21 Truth, Justice and the American Way

"Josh, CNN." The middle age reporter said briskly.

"Will you, as chairman of the board for Vought take responsibility for Soldier Boy running loose and the over two dozen dead? What do you have to say to their families?"

Ashley was broken from her thoughts as she saw John's jaw clench and the side of his right eye ever so slightly twitch.

"Josh, CNN" John repeated calmly. "You want me to take responsibility?" He shook his head slightly as if in disbelief.

"Why? So you can put on your headline 'Vought chairman kills! Homelander responsible for dozens dead!'?" His voice was rising; she could feel the annoyance in his tone.

"You know in 84 when Soldier Boy 'died' I was three years old. I was fucking toddler and you want me to take responsibility for something that happened when I was a toddler? What kind of question is that?"

Anxiety was bundling in her chest. She could see that Starlight was also taken aback by his aggressiveness.

Everything had been going well so far, he and Starlight had even come prepared in the morning and with the PR team they went over a bunch of scenarios for an hour before the conference.

"I was three years old when it happened, as soon as we found out its Soldier Boy we told the public. What kind of question is that really? I was a toddler when he died, where were you and CNN? Why didn't you investigate his death? Why aren't you asking the CIA that covered it up to take responsibility?" His tone was getting louder, he had stopped addressing Josh specifically and looked upon the whole crowd.

"This is what you do in the media to get clicks and make headlines. You try to divide us to make us afraid, you try to blame others to conceal the truth!"

"None of you are asking why this is happening now. Isn't it a bit convenient that I take down a bunch of Vought executives, threaten the profits of the elite, try to do good and clean up the corruption and cronyism that Vought's been involved and suddenly, suddenly Soldier Boy comes back from the dead after 40 fucking years!"

"Oh and look at that he's just conveniently out there killing supers, helped by 'ex' CIA operatives!" he said with exaggerated air quotes. "Jeez I wonder if maybe I should question that but NO! Let me put the blame on the man that's actually trying to do something about it!"

Homelander paused briefly. The crowd was aptly silent both in wonderment and shock.

"You know at my birthday special I told you there were powerful actors working in the background, controlling even people like me, the deep state but did you believe me? No, of course Not!"

"You called me crazy, you said I was dog whistling to racists, to fucking 4chan or something but here we are just a few weeks later I challenge Vought and the elite and suddenly Soldier Boy is back from dead killing Americans not giving a shit about collateral damage."

"Unfucking believable." He said shaking his head. "And you want me to take responsibility? Well guess what Josh, I will take responsibility." He said suddenly and loudly.

"It's not like anyone else will do it." He said pausing sharply.

"You the media, don't give a shit, you don't report on truth, just whatever will get you more clicks and followers. You're not taking responsibility." He paused sharply.

"But I will!" He said looking at the crowd, directly into the live cameras.

"Because sure as shit the government won't, not with the CIA involved. They don't give a shit about Americans dying but I do!"

Ashley couldn't help but be taken in by his rant, the whole crowd was really, it almost sounded truthful.

"Your elected officials won't, hell some corrupt senators probably OK'd the whole fucking thing. They simply don't care about you! The rule of law is meant for you not for THEM! They don't care!" He paused sharply once again, as if giving time for the audience to absorb.

"But I do." He said firmly. "I still care about Truth, Justice and the American Way!"

"It hurts me to see fellow Americans dead, in pain, being lied to and cheated, especially when it's by those who are supposed to look out for their best interests." He continued.

"I still believe in our country and our people, our way of life, in doing the right thing!" He paused again this time looking directly at Josh.

"So yes Josh, I will take responsibility, because no one will, because it's the right thing to do." Ashley saw him shake his head while looking down.

"To everyone at home, I'm sorry this is happening, I'm sorry you have lost your loved ones. I'm sorry you have been cheated and lied to…because so have I."

"I promise you I will do everything I can to stop Soldier Boy, to prevent more deaths. I will do it because it's the right thing to do, I will do it for me, for you, for Our people and Our country."

"I will bring back Truth, Justice and the American Way!" He said banging his fist on the podium accentuating each word.

He paused for moment then simply walked off the podium briskly, his body language exuding disappointment, leaving the shocked crowd in silence.

As she exchanged looks with a worried Starlight a sense of dread overwhelmed her while all her thoughts were bubbling up in a volcano of anxiety and screaming at 100 miles an hour:

"FUCK!"