C596 Spider-Man (Patreon)
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In the aftermath of the Sentinel's intervention at the White House, the metallic army efficiently securing the area, Peter sat casually on the Presidents desk. The vice president, still in shock and soaked in his own urine, could do nothing but watch in horror.
Ignoring the trembling figure on the floor, Peter eyed the president, a curious look in his eyes. "Well, care to explain what happened?"
President Shaefer, dusting off his suit as he stood to his feet, began to recount the recent events. "Vought's on the move. They've been deploying all their resources to fight against the evidence you released and clear their name. They're pulling out all the stops, trying to manipulate public opinion, paying off influencers, silencing whistleblowers, you name it. They're desperately trying to salvage whatever they can from the mess you stirred up."
As Peter listened, his eyes flickered with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "And what exactly was that little meeting about?" he asked, gesturing to the bloody remnants of the ‘heroes’ on the floor.
The president sighed, fatigue evident in his eyes. "Vought wanted me to halt all investigations against them." He revealed as he went in to explain. “Currently, I have around 10 separate investigations underway, all focused on Vought. They must have heard about it from this idiot…”
The president motioned to the vice president, who was still on his knees, attempting to speak but found his voice choked by fear. Peter, glancing over, couldn't resist a taunt. "Dude… did you seriously p*ss yourself? That’s just sad…”
The vice president's eyes widened, his trembling form unable to muster any coherent response. “…”
Peter turned back to the president, ignoring the vice president once again. "Well, since you have all of the proof already, how about we go and serve some arrest warrant’s?" He asked, gesturing to the metal army outside.
Of course, many of the investigations were already completed. The only thing holding them back from actually punishing Vought and its people were the many superpowered individuals they have on the payroll.
Even without counting supes like Homelander, who’s thankfully dead now, Vought has more than 200 heroes under employment. That’s more than enough to take over the United States of America. How could the CIA, NSA, FBI, or any other law enforcement agency handle such an army?
But now, they would have the sentinels at their back!
President Shaefer nodded, a smirk forming in his face. "That sounds like a wonderful idea..."
————
In the heart of Manhattan, within the towering structure of Vought Tower, Stan Edgar found a glimmer of hope amid the chaos he’s had to endure recently. The atmosphere in the high-rise building was changing, with assets secured and a steady restoration of Vought's tarnished reputation. Retired heroes and loyal supporters rallied under the rejuvenated banner of Vought, creating a semblance of stability.
As Stan observed the progress from his office, his mind focused on the critical move he had made. Sending a team to influence the president had been a calculated gamble, one that aimed to secure a powerful ally, while also protecting the company and its people from any investigations.
If unsuccessful, the backup plan involved the vice president, a longstanding supporter of Vought, taking the reins after the presidents untimely death. Either way, Stan anticipated a favorable outcome.
Just as the executive began to revel in the illusion of control, a sudden disturbance caught his attention. Glancing out of his floor-to-ceiling windows, Stan's eyes widened at the sight of a swarm of metallic robots hovering around Vought Tower. A sense of foreboding crept over him as the robots efficiently secured the perimeter, their presence an unwelcome intrusion.
Walking over to the window, Stan tried to discern the nature of this unexpected development. The sleek, metallic figures moved with precision, encircling the building like bugs. It became apparent to Stan that this was no ordinary security detail. A sense of unease settled in as he realized the gravity of the situation unfolding outside.
As if to strengthen his growing anxiety, the blare of sirens and flashing lights from police cars and blacked-out government vehicles became visible on the streets below. The sound of emergency vehicles converging on Vought Tower created a spectacle that further heightened Stan's apprehension.
A single bead of sweat formed on Stan's forehead as he comprehended the severity of the moment. Instantly, the illusion of Vought's upward trajectory crumbled, replaced by the stark reality that the tides had turned against them.
Just as Stan was about to reach for his phone, a nonchalant voice disrupted his thoughts, asking, "How do you sit in this chair all day? It’s not very comfortable, is it?"
Turning around, Stan's eyes barely widened as he found Peter, the orchestrator of this unexpected turmoil, reclining in his chair with a smirk on his face and his feet disrespectfully propped on the desk, tarnishing the paperwork beneath his dirt-covered shoes.
Intrigued, Stan questioned, "This is your doing, I presume? I take it the president is safe?"
Peter, maintaining his casual posture, nodded with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, he's safe and sound. But sadly, the same can’t be said about the team you sent after him. Though they did make good target practice for my Sentinels.” He motioned towards the imposing figures surrounding Vought Tower.
Stan, aware of the magnitude of the situation, tried to regain control of the conversation. "Are these Sentinels under your control?"
Peter, with a smirk, confirmed, "Absolutely. Think of them as my superhero police force. A fail-safe for when heroes or companies employing them step out of line. Cool, huh?"
Stan, realizing the power dynamics at play, attempted to negotiate. "Listen, maybe we can work something out. You send these Sentinels away, and Vought can offer you something substantial. Money? Property? Compound V, perhaps?"
Cutting him off, Peter chuckled, "Sorry, Stan, but Vought's a bit too poor to afford my going rate. Plus, I already have the recipe for Compound V, stole it last week. Nice try, though."
As Stan calculated his next move, a sudden amplified voice was echoed from the speakers on every Sentinel in the vicinity. The voice, unmistakably that of the president, declared, "This is President Robert Schaefer! We have a search warrant for this property and arrest warrants for every employee inside! Please surrender peacefully to avoid harming yourselves and any nearby civilians!"
The announcement reverberated through Vought Tower, sending shockwaves through its occupants. But that wasn’t all. The message was also heard by everyone within a 6 block radius around the tower.
Stan, now facing the stark reality of the situation, locked eyes with Peter, who wore a confident smirk. “So, what are you going to do? Because I’d really like to test out my Sentinels some more. Though I can tell you right now, the odds of you turning this situation around are slim to none. Even if you have another Homelander or two locked away somewhere, I can just step in and kill them myself. But I would like to see how my Sentinels would fare against him…”
Stan Edgar, the shrewd and logical mastermind behind Vought, couldn't dismiss the undeniable truth presented by Peter. The Sentinels were an overwhelming force, outnumbering Vought's heroes. Assessing the situation, he acknowledged that only about 50 of his heroes were currently in the building, not nearly enough to combat both Peter and the metallic army outside.
Pulling his phone from his pocket, Stan pondered his next move, contemplating the consequences of a futile battle. After a moment's consideration, he dialed a number. As someone on the other end picked up, Stan's authoritative voice issued a directive, “Order everyone to surrender peacefully. There's no use fighting a battle we can't win."
Hanging up the phone, Stan took a seat across from Peter, accepting the inevitability of the situation. The impending arrival of the government and police signaled the end of Vought's unchecked dominance. The atmosphere in the room shifted as both men waited in silence for the inevitable reckoning.
Peter, though seemingly disappointed by the lack of confrontation, shrugged nonchalantly. "Boring choice, but the right one," he remarked, acknowledging the pragmatic decision Stan had made. ‘He was always like that in the show too…’
Stan nodded in agreement. "Let's just hope they'll listen to me." He knew the challenging part lay in convincing Vought's arrogant and willful superheroes to surrender peacefully.
As the words left Stan's mouth, the tranquility of the office was shattered by the explosive sound of windows breaking. All across the building, heroes leaped out, unwilling to yield to the approaching authorities. Their defiance echoed through the floors, a symphony of shattering glass followed by lone figures, trying to make a run for it.
Vought's super-powered individuals, aware of their guilt and the insurmountable evidence against them, chose not to face the consequences of their actions. With powers ranging from super strength to telekinesis, they believed they could escape justice. Stan, watching the chaotic exodus, couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and resignation.
Peter smirked as he glanced down at the fleeing heroes. “Well, at least they’re making it interesting.” He commented as he watched the swarm of Sentinels begin to move.
The Sentinels, their metallic frames moving with precision, swiftly descended upon the fleeing superheroes. Panic gripped the heroes as they attempted to escape, but the mechanical guardians were relentless, chasing them with a clear speed and numerical advantage.
In the midst of the chaotic scene, some heroes resorted to desperate measures, taking hostages in a futile attempt to shield themselves from capture. “Stay back!” A woman with super strength exclaimed as she held a man by the throat, threatening to squeeze the life out of him.
However, the masterfully accurate turrets mounted on the Sentinels' shoulders proved to be ruthless executioners. In a grisly spectacle, the turrets unleashed large-caliber rounds, instantly ending the lives of those using hostages as shields. The air echoed with the terrified screams of the hostages as they witnessed their captors' heads explode in a gruesome display.
Stan Edgar, seated beside Peter, watched the events unfold with a mix of relief and grim acceptance.
The Sentinels efficiently neutralized any resistance, ensuring that the fleeing superheroes faced the consequences of their actions. The remaining heroes who had chosen not to attempt an escape seemed to share a collective acknowledgment that they had made the right choice in surrendering peacefully.
As the Sentinels completed their mission, capturing the heroes, both living and otherwise, they ascended to the sky. Flying up to the police barricade surrounding Vought Tower, the robotic enforcers delivered the captured individuals to the waiting authorities.
The authorities, a mix of government agents and law enforcement officers, looked on with a combination of awe and trepidation as the Sentinels unloaded their cargo. The towering robots, seemingly indifferent to the chaos they had wrought, fulfilled their programmed duty without hesitation.
Stan Edgar, despite the grim nature of the situation, couldn't help but feel thankful for the resolution. The swift and decisive action of the Sentinels had averted a potentially catastrophic confrontation, ensuring that Vought wouldn’t take too much of a blow.
Peter, observing the scene with a casual demeanor, remarked, "Looks like things are coming to an end. At least for this branch of Vought..." Peter said, hinting at the fact that, soon enough, situations like this would repeat all across the world.
Stan nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "It's over," he said with a sense of finality.
A/N: 1932 words :) long boy…