Within the Meta Liberation Army (MLA), the "Moderates" sector represents a more nuanced and strategically-minded faction. While they share the core MLA belief in Quirk liberation, they often prioritize propaganda, public manipulation, and systemic subversion over outright destruction or brute force. They aim to achieve their goals by swaying public opinion, exploiting loopholes, and discrediting hero society through seemingly legitimate means, making them a more insidious and politically dangerous threat.
Moderates Sector: The Architects of Public Perception
Core Motivation: To achieve Meta Liberation through intellectual and psychological warfare, propaganda, and strategic infiltration rather than overt violence. They seek to dismantle hero society by eroding public trust and demonstrating its hypocrisy, believing that true change comes from within the system or through widespread ideological shift. They are pragmatic and often prioritize long-term influence over immediate gratification.
Leadership: Trumpet, whose political background and Quirk make him ideal for influencing public opinion and organizing the more "respectable" face of the movement.
Key Figures and Their Roles:
Trumpet (The Charismatic Politician):
Role: The undisputed leader and public face of this sector. As a "Corrupt Politician" and leader of the "Hearts and Mind Party," his "Incite" Quirk is perfectly suited for boosting morale and subtly manipulating public sentiment. He excels at delivering "Rousing Speech" to rally supporters and project an image of legitimacy.
Why they join: Trumpet's ability to "strengthen others by simply talking to them" (provided they trust him) makes him a natural leader for a faction focused on influence. He represents the idea that liberation can be achieved through political and social means, rather than just raw power. His "Only Sane Man" demeanor among the MLA's top brass suggests a preference for calculated moves over impulsive destruction.
Curious (The Media Manipulator):
Role: The driving force behind the sector's information warfare and propaganda. As the "executive director of Shoowaysha Publishing," she uses her media empire to spread Destro's ideology and control narratives.
Why she joins: Her obsession with "Getting the Big Scoop" and her role as a "Propaganda Machine" align perfectly with the Moderates' goals. She aims to "turn Toga into a martyr that was shunned and repressed by the hero society," demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of public manipulation, even if her "Landmine" Quirk is overtly destructive. She's willing to use extreme methods for ideological impact.
Skeptic (The Digital Architect):
Role: The technological backbone of the sector, responsible for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and digital propaganda. He can "restore data and trace phone calls," making him invaluable for tracking enemies and controlling information flow.
Why he joins: His "Evil Genius" intellect and "Anthropomorph" Quirk (for creating puppets) are used for strategic subversion rather than direct combat. He's a "Scarily Competent Tracker" and "Mission Control," enabling the Moderates to operate covertly and exploit digital vulnerabilities. His "Manipulative Editing" skills are crucial for shaping public perception.
Slidin' Go (The Infiltrator/Public Figure):
Role: A seemingly "chipper pro hero" who is secretly an MLA member. His public persona and "Super-Speed" (sliding Quirk) make him an ideal infiltrator and a benign public face for the movement.
Why he joins: He allows the Moderates to operate "Devil in Plain Sight," gathering intelligence and subtly influencing events from within the hero system. His "Affably Evil" nature makes him less suspicious to the general public and other heroes.
Sanctum (The Traditionalist Adviser):
Role: As the "longest-serving member of the Liberation Army," he would represent the more traditional, ideological purists within the Moderate faction. He's less about direct combat and more about maintaining the core tenets of Destro's philosophy.
Why he joins: His role as an "Evil Chancellor" suggests a focus on internal politics and ensuring the "regiment loyal" to the MLA's original goals, aligning with the Moderates' desire for an ideologically sound, yet strategically patient, approach.
Teruo Hazukashi (The Disaffected Everyman):
Role: Represents the broader base of disillusioned citizens who are drawn to the MLA's message of liberation, but might not be inclined towards violence. He's a "disgruntled office worker inspired by Destro's autobiography."
Why he joins: His "Blessed with Suck" Quirk ("Shame") and his "Butt-Monkey" past highlight the societal pressures and discrimination that drive ordinary people to seek change. He embodies the "Well-Intentioned Extremist" who believes in the cause but might be more easily swayed by a charismatic leader like Trumpet.
Characteristics of the Moderates Sector:
Information and Psychological Warfare: Their primary weapons are propaganda, media manipulation, and the strategic dissemination of information to erode public trust in heroes and governmental institutions.
Subversion and Infiltration: They aim to dismantle the system from within by placing agents in influential positions (like Slidin' Go) or by exploiting societal weaknesses and public sentiment.
Calculated Risk-Taking: Unlike the more impulsive sectors, the Moderates would engage in "carefully planned assaults" and "strategic patience," prioritizing long-term ideological shifts over immediate, high-casualty battles.
Public Image Consciousness: They are highly aware of public perception and strive to maintain an image of legitimacy, even while engaging in morally ambiguous or illegal activities. They would frame their actions as necessary for "true freedom" and "justice."
Intellectual and Political Focus: This sector would be rich with thinkers, strategists, and manipulators, emphasizing intelligence gathering, political maneuvering, and the power of ideas.
Exploitation of Grievances: They would actively seek out and amplify the grievances of the populace, particularly those related to Quirk suppression, discrimination, and perceived hero corruption, to build a broad base of support.
This sector would be particularly challenging for heroes to combat, as their fight would often be against public opinion and a narrative that paints the heroes as part of the problem.
