Interlude 1: The Girls are founded

After dropping her son Ryan off at school, Rebecca returned to her home. A middle-aged woman had already been waiting for her.

"Rebecca Reed?"

"Yes, that's me. Who are you?"

"My name is Grace Mallory," the woman said, showing her CIA badge. " I'm the person who can get you payback. Can we have a little chat?"

Rebecca intended to ignore the woman, but the next sentence had changed her mind.

"I'm here about your husband, Billy. He's missing, right? I can help you find him."

In the house, Mallory turned her laptop on, played a video, and showed it to Rebecca: "I believe this was a few days after you met Homelander at that Christmas party?"

Rebecca stared at the screen. In the video, her husband entered a room with Homelander and later left the room distressed.

"He was alone with her for three hours. Not long after that, your husband went missing and has remained so ever since. One way or another, Mrs. Reed, I believe Homelander was involved."

"Homelander? But she's a superhero!"

"The brighter the light, the darker the shadow. You wouldn't believe what they get up to."

Rebecca raised her eyes: "What do you want from me?"

"We're creating a team to investigate Vought and their superheroes. To maintain plausible deniability, the members must be non-governmental agents. I come to recruit you first, because I believe you are the best fit."

Realizing that her husband was raped by Homelander (there was no way he would betray her willinger), Rebecca had a conflict in her mind. On one hand, she wanted to make Homelander and Vought pay, but on the other hand, she didn't want Ryan to be involved in such a dangerous matter. But in the end, her desire to get revenge had won.

"I'm in."

Mallory extended her hand: "Welcome to The Girls."