7 Fresh Start

"Starlight" I got her attention.

"This is your time to shine. As co-captain of the team I want you to lead this re-training program." She shifted in her seat and furrowed her brows; I swear, she seemed to perk up, her heart rate increasing.

"First aid, de-escalation techniques, community outreach, press training, performance evaluations—really, anything you need to ensure our heroes are better equipped to serve their communities. You will have free rein to use whatever resources you need. Ashley already knows about this." I said and paused by the window.

"You're really serious about this?" She asked unsure. I had everyone's rapt attention now.

"I am. A-Train will provide you support." I said turning my head to him.

"Maeve and Black Noir, I want you to lead the combat evaluation and training."

"Why?" Maeve asked. "They all went through combat training once."

"True, they did. But most have only dealt with unpowered civilians. Times are changing there are more rogue heroes, super villains if you will." I replied calmly looking out the window.

"You two will play a special part of this program." I let the tension build for moment as they absorbed my words, waiting for me to elaborate.

"A lot of our heroes will not like the new changes, they are set in their ways, they have an attitude that needs correcting. Oh many of them will pledge their allegiance to our new way in flowery words only to fall back into their old habits the moment we look away."

I suddenly turned back to them, hands behind my back, my smile gone.

"I want you two to break anyone that you feel is not genuine in their efforts or their promises." I said coldly. "And I don't mean figuratively I mean literally."

"Any whiff of Treason, Laziness of Empty platitudes…" I surprised myself with how aggressive my tone became accentuating each word, the Echo's rage fueling them "bones, arms, legs, spines you will do what is necessary to take them off the board…and if training accidents were to happen…then so be it" I finished my tone low and cold.

"The supes need to understand they now answer to a new SUPREME AUTHORITY!" I said with more fire than intended, a familiar surge of energy pooling inside of me.

"I will not have INSURGENCY, INSUBORDINATION in MY HOUSE."

As I looked at the team I could tell they were scared, I could not only see it but also smell it on them and for good reason.

My eyes had started glowing and it was only when I pushed the energy down and felt the pull of gravity that I realized I had also raised myself above the floor.

-

"Homelander"

"Homelander! Did you hear me?" Annie asked.

I raised my left finger in a motion to shush her as I was concentrating on the television. After a moment I released it.

"Sorry, what?" I pretended not to have heard her.

"I said we need to handle this. Now." She reiterated.

"Uh, yeah, of course we do. Okay. So, book slots on all the Sunday shows. Or maybe a press conference will be better?" I posed to Ashley. "Or both. We'll have to communicate that we have everything under control."

"That's smart."

"So smart." Ashley and her mini-me reiterated.

"So, we're gonna…"

"Jesus, I meant that we need to stop this guy!" Starlight yelled.

I instantly felt myself snapping.

'Punish her!'

Quiet Echo!

"Watch your tone darling." I said ignoring the urge to bend her over my knee and spank her for insubordination.

"I'm sorry, I just mean…don't you think that maybe the best way to handle this is to find him."

I gave her a cold smile.

"Oh, what a bright idea! Obviously." My tone dripping with sarcasm.

"But tell me, darling, let's say we get the team together and we all go and find him. Then what?" I asked rhetorically. I didn't give her a chance to respond.

"Do we have a big old fight in the middle of the city? This is an unknown super who is obviously not in control of his powers. We have no idea what he is capable of but considering he just toppled a city block then we can assume he is very powerful."

"If we approach this the wrong way we could be endangering hundreds, if not thousands of people."

"So yes Annie we will find him but we need a plan first. And more importantly we need to communicate that plan with the public to ensure they are not put into further danger and that is why Ashley will be booking media time for us." I told her firmly.

Yup, she was taken back. She didn't think I had put any thought into this.

"In the meantime you will go and ask Crime Analytics to collaborate with police on finding this super and then you round up the team and come back here. I will talk with the chief of police and get the department's cooperation." I paused for a split second.

"I will ask that officers report on the location but to not approach the suspect. I don't want any of them to trigger him and cause another explosion. It will be the same messaging for all of our heroes in the field and the public as well. We won't approach him until we have a plan to neutralize him or get him out of the city. Got it?"

She continued looking at me shocked and I held her gaze raising my eyebrows in question.

"Right, that actually makes sense." She finally said.

"Brilliant!"

"Very excellent!" The Ashleys echoed.

"Then what are you all standing around for? Go! We don't have time to waste."

As they turned to leave I couldn't help myself and peeked, G-string all three of them. Nice.