The Boys: I'm the Origin of Compound V

Chapter 19: Shadows of the Past

The hum of an old desk fan filled the safehouse as the team gathered around a map sprawled across the coffee table. Adam leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the marker Butcher used to circle a building in the heart of the city.

"This is where it gets messy," Butcher said, his tone gruff. "According to Mesmer's intel, this is the nerve center for Vought's little science fair."

"That's a corporate high-rise," Hughie said, frowning. "How are we supposed to get in there? They've probably got more security than a military base."

"Which is why we don't go in loud," Frenchie said, lighting a cigarette. "We go in quiet, precise."

Butcher shot him a look. "Quiet ain't my style, mate."

"Yeah, no kidding," Adam muttered, earning a smirk from Frenchie and a glare from Butcher.

"Enough," Butcher snapped. "We're not walking into this blind. That's why you lot are gonna scope it out first. Get a feel for the guards, cameras, patrols—everything. Then we make a plan."

"What about you?" Adam asked.

Butcher's smirk returned. "I've got someone I need to pay a visit to. An old friend."

Adam found himself perched on a rooftop across from the high-rise, his invisibility active as he scanned the building through binoculars. Beside him, Hughie fiddled nervously with a small recorder, his hands trembling.

"You alright there, Hughie?" Adam asked without looking away from the building.

"Yeah," Hughie said, though his voice betrayed his nerves. "I just… I'm not great with heights."

Adam smirked. "Then you're in the wrong line of work."

Hughie let out a nervous laugh but said nothing more.

"Good to know," Adam murmured to himself.

"What's good to know?" Hughie asked.

"Just thinking out loud," Adam said quickly, handing the binoculars to him. "Here, keep an eye on the east entrance. I'm gonna check the back."

Hughie hesitated, then took the binoculars. "Be careful."

Adam gave him a mock salute before slipping into the shadows.

The rear of the building was quieter, but no less guarded. A single security guard leaned against the wall near a delivery bay, smoking a cigarette. Adam activated his energy manipulation, a faint blue glow flickering in his palm as he debated his next move.

He could take the guard out easily, but something held him back. A memory surfaced—one of his first encounters with the system, when it warned him about the cost of his powers.

Adam clenched his fist, extinguishing the glow. He couldn't afford to lose control—not now.

He waited until the guard turned away, then slipped past unnoticed, his invisibility rendering him a ghost in the dark.

When Adam returned to the rooftop, Hughie was still glued to the binoculars, his expression a mix of focus and unease.

"Anything interesting?" Adam asked, dropping down beside him.

"Just the usual—guards, cameras, more guards," Hughie replied. "This place is locked down tight."

"Good," Adam said. "Makes it more fun."

Hughie gave him a look. "You and Butcher have a weird idea of fun."

Adam chuckled but didn't respond. His gaze drifted back to the high-rise, a familiar sense of determination settling over him. Vought had built this fortress to hide their secrets, but secrets never stayed buried for long.

By the time they returned to the safehouse, Butcher was already there, sitting at the table with a smug look on his face.

"How'd it go?" he asked as they walked in.

"Guard rotations every twelve minutes," Adam said. "Cameras covering all entrances. Back's quieter, but still not an easy entry."

"Sounds about right," Butcher said. "Good thing I've got us a way in."

He slid a keycard across the table.

"Where'd you get that?" Frenchie asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Like I said," Butcher replied. "Old friend."

Adam picked up the card, studying it. "This gets us past the main doors, sure. But what about the lab? The inner security's gonna be tougher."

Butcher grinned. "That's where you come in, sunshine. Your little disappearing act ought to get us through the tricky bits."

Adam set the card down, his expression unreadable. "And if it doesn't?"

"Then we go with Plan B," Butcher said, his grin widening.

"Which is?" Hughie asked.

Butcher's grin turned predatory. "We blow the place to hell."

As night fell, Adam sat by the window, staring out at the city. The weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on him. This wasn't just another mission—it was a step closer to Vought's heart, to uncovering the secrets they'd buried in blood and lies.

Adam exhaled, letting the glow flicker in his palm for a moment before extinguishing it. He would need every ounce of control for what was to come.

In the reflection of the glass, he saw his own eyes—tired, determined, and filled with the unspoken promise he had made to himself the day he escaped Vought's labs.

They would fall.

And he would be the one to make it happen.