[SEATTLE - 10 July 2010 - 06:56 Am]
At the Seattle docks with the fog hanging low a dock worker is making his rounds and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, turns a corner, and stills in fright at the sight before him. A group of lanky, sickly humanoids with orange goggles and black overalls with blades in hand. They are standing around a shipping container herding in about a dozen women and children that are chained together by the neck.
"Dear God..." The dock worker says in horrified astonishment and slowly walks back the way he came making sure not to garner the attention of the strange-looking creatures.
"There's something about the fog in this city. It makes people think that they're invisible... That they can get away with anything," A voice says from atop another shipping container where other groups were busy trying to herd in another dozen women and children. The group of Underground Men looks up in shock and panic at the two individuals standing side by side atop the shipping container.
"But you can't hide from Apollo," Apollo says notching an arrow in his bow. "And Overwatch," Overwatch says taking out her escrima sticks and connecting them forming a staff. Apollo fires the arrow which splits off into three arrows hitting three Underground Men in the shoulders incapacitating them.
Overwatch flips off the shipping container and lands on the back of an Underground Man trying to run away and knocks it out. "You keep talking like that, Apollo, and the Seattle Tourism Bureau will never hire you as a spokesman. As for me, I kind of like it here on Puget Sound..." She leans away from a knife attack and hits the attacker across the head with her staff knocking it out.
Over by the first group of Underground Men, they are hastily forcing the chained people into the shipping container. "We've been ambushed!" One of them shouts in alarm to alert the rest of the Underground Men.
Hidden behind a container a few feet away from the group of Underground Men. A girl with black hair cut in an asymmetric bob undercut, blue eyes, and a mask covering the lower half of her face. She's wearing a white shirt with black straps, and a red wrap around her waist with flap panels. Red wrappings on her forearms with black fingerless gloves. Black leggings that end at her calves with black sneakers.
"So you creepers sell women and children on the black market? As if they were human-shaped packages, something price-tagged on a shelf?" She says in disgust and notches an arrow and fires it into the air. "Try to objectify me and you'll bleed. Because I'm a weapon," She moves out of her cover arrow aimed at an Underground Man holding a kid as a human shield.
"Another child for the harvest," It nudges the kid with his blade in a warning. "Lower the arrow or this one dies," It snarls at her. "Can you give me a second to think about that?" She asks dryly. The Underground Man howls in pain from an arrow piercing his shoulder coming from out of nowhere. It drops the kid in its pain. "There you go. Arrow lowered. As requested," She says mockingly shooting another arrow in its other shoulder.
"I suck at calculus..." Apollo fires an arrow against a shipping container. "...But I'm an ace at geometry," He smirks watching the arrow bounce off the shipping container and then another two hitting the Underground Man in the thigh that was hiding behind cover.
"How'd you do Emi?" Apollo asks standing back to back with the black-haired girl. "My mom is a ninja. How do you think I did?" Emi asks rhetorically shooting another Underground Man in the shoulder and thigh. "Doesn't your big brother get any credit for you being such a badass?" Apollo whines as he dodges a knife and hits the attacker across the jaw with his bow knocking it out.
"The know-it-all? I think he'd prefer it if I hung up my bow and worshipped my textbooks all day," Emi says roundhouse kicking an Underground Man out cold. "Maybe he just likes the idea of you living long enough to realize your potential as a crazy old cat lady," Apollo smirks dodging out of the way of an escrima stick being thrown and hitting the Underground Man behind him on the temple knocking it out. "She is so cool," Emi says in awe watching Overwatch defeat the last four Underground Man gracefully.
"Excuse me while I have this fangirl moment," Emi says looking in amazement at Overwatch who is standing with her two escrima sticks grinning at them. "Damn..." Apollo mutters watching how the sun shines off her blonde hair beautifully. A few minutes later after freeing the chained people and comforting them. The authorities arrive escorting the people away so they can get help.
"Hyde Industries? What the hell...?" Apollo asks perplexed looking at the symbol on the side of one of the shipping containers the chained people were about to be tossed in. "Everything okay?" One of the officers asks looking confused at Apollo. "No. There's more work to be done." Apollo says turning to the two police officers. "I'm pinging all Seattle P.D. phones. I need information about this mask. And the man behind it," He says showing the cops a holographic picture of a red elongated skull mask.
"Happy to ask around, assuming..." One of the cops says suggestively smirking at him. "Remember, we both work for the good of this city," Apollo says sternly handing the cop a wad of money. Overwatch watches the exchange with a disgusted sneer. Emi just looks at her big brother shaking her head disapprovingly and then turns her attention back to the little girl she was talking to.
Apollo notices a man in a hard hat, safety vest, red plaid shirt, cargo pants, and working boots smoking a cigarette watching them from a distance out of sight. Apollo turns and fires an arrow hitting the cigarette out of the man's mouth startling him. "You're Ezra Warren, right? The Supervisor? How much are they paying you?" Apollo asks grabbing the man by his collar.
"Please. I'm sorry. My boy, Isaac, He's sick. We're drowning in debt to pay the bills. I didn't know how to say no to the money they offered," Ezra begs cowering in fear. "How much?" Apollo growls and then takes out another wad of cash pressing it against his chest. "Because I'll double it. You work for me now. Anything that happens off the books, I know about before it happens,"
"Are you insane? First, you pay off the cops, now that scumbag?" Overwatch hisses infuriated at Apollo as they walk away from Ezra. "He should go to prison with the rest of them," She turns and glares at Ezra making the man flinch in fear. "I'm not paying them off. I'm enlisting them. Tipping them," Apollo says. "We've created a prison factory that creates career criminals. Do you know how many people are incarcerated in this country? Seeing as how you don't want me killing people anymore,"
"Look I'm not condemning or rewarding anyone for bad behavior! I'm encouraging goodness!" Apollo says trying to get Overwatch to understand. "You can talk yourself into anything, can't you?!" She snarls in his face. "Will you two just get a room?" Emi groans in exasperation.
[SEATTLE - 11 July 2010 - 07:56 Am]
"Hey, pretty bird," Max says softly running his hand through Felicity's hair as she purrs in delight and places her head on his chest her eyes closed and her feet kicking up and down by the end of the bed. "Don't say anything, Okay?" She says placing a finger on his lips and looking up at him. "You're far less annoying when you're not talking," She smiles at the offended look on his face. She giggles and leans up bringing a hand to his cheek and kissing him softly.
~If ya broke the wing of a BlackBird, baby
...It's a joke to think she'll look backward, baby~
"Yes! I can't believe you just sang 'BlackBird'. Right now. For me." Emi claps her hands squealing happily. "Those lyrics make my heart hurt. Where did they come from?" Emi asks as she shifts on her seat by the kitchen counter and looks at Felicity who is smiling softly at her. "It seems like every time I get close to someone--," Felicity takes a sip of her coffee and smiles ruefully. "A mentor, a family something bad happens. Everybody gets hurt, including me. Sometimes it feels easier not to remember,"
"Sometimes it feels like I shouldn't trust or care about anyone. This wing's been broken too many times," Felicity says with a pained smile. "You hear that, Max? you better not mess this up," Emi turns to Max who is leaning next to the fridge and says to him teasingly. "I wouldn't dare," Max laughs pushing off the counter and giving Emi a hug from behind. "But you know you're the only woman in my life, Emi," Max teases back ruffling her hair.
"On that note, it seems like everybody is on your payroll but me. So if you love me so much..." She trails off smiling innocently at him. "You're asking for an allowance? Do you know how expensive your school is?" Max says shaking his head. "I have the perfect solution. Stop making me go there!" Emi complains throwing her hands in the air causing both Felicity and Max to laugh at her antics.
[SEATTLE - 11 July 2010 - 09:56 Am]
"She seems like a great kid, and you seem like a great brother. The kind who will make a great father someday. How long have you been taking care of her?" Felicity asks from behind Oliver on the bike as they drive through the streets of Seattle. She is also using a holographic disguise chip to make herself look older. "For about close to a year now. I never knew my dad had any other children I always thought I was a single child. But Emi and I are trying to make up for lost time. I love the little smart ass," Oliver says back in disguise steering his bike through traffic.
"In part because she's as hard on me as you are. She's won me over... I want to show you something. To convince you the Apollo war chest consists of more than trick arrows and cool gadgets. To prove I'm making Seattle a better place, with funding from my own bank account" He says and turns down a street then cruises next to a building that says 'Queen's Helping Hand'. "People say money can't buy happiness, but they're wrong," He stops the bike and watches the group of homeless getting served food and given basic necessities. "Because happiness is a shower and a meal and a bed,"
"Happiness is a kid. Born three months too early. Surviving," He says stopping at the 'Queen Children's Hospital' he donated large amounts of money to help keep open and functional.
"Happiness is a ten-year-old with grass-stained knees and a well-oiled mitt," He stops at the 'Queen's Diamond Public Park'. He also donated money to get properly maintained and renovated. A bunch of kids are busy playing baseball at the public park.
"Happiness is a battered woman who no longer has to fear a fist," He stops by the 'Queen's Fresh Start'. A complex of rehabilitation homes funded to help those in need. At one of the houses, a woman is playing with a kid on the porch.
"I don't doubt your good intentions, Oliver. You've done more for Seattle in the 11 months you've been here than those assholes up at Hyde Industries ever did," Felicity says pointing at the Hyde Industries building they had stopped in front of. "But do you realize that your relationship with Emi is the only one in your life that isn't based on money?" She asks a frown on her face. "That's not true..." He says uncertainly.
"Bruce Wayne, he's a kind of mentor, as close as I have to an older broth--," He is cut off by her. "You work for him, that's where you get you're money from remember," She smiles wryly at him. "There's someone else. He used to be a friend," He tries again. "Used to be," She emphasizes. "Well... what about you?" He says softly lowering his head.
"...Oliver we've been together for months now but sometimes it seems like I don't even know you," She says placing her hand on his chest. "...I think we need some space to figure some things out," She says sadly and turns away from him walking out of the building.
Oliver clenches his fist and unclenches them, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, "Fuck," He mutters running his hand through his hair and turning to the elevator.
He steps out of the elevator and greets the secretary, "Good morning Wendy,". "Good morning Mr. Queen, how can I help you today?" Wendy smiles politely. "Is Broderick in?" He asks pointing to the door across from her table. "Yes," She nods. He nods and walks to the door and opens it slightly. "Got a minute?" He asks the black-haired man dressed in a black two-piece suit sitting behind a desk.
"For the great Oliver Queen? Always. Come in, nephew. Have seat," Broderick says cheerfully pointing to the chair opposite his desk. Oliver closes the door behind him and takes a seat. "This isn't easy to say. I've been doing some research... About Hyde Industries and I don't know whether to feel confused or concerned," He frowns looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows.
"Research? I'm a little surprised that you wouldn't come to me first. I'm here to help," Broderick says leaning back in his chair. "That's what I'm looking for. Help," Oliver sighs and turns to look at him. "I'll admit I'm no expert, but--" "Please speak freely, Oliver, we're family," Broderick says interrupting him. "Return distortions. Diverted funds. Anonymous Escrow Accounts. Duplicate Invoices. Shell Companies" Oliver leans back in his chair running a hand through his hair.
"Or am I somehow misinterpreting what's happening at Hyde Industries? I would love it if you told me I'm wrong," Oliver finishes looking at Broderick calmly. "You're wrong, but I'm saying that in the gentlest manner possible. Because I don't want to discourage your interest in the company. Although your mother left everything behind when she eloped with your father. Your grandfather still named you heir to Hyde industries in his will, Maxwell," Broderick smiles at him.
"I know... That's why I need to understand what's happening. So I don't get caught off guard when I take over," Oliver sighs dejectedly. "Look I'm happy to walk you through everything, but please understand that it's impossible to relay an economics degree into a ten-minute conversation," Broderick says. "Sir?" Wendy calls from the door gaining his attention.
"There's a problem with the trans-pacific railway project. Another earthquake," She says. "Damn it. I was afraid this might happen," He sighs frustrated, and sends her out. "That's to be expected, I suppose. When you're tunneling beneath the ocean. A shifting fault line has endangered everything," He says to Oliver. "Look Max we'll talk as soon as I clean up this mess," He says smiling apologetically at him.
"Gotta stop calling me Max when I'm in my Oliver Queen disguise," Oliver says smiling exasperatedly at him. "Right sorry... But anyway the complicated machinery of this business might not make sense now, But it will soon. Rest assured, Hyde Industries is making the world a better place,"
[SEATTLE - 11 July 2010 - 10:30 Pm]
"What is up with this rain?" Oliver mutters to himself confused since July is usually the driest month of the year for Seattle and yet it is raining heavily. He enters his parking garage parking his bike. He takes the elevator to his penthouse floor. He takes off his jacket as he exits the elevator on his floor. He enters his penthouse and runs a hand through his wet hair. "Where the hell is Emi?" He asks looking at the dark and empty penthouse.
He closes the door behind him and turns to switch on the light when out of the shadows an arrow is shot piercing him through the right shoulder, "AAAHH," He screams in pain clutching onto his shoulder. He turns to where the arrow was shot from only to watch in horror as a barrage of arrows comes right at him. "Fuck," He tries to run out of the way of the arrows but is too late. One arrow through his left thigh, another through his right forearm, another through his right bicep, and a last one through his left calf.
He falls to his knees and leans against the wall for support as he pushes through the agonizing pain and takes the bow that was mounted against the wall. He slides down sitting on his butt, his bow in hand, and screams in pain as he pulls out the arrow in his bicep and fires it exactly the same time at another that was again shot at him both arrows hit each other and fly off course missing their targets. "Who the hell are you?" Oliver asks as he weakly gets to his feet.
A woman with long black hair in a ponytail, a face mask, and a black thigh-slit dress with the right arm long sleeved with a black glove but the left arm sleeves revealing a red dragon tattoo coiling around the arm. A red wrap bound around her waist. The same red dragon tattoo is also on her left thigh exposed by the slit of the dress. She swings her bow at him which he blocks with his own bow but it ends up breaking.
He hears the door open behind him and glances back seeing Emiko standing there looking shocked and horrified, "Shit Emi run!" He yells as he dodges another swing from the woman's bow. He hears her footsteps running away from the fight. He sighs in relief but quickly catches a hard right hook and kicks the woman back groaning in pain from the exertion and movement. The woman immediately retaliates with a kick of her own which he dodges and grabs onto her leg and swings her smashing her against the wall.
The woman gasps in pain from the slam and tries to get up but is too slow as Oliver gets on top of her and starts to punch at her which she dodges and grabs his arm in a lock twisting it. He groans in pain but pushes through and head butts her, dazing her. He pulls his arm back to punch her but hears footsteps approaching, "Emi I told you to get out of her--" He gasps in pain from the arrow that was shot into his back and falls motionless beside the woman.
Emi with her bow in hand walks up to the woman and helps her to her feet. "Where have been, Mother?" She asks looking at the woman who is staring at Oliver's motionless body. "I've been waiting such a long time," Emi says looking blankly at Oliver's body.