Plunder the Heavens from American Comics

"Is there anything more horrible than injecting a baby with drugs?"

Susan's eyes widened, her face full of disbelief, and she stared at Butcher.

Her hands were trembling slightly, as if she was trying hard to suppress the shock and fear in her heart.

Butcher looked back at Susan with a serious face and said confidently, "Let's put it this way, these bastards have no bottom line at all."

His eyes revealed anger and determination, as if he hated what those people had done.

Butcher clenched his fists unconsciously, and swore in his heart that he would make those people pay the price.

Susan was stunned for a moment, then her eyes fell on compound number five on the table, and a hint of hesitation and worry flashed in her eyes.

After a moment, she seemed to have made up her mind. She reached out and patted Compound No. 5 on the table and said, "Let's send it to the laboratory."

But before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Butcher.

Butcher frowned slightly and slowly took out a piece of paper from his arms.

His movements were somewhat cautious, as if the note carried something extremely important.

"Let's deal with the important things first." After saying that, Butcher raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a confident smile, and looked at Susan.

However, Susan rolled her eyes, feeling dissatisfied.

"Your list of demands, that's all you are!"

Susan said unhappily. There was a hint of complaint in her voice, as if she was already used to Butcher's behavior.

After saying that, she reached out and took the list of requirements Butcher gave her, her eyes full of helplessness.

Her fingers flicked through the papers, and with each request she read, her dissatisfaction grew.

"Overpriced staff salaries, and the same applies to your team members. You can't set up an office in the Flatiron Building below this level."

Susan read it and shook her head.

"Security clearance, immunity from liability, legal protection. A formal guarantee stating that Homelander will be charged to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law."

After reading these requests, Susan was speechless. She felt that Butcher was simply being unreasonable.

Butcher looked at the look on Susan's face and asked, "What's the problem?"

Susan shook her head and began to speak in an official tone. "No, but I have to report this to my superiors. While they discuss this matter, you and I will act in good faith and continue to act."

After saying that, Susan reached out and took compound number five from the table.

However, Butcher reacted very quickly. He quickly reached out and held Susan's hand.

There was a hint of vigilance in his eyes, as if warning Susan not to act rashly.

"Hahahahaha." Butcher made a mocking noise.

"I no longer believe in integrity," Butcher said, looking at Susan.

His eyes were full of suspicion and distrust, as if he had lost faith in the world.

"You and I both know that you can approve all of the above requests. So what's the decision, Deputy Director?"

Butcher was obviously very familiar with the CIA's rules and didn't listen to Susan's nonsense at all.

Susan sighed and looked at Butcher helplessly.

Her heart was full of contradictions and entanglements. On the one hand, she knew that Butcher's demands were not excessive, but on the other hand, she was worried that approving these demands would bring unpredictable consequences.

"I can agree to all your requests..."

Seeing Susan's expression, Butcher knew that something was going to happen. So he said, "Except..."

Susan continued, "Except. Homelander..." Butcher knew this would happen when he heard the news. He turned his head away, feeling disappointed and angry.

"You know what he did."

Butcher finished speaking and fell silent.

His eyes revealed pain and helplessness, as if he was recalling those unbearable past events.

Susan stood up, came over to Butcher and sat down at the edge of the table.

Her movements were a little slow, as if she was thinking about how to persuade Butcher.

He said with some sympathy: "I deeply sympathize. Really. But if you do this, it's tantamount to suicide."

Hearing Susan say this, Butcher looked at her and said, "Yeah, that's a small price to pay, isn't it?"

His eyes revealed firmness and determination, as if he was ready to sacrifice.

"You're not the only one dying!" Susan added.

"It's thousands of lives if you push him too far."

Hearing Susan say this, Butcher looked up at him. "You're scared."

It was a statement, not a question. Susan didn't care at all and nodded in agreement.

"I'm freaking out! And you should be too!"

There was a tremor in Susan's voice and her eyes revealed fear and anxiety.

They are all just ordinary people. When facing their fellow countrymen, it is like facing the crushing of higher organisms over lower organisms.

With a sigh, Butcher stopped arguing. His heart was filled with helplessness and despair, but he knew he couldn't back down.

He picked up Compound No. 5 on the table and slowly stood up.

His movements were somewhat heavy, as if every movement required a huge amount of strength.

Seeing Butcher about to leave, Susan called out, "Butcher!"

Butcher looked back at her, his eyes revealing a hint of hesitation and reluctance. Finally, he closed the door of her office.

"Butcher!" Susan called again, but Butcher had already closed the office door.

Susan had no choice but to return to her seat and sighed. Her heart was filled with helplessness and anger, and she didn't know how to deal with this situation.

She felt like she was stuck in a dead end and nothing she did could change the situation.

. . . . . .

Inside the Water International Building, Xingguang was walking casually in the spacious corridor with a dazed look on her face.

Her steps were a little heavy, and her heart was upset about a series of events that had happened recently.

She lowered her head slightly, her eyes occasionally sweeping across the familiar yet unfamiliar environment around her, and an inexplicable confusion surged in her heart.

Suddenly, the phone vibrated in my pocket.

Xingguang was slightly startled and quickly stopped, reaching into her pocket to take out her cell phone.

There was a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes, perhaps there was some good news?
However, when she saw the message from the work group on the screen, her anticipation instantly dissipated, replaced by a hint of uneasiness.

"We don't need you on a reality show anymore."

Seeing these words, Xingguang's heart sank.

Her fingers clenched the phone tightly, as if this could hold on to the last glimmer of hope.

Countless thoughts flashed through her mind instantly: Why don’t I need to film a reality show anymore?
Is there something I did wrong or something else happened?
"Everything you need is already here, look!"

The video following this message made Xingguang's heart beat faster involuntarily.

She hesitated for a moment, then clicked on the video with trembling fingers.

At the moment of clicking, she was filled with nervousness and curiosity, wondering what secrets were hidden in this video.
“This small-town girl next door wants to change the world.”

At the beginning of the video, a steady narration sounded, as if telling a legendary story.

At this time, Xingguang was standing in a corner of the Water International Building, staring at the screen of his mobile phone with empty eyes.

Her heartbeat involuntarily quickened, and a complex emotion surged in her heart.

"Since when did I start to have hope..."

As the narration continues, the scene cuts to Starlight and her mother walking down the red carpet.

Xingguang looked at the picture on the phone, and his memory seemed to be pulled back to that moment.

She raised her chin slightly, and a hint of warmth and pride flashed in her eyes.

At that time, she was full of hope and longing for the future.

She held the phone tightly, as if she could feel the warmth of her mother's palm at that time.

"But this world has other plans..."

As soon as the conversation changed, the video used the shadow shooting technique to show the action of Starlight slapping the deep sea.

When Xingguang saw this scene, his body shook slightly.

The scene at that time instantly appeared in her mind, and anger and disappointment intertwined in her heart.

Her hands trembled unconsciously, as if the aftershock of the slap was still there.

Then, the video of Shen Hai’s apology was directly inserted.

"Starlight, I hope you can forgive me."

Came the sincere voice of the Deep Sea.

There was a hint of hesitation in Xingguang's eyes, and her lips moved slightly, but no sound came out.

Her heart was full of contradictions and she didn't know how to face Shenhai's apology.

The scene changed, and Xingguang appeared in front of the camera with an unhappy look on her face.

She frowned slightly, with a hint of stubbornness in her eyes.

She was thinking in her heart, why is this world always full of injustice and setbacks?

But she will not give in easily. She will stand up again and fight back against the world.

“After being beaten, the phoenix rose from the ashes with a message that rings loud and true.”

"It was like a roar, loud and powerful."

The passionate voice of the narrator sounded, and the screen showed a shot of Xingguang performing on the stage.

Xingguang looked at herself on the stage and felt a surge of power in her heart.

She straightened her spine, her eyes gleaming with determination. She seemed to see her future, full of challenges and opportunities.

"Witness her power. Hear her truth! We will no longer endure this mess!"

"Watch her stand up again and fight back!" The narration's voice became more and more passionate, and Xingguang's heart was filled with fighting spirit.

She held her phone tightly, as if declaring to the world that she would not be defeated.

She wants everyone to see her strength and hear her truth.

"We are all waiting to see the starry night! It is expected to be released this fall. It is produced by Vought International."

Here, the video ends.

Seeing that his resistance was actually being commercialized by Water International, Xingguang felt an indescribable helplessness in his heart.

She bit her lower lip tightly and unconsciously clenched the phone with both hands, as if she wanted to vent all her dissatisfaction on this small object.

Her eyes revealed deep disappointment. In the eyes of Water International, her efforts and struggles were just another gimmick to make money.

At the same time, Xingguang was also filled with dissatisfaction. She frowned slightly, and a hint of anger flashed in her eyes.

In her heart, she secretly cursed Water International's ruthlessness and greed. How could they take advantage of her resistance like this?
She felt like a puppet being manipulated. No matter how hard she struggled, she could not escape the control of Vought International.

At this moment, Maeve stood behind her without her knowing.

Starlight was unaware of Maeve's arrival; her mind was still immersed in her dissatisfaction with Water International.

Maeve looked at Xingguang's back, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a sarcastic smile.

"Water International always has one step ahead, doesn't it?" Maeve's voice was full of sarcasm and helplessness.

When Xingguang heard Maeve's voice, her body trembled violently. She turned around quickly and looked at Maeve with an unhappy face.

Her eyes were full of confusion and dissatisfaction. She didn't know why Maeve suddenly appeared here and why she said such things.

Xingguang's brows frowned even more tightly, and her heart was full of vigilance.

Maeve looked at Xingguang's confused expression and suddenly apologized, "I'm sorry."

Starlight was stunned for a moment, not knowing what Maeve was talking about.

Her eyes were filled with confusion and bewilderment, and her expression seemed a little dull.

Starlight's mind raced, trying to comprehend Maeve's words.

She opened her mouth slightly, but no sound came out. Her mind was full of questions, why did Maeve apologize?

What on earth had she done to make herself feel sorry for herself?
. . . . . .

Inside the stronghold, the lights were dim.

Kimiko sat quietly on the sofa, her legs slightly curled up, watching the program on TV intently.

There was not much expression on her face, as if she was immersed in another world.

"Although little is known about the courtship habits of blacktip reef sharks, we have found blacktip reef sharks mating during the summer off the northern coast of Australia."

The commentary on TV echoed in the quiet space.

Kimiko's eyes were fixed on the shark on the screen, but she was thinking about her own things.

Her fingers unconsciously stroked the edge of the sofa, as if looking for a little comfort.

At this time, Frankie walked to Kimiko's side with steady steps and slowly sat down.

He moved cautiously, fearing to disturb Kimiko.

Frankie was silent for a while, looking straight ahead, as if he was organizing his words.

Finally, he turned his head and said to Kimiko, "I know you want to go back to your brother. But those who did this to you. They may be doing the same thing to others."

Frankie's eyes were full of concern and worry. He knew the pain and worry in Kimiko's heart, but he also hoped that Kimiko could understand the responsibilities they shouldered.

"You can help us stop them."

Frankie's voice was low and firm, and he hoped it would impress Kimiko.

However, after he finished speaking, Frankie realized that Kimiko seemed not to be listening to him at all.

Her eyes remained on the TV screen without any reaction.

Frankie felt helpless and sighed softly. (End of this chapter)