You can't save her (Homelander)

Chapter 28

"Today I can report to the American people that Black Noir has conducted an operation killing the Super terrorist known as Naqib," Homelander recited, pausing as the audience applauded, "but that doesn't mean sacrifices won't still be made. The proof of that, sadly... lies before us. For today, we mourn a fallen member of the Seven. Translucent. Murdered in cold blood by the cartel Super terrorist El Diablo."

He trailed off, walking to stand just in front of the empty casket.

"Before he left, Translucent said to me... almost as if he knew something was gonna happen, he said... Hey, Homelander. Tell my son Maverick that I love him. And he also said, 'You find those Super terrorists...' Well, Super Villains is really the only term, but he said, 'You find them, Homelander. And you stop them'. So I say to you, Maverick... and to all the sons and daughters of this great nation, I will stop them. I will save you. I'll do it for you. For America."

He finished his speech strong, holding his hand over his suited heart and placing the other on the gold and clear shell, "and for a dear... dear old friend. Goodbye, brother. And thank you."

Applause sounded loudly again, his head dropping as the lights faded down.

Starlight sing her new single, captivating the audience and showing off her powers in that ridiculous skin tight suit. It was paired with pictures of Translucent growing up all until he passed away.

For a funeral it sure looked like a PR stunt.

Hand in hand Starlight and Homelander wandered over to an interviewer

"Homelander, Starlight," he greeted with a strange mix of enthusiasm and compassion.

"Hi, David." They both greeted practically in unison.

"How's everyone holding up in the Tower?" David quizzed, holding the mic towards the heroes.

"Well... I'm not gonna lie, um, it's hard. It's really hard. Um... It comes in waves, you know?" Homelander began the obviously scripted speech.

Starlight smiled up at him, continuing the rouse of a unified team. "Yeah, but this one, he's just really been our rock. He sat us down and he said, 'We're more than just a team. We're a family. And we need to pull together like one'." She explained to the reporter.

"Aw... Starlight. Thank you for saying that,"

"Aw, thank you. Really. I don't know where we would be without you."

"Isn't she the best? Isn't she the best?" Homelander chuckled, smiling widely as he spoke, wrapping his arm around Starlight.

"Oh... You both..." David smiled at the two teammates before quickly changing the topic, "we have been missing Safia today, how is she dealing with the team?"

"She would have loved to be here, Translucent and herself were such good friends, unfortunately she's been very ill recently," he explained, nodding along with his lie.

Safia's free hand pushed the red button on the remote, throwing the remote across the room.

Translucent was a weirdo, of course they weren't friends.

"Miss Torres you must stay still," one of the doctors advised her seriously, moving the cotton pad away from her forehead and placing a bandage over the cut. He moved on to her cheek while another medical staff continued to probe her arm.

The medical staff at her arm switched vials, collecting another one filled with red ooze from her arm.

Her brows furrowed at the feeling of pressure on her lower abdomen, the device pushing down uncomfortably. The ultrasound imaging operator scanned the black and white screen in front of her with her eyes, glancing over at the reclined woman momentarily.