmus said softly, patting A-Train's trembling shoulder. "And this is exactly why I chose to protect you today in front of Edgar. But the thing is... I can't lie to my father. I mean, today is a big day for me, sitting where he sits, running the team. And now that we have Starlight in custody, she knows exactly what you did. The second my father presses her for answers, she is going to squeal, and she will squeal loudly. I can protect you if we paint you as the pathetic idiot who was blackmailed all over the place because she somehow found out about the V and threatened you with it. But to make sure she says exactly what we tell her to say, you will need to run, Reggie."
"Run where?" A-Train stammered, his voice trembling.
"She has a mom, right? Go fetch her to save your skin, or start running for your life."
"But... her mom lives in Iowa," A-Train choked out, a wave of sheer desperation breaking his voice. "I can't run that far, not with my heart. If I push it, I'll literally die."
"Well, I guess today you're really running for your life, Reggie."
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