The Club Takes Shape, and a Hidden Plan Unfolds
As the plans for the club continued, construction crews worked diligently to transform the space. The Glades hadn't seen this kind of investment in years, and while the project seemed like a beacon of hope to some, others in the area were skeptical. The wealthy returning to the Glades often meant gentrification, pushing out the locals, but Oliver intended to create something that gave back—a place where everyone could feel welcome. He knew the city needed more than just the Hood's actions. It needed to rebuild, not just tear down the corrupt.
At the site, Oliver met regularly with the construction foreman and designers to oversee progress. As he walked through the building one afternoon, his mind drifted to how this place could serve as more than just a cover. In his mind's eye, he could see the secret operations beneath the club—a command center where he could strategize his next moves as the Hood, safe from prying eyes.
Meanwhile, across town, Marcus Queen was in his lab, quietly overseeing the final stages of the ZPM's construction. The hum of the machinery and the gentle glow of the energy field around the module filled the room. As he watched the energy readings climb, his mind wandered to the potential impact this device would have on the world. The power to harness limitless energy meant freedom from dependency on fossil fuels, a revolutionary change for the planet—but in the wrong hands, it could also mean devastation.
Marcus couldn't afford to let anyone else get hold of his creation. Not yet.
He leaned back in his chair, glancing at another screen that displayed a real-time map of Starling City. Markers blinked on and off, showing the various movements of known criminal elements. One marker in particular caught his attention—a ping from the location of Malcolm Merlyn's operations. Merlyn had been unusually quiet since Oliver's return, and Marcus knew better than to believe it was a coincidence.
Marcus narrowed his eyes, leaning forward to study the data. Merlyn was planning something big, but the exact details were still hazy. Marcus had agents working to infiltrate Merlyn's inner circle, but the man was notoriously cautious. If Merlyn's plans for the Glades were moving forward, then Marcus would need to act soon—before it was too late.
Later that Evening – Queen Mansion
Oliver had just returned from a site visit to the club when he found Marcus waiting for him in the study. The two brothers exchanged glances, their relationship marked by an unspoken understanding that there was always more beneath the surface than what was said aloud.
Marcus gestured to the chair across from him. "Take a seat, Ollie. We need to talk."
Oliver, sensing the seriousness in his brother's tone, complied. "What's going on?"
Marcus leaned forward, folding his hands together. "I've been tracking Malcolm Merlyn for a while now. I know you've probably got your own ways of watching him, but you need to be aware—he's been making some moves lately, and I don't think it's a coincidence that he's quiet now that you're back."
Oliver's jaw tightened at the mention of Merlyn. "What kind of moves?"
"Acquisitions, partnerships, bribes. It's all subtle, but he's consolidating power, and from what I can tell, it's tied to the Glades." Marcus hesitated, studying his brother's reaction. "You're building your club in the heart of the Glades, Ollie. That might put you—and the people around you—in Merlyn's crosshairs."
Oliver's eyes darkened. "I'm not afraid of Merlyn."
"I know you're not," Marcus said, his voice calm but firm. "But this isn't just about you. It's about the people who live there, the ones who'll be affected if he goes through with whatever he's planning. And trust me, Merlyn doesn't care about collateral damage."
Oliver clenched his fists. "I'm already working on a way to take him down."
Marcus leaned back, his expression unreadable. "Good. But just be careful. Merlyn's not an amateur. He's playing a long game, and if we're not careful, he'll burn the Glades to the ground while we're still putting the pieces together."
The brothers sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation pressing down on them. Despite their differences, both of them knew that Starling City—and particularly the Glades—was teetering on the edge of something disastrous. And Malcolm Merlyn was at the center of it all.
Underground Lair Beneath the Club – A Week Later
Construction on the club had progressed rapidly, and Oliver's vision was finally taking shape. But while the workers focused on the upstairs—the dance floors, VIP lounges, and bar—Oliver had been quietly assembling his own secret hideout below.
This underground lair, accessible only through a hidden entrance, was equipped with everything Oliver needed to continue his mission as the Hood. The walls were lined with weapons, maps of Starling City, and files on corrupt officials, criminals, and Merlyn himself.
Diggle, who had been reluctantly dragged into Oliver's vigilante world, stood by, arms crossed. "You're really going all out with this place, aren't you?"
Oliver smirked, tightening the grip on his bow. "We're going to need it."
As Oliver prepared for his next mission, the tension between him and Malcolm Merlyn grew with each passing day. The Hood's actions were causing ripples across the city, and Merlyn wasn't one to sit idly by while his plans were disrupted.
The game was only just beginning, but Oliver knew one thing for sure—he would stop Malcolm Merlyn, no matter what it took.
Meanwhile, at Merlyn Global – Malcolm's Office
Malcolm Merlyn stood in his office, looking out over the city that he was preparing to reshape. His plan was simple: cleanse the Glades. But it required precise execution. The Undertaking, as he called it, was already in motion, and no vigilante, not even the Hood, could stop him.
He turned back to his desk, where a file sat open. Inside were details on Oliver Queen's new club in the Glades. A slight smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Oliver was unknowingly positioning himself right in the middle of Malcolm's grand design.
"Well, Oliver," Malcolm murmured, "you're walking into a trap, and you don't even know it."
With that, Malcolm closed the file and leaned back in his chair. The chessboard was set, and the pieces were in motion. But what Malcolm didn't realize was that Marcus Queen was already a few steps ahead, watching from the shadows, ready to make his own move when the time came.