Chapter 2
"You are off balance," Connor says as he circles around Dana. Each held a pair of eskrima sticks. She swings but he blocks with ease. Than he kicks her back foot out from under her. "So mistake one, you were off balance, mistake two you didn't correct mistake one, mistake three you only hit once," Connor says. "I know combinations win," She says as he helps her up. "Exactly especially when you might have another attack behind you," Connor says. Her phone starts to go off. She heads off to check it. Conner gets some water and heads over to the computer. "Any luck," Connor asks his mother.
"Just some old attacks but again all the assassin that was operating long before you were even born," Felicity says. "And than it goes silent for a number of years until what could be the last few days," Connor says. "Hey I got to go meeting with the chief," Dana says. At that
moment Felicity finds a file and starts to read to herself. "Alright... be careful," Connor says. Felicity quickly shuts the file she is upset but cover it with them talking to each other. "Hey you are the one that has to meet with the hospital board," Dana says. Connor now remembering his meeting checks the time. "Crap I'm going to be late... Mom I'll be back later," He says. "No problem," Felicity says as he runs out.
"
"Felicity are you okay?" Dana asks. "What?... Yes I'm fine. Just to much time looking up assassinations," She says. "Alright I gotta get going as well," Dana says. Felicity takes a second and reopens the file. A clear photo of a claw mark cut into a wall is seen. However it's the name of the file that she is looking at. She takes off her glasses and rests her head in her hands.
Connor absently mindlessly looked out the window of the private jet. "Hey are you alright?" Madison asks taking the seat next to him. "I'm fine I just don't like customs," Connor lies. "Well you won't have to worry about that," She says. Arturo comes up to them. "Now Madison darling you are more than welcome to enjoy yourself why I have these meetings just take Connor with you," he reminds her. "I know dad," Madison says. They make there departure from the private jet. Getting into a limo it stunned Connor how little security Arturo had brought along.
Dana and Scott Miller walked into a back alley. "Victim was strangled to death doesn't match the MO of our killer," Miller says. Dana recalled the fight the night before knowing full well the killer was working some kind of team. "This does though detectives," An officer says pointing to a broken arrow on the ground. "Was there any kind of message?" Dana asks. The medical examiner moves the shirt on the victim. "A preview of your fate... who ever this is they want the Green Arrow. Thanks a lost masked freak," Scott says. "Not a fan of the Arrow?" "I'm not a fan of the ripples effects from him being around. Like someone dropping bodies to challenge him," Miller says.
Dana had to admit she could see his point. "Any idea who the vic is?" He asks one of the uniforms. "It's Gino Manning small time drug dealer seems to be getting into the protection racket sir." Suddenly Dan's phone went off. "Yes Chief... We will wrap up her ASAP and head over... Looks like our killer didn't stop here another body found by the docks cut to ribbons," Dana says.
The Killer Liar
Dorrance was working a heavy bag that weighed over hundred pounds. Even a basic jab sent it flying back. His assiotcate was gone off to meet with someone. Replaying the events of the night before in his head he was getting madder and madder. "I will show her," He said finally making his way towards the exit.
Connor's office
Connor had made two things clear to William and his mother when he took the job. He didn't want to work of QSI itself. He was working for the Foundation and they had small office space away from the main QSI building. He didn't want or need to deal with business. Two he never going to wear a suit ever day. He could and would wear one for big meetings and the like. He also wasn't a total slop. Amazingly both had been agreed to. Felicity later admitted they were stunned he so easily agreed to taking the job they couldn't argue. Sadly the suit had been necessary today. The foundation had been working on project to help get better pre natal care for poor expecting mothers. After his meeting Star City General a basic agreement was in place for the hospital to be help out a clinch in the Glades.
"So my best friend disappears for five years and I'm not even worth a phone call when he pops back up," A voice says standing at the door. Connor looks up and see Chris Diggle, John and Lyla's younger son at the door. "Wow… How you been?" Connor asks. "Oh I've been fine had some good days some bad days," Chris says. Connor singles for him to sit down. "I should have… called," Connor says. "Why didn't you talk me about wanting to run?" Chris asks. "Buddy I didn't want to talk to anyone about it. I just ran. And as for why I didn't call sooner..." "I get it Hawk. Had to be hard enough facing the family and getting Dana to not kill you," Chris says. "Well it helped I was in a jail cell when she saw me the first time," Connor says. "What is that the fifth time you got locked up?" Chris asks. "Hey three of those time you were with me," Connor reminds him.
"And those were all your fault..." "No man the first time was on you. You had to start playing music when were with those girls. Wind up tipping off the neighbors," Connor says laughing at the memory. "So hey I heard about you going underground hero during your time away and now running this place," Chris says impressed. "I don't run anything. But having the last name that the same as the Foundations it's helps make people listen. What about GI Joe?" Connor asked. Chris like his parents had joined the army. "GI Joe no more. Did my tour didn't think I could handle anymore. Have no idea how my folks did so many. Went to college now trying to put the degree to good use," Chris says. "You got a..." Connor's phone started to ring. "I gotta take this... Hey Will.. I'll be right there... Chris man I'm sorry but something came up I need to cut out," Connor says.
"No problem Hawk. Tomorrow night though can you meet up at Juggernaut Bar?" Chris asks. "Yeah sure lets just agree on a three drink limit we aren't in college anymore," Connor says. "No problem besides my fiance hates when I get drunk," Chris says before leaving. "Wait what?" To late he was gone.
QSI
Felicity was in her office trying focus on running the company. She couldn't do it. What she had found earlier nawked at her. Turning around in her chair her eyes locked on very old photo. It was her much younger with her arms wrapped around five year old Connor who was dressed as snowman after taking part in the winter play at his school. Her mother had been in town and that night after Connor was asleep made it a point to tell remind Felicity "Enjoy these times my beautiful girl. Someday you will blink and your baby has a baby of there own."
"Felicity are you alright?" Thea asks shaking her. "Holy frack don't do that I hated it when Oliver would go all ninja on me," Felicity snapped. "I knocked on the door and called your name. I was getting worried," Thea says. "Sorry I just have a lot on my mind... Connor going up against this King Snake and Claw Person," Felicity says only telling the half truth. "Connor can take care of himself he's shown that since coming back." "He's my old child Thea. I Just want him..." She get finish she is to upset. Thea takes her hand. "Hey calm down. "I'm sorry Thea long night," She says.
The Liar
Connor sat at the console checking some reports when Dana walked in. She had already sent him info on the two new kills. "So how's Barney doing?" Connor asks. "He's off to lunch and wondering why I'm not with him going over theories," Dana says. "What theories these two want me to find them," Connor says. "That's clear third victim had another broken arrow and another message about your fate being death," Dana says. "Who was the victim this time?" "Seth Ambrose a small time bookie," Dana says.
"Three of the four are small time criminals right?" Connor asks seeing a thread. "Yes but Hughes wasn't he was a out of work writer," Dana says. "Lets just say he was killed to not leave any witnesses. Do you have any idea how they are picking there victims?" Connor asks. "Not yet what are you thinking?" She asks. "If you arrested any of these three the DA would likely offer them a deal if they are willing to flip on some higher ups? Suppliers, the real heavy hitters stuff like that right?" Connor asks.
"Yeah depending on known ties or any other active cases. Let me do some checking," She says going to the computers. A few minutes later she calls him over. "You were right all three have lower level ties to the Muller crime family. A decent enough start to work your way up," Dana says. "We are thinking this is some kind of target job for me. What if ti's two birds one stone. Mess up a case and call me out?" Connor thinks out loud.
"So where are we again?" Madison asks. "Its called Central City my dear. We will be here for today than onto LA," Arturo says. Connor was lost in his own world. Sure Central City wasn't home but he knew someone that if he wanted could get him there in a flash. "You are from California right Connor?" Madison asks. "Yeah I spent some time in Central City," Connor says. Tess gave him a look. "Connor why don't you take Madison to get some coffee," Arturo says. "Of course sir," Connor says. "Sir may I go as well... Sorry I just really need a caffeine fix and I love Jitters," Tess says. He didn't show it but that stunned Connor. Something was up. "Of course Tess. Besides I have a meeting I must attend," He says.
The walk was quick and mostly silent. Once inside Tess said she would get the coffee Connor led Madison to a table near the back so he could sit facing the wall and than his heart stopped. A familiar face walked into coffee place.
"Bingo," Dana say hanging up the phone. "What your FBI friend find out?" Connor asks. "Ongoing target list all three were on it. One name left," Dana says. "Walter Steiner to the general public a CPA to the Muller's one of the key men that hides there dirty cash." "Excellent should be easy enough to track him down," Connor says.
Walter Steiner's House Later that Night
Connor took a lookout spot in a wooded area behind the house. Dana and he had filled in Felicity who was on the comms. Dana had been upset when he told her stay behind at the base. "Arrow we have an SUV pulling up out front." "Copy Overwatch seems the target is still eating dinner," Connor says. "Its Dorrance and he's about charging like a bull..." Connor doesn't listen he was already on the move. Hearing door being broken he jumps through a window. "Green Arrow," Dorrance says. "Get out of here," Connor yells to Steiner who is frozen in fear on the floor.
Dorrance removes his shirt to reveal his tattoo o his chest. "Its a king snake I took that name because they eat other snakes." Connor and Dorrance start to circle each other in the small area of the kitchen. Connor knows he to close to use his bow. The time it would take to load and aim and Dorrance could easily attack him. Maybe a fechette but Dorrance had already shown his skill to move and catch them. Dorrance attacks first with a front kick. Connor moves back out of the rang to avoid it. This gives Dorrance a chance though to knock him back through the window he jumped in from.
On the outside Connor scrambles to get back to his feet. Dorrance leaps out the window and goes after Connor. Having a drawn a sword he swing it. Connor blocks with his bow using the bow as a staff hits Dorrance in the leg. Connor moving quick faked a head kick which Dorrance went to block allowing the kick to instead land in the body. Dorrance fell back. Connor went for an arrow but Dorrance saw this and threw a knife. Connor rolled to avoid that. Dorrance went for an ax kick that caught Connor on the neck stunning him. Dorrance locked in a ebullition choke. It was so Connor acting more on instinct than reason drops his bow to try and pull the arm off his neck. '
Dorrance arched up staying standing believing his gave him the most pressure on the choke. He almost laughed when it appeared the Green Arrow was going for punch to the crotch. One of the great myths of self defense was the crotch shot. Yes it could hurt but aderiline was a marvelous thing to dull pain with. Plus in the position he was in no way The Arrow could generate that much force on his punch. But The Arrow wasn't going for a blow. Dorrance had missed the other arm had already been wrapped behind his leg. Green Arrow locked his hands and than using what ever he had left lifts Dorrance into the air before slamming him down hard. The choke is broken.
Connor rolls away trying to get his breath. Dorrance feels a pain in his should which took most of the impact. Reaching for his sword with his good arm a fechette suddenly cuts his wrist. "Just severed a nerve that hand is use less," The Arrow tells him. Dorrance stands and tries to get his hands up his bad shoulder makes it impossible. Still he tires to charge but the Arrow sees it coming and slams a stomp kick onto his knee cap breaking it. Dorrance is down again. The Arrow loads an arrow and fires a line tying the man up. Sirens can be heard in the distance. "When I get out of this..."
BANG
Connor goes for cover. Once feeling safe he loads another arrow and looks around. Dorrance is slumped over dead. The sirens are getting closer. Connor knows he's got to get out of there. Making a break for it he heads to his earlier hiding spot and gets on his motorcycle and rides off.
Killer's Liar
She had warned Dorrance the Green Arrow was her's but he didn't listen. Using a gun wasn't her normal way but it had to be done. If he was captured she had no doubt he would wind up giving something away either the authorities or The Arrow could use to find her. She broke down the weapon and than put it in acid to desolve it. Her phone started to ring. Taking a breath she put aside her true self and brought out her inner mask. "Hey baby shouldn't you be sleeping?" She asks. "I should be but due to the damn time difference this is the only time to talk to you Lian." "I know and I'm back stateside next week... Can't wait had to just fire some moron for ignoring my orders." "Well I can't wait. I'm really excited for you to meet Connor and Dana." "So am I Chris."
Ted Kord's Private Lab
Ted Kord smiled as he put down the welding gear. "Finally," He says looking at the large blue craft. Taking a moment he checks the news the latest headline reads. "Killer Arrow?" It made Kord sick. "The sooner I finish the sooner the Arrow is gone," he thinks.