Chapter 38: Repercussions

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The world moved on, blissfully unaware of the battle that had transpired in the dark forests of upstate New York. Homelander's absence was quietly explained away, and A-Train's injuries attributed to an unfortunate accident during a covert mission but nobody knew he was set-free for a purpose only Marcus knew. The media played its part perfectly, delivering only the stories that Marcus and NeoTech allowed. Vought's downfall, while sensational, remained devoid of the truth that had nearly shaken the foundations of the superhero world.

But within the shadows, those who had been part of that night knew better.

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The Boys' Safehouse

Butcher sat in the cramped, cluttered safehouse, nursing a glass of whiskey. His mind replayed the events of the past week. NeoTech's sudden rise, Vought's destruction, and the eerie silence surrounding the battle between Marcus and the strongest supe Vought had ever created—Homelander. Butcher hadn't been there, but he had heard enough through back channels to piece together the truth.

Marcus, or as Butcher still thought of him, Lenny, had crushed them all. And he hadn't even needed to kill anyone to prove his point. It was a surgical strike, a demonstration of just how far his power had grown. Butcher hated it—hated that his own flesh and blood had become something so far removed from the boy he had once protected.

M.M. walked into the room, tossing a folder onto the table. "You're gonna want to see this," he said, sitting down across from Butcher.

Butcher eyed the folder warily before flipping it open. Inside were grainy photos of Marcus, taken by a low-level operative who had risked his life to get close to NeoTech's headquarters. Marcus was walking with Wang Ling, the mastermind behind NeoTech's rise. The two men looked calm, powerful, and completely untouchable.

"They're planning something big," M.M. said, his voice low. "NeoTech's not just taking over Vought's assets. They're restructuring the entire industry. Supposedly, they've got control over almost all the major supes now. Anyone who didn't get out in time was absorbed into their ranks."

Butcher grunted, leaning back in his chair. "And no one's the wiser. Bloody hell, they've pulled it off."

M.M. nodded grimly. "Yeah. NeoTech's playing it smart. They've got the media in their pocket, and the government's looking the other way. All the attention's on Vought's scandals, but no one's asking the right questions."

Butcher's grip tightened on his glass. "And what about Marcus?"

M.M. hesitated. "From what we've gathered, he's still calling the shots behind the scenes. Wang might be the face of NeoTech, but Marcus… he's the real power. He's keeping a low profile, though. No public appearances. Almost like he doesn't want anyone to know he exists."

Butcher let out a bitter laugh. "Of course he doesn't. He's too bloody smart for that. And as long as he's in the shadows, there's no stopping him."

M.M. leaned forward, his expression serious. "So what's the plan, Butcher? Do we just let this happen? NeoTech's already more dangerous than Vought ever was, and now they've got all the power."

Butcher stared into his glass for a long moment before downing the whiskey in one go. "We ain't lettin' this go. Not yet. But we can't just charge in, guns blazin'. NeoTech's too big, too connected. We need to play this smart."

M.M. nodded in agreement. "So what's the first move?"

Butcher set the glass down with a heavy thud. "We find out what Marcus is really up to. Whatever NeoTech's plans are, he's at the center of it. And if we can figure out what he wants, maybe we can take him down before it's too late."

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NeoTech Headquarters

Marcus stood in the control room, overlooking the sleek, futuristic design of NeoTech's operations center. Holographic screens flickered around him, displaying data, news feeds, and live updates on NeoTech's assets. Everything was running smoothly. Vought's remnants had been absorbed, and the transition had been so seamless that the world barely noticed the shift in power.

Wang Ling entered the room, his usual calm demeanor unchanged. "The last of Vought's assets are now under NeoTech's control," he reported. "We've also secured several key political alliances. No one is challenging us."

Marcus nodded, his gaze fixed on the screens. "Good. Keep it that way. The last thing we need is another corporation trying to play in our sandbox."

Wang smiled. "No one's foolish enough to challenge us after what you did to Homelander. Even if they don't know the full extent, they know enough to stay out of our way."

Marcus's lips twitched into a brief smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "They saw what they were meant to see. Homelander was the symbol of Vought's power, and now he's a shadow of what he once was. The world will fall in line. Slowly. Quietly."

Wang stepped closer, his voice lowering. "And what about the rest of the supes we absorbed? Some of them might still have loyalties to Vought. Should we be concerned?"

Marcus turned to face Wang, his expression unreadable. "Those who are loyal to Vought will be dealt with. But most of them are just looking for a new banner to fight under. We give them a purpose, and they'll follow."

Wang nodded, clearly satisfied. "NeoTech is stronger than ever. We're poised to become the world's most dominant force in the superhero industry. But there are still threats out there. The Boys, for one."

Marcus's eyes darkened at the mention of Butcher and his team. "The Boys are a minor nuisance. Butcher's predictable. He'll come after us eventually, but by the time he does, it'll be too late. NeoTech is already too far ahead."

Wang's brow furrowed slightly. "And Butcher's connection to you? To your past? He could use that against us."

Marcus's voice was cold, unyielding. "Butcher's obsession with me is his weakness. He still thinks I'm his brother, Lenny. But Lenny's been dead for a long time. Butcher will chase ghosts until he burns himself out."

Wang nodded, understanding the dismissal in Marcus's tone. "Very well. I'll make sure we keep an eye on them, just in case."

As Wang turned to leave, Marcus returned his focus to the holographic screens. He knew Wang was right to be cautious, but he also knew that the future was already in his hands. NeoTech would shape the world in ways Vought had never dreamed of. And unlike Vought, Marcus had no illusions about being a hero. He didn't care about public opinion, or about legacy. All that mattered was power, and the control that came with it.

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**Maeve's Penthouse, New York City**

Maeve stared at the screen, watching as the news continued to report on Vought's collapse and NeoTech's rise. It was surreal, seeing the company she had once been a part of crumble so quickly. Vought had always seemed untouchable, an immovable force. But now it was gone, absorbed into NeoTech's sprawling empire.

Elena sat beside her on the couch, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "What do you think this means for the future? NeoTech taking over like this… it's not just about the supes, is it?"

Maeve shook her head, her thoughts heavy. "No. It's about control. Vought was all about image, about selling a narrative. NeoTech… they're different. They don't care about being loved. They care about being in charge."

Elena frowned. "And Marcus? He's behind all this, isn't he?"

Maeve nodded slowly. "Yeah. He's the one pulling the strings. Whatever he's planning, it's bigger than just taking over Vought's business. He's not like Homelander. He's more dangerous because he knows exactly what he's doing."

Elena glanced at the screen, then back at Maeve. "So what do we do?"

Maeve leaned back, her eyes narrowing as she considered their options. "We lay low. NeoTech might come after me at some point, but for now… I don't think they care. They've got bigger fish to fry. But I need to be ready."

Elena took Maeve's hand, squeezing it gently. "We'll figure it out. Together."

Maeve smiled softly, grateful for Elena's support. But deep down, she knew that whatever was coming next would be far more dangerous than anything they had faced before. NeoTech was rising, and with Marcus at the helm, the world was about to change in ways no one could predict.

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