The moment Oliver hung up, frustration surged through him. He clenched his fists, barely containing a groan of exasperation. Do they really think I'm just sitting here, accidentally dialing them? he thought bitterly.
Did it not occur to Felicity—or anyone at the base—that he might be in real danger? For example, the kind of danger where a Mirakuru-enhanced killer was sitting in his living room, chatting casually with his mother? Slade Wilson, the very embodiment of vengeance, was in his house, and any second, he might decide to snap Moira's neck.
Oliver hesitated, considering whether to call Kaius for backup. But Kaius, who was currently posing as a civilian at S.T.A.R. Labs, was hardly in a position to drop everything and rush to his aid. Besides, by the time Kaius even got there, Slade could have slaughtered the entire Queen family and disappeared.
Before Oliver could act further, Slade suddenly stood up. The motion was so abrupt that Oliver's instincts flared—he nearly reached for the concealed weapon he always carried. For a moment, he thought this was it, that Slade was about to make his move.
Instead, Slade adjusted his suit jacket and addressed Moira with an unsettling calm. "Mrs. Queen, Oliver, I've taken enough of your time. I won't trouble you further."
Oliver blinked, caught off guard. That's it? He's leaving? He couldn't comprehend why Slade had shown up in the first place if it was just to talk business with Moira. Could he have genuinely abandoned his vendetta and embraced the life of a businessman?
Unbeknownst to Oliver, Slade had already achieved his objective. During his brief visit, he had planted a hidden surveillance camera in the house, giving him 24/7 access to the Queen family's movements.
Moira stood up, a polite but disappointed smile on her face. "Mr. Wilson, won't you stay for dinner? We've just hired a five-star chef, and his dishes are truly extraordinary."
Slade gave a small, enigmatic smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Queen, but I must decline. I'm certain we'll meet again soon."
Moira nodded, a little saddened. "Very well. Oliver, please see Mr. Wilson out."
Moira's request was deliberate. In her eyes, Slade was a respectable and successful businessman, someone of equal standing to the Queens. She believed fostering a connection with Slade could benefit Oliver's future.
Oliver, however, wasn't about to let this chance slip by. He followed Slade out of the mansion, the two men walking side by side toward the parking lot. As soon as they were out of earshot, Oliver dropped the pretense.
"Cyrus Gold—the Mirakuru-enhanced man. The skull-masked mercenary. The prison break. All of it—you're behind it," Oliver said, his voice low and sharp.
Slade smirked, his calm demeanor unnerving. "I have allies, just as you do, Oliver. Surely you can appreciate the value of teamwork."
Oliver narrowed his eyes, understanding Slade's veiled reference to Kaius and Sara. "What's your endgame, Slade? What do you want?"
Slade's smile vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. "Five years ago, I made you a promise, Oliver. Do you remember? I told you I'd destroy everything you hold dear. I've come to fulfill that promise. And this is just the beginning."
With those words, Slade opened the door to his Porsche sports car, slid inside, and drove off, leaving Oliver fuming.
"Damn it!" Oliver hissed, dialing Felicity's number again.
---
Meanwhile, at S.T.A.R. Labs…
Kaius was in Central City, posing as an ordinary civilian while working with Caitlin Snow and Cisco Ramon. He had brought them a sample of Mirakuru, hoping they could engineer an antidote. Caitlin, a brilliant bioengineer with blonde hair and sharp intellect, examined the compound under a microscope while Cisco, with his long hair and tech expertise, prepared the lab's equipment.
Since the particle accelerator explosion, S.T.A.R. Labs had been a shadow of its former self. Most of the team had left, leaving only Harrison Wells, Caitlin, and Cisco to carry on. The explosion had affected Barry Allen, now in a coma after being struck by lightning infused with the accelerator's energy.
Kaius watched Caitlin and Cisco work, hoping their combined expertise could provide a solution before the Mirakuru-fueled chaos escalated further. But even as he stood there, a sense of unease crept over him. He had no idea what Slade Wilson might be planning back in Star City—or how soon his actions would spiral out of control.
The hospital had exhausted all options for Barry Allen's condition. His adoptive father, Joe West, was approached by none other than Dr. Harrison Wells—or rather, the man secretly known as Eobard Thawne, the Reverse-Flash. Wells convinced Joe to allow Barry to be transferred to S.T.A.R. Labs for advanced treatment, where the lab's cutting-edge technology offered a glimmer of hope.
During Barry's recovery, Felicity Smoak frequently visited him, becoming well-acquainted with the team at S.T.A.R. Labs. Over time, her visits fostered camaraderie, and it was through this connection that Kaius was eventually introduced to Caitlin Snow and Cisco Ramon. One day, Kaius brought a Mirakuru-enhanced individual to the lab, laying him on the examination table.
Caitlin, ever the scientist, prepared to take a blood sample, but her usual tools proved inadequate. As she inserted the syringe into the enhanced individual's arm, the needle bent against his skin.
"My God!" Caitlin exclaimed, astonished. "His muscle density is off the charts. An ordinary needle can't penetrate. Cisco, get me an industrial alloy syringe."
Cisco, visibly excited, dashed off and returned moments later with the requested equipment. As Caitlin resumed her work, Cisco peered at the unconscious Mirakuru subject and then glanced at Kaius. "So, this guy is one of those 'fortified' people you mentioned? Doesn't really look like someone who could punch through walls."
Caitlin tested the industrial syringe, successfully drawing a sample. "His cellular structure is incredible," she murmured, examining the blood.
Cisco, meanwhile, grinned mischievously. "If these guys are all super-strong and nearly indestructible, maybe we should call them something cool. Like… the 'Steel Bodies'!"
Kaius chuckled, shaking his head. "Cisco, I get it—you love nicknames. But 'Steel Body' is already taken by a certain alien in a red cape. Let's not give Mirakuru subjects that kind of credit. They're more like… concrete bodies, considering they're brainless killing machines."
Cisco shrugged. "Fair enough. But what about their leader? Every army needs a good nickname. Let's call him… General Black!"
Kaius smirked. "Nice try, but he already has a name. Deathstroke."
The mention of Deathstroke visibly deflated Cisco. "Deathstroke? That's so much cooler than my suggestion," he muttered, dejected.
Kaius crossed his arms. "Yeah, and it's not just a name—it's a promise. He's a strategist and a killer. Not exactly someone you want to cross."
Cisco's curiosity quickly rebounded. "Wait—how do you know all this stuff about the Mirakuru people? You're not a cop, right?"
Kaius grinned. "Felicity told me. She works with Star City's Green Arrow and his team. Didn't you know that?"
Recognition dawned on Cisco. "Oh, right! Felicity—she's amazing. Top-tier hacker, super smart, and—well, not bad to look at either. She visits Barry a lot. I think she might have a little crush on him."
Kaius smiled knowingly. "Yeah, they have good chemistry. But fate has its plans. Barry's got Iris, and Felicity… well, she's destined for someone else."
Their conversation was interrupted by Caitlin, who looked up from her microscope with excitement. "Guys, I've got something. This Mirakuru-enhanced person's cells have undergone extensive transformation. Their muscle strength and healing abilities are far beyond normal. It's fascinating!"
Kaius leaned in. "Can you reverse it? Create an antidote?"
Caitlin hesitated, her voice tinged with both caution and excitement. "In theory, yes. But there are still gaps in my understanding. I'll need more time to fully analyze the Mirakuru compound."
As the team discussed Caitlin's findings, a distinct sound of a wheelchair motor drew their attention. Turning toward the doorway, they saw a middle-aged man enter the room. His presence exuded authority and mystery.
"Do we have visitors?" the man asked with a measured tone.
It was Dr. Harrison Wells—though, as Kaius knew, the man in front of them was much more than he appeared.
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