"Mr. Luthor are you certain you want to do this?" the doctor asked as he put the tourniquet on the billionaires exposed arm. He nodded. The doctor cleaned the site and picked up the syringe. Lex's phone rang he hit ignore. The doctor took off the cap and tapped the syringe and got rid of the extra air by pushing the plunger. He came at the young Luthor and was about to stick the needle in his arm when one of his guards came into the room. The doctor stopped what he was doing.
"What IS IT?" the billionaire snapped.
"There was a bomb threat and one explosion back home. The building is being evacuated and the police are starting to search the building….The entire building."
"Damnit!" he shouted. The doctor popped off the tourniquet and recapped the syringe.
"I'm surrounded by idiots!" he yelled. He had too much at the home office that could send him to the electric chair. He grabbed the doctor who still had the syringe.
"You will wait to inject them until I get back. I want to be present." The doctor nodded. Lex left in a hurry.
--
……….It seemed like days until the boys made it into town. It had only been hours. A reservation had been made for Mr. P. bilt, Mr. J. Hawk, Mr. F. Estaire. Chloe was in the lobby in a brown wig and high class dress waiting for them to show. She was busy working on her computer and watched as she first saw Victor. Bart then breezed in. A.C was the last and he looked worried. She smiled and stood and left the building to go back to Josh's house.
She sent him a message to relay to Ollie, "The boys are back in town."
By late Sunday afternoon, Ollie had kicked the plan into action. He had grown impatient. He dressed as the homeless man again. Niko and Andres were down town in the limo waiting his signal. Josh was in town having an early dinner with his wife at a restaurant across from the boys' hotel. He had a good view of the street from their booth. He saw the homeless man sitting by the door. He pulled out his phone and texted as he was instructed.
"I thought no business at dinner?" she signed.
"I'm sorry; this project got sent from Mr. Queen." He signed back.
"You sure he's a good guy to work for? Are you happy? You've been really distracted since that woman has been staying with us." She replied.
"I'm sorry, honey. Yes Oliver is a great boss. I have been distracted, and when this project is over, I'm all yours," he smiled. 'If you'll still have me'.
He watched as Victor came out of the hotel, and as if in a movie the homeless man attacked from behind and then a car came and pulled up in front of the building. He was shoved into the car and it squealed away. He sighed and turned to his wife who was enjoying her dessert.
They took a stroll to the museum which was having an ethnic art fest. He saw the homeless man again and new Bart was next. The colors of the festival and smells were fantastic. He and his wife found an international food booth and were checking out the goods. It was huge! Josh caught a glimpse of Bart getting some Chinese food. He pressed a button on his phone and two men in casual dress crowded the speedster and had him tazed and in custody before could move. No one at the fest was the wiser. He caught up with his wife was buying some exotic chocolates.
Josh and Amy's last adventure of the day was at the aquarium, just near closing time. He knew A.C always went there to check up on his aquatic friends. He had been able to send his text while his wife had gone off to look at the big shark tank from above. He couldn't get it to transmit. He moved further away from her with his back to her to find a good connection. A.C was down below. He had been doing well not being spotted when he heard a scream; he knew the sound, his wife who was hardly ever vocal was in trouble. He ran to the top of the tank where it was coming from and saw two guys holding her over the edge of the tank.
"What the hell are you doing to my wife?" he shouted. The thin crowd that had been present seemed to evaporate. The two guys looked at him and smiled.
"She's yours? We thought she was pretty but wouldn't give us the time of day."
"Do you blame her I doubt your own mothers would even talk to you."
"Listen…"
"No you listen, she's deaf you dumb asses. She would have to see your lips moving." He spoke angrily. A.C had made his way to the top of the steps.
"Josh? You okay?"
"I'd be better if these goons would take their hands off my wife." The two men looked at each other and smiled. They were telegraphing there next move.
Josh looked at A.C who nodded. They bad guys let go of Josh's wife forcing her toward a huge splash. A.C took care of them while Josh used his telekinesis to catch his wife. With quick momentum he moved her back onto the deck away from the tank. A.C had knocked out the two men and security was holding them for police.
"Are you alright?" A.C signed to Amy. She nodded. He looked over at Josh.
"Come on man, let's get out of here." He spoke to Josh. He held his wife as they walked down the stairs and to the exit of the building. Police cars came screaming to a halt and officers went into the aquarium.
"When did you get into town?" Josh asked the swimmer.
"Today." He spoke. Josh saw the homeless man and knew what was coming and his being at the aquarium seriously complicated things. The homeless man approached them begging for change, "Dude sorry, I don't have any, but the soup kitchen is about 3 blocks up the road." Amy clung a little tighter to her husband. "Come on lets go" A.C spoke as they walked the opposite way of the bum. The next thing Josh felt was a prick in his neck, A.C went down and Amy was trying to run. He then saw her go down as the world went black.
Josh woke to cotton mouth. He sat up to see those 3 spots that he hoped they wouldn't have to use, occupied. Vic was being loosely held with wrist restraints, his head was down, he was in hibernation mode. Bart was sitting down, crossed legged, staring into the darkness ahead of him. He was confined with an EMF field. A.C was at the bottom of his water tank and he was seriously pissed off. He turned to see his wife stirring. Oliver dressed as the Russian billionaire entered. He stayed out of line of sight of the JL. He went to Josh and Amy. He helped her to stand. She was confused and expressed that to Josh. He looked at his boss and Ollie just shook his head.
"I had no choice." Ollie spoke in Russian.
"Well, the problem at the aquarium was unexpected." Josh replied in the same language.
"I don't understand you what language is that?" she signed.
"Russian." He replied. She turned to the JL.
"What's going on Josh, why are those men prisoners?"
"Give me time and I will tell you everything." He spoke. He turned to Oliver who was moving to the containment units. He hit a key pad near each disengaging the fields around them. The water drained out of A.C's tank and the tank walls lowered. EMF fields still kept them secured.
"What the hell is going on? Who are you?" he demanded.
"A friend in trouble." He spoke. A.C knew that voice.
"Ollie?"Bart asked.
"Yeah."
"What the F***is this?" he spat. Oliver pressed the release button and the EMF field was inactivated and they were released.
"Please, listen, this isn't what you think."
"I think you finally lost it man. You have gone plumb loco. A little Lex envy?" A.C spoke as he rushed his boss, coming face to face with the billionaire.
"Listen here, gold fish, I'll let that slide, say it again and I will kick your…."
"Oliver Queen!" The voice carried from the door. Escorted by Niko and Andres was Chloe. Everyone turned to see the little blonde dynamo enter the room and she was not happy. She marched up to them with the angriest look Oliver had ever seen on her face.
"Arthur Curry you know better and you had BETTER say you're sorry." She glared. She scowled at Oliver who was smirking at A.C being in trouble, "and you…. are no saint, Queen. Now, if you two are done measuring put 'em away, lets talk about why we're really here, shall we?" She went to sit at the table, the bottle of Gen717 was sitting open with several shot glasses. She poured a shot. "Bart you're not legal so you can have a soda, everyone front and center." Nobody moved. "Don't make me repeat myself."
There was some grumbling and moping and everyone was present except for Vic who was in hibernation.
"What about him?" Bart spoke pointing to the super computer.
"He's getting upgraded. He'll get all of this during his down time." Oliver spoke.
"Are you sure? You could be playing the Lex card." Bart jabbed.
"Bart Allen," Chloe shouted. "You will hush and you will listen. Do not make me come over there and show you how to be silent." She glared.
"Sorry 'Licious." He spoke putting his head down and moping.
"Now all cards on the table."
"Excuse me." Amy vocalized. They all turned to her. "Would someone please explain to me what's going on." She signed.
"I can explain a lot of this. Why don't you and Josh go into the spare room and wait please." Ollie signed back. Josh led her to the room that was hidden just off of Oliver's room.
"Now back to business…." He spoke. It seemed like 25min. later and 3 or 4 shots of Vodka and soda respectively, Bart and A.C were silent.
"So you did all this to protect us?" Bart asked.
"Yeah… and the next time you compare me to Lex, you had better take a good count of your teeth, I'm liable to remove a few from you." Oliver hissed.
"Sorry dude, I …" he tried to apologize. Oliver just glared at his friend and Chloe cupped him on the back of the head.
"Sorry, this has taken its toll on me. Look, after the bomb threat at Lex's. I left him a message. Meet me and I will hand over the menaces to his property in exchange for his Super Soldiers."
"And when we get there we gonna do a smash, grab, and kaboom?"
"Just like always." Ollie tried to smile. "We really don't have any more time,"
"Did Lex agree to meet?" Chloe interrupted. The guys didn't need to know what this was costing Oliver. Oliver had no response.
"We fly to Texas tonight to recon the warehouse." He smiled, stood and stretched.
Looking at the door where Josh and Amy were waiting. "Look why don't you guys grab Vic and go to the plane, we'll be there in a while." Ollie spoke holding his hand to Chloe. "You coming?" he smiled. She nodded and he took her hand and led her to the room……
--
Chloe and Oliver left the spare room 10 min. later. He held her hand in his as they made their way to the limo. Andres had waited for them to drive them to the airport.
She was curled up next to him. He looked down at her and tried to smile. Their eyes locked and she moved to be in his lap and was kissing him. "God I can't wait till I can have my dimple back," she smiled. "I got plans, big plans, BIG, HUGE Plans!!!" She teased. He sighed. "What??"
"Bruce called; I'm out of time, If I'm not in Gotham by Tuesday night…."
"What?"
"The investors are nervous and they bumped up the date. Bruce was able to buy me until Tuesday." She just held him.
"Listen Oliver, we'll get this done." He kissed her and just held her on his lap as the rest of the drive to the airport was silent.
They arrived at the airport and entered the plane. Vic was awake and working on his laptop and talking to Andres. Niko was on the phone with the pilot. Bart and A.C were sitting in separate rows, house rules, listening to iPods. They were geared up. Oliver was glad to have his friends back. Niko pulled closed the door and secured it.
"Oliver." Vic spoke.
"Yeah." He replied bone weary.
"The facility isn't that big. 3 levels tops, one above ground and two sub basements, Tower come and look at this." He spoke. She gave Ollie's hand a squeeze than went to sit next to Vic.
"There are at least 10 employees that work at the facility, including a Dr. Moriarity."
"Why do I know that name?" he asked sitting down as the plane began to taxi.
"You fired him a couple years ago."
"Oh yes the drug guy."
"What?" Chloe asked.
"He was a researcher over at Star Labs. He was busted using one of the drugs we had developed to ease the side effects and dependence of narcotics in hospital patients. He was also smuggling it out of the lab. Really odd guy." He spoke and then yawned.
"Oliver?" Niko spoke.
"Yeah," he spoke taking off his jacket and loosening his tie.
"Pilot says we'll land in a few hours."
"Thanks," he spoke yawning again. Niko just looked at Chloe. She was done giving her two cents to Vic. She moved to sit next to Ollie. She lifted the arm rest and curled up next to him. He sighed. "Love you side kick," he spoke as he pulled her a little closer and closed his eyes and fell asleep.
"Ollie," Chloe whispered in his ear. He opened an eye to see her staring at him.
"We here?" She nodded. He yawned, stretched, and stood giving her a kiss on the cheek. The guys were waiting at the door for him.
"Look Ollie, sorry about what I said…" Bart spoke.
"Don't sweat it. This thing has sucked from beginning to end. Let's just shut Lex down." He spoke trying to rally the troops. He waited for Niko to join him before he exited the plane. "You okay with handling Lex and the General?"
"Oliver, you have saved my ass more times than I really care to admit, consider this a favor." He smacked his boss' back and the two exited the plane. They all traveled in silence to the safe house, the gang had work to do.
--
"Really?" Lex read the note and was as giddy as a school girl. "I would get to destroy them, including the Green Arrow?"
"According to the note, yes."
"Is your assistant handling the police then??" Lex spoke as he stared out the window of his Metropolis Suite.
"Yes sir, there was nothing for them to see and they had no warrant to search."
"Good, good." Lex spoke. "When does this Kolek want to meet?" he asked.
"Tomorrow night"
"Get the doctor on the phone. Have him prepare the lab and the serum, prepare the jet."
"But sir, don't you think this could be a trap? Suddenly you get the menaces delivered to you gift wrapped?"
"NO ! And how dare you speak to me that way. I've waited years for this. Kolek is the best. …." Lex spoke spinning around and giving the man a glare that had him contemplating his will.
"My apologies sir." He spoke. His assignment given he left the room......
--
00: 00hrs- 33.1 Facility.
The JL sans the Green Arrow were in a van being driven to the site. They guys were in handcuffs and blind folds. Ollie and Chloe would be arriving in a limo. Kolek would personally handle Watchtower; Green Arrow was one last trick that Kolek had up his sleeve.
When they arrived at the facility and before he exited the car, Oliver gave Chloe one very searing kiss and whispered, "Do NOT get out of this car for any reason. If you do woman I'm gonna paddle that sweet ass, you hear me…" he then adjusted his tie and stepped out of the car. Chloe was miffed and slightly turned on by his boldness. The door shut in her face and she tried to see what was going on in the dark. She cracked the window slightly so she could at least hear.
"Kolek?" Lex spoke and Chloe could have sworn there was nervousness in his voice.
"We've met before you son of bitch." he spat in Russian.
"Yes," Andres moved to stand next to him to translate.
"Where are they, where are those rotten terrorists…"
"Oh no, we have business to do before you get your hands on them." Andres spoke.
"We want to see the facility and the serum…..all the serum…"
"What?" Lex was stunned.
"Come we go." Andres spoke. He turned to face Kolek and escort him back to the limo.
"Let them go boss, "Lex's assistant spoke. "The traveler,.you did this for the traveler."
"My father was insane, he could have been lying. These Eco terrorists have been costing me billions. With them gone I can rebuild, make it better. "
Back in the limousine Chloe listened to the men get closer. She gasped when Josh appeared next to her in Green Arrow Gear and hood down. He smiled and winked at her.
"When they get close enough tell him I have the formula. Lex really isn't that great at security." Chloe smiled. The pair made it close to the window and Chloe opened it a little more.
"The formula is secure, let's shut this down." She whispered. Kolek smiled at her.
"Wait!" Lex spoke. "Let me see the money and the terrorists….and then it's all yours." He shouted at the men. They turned slowly and went to the van. Andres whistled to the driver and a Niko dressed to the nines in a dark suit and leather gloves stepped out of the driver's seat and moved to the sliding door. He opened it and helped the JL including the Green Arrow out to stand against the side of the vehicle.
"Do you know how long I've waited for this moment?" Lex purred as he walked in front of each of them he reached out to slap the Green Arrow, Niko grabbed his wrist.
"You will not touch them until we have what we want." His voice was dark and lethal.
"Where's the money? We agreed money and the terrorists for the technology?" Lex asked. Andres was then standing next to Lex with a brief case, he opened it flashed the cash then closed it again. Lex was thrilled. He turned to talk to his assistant and he was gone.
"What's the matter Lex? Lose something?" Niko spoke.
"I…" he turned around again, "Where did he go?"
"Who Lex you were here by yourself." Niko replied.
"Lex you don't look so good, you ok?" Andres spoke smirking.
"I don't understand, where is he?" Lex turned in a circle and looked back at the van and the JL was gone and so was Kolek. "Where'd they go?"
"Who Lex?" Niko spoke slowly approaching him. "The apple really didn't fall from the tree did it?" he began to remove his gloves. "You messed with the wrong people. You called down the thunder and hell has come with it. You will never, ever hurt anyone again."
"Are you serious? Do you know who I am? I'm Alexander Luthor and I can and do what ever I want?" he spoke pulling out a pistol and pointing it at Niko then Andres then back to Niko.
"Man you are unhinged. These terrorists, as you call them, were saving lives and trying to stop a mad man…"
"I'm not mad…I…was merely trying to prepare for the invasion. With a super army we would be safe….from…"
"Who Lex?" Chloe spoke stepping out of the limo and going to them. "What Super Invader are you worried about? You've been a pain for year-- have you seen any little green men? Wait you are from Lionel's gene pool may be you have?" she spoke looking around.
"Ms. Sullivan?"
"No….you can call me …….Watchtower." She stood up tall and pinned him with gimlet stare. "You destroyed so many lives…" She spoke as she reached back slapped him across the face. "You deserve everything you get." While she was talking Andres had put in an ear piece and was listening to the comm. of the JL.
"Nik" he told his friend, "Do your thing man, they've set all the charges and found the missing soldiers, they're on their way out." Niko smiled and took a step toward Lex.
"Wait what are you doing? I don't…No.." Niko put a hand on his temple and Lex's face became blank. Chloe wanted to ask what was going on.
"Don't, he can't be interrupted." She saw the guys come out running at a full sprint with soldiers tossed over shoulders.
"We gotta go, it's gonna blow…." A.C spoke as he tossed the soldier he was carrying into the van. Niko pulled his hand away from Lex who collapsed. Niko picked him up and moved quickly into the limo. Chloe followed. They got in and it took off.
"Wait, where's Oliver?" she asked as the limo pulled away.
"He's in the van." Niko spoke as the explosion lit up the sky and rocked the vehicles as they sped off back to the airport.
Everybody had exited the vehicles and two were missing: Josh and Oliver.
"Where the hell is Oliver?" Chloe asked grabbing Victor by the caller and glaring.
"We thought he was in the limo." He spoke confused. They turned to face the direction of the smoke plume, billowing behind them. That plume belonged to what they call the Bart Special, no one could have survived it.
"Oh…God" she spoke dropping to her knees, tears streaming. She couldn't believe it. What the hell went wrong? They always did a head count. She couldn't breath. She heard them call her name and it was like being in a tunnel. It didn't matter. He was gone, no happy ending, no enjoying saving the day,he was gone.
