Marcus Observes from the Shadows
In the quiet depths of his secret lab, Marcus Queen stood alone, watching the screens that displayed every corner of Queen Consolidated. His hidden CT (Closed-Circuit Television) system captured all movement, including Oliver's encounter with Felicity Smoak. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he saw his brother walk away, completely unaware that he had just met someone who would be pivotal to their future.
The AI system embedded into Marcus's lab hummed quietly, alerting him to various activities around the city. A familiar voice—his custom AI, Victory—spoke softly through the speakers.
Victory: "Sir, the interaction between Oliver Queen and Miss Felicity Smoak has been logged. She seems… important."
Marcus chuckled, more to himself than to the AI. "Oh, she will be. Oliver doesn't know it yet, but that girl's going to be more useful than any tech or weapon I could ever give him."
He turned away from the screens that showed the footage of the encounter and moved to a different console, his fingers dancing over the keyboard. "Victory, current information on the League of Shadows' movements in Starling City for the past week. Particularly anything related to Detective Lance and his daughters, Sara and Laurel."
The screens in front of him flickered, and a digital map of Starling City appeared. Red markers began to populate the map, highlighting significant activity.
Victory: "Detective Quentin Lance continues to investigate the rising presence of organized crime. He remains focused on Malcolm Merlyn's connections to various criminal syndicates. However, recent intel suggests that the League of Shadows has taken an interest in both Sara and Laurel Lance. Their activities remain discreet, but surveillance indicates they've made several movements around Sara's workplace and Laurel's apartment."
Marcus's eyes narrowed as the information scrolled across the screens. He already knew about the League's interest in Sara, but the idea of both Lance sisters being involved made things more complicated. And the fact that Detective Lance had no idea he had just kicked a hornet's nest was troubling.
Marcus leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Lance is getting too close. He's about to stumble onto something he won't be able to handle. And when that happens, he's going to lose everything. His daughters…"
He trailed off, his thoughts returning to the moment years ago when he had subtly altered the course of events. Oliver had been reckless, ready to take Sara Lance with him on the Queen's Gambit that fateful night. But Marcus, knowing the importance of that night and the ripple effects it would have, had intervened. It wasn't easy—convincing Oliver to leave her behind without tipping his brother off to the manipulation. And now, the consequences of that choice were catching up to them.
"I knew when I stopped Oliver from bringing her along, it would change everything," Marcus muttered, almost as if speaking to the air. "But I didn't expect it to come back like this."
The screen in front of him displayed an updated report on the League's movements. The shadowy organization was growing bolder in Starling City, likely emboldened by the brewing conflict between Malcolm Merlyn and the Queens. But the real question was, what did the League want with Sara and Laurel?
"Victory," Marcus commanded, his voice cold and calculated, "keep a close eye on Detective Lance. If he gets too close to something dangerous, alert me immediately. And make sure there's someone tailing Sara and Laurel. If the League decides to make a move, I want to know before they do."
Victory: "Understood, sir. Surveillance initiated."
As the AI continued monitoring the city, Marcus stood up, moving to a table where several blueprints lay scattered. He stared at the intricate designs for various projects—some meant for Queen Consolidated, others far more personal.
"Detective Lance doesn't know it yet, but he's playing with fire. And I'm the only one who can put it out before he loses everything."
Marcus's mind whirled with possibilities and contingencies. The League was getting involved, which meant Malcolm Merlyn's plans were likely accelerating. His brother, Oliver, would be forced to confront them sooner or later, and when that time came, Marcus knew he would need to be ready. This wasn't just about the Hood anymore—it was about the fate of Starling City.
He turned his gaze back to the screen showing Oliver and Felicity. The pieces were moving, and Marcus, as always, was one step ahead, ready to manipulate the board to ensure that both his brother and the city survived the coming storm.
But deep down, Marcus knew that some things were out of even his control.
Marcus: "Let's see what the League does next. It's only a matter of time before all the pieces fall into place."