Chapter 6: Power Play II

Marcus then focused on what mattered—saving the plane and the people on board. He redirected all his strength and concentration to the massive aircraft above him. The plane's weight pressed down on him like a mountain, but with each passing second, he felt it slowing, stabilizing.

"Come on, just a little more," Marcus muttered to himself, his muscles straining under the exertion. He could feel the heat from the engines, the vibrations of the plane's desperate descent, but he held firm, refusing to let go.

Inside the cockpit, the pilots were frantically trying to regain control. They had no idea what was happening outside, only that the plane, which had been plummeting toward the ocean, was now slowly leveling out.

"We've got some kind of external force stabilizing us," one of the pilots shouted, eyes wide with disbelief.

"What the hell is that?" the co-pilot exclaimed, looking out the window, trying to catch a glimpse of their savior.

Marcus could hear them, his enhanced senses picking up every word, but he pushed their voices aside, focusing on the task at hand. Slowly, with incredible effort, he began to guide the plane toward a nearby stretch of ocean where it could make an emergency landing.

Sweat poured down his face as he fought to keep the plane steady. His arms felt like they were going to give out, but he pressed on, gritting his teeth. He had never tested the limits of his strength like this before, but failure wasn't an option.

Below, the ocean stretched out, vast and unyielding. Marcus knew the risks of a water landing, but it was the best option. If he could slow the plane down enough, the impact wouldn't be fatal. It was a gamble, but it was all he had.

As the plane descended, the tension inside the cabin was palpable. The passengers were terrified, clinging to their seats and each other, praying for a miracle. And a miracle they received.

Marcus guided the plane closer to the water, adjusting its trajectory with meticulous precision. The nose of the aircraft dipped slightly, and for a moment, everything seemed to freeze—the passengers, the pilots, even Marcus himself.

And then, with a splash that sent waves surging out in all directions, the plane hit the water.

Marcus held his breath as the plane skidded across the surface, sending plumes of spray into the air. It was a rough landing, but the aircraft stayed intact, sliding to a halt before finally coming to a rest. The wings floated on the water, buoyed by the design of the plane, which was never intended for this, but it had worked.

Inside the plane, the passengers erupted in cheers and sobs of relief. They were alive. Against all odds, they had survived.

Marcus hovered above the water, breathing heavily, his body aching from the strain as he tried to absorb more sunlight to relieve himself. He had done it. He had saved them. But there was no time for celebration. He knew that Homelander wouldn't just let this go, and that this act of defiance had placed a target squarely on his back.

He flew down to the cockpit, ripping off the emergency hatch with ease. The pilots stared at him in stunned silence, their faces a mix of fear and awe.

"Everyone okay in there?" Marcus asked, his voice calm, despite the adrenaline still coursing through his veins.

The captain nodded slowly, unable to find the words. The co-pilot, his hands still trembling, managed to stammer out, "W-Who are you?"

"Just someone who wants to help," Marcus replied, offering a small, reassuring smile. "Get everyone out onto the wings. Rescue teams should be on their way."

As the pilots began to relay instructions to the passengers, Marcus took a moment to catch his breath. The thrill of having saved so many lives was tempered by the reality of what came next. Homelander wouldn't forget this. In his world, no one challenged his authority without consequences.

Marcus looked out over the ocean, where the plane was now floating, its passengers slowly emerging from the emergency exits. He could hear the faint sounds of approaching helicopters—rescue teams alerted by the distress calls and radar that had suddenly lost track of the plane.

His mind, now sharper and more calculating than ever, raced through the possible scenarios. He had to stay ahead of Homelander and Vought. They would be relentless in their pursuit, especially now that he had revealed himself. Marcus would need to be careful, to plan every move with precision.

But before all that, there was one more thing he had to do.

He flew to the tail of the plane, where Queen Maeve was sitting, staring out at the ocean, her expression conflicted. She hadn't followed Homelander when he fled, and Marcus could tell that the encounter had shaken her. She was a hero once—someone who had believed in doing the right thing. But Vought had twisted that, turning her into something she no longer recognized.

Marcus landed softly beside her, his cape settling around him. "Maeve," he said quietly, not wanting to startle her.

She turned to face him, her eyes tired, but there was a spark of something—hope, maybe—deep within them. "Why did you do it?" she asked, her voice thick with emotion. "Why did you save them when he wouldn't?"

"Because it's the right thing to do," Marcus replied simply. "Because with power comes responsibility. And because I believe that there's still good in this world, even if it's hard to see sometimes."

Maeve looked away, her shoulders slumping. "You don't know what it's like... being part of The Seven. It changes you. You start off wanting to make a difference, to be a hero. But then..."

"Then Vought gets its claws into you," Marcus finished, his tone sympathetic but firm. "You're not the first hero they've corrupted. But you don't have to stay on this path, Maeve. You can still do the right thing."

She scoffed bitterly. "And what? Turn against them? Against Homelander? You saw what he's like. He'd kill me without a second thought."

"You're stronger than you think," Marcus said, his voice filled with conviction. "And you're not alone. There are others out there who want to see Vought fall, who want to expose the truth about The Seven. But it starts with people like you. People who are willing to stand up and say, 'Enough.'"

Maeve studied him for a long moment, her eyes searching his for any sign of deception. Finally, she sighed, the weight of years of compromise and regret heavy on her. "You talk a good game, Superman. But this isn't a comic book. This is real life. And in real life, the bad guys usually win."

"Not if we don't let them," Marcus said firmly. "You have the power to change things, Maeve. We all do. But it has to start somewhere."

She looked down at her hands, the hands that had saved countless lives but had also been used to serve Vought's twisted agenda. For a brief moment, Marcus thought he saw a flicker of resolve in her eyes, but then it was gone, replaced by the weary resignation that had become her shield against the world.

"I don't know," she said finally. "I just... I don't know."

Marcus placed a hand on her shoulder, offering a reassuring squeeze. "When you're ready, you'll know what to do. Just remember, you're not alone in this."

Maeve nodded slowly, though it was clear she wasn't fully convinced. But Marcus didn't push her. He knew that change, real change, took time. And in this world, time was something he had in abundance.

"Take care of yourself, Maeve," Marcus said, giving her one last look before he took off into the sky, leaving her to her thoughts.

As he flew away, Marcus couldn't help but wonder if he had made a difference. Maeve was a powerful ally, but she was also deeply scarred by her experiences with Vought. He hoped that his words had planted a seed, one that would grow into something stronger—strong enough to help him take down Homelander and the rest of The Seven when the time came.

For now, he had to focus on staying ahead of his enemies. With his powers at seventy percent and growing, he was confident that he could stand toe-to-toe with Homelander, but he wasn't foolish enough to underestimate the Supe. Homelander was dangerous, and with Vought backing him, he had resources that Marcus could only dream of.

But Marcus had something that Homelander didn't—purpose. A clear sense of right and wrong, and a resolve that wouldn't waver in the face of adversity.

As the rescue helicopters converged on the downed plane, Marcus flew higher, disappearing into the clouds. He would remain cautious, vigilant, and ready for whatever came next.

And when the time was right, he would show the world what a real hero looked like.