Chapter 4
"For the love of God put me down," The gang banger begged as he was held over a ledge by the Green Arrow. "I got kids man," He said. "I do my research you don't have kids and don't try the sick family route either," The Arrow said. "I don't known anything about that guy," He finally said. Connor that was a lie. This guy was a member of the Devil Hands a street gang someone he suspected Wintergreen was using to lower property values in glades making it easier for various companies to buy up land. It had been easy enough to catch him in trick arrow and string up by his feet. "I'd start talking I don't think the arrow will stay in-bedded brick much longer," Green Arrow said as strong gust of wind caused the punk to sway. "I can't talk man my family will kill me," he pleaded. "The drop will kill you first." Another gust of wind and just to be sure Connor started using his foot to mess with the line.
"All I know is he pay us in Vertigo. Some how he's got the Count's old recipe," He finally cracked. "And where does he drop off you payment?" Connor said finally. "He uses that old private port Palmer Tech owns. The security company is on the take." He gave up. Connor pulled the guy back up. "I swear you little bitch someday..." With that Connor shoved him back over. He hated leaving behind any clues but the guy had earned a good head ach from the blood to the head. "What is the point of me motoring you if you keep turning the comm off?" Felicity said right away her voice more worried than angry. "Do you really want to hear your only son threaten to drop a guy off building?" Connor asked jumping from building to building. "So did you find anything out?" She asked changing the subject. "Plenty find out who does the security for Palmer Tech especially that wharf area," Connor says.
"Tomorrow," Felicity said simply. "The sooner we find Wintergreen the better," Connor said tensely. "Connor its late you need sleep and so do I," Felicity said. Connor was mad. On the one hand he needed her help. Roy had gotten ready for the physical demands but most of tech skills had become out dated in five years. On the other hand Felicity Smoak had always been willing to argue with Oliver Queen and now Felicity Queen had no problem "guiding" him. Knowing he was annoyed she spoke "Why is this Wintergreen guy such a big deal?"
"Hey Roy I got one," Connor with longer hair and thick beard said running into the cave with a bore over his back. "I hope you like pork chops that will last you a while," A female voice says. Connor drops the bore and spins around knife drawn. He sees Sara Lance sitting on a crate as calm as anyone can be. Connor lowers the knife but doesn't put it away. "Roy tells me you have really improved," She says. "When my dad I used to tell me about his life as a hero he told me about the Legends. Now I could believe super speed and aliens. But I never quite wrap my head around time travel. Than I saw a video of my mother being killed. So now I hope it's real. So if it is real why didn't you stop this guy?" Connor asks getting choked up and he remembers the video.
Sara takes a deep breath. "Its complicated. I tried to but something went wrong. I had to either save your family or save all of time. My team had to pick one or the other," Sara says. Connor understands. "So I'm plan B? Why isn't that just tell them look out for Wintergreen?" Sara gets up. "Because Wintergreen has people working for him. And from what we could find out he already has people in place around your family," Sara says.
In a dark room a man rolls out a series of blue prints. He has already marked them but is going over his plan one more time. He bitterly looks flier promoting a fundraiser. Rolling up his blue prints he opens a case with bombs in it.
Queen Smoak Industries
Connor walked into William's office. "Well speak of the devil," a man said as he and young woman were being led out by William. "That's enough," William said forcefully. The two left. "What was that?" Connor asked looking back. "The press wanting to know about you," William says motioning for him to sit. "There is nothing to tell. I'm pretty boring now," Connor says. William gets a serious look on his face. "Problem is no one buys that. And even if they did there is a story there. Where had the Prodigal Son been? Now Felicity told about that group you were with. We get a few of them to do a feature news story people will eat it up. The spoiled brat turned hero," William says. "Not a chance Will. That kind of work saving people like that needs to be done in the underworld. I am not about to let send the press poking around. All it takes is one face to be linked and whole operations are blown," Connor says. "Point taken. At the very least be ready to get asked a lot of questions tomorrow night," William tells him. "What's tomorrow night?"
"Queen Smoak is sponsoring a fundraiser a the Star City Museum for the Mayor's new social outreach program. Black-tie only the prefect place to re-debut Connor Queen to Star City society," William says laughing because he knows what's coming next. "Pass," Connor says actually waving his arms. "Connor you need to start getting out there. The crazy stories people are making up. You came home to die, you came home because you broke some law in some other country. And the topper you are the Green Arrow," William said chuckling. "Will... I am The Green Arrow," Connor said dead serious. After a second they both laugh. "Anyone that thinks that never saw you actually shoot a bow. I recall dad teaching us. The martial arts you got with ease, salmon ladder you picked up pretty well to. But archery you were a mess." William says recalling those days. "Hey I did get that deer in the heart," Connor says.
"Ah yes. You missed the target dad had set up, broke a window and hit that painting your mother had just bought," William says. "Great tell people that story and they won't think I'm The Arrow," Connor says. "Your going," Felicity says entering the office. Connor was about to object but he had nothing. Hell he had been counting her to make an excuse to William why he couldn't. "Great I'll have a suit from my guy sent over," William says. At that point William and Felicity talked business for about ten minutes. When Felicity left Connor followed her out to her office.
"I'm not going. I need to see what is going with Palmer Tech," Connor says. Felicity sat her desk calmly looking over papers. "No the Green Arrow needs to do that. Connor Queen needs to not let being the Green Arrow take over his whole life," She says. "The city needs me," Connor says. "Connor your father often got a lot of key information by going out at Oliver Queen. What ever is going on there is money behind it and the people at this will have money. And it would do me some good to see my son out and about as himself," Felicity says. He finally nodded yes.
Star City Museum
The man pulled up in a white panel van that read Wolf Ram Electric and was wearing a jump suit. No one gave him a second thought as he parked his van in an alley. "Damn them damn them all," He muttered. He forced open the door to the building to the museum which was abandoned and than turned back to the van and grabbed a toolbox. Once he was inside eh head for the basement where the building connected to the sewer.
Coffee Shop
Dana sipped her coffee again wondering why she agreed to meet with Scott Miller. The guy could be an ass but he was a good cop. And what ever was going it had to be important if he was reaching out her now when she was on indefinite leave. Chief Drake had ripped her a new one for her actions on the Zach case. Finally Miller walked into and sat down. "Thanks for meeting with me," He said. "Not like I have anything else to do," She said annoyed. "To be fair Logan you didn't give the Chief must choice. Hell if not for Green Arrow Jr. you would be dead," He reminded her smugly. She gave him an angry look. "Something is happening on the streets," he said changing the subject. She didn't say anything. End of the day Miller had paid his dues and earned his shield for a reason.
"Someone is trying to pull together some kind of street army," He said. "Wouldn't be the first time something like that happened in Star City," Dana said grimly. "And I don't mean like Brickwell case or Tobias Church. I think it' s something like the Ghosts were or the Uprising," He said. Dana swallowed. They were both to young to have lived through such events but it was the kind of history every member of the SCPD were aware of. "Do you have any evidence?" He shakes his head now. "Nothing solid but I have one possible lead and that is why I called you in," Miller says. "Look Steve I can't. If I have any chance of getting my badge back and if I did get involved it could just taint this," She says actually regretfully. "I don't need you to investigate I just need you insight on the person I think is behind it. The rich boy," He says.
And just like that Dana mode changes. "Connor? I'd be made at you for wasting for me time if it wasn't so funny." "Look at the facts. Guy was missing for years. Not movement on his credit cards or social security number. Guy had to be underground. Now he's back and lets not forget someone had to help Zach escape. Add into that he was at the safe house when Hamilton and Winston were attacked," Miller says. "Connor was there because he was worried about me. You have nothing just wild speculation," She says. "Like it or not Logan people don't go away disappear off the face of the earth and not have something change."
Sara and Lance walked on a cliff looking out at the ocean. "I wish there was more I could do. But some kind of fail safe my teams old captain put in. It keeps us for looking to far into our own future and those we were close to," Sara says. "So I need to get home. Which according to Roy I'm not to being ready," Connor says. "Roy can be a tough believe it or not he's really impressed with your progress and that is why I'm here," Sara says before punching him. "Le's see if your ready to get off this island."
Star City Museum
The Fundraiser was in full effect. The Queens had just arrived. "Alright so the Mayor is now Samuel Forester. He can be pretty smug but he's decent guy," William says for what may be the hundredth time. "And I need to look out Veronica Jackson she is an overly aggressive reporter that will try to use anything I say. Will I got this," Connor says. "He will do fine," Felicity says. "Exactly I got this," Connor says with a coy smile. He than walks in and right up to a brunette in a red gown. "Ms. Jackson I'm Connor Queen big fan," He says. "Its a pleasure," She says stunned. "Just wanted to tell you to keep up the great work," With that he breaks away and look over at William who is mouthing "I am going to kill you."
The man was dressed a waiter walked around with drinks. "Sir?" "No thanks man," Connor says passing him by. When on one is looking he places something under a table. He slowly circles the room not even trying to hide his contempt for the people around him. But they don't notice.
A little while later William is at the bar when approached by a blonde woman with cropped blonde hair. "Mr. Queen, Mr. Wintergreen apologizes for not making it tonight," She says. "Oh course Sheila. I understand. Besides I think you make a much better impression on people than Xavier," He says. "Thank you sir,' She says smiling seductively at him. They chat for a bit. "So did I hear right your brother is here. "Yes he's… actually not a cause a scene yet so thank god for miracles," William says starting to look around. "I think he's over there." "Perfect he hated those in high school and they will cling to him all night. Serves him right," William thought laughing.
Connor was thinking ass kicking Roy had ever given him because doing that again would be fun than dealing with Jackson and Jacqueline a couple that had been together since high school. The kind of people who were so dull they could ever wind up together. "Really Connor people though you were dead," Jackson said for the fifth time. "Or that locked away in mental ward," Jacqueline said. "You guys want the truth?" Connor said. "Yes," They both said. "Truth is I ran away to Mexico and became masked wrestler called Venom," He says before breaking away.
"Really a masked wrestler that could make a great feature," Veronica Jackson says coming up behind him. "Oh you can't run that… imagine the scadle if people found out wrestling was fake," He joked. "I've seen this before Mr. Queen. Someone using humor to deflect and not really talk," She says. "What do you think I'm trying to deflect Ms. Jackson?" He replies. "Not sure. But I do think there is something. After all why are you back?" "Its like my family said in our official statement. I've done some growing up and missed them. As for where I've been that is my personal business," He tells her. "True yet your family's business is the larger employer in the state," She points out. "I'm not involved with the family business so no should fear for there job because I'm back," He says. "I don't think anyone fears. Its just great curiosity. Why would a man with it all leave it all," She says.
Sara lunged at Connor throwing a sidekick. He brought his leg up in a check. She went for a punch which he caught and pulled her into him in controlling lock. "What the hell?" She elbowed him in the gut causing him to let go. "Fight back," She demanded sweeping his legs and mounting him. He threw his legs up and swept postilion into a arm bar but let it go and got back up. "I don't want to hurt you," He tells her. "I fought Slade Wilson, was trained by The League of Assassins. You wont' but I need to know your ready. I owe Ollie that much," She said going to attack him with a superman punch. He slipped it and came back with a hard hook hitting her in the jaw knocking her down. She jumped right back up and landed a spin kick. Connor got to hands and knees when she kicked hard. "Fight back damn it. Don't you get it yet. He's coming to kill everyone you love!" She yelled. Connor rolled down hill to get away.
Sara followed slowly giving him enough time to stand. She reached behind her back and pulled out a piece of metal that extended into a staff. She swung at him. He caught it and pulled her off balance and than hit a strong roundhouse kick to the body. She took it well and came back with another swing of the staff that caught him and knocked him back. Suddenly she did something and sharp point formed at the end of it. "If you are this weak than Roy's wasted his time," She said coldly advancing. Connor acting quick grabbed the knife he put back in his belt earlier and threw it at her. With amazing skill and timing Sara caught it by handle just inches from her heart.
"You could have killed me," She said tossing the knife down. "I'm sorry I wasn't thinking," He said stunned at himself. "Don't be. Your father drew a line in the sand when it came to killing but even he crossed it. When it's killed or be killed you need to be willing to go that far," She told him. "I can't," He says. "That says different," Sara says pointing at the knife.
"Ms. Jackson with all due respect if I'm ever ready to go in depth it wont' be during a fundraiser," He says. "Very well Mr. Queen," She says. "Although I should thank you I can see that little vain on my brother head is going to blow," He said. "Ah back to humor," She says laughing. He's about to say something else when suddenly explosion erupts. Acting out of instinct he pulls her to the ground and covers her body with his own. She screams as another one explosion rocked him. Connor looked up and in the center stood a waiter a control in his hands.
"Ladies and Gentlemen… Who wants to die?" He mocked. No one said anything everyone was to scared to move. Connor weighed his options in his head. "Now before anyone plays her0 this control does not set them off. No you see I have to press the button to keep them exploding. So if you were to tackle me and I lost it well plenty of my bomb could go off," He tells them. That stops Connor from his planning for now. Looking around he saw William was still by the bar. His mother had been talking with the Mayor over by the stage. She had a cut on her head but other wise looked fine. "So like I said who wants to die… You? You? Maybe you?" He said pointing a gun at Felicity's face.