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"You heard right, the person you're looking for is me!"
A sudden voice rang out from the empty office doorway.
Thor and Natasha turned their heads at the same time.
There was nothing at the door.
Only air.
But then, the sound of bare feet "patter-pattering" on the floor drifted in.
"Who's there?" Thor raised his hammer warily. "Invisibility? Loki?!"
"Don't be nervous, big guy."
"I'm Shabby, Shabby Loudon, a core member of The Seven. I'm one of you."
He placed special emphasis on the word "core."
As the voice drew closer, a section of the sofa sank down, forming the shape of a peach.
"Shabby..." Homelander rubbed his temples, a bit of a headache coming on. "How many times have I told you? Knock before entering my office. And... put on some pants, or at least don't sit bare-assed on my leather sofa."
"Sorry, Boss. But I'm just too excited."
"I heard you from outside. Infiltration? Putting on a collar? This mission was practically tailor-made for me!"
Shabby's voice was full of excitement.
"No one can see me! Not with the naked eye, surveillance, or even infrared! I am a ghost!"
"I can waltz right into that woman's room while she's sleeping or in the shower... Anyway, I'll slip that collar over her neck without her ever noticing!"
"Let me go, Boss! I want to do something big!"
"Ha! Just you?"
Before Homelander could speak, another mocking voice rang out.
Pietro had arrived at some point; he leaned against the doorframe, still holding half an unfinished pizza.
"You can't even carry a nail clipper in with you, and you want to bring a collar?"
Pietro rolled his eyes and took a bite of his pizza.
"That collar is a physical object, Shabby. You're invisible, but the things in your hands aren't."
"You'll look like an idiot, letting that golden ring float through the air, putting on a 'haunting' show for that enchantress."
"You—!!"
Shabby's exasperated roar came from the air.
"That's a technical issue! I can solve it! Like hiding it... hiding it..."
"Hiding it in your ass?" Pietro delivered a merciless verbal blow. "That's the only place it would stay invisible with you."
"Shut up! You quick-shot!"
Shabby had clearly been hit where it hurt; his voice even changed pitch.
"What right do you have to talk about me?! Last time in Sokovia! I saved you! It was me!"
"But how did you repay me? You left me behind in that damn pile of rubble!"
"Do you know how I got back, Pietro?!"
"You owe me, Pietro! You owe me a chance to make a name for myself!"
Pietro froze for a moment; the pizza in his mouth suddenly lost its flavor.
He had indeed forgotten about that. At the time, he was too busy reuniting with Wanda, and with his broken leg hurting like hell, he had completely put this transparent teammate out of his mind.
"Uh... I..." Pietro rubbed his nose guiltily. "I just... I knew you had strong survival skills..."
"Strong my ass!"
It looked like a drama of broken brotherhood was playing out in the office.
"Enough."
Homelander knocked on the desk and spoke up helplessly.
Pietro immediately stood up straight, and Shabby went quiet in the air.
Looking at these two employees arguing over a mission, Homelander wasn't angry; instead, he felt a bit gratified.
That's right.
Only when employees work hard can the boss drive a Ferrari.
This kind of healthy competition was the very essence of Vought's corporate culture.
"Stop arguing, you two."
"I like your enthusiasm. Really, I'm moved."
He first praised the two excellent employees, then turned around to introduce them to the bewildered Thor.
"Thor, let me introduce you. These are two rising stars of my Seven."
"This is Pietro. His speed is different from mine. His ability is more like a... space-time trick," Homelander said, pointing at Pietro.
"When he runs, he creates an independent space-time bubble around his body. Inside this bubble, the time axis is stretched, and the space axis is compressed."
"This means that even if he runs a kilometer in a single second, he won't stir up a breeze. He can zip past you without even messing up your hair."
Homelander looked at Pietro with a hint of approval in his eyes.
"This 'silent high speed' is perfect for dirty work like infiltration and sneak attacks."
"Though I don't like the term 'dirty work,' Boss," Pietro shrugged, "it does sound pretty cool."
"And this one..." Homelander pointed at the air on the other side, "...is The Invisible Man, Shabby."
"The Invisible Man?" Thor leaned in curiously and waved his hand through the air. "...This doesn't look like magic."
"It's not magic; it's science... or rather, a mutation," Homelander explained. "His skin is similar to carbon metamaterials, capable of achieving complete invisibility by bending light. Furthermore, this layer of skin can insulate against heat radiation and electromagnetic waves."
"Not even a thermal imager can find him."
"As for why I can find him..." Homelander tapped his ear. "It's because I have super hearing. As long as he's still breathing, as long as his heart is still beating, he can't hide from me."
Thor had a sudden realization and remarked, "The talents of Midgardians... are truly varied."
"I have an idea, Thor. Do you have any more of those collars?"
Homelander asked Thor.
"As for the collar, I only had one..."
"Well, actually, I also brought this."
He took out another strange metal device.
It was a muzzle, made of metal and inscribed with runes.
"Is that the one used to shut Loki's mouth in New York?" Natasha asked curiously.
"Heh heh..." Thor laughed somewhat awkwardly. "I had the Dwarves custom-make this for Loki a long time ago..."
"You know, Loki's mouth is too talkative, and sometimes he chants dangerous spells. So... you know how it is."
"I think this will be just as useful against Lorelei."
"Perfect."
Homelander snapped his fingers.
"Plan A, Plan B, all set."
He looked at the two eager young men.
"Since you both want to go, stop arguing. Go together."
"Pietro." Homelander looked at Quicksilver. "You take the collar and execute Plan A. Use your speed and try to get it on her before she can react. This is the fastest and most effective plan."
"No problem, Boss!" Pietro raised his head confidently and gave Shabby a smug look.
"If Pietro fails..."
Homelander's gaze turned to Shabby.
"...then it's your turn, Shabby. You're Plan B."
"You'll lurk in the shadows and look for an opportunity. When she lets her guard down, put that muzzle on her."
"But..." Shabby pointed at the muzzle. "This thing isn't invisible. Holding it would be like holding up a target."
"Leave this problem to me."
Natasha, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke up.