Soldier Boy stared at the dingy wallpaper, memories of betrayal gnawing at him. Cryostasis had preserved him physically, but the emotional scars ran deep. Betrayed by Payback, he was left as a trophy for the Reds, and now, in this chaotic future, he burned with a fierce desire for revenge as he recognized humanity’s enduring flaws.

Nestled in the motel, he sought solace in greasy burgers and a haze of weed—his attempt to cling to a sense of normalcy amidst the madness. But tranquility was short-lived. The incessant knocking at the door shattered his momentary escape, reminding him that the world outside didn’t give a damn about his pain.

“Shit,” he muttered, irritation bubbling up. It was Hughie again—always rambling about Supes and heroics, with Billy Butcher at his side, a man consumed by his vendetta against Homelander.

With a frustrated sigh, Soldier Boy pushed himself off the bed, muscles tensing as he stomped to the door. Flashbacks of his team’s betrayal surged, fueling his annoyance. He swung the door open, towering over the two men.

“Who the fuck are you?” he barked, his voice a low growl, irritation palpable, but the simmering readiness for a fight unmistakable.