Marcus's Next Move: The Takedown of Malcolm Merlyn
Marcus Queen sat in his high-tech lab, the soft glow of the monitors casting shadows across his face. Victory, his advanced AI, had been monitoring all of Malcolm Merlyn's communications for weeks. Every call, every message, every transaction—it was all under Marcus's watchful eye. And now, Malcolm had made his next move, activating some kind of contingency plan to strike back.
As the conversation between Malcolm and his mysterious contact played out on one of the screens, Marcus listened intently. His fingers drummed against the surface of his desk, his mind already calculating the next steps. He knew that Malcolm wouldn't go down easily—he was too entrenched in power, too cunning. But Marcus had something Malcolm didn't: the ability to strike from the shadows without warning, and the technology to obliterate everything Malcolm had built.
Victory: "Malcolm Merlyn has initiated a contingency plan involving multiple covert resources. The individuals he contacted are now being tracked. What are your next instructions, sir?"
Marcus's eyes narrowed as he considered the situation. Malcolm was activating his allies, likely preparing to move against the Queen family in retaliation for the quiet assault on his financial empire. But Marcus was ready.
"Victory," Marcus said, his voice calm but laced with cold resolve, "monitor all the individuals Malcolm has contacted. If any of them make a move against our family or our interests, deploy the Replicators immediately. No hesitation. I want them neutralized before they even get close."
Victory: "Understood, sir. Replicators are primed for deployment and will activate at the first sign of hostile action."
The Replicators were Marcus's most dangerous weapon—self-replicating nanobots capable of overwhelming and dismantling any target. They were fast, efficient, and nearly unstoppable. Marcus had kept them in reserve for moments like this, when he needed to eliminate a threat without leaving a trace.
But that wasn't all. Marcus knew Malcolm's strength lay not only in his ability to manipulate people but in his vast hidden resources—offshore accounts, covert assets, and secret funds stashed under fake names and proxies. Marcus planned to strip all of that away.
"Also," Marcus added, his voice taking on a darker tone, "start plundering all of Malcolm's hidden assets. I want every offshore account, every covert fund, even the accounts he has under his wife and son's names. Leave nothing untouched. I want him to wake up tomorrow and realize that he's lost everything."
Victory: "Initiating asset plundering now. Targeting offshore accounts and hidden financial holdings. The process will be untraceable."
Marcus leaned back in his chair, satisfaction creeping into his expression. Malcolm had made the first move by trying to turn the federal authorities against him, but now, Marcus was hitting back in a way that Merlyn could never have predicted. It wasn't just about taking Malcolm down—it was about leaving him with nothing. Stripping away all his power, his influence, his wealth.
As Victory executed the commands, Marcus watched the real-time data streams showing the flow of money from Merlyn's hidden accounts into new, untraceable locations. Funds that had been carefully hidden in offshore banks, in the names of Malcolm's deceased wife and son Tommy, were now being funneled out, beyond Malcolm's reach.
The Tapping of Malcolm's Phone
Meanwhile, across the city, Malcolm Merlyn sat in his office, unaware that every call he made was being listened to by Marcus. He had just finished speaking to his contact, confident that his backup plan would be enough to deal with Marcus Queen. He leaned back in his chair, a dark smirk playing on his lips.
But as Malcolm opened his laptop to check on his accounts, something wasn't right. The balance in one of his key offshore accounts had dropped to zero. Confusion flashed across his face as he quickly opened another account. Gone. Another. Gone. Every account, every bit of money he had hidden to fund his operations, had vanished.
His smirk faded, replaced by a deep, sinking feeling of dread. He quickly called one of his financial advisers, demanding answers.
"What the hell is going on?" Malcolm barked into the phone. "Where's my money?"
The adviser stammered, clearly panicked. "I-I don't know, sir. The funds are being drained, but we can't trace where they're going. Whoever's doing this—it's like they're erasing everything."
Malcolm slammed the phone down, his mind racing. This was Marcus. It had to be. Somehow, Marcus had found a way to plunder everything—his hidden assets, his offshore accounts, even the funds he'd carefully placed under his wife and son's names. Everything was gone.
Marcus's Plan in Motion
Back in his lab, Marcus watched as the plundering continued, a cold smile on his face. Malcolm was flailing now, scrambling to figure out what had happened. But it was already too late. Marcus had taken everything, leaving Malcolm powerless and exposed.
"Victory," Marcus said, his tone sharp, "continue monitoring Malcolm's movements. If he tries to contact any more allies, shut them down. I want every avenue he could use to fight back cut off."
Victory: "Monitoring and disabling additional contacts. Merlyn's communications network is compromised."
Marcus stood, stretching as he took in the satisfaction of dismantling Malcolm Merlyn's empire. There was something deeply satisfying about watching a man like Malcolm—a man who thought he could control everything—lose everything he had worked for. But Marcus wasn't done.
"Prepare a message for Oliver," Marcus said. "I want him to know what's been happening—without all the details. He doesn't need to know about the Replicators or the offshore accounts, but he should know that Merlyn's trying to make his move."
Victory: "Message prepared. Transmitting to Oliver Queen."
Malcolm's Desperation
As the minutes ticked by, Malcolm Merlyn became increasingly desperate. His contingency plans were failing. His financial empire had been gutted. And now, every phone call he made, every person he tried to contact for help, was being cut off. It was as if Marcus had anticipated his every move.
Malcolm stood by the window of his office, staring out at the city he had once controlled from the shadows. He had always believed that he was untouchable—that his wealth and power would keep him safe. But now, with his empire crumbling around him, Malcolm realized just how wrong he had been.
He had underestimated Marcus Queen, and now, he was paying the price.
The War Intensifies
With Malcolm Merlyn's assets being plundered and his plans falling apart, the war between Marcus and Malcolm was reaching its peak. Marcus had struck first, and now Malcolm was scrambling to hold onto the few remaining threads of power he had left.
But Marcus wasn't done. As Victory continued monitoring Malcolm's communications and assets, Marcus was already planning his next move. He had crippled Malcolm financially, but there were still pieces to be played in the larger game for control of Starling City.
And Marcus Queen never left a game unfinished.