Maeve, Black Noir, The Deep, Translucent.
But, Alex only saw three.
"Translucent, put your clothes on and come back," Alex said with his eyes closed.
An awkward voice sounded in the empty space, "Yes, boss."
A moment later, Translucent came back in after putting his clothes on.
Maeve was the first to ask, "Why did you call us here?"
Alex tapped his phone, and two figures appeared on the screen in the command hall.
"Ice Princess."
"Electro Man."
"They're the new members I picked for the Seven. I'll be meeting them shortly to personally test their abilities."
The Deep put on a fawning expression, "Boss, the people you pick are definitely the best. I agree with both hands raised."
Alex replied calmly, "I'm not asking for your opinion. I'm informing you."
The Deep ran into a soft nail, laughed awkwardly, nodded, and straightened his posture.
Maeve shrugged, "If it was just a notice, you could've sent a text."
"Yes, so calling you here means there's something else."
Alex stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and stood by the window, "Next, I'm going to restructure the Seven. Survival of the fittest."
"That means anyone who doesn't meet the standard, I can only ask them to get lost."
The Deep and Translucent couldn't help exchanging a glance.
Black Noir didn't move at all.
Maeve frowned, "What do you mean by restructuring?"
"Reforging the Seven."
"I want this team to be reborn."
Alex turned around, the corners of his mouth lifting, "The reborn Seven will no longer make movies, no press releases, no tours, no product endorsements, no participation in any events."
"We will return to the starting point. Return to the core duty of superheroes. Return to the role of 'heroes.'"
Everyone looked confused, except Black Noir. With his helmet on, no one could see his expression.
"Everyone, maybe you've all forgotten that you are 'superheroes.'"
"You've all gotten used to the company's arrangements."
"You've all gotten used to reading scripts and putting on shows in front of cameras."
"I've had enough."
"Yes, enough."
"We're not going to be clowns anymore, not puppets pulled by corporate strings."
"We will return to the origin. Vought must do what they should have done long ago, which is to serve us, to serve heroes, instead of turning us into damn idols and celebrities!"
Alex smiled slightly, "So, starting today, I'm going to evaluate you."
"I want to build a real team of heroes, an elite force that obeys my commands, not a bunch of superhuman stars waiting for announcements."
He looked at Maeve, "Of course, Maeve doesn't need to be evaluated. I trust her abilities."
The Deep timidly raised his hand, "Boss, then what's our evaluation?"
"Don't worry. I'll test you in the fields you're best at."
Alex pointed at The Deep, "For example, you. I'll fight you in the ocean."
Then he pointed at Black Noir, "We'll meet on the battlefield."
Finally, he pointed at Translucent, "I'll play a game of hide-and-seek with you."
"As for the specific time and place, Ashley will notify you later."
Alex braced his hands on the table, leaned forward, and smiled, "I just hope you remember one thing. I'm serious."
"If you think I'm joking, then I only hope you'll still be able to smile at the end."
"Meeting adjourned."
"Oh, right."
Alex looked at Translucent, "If I find out again that you're peeping in the ladies' restroom, believe me, I'll skin you."
"That's not a metaphor."
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Translucent's forehead, "I understand, boss."
Alex waved his hand.
Everyone except Maeve left first.
In the corridor, Translucent whispered, "Has he gone crazy?"
"Making the company serve us?"
"What makes him think the company would be willing to do that?"
The Deep glanced at him, "You'd better watch what you say."
Then he quickened his pace and left.
———
After returning to his room, The Deep took out his phone and dialed a number.
A moment later, he said, "Mr. Edgar, this is The Deep. I have something to report."
———
Inside the Seven's command hall—
Maeve stood up, spreading her hands, "So, this is the company's new plan?"
"A secret reality show?"
Alex smiled, "It's my plan, dear Maeve. Don't you want to be a real hero, like you originally wanted?"
"What I'm doing now is taking off the shackles on us, letting us become real heroes. Don't you like that?"
Maeve narrowed her eyes and didn't respond.
Alex walked over to her, "If you have time tonight, we can have an open-hearted talk. Then you'll know I'm not joking."
Maeve shrugged, "We'll see."
She walked toward the door, then stopped, turned back, and said, "Thanks for letting me pass directly. You know, I actually need this job."
Alex smiled and nodded.
———
"Annie, over here."
Donna waved anxiously, urging her daughter Annie, who was wearing a white combat suit with yellow trim, to hurry.
"Did something happen, Mom?", Annie had well-defined, pretty features. Her young face still held some innocence, her eyes bright and alert.
Donna said anxiously, "Something must've gone wrong. Go in there and talk to them."
Starlight said blankly, "What went wrong? What am I supposed to say?"
"They eliminated you."
Donna pointed at the office ahead, "I just heard the committee say you were eliminated, Annie."
Starlight said in disbelief, "That's impossible. In the last round they even said I had a great chance of making it to the finals."
"That's what I thought too, so I was thinking maybe something got messed up."
"Anyway, hurry in and see if there's anything that can still be salvaged."
Donna pushed her daughter toward the office. Inside, several committee members were discussing something. When they saw the mother and daughter enter, one member immediately spoke up.
"Sorry, this isn't a place you're allowed to enter."
Donna rushed to say, "This is my daughter, Starlight. She performed so well. Why eliminate her?"
Several committee members instantly looked awkward.
Starlight froze, "So it's true. I've been eliminated?"
One committee member cleared his throat, "We're very sorry, Miss Annie."
"You're excellent. Really."
"But—"
Donna cried anxiously, "Why eliminate her? Did she do something wrong? We can change, we can change!"
"Mom," Starlight tugged at her mother, not wanting her to embarrass herself like this.
The committee member had no choice but to say, "In any case, we're very sorry."
"Please leave."
———
After leaving the office, Donna still refused to accept the reality.
Instead, Starlight comforted her, "It's okay, Mom. I can try again next year."
Donna shook her head, "There won't be another opportunity this good."
Just then, a group of men in black suits walked over. The man in front asked, "Are you Miss Annie?"
Annie looked up, "I am."
The man nodded, "I'm from Vought. I'm pleased to inform you, Miss Annie, that you've been specially recruited into the Seven."
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