Welcome to the Deep End
Cate smiled. Not the sharp, cutting kind—the easy, effortless kind. The kind that slipped under people’s skin without them realizing it was there. Because the second someone asked about the plan, they were already halfway in.
Starlight leaned forward, resting her forearms on the table. “The plan’s simple: Stop Vought from neutralizing the virus.” She didn’t need to explain why that mattered. If Vought figured out a way to counter the only thing capable of killing Supes, it was over. “Right now, we’ve got a lead on a high-ranking Vought scientist,” Starlight continued, her voice sharper now, focused. “They were trying to defect, but they got caught before they could reach us.”
Cate let out a soft chuckle, tilting her head toward Gale. “Typical, right? No one ever makes it easy for us.” She was watching Gale closely now, reading her the way she read everyone—not just the words, but the micro-reactions, the shifts in body language.
“Vought’s moving them to a secure facility,” Starlight said, all business now. “Heavily guarded convoy, armed to the teeth, Supe security detail, the works.”
Cate swirled the last of her whiskey, her voice casual, almost amused. “A giant neon sign that says, ‘come fuck around and find out.’”
“But we don’t have a choice,” Starlight added. “If we don’t get that scientist out, Vought will bury whatever they know. And once that happens?” She let the implication settle. “The virus is useless.”
Cate took a slow breath, tapping her fingers lightly against her glass before setting it down. “We need muscle,” she said, voice smooth, inviting, just enough warmth to make it sound like an opportunity rather than an obligation. “We need power.” Her smile widened slightly, just enough to feel personal. “And if you’re serious about taking down Homelander?” Cate’s tone dipped lower, softer—not a challenge, but an open door.
“This is where you start.”
She reached for the bottle of whiskey, refilled Gale’s glass without asking, then lifted her own in a lazy toast.
“Welcome to the deep end.” She didn’t push. She didn’t need to. Because at this point? Gale was already in the water.