Chapter Seven: A Plan Unfolds
Little served to disturb the silence of the Vernon Freight Depot as Akunin stood expectantly, awaiting her prey. By day the large concreted area was normally busy with trucks coming and going, and to her left and right were stacked countless metal containers, undoubtedly awaiting a pick up at some time in the next few days. Now they simply cast long shadows in the moonlight, which glinted in the puddles left by a recent rain shower. Security lights mounted high above the compound provided a harsh light to complement the soft tones provided by the moon, but even they were not equal to the task of illuminating the darker corners of the depot and the numerous narrow pathways which divided the steel containers. It was in these pathways that Akunin had deployed her security team, men who were fully armed and ready for any tricks their prospective prisoner and his friends might try. She did not expect the Green Arrow to give himself up without a fight – indeed, she would be disappointed if he did so.
Akunin looked at her watch.
12:58.
She took a couple of steps forward, looking ahead of her towards the main entrance to the depot with its gate wide open as if to welcome the expected arrival. Her face was impassive, but inside she felt her heart quicken as the moment of confrontation came ever closer. She knew everything about the Green Arrow – about his feud with Lex, his attacks on the 33.1 facilities, his air of invincibility – but she had never yet come face to face with LuthorCorp's most wanted terrorist. She had seen the photographs, of course, the grainy security camera images of the hooded man penetrating facility after facility with an ease and an arrogance that made a mockery of the tens of thousands Luthor spent on the most advanced security systems. He was an enigma, a mystery, a man living out a comic book fantasy in the real world, and it was this that fascinated her. To capture him, to unmask him and break him, slowly, painfully, was a prospect that thrilled her. Lex had promised her that she would be given special responsibility for overseeing the "care" of his new prisoner, and she could hardly wait to begin.
Suddenly the sound of an engine disturbed the still night air. As Akunin listened she could hear it getting closer and closer, until eventually she recognised the sound of a performance motorbike. She glanced to her left and right, nodding to the two LuthorCorp security men who flanked her to ready themselves. They brought their automatic rifles to their shoulders and took aim at the open entrance, ready for whatever might emerge from the darkness.
Within seconds the motorbike swept around the corner of the entrance and into the compound, sending a shower of gravel into the air as it swerved to a halt some feet away from where Akunin stood. Sitting astride the machine was the unmistakeable figure of the Green Arrow, his hood and shades as ever concealing his true identity. For a few seconds no one moved, Akunin's steely gaze met by the unflinching stare of her prospective prisoner, hidden behind the inky blackness of his sunglasses.
"Put your hands on your head and walk forward," ordered Akunin. Her voice was calm, but inside the adrenalin was coursing through her body. As she watched the Green Arrow silently obeyed, dismounting the motorcycle and slowly placing his hands on his head. He began to walk forward, his large boots crunching the gravel as he moved towards the woman whose mastery of the situation seemed absolute.
"Stop," ordered Akunin, when the Green Arrow was about eight feet from where she stood. "Now kneel, keeping your hands on your head."
Slowly the silent figure complied. At last Akunin allowed herself to relax slightly – perhaps Lex's back-up plan would not be needed after all, perhaps he really was going to surrender himself without a fight. Disappointing, perhaps, that she would not have chance to take on the supposedly invincible Green Arrow, but the core objective was what mattered most, and that was just moments away from completion.
"Secure him."
The guards who flanked her now moved forward quickly, taking up positions to either side of their prospective captive. One kept his rifle trained intently on the Green Arrow's head, his body tense and ready for any sudden movements on the part of their prisoner. The other started to pat him down for concealed weapons, checking the holsters which normally carried the Arrow's array of weaponry but which now seemed empty.
Suddenly a strange sound cut through the air, unlike anything Akunin had heard before. It seemed to originate from behind her, but before she could turn to look her attention was captured by the two guards who stood next to the kneeling figure of the Green Arrow. They seemed to freeze for a moment, before half turning towards Akunin and slumping to the ground. Akunin struggled to grasp what was going on, until she saw the arrows protruding from the unconscious figures of her men.
A trick!
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm going to have to pass on Lex's offer of hospitality."
The voice was strong and clear, yet somehow distorted. Akunin swung round, and for an instant she saw nothing. Then her eyes were drawn upwards, and her fears were confirmed. There, atop one of the containers and silhouetted against the moonlight, stood the tall figure of the Green Arrow, a crossbow in his hands and aimed directly at her heart.
Instinctively Akunin reached for her pistol, hoping that it was not too late to rescue the situation.
"Don't try it – that suit looks expensive, and I'd hate to have to put a hole in it." The voice was authoritative, used to being obeyed. Akunin paused, her lips curling into a half smile. She had been outmanoeuvred – for now.
"Now place your hands on your head, and kneel."
Akunin did as she was told, never once taking her eyes off the figure who towered above her some fifteen feet or so away.
Confident that the woman presented no immediate threat to him, Oliver jumped from the top of the container to the ground, landing with the practised precision of a highly trained athlete. He then walked towards Akunin, only once taking his eyes from the woman to note Clark, still disguised as the Green Arrow, tying up the unconscious security guards. He smiled inwardly as he thought back to the last time he and Clark had played this game – it had worked on Lois then, and it had sure worked on Lex's team now.
"Where's Aquaman?" demanded Oliver, staring down at Akunin. She did not reply, but simply stared straight in front of her.
Oliver's earpiece crackled in his ear.
"Perimeter secured." Victor's voice came through loud and clear.
"Message received. Impulse, what is your status?"
"Everything's under control, big man. Lex's guys are no match for the Impulse!"
Oliver was about to reply when he felt a sharp pain in his left shoulder. He looked down, to find a small knife embedded in his flesh. Before he had time to react a massive blow to his gut sent him flying through the air, eventually landing heavily on his back. Cursing his stupidity for letting his guard slip, he immediately leapt to his feet, to find Akunin advancing on him rapidly. His bow was out of reach, having been thrown several feet away under the impact of Akunin's initial assault. He barely had time to adopt a defensive stance before she aimed another high kick, this time in the direction of his head. Instinctively he moved to avoid the blow, before raising his arms to parry the numerous punches and jabs which Akunin aimed in his direction. The woman seemed to have the reflexes of a cat, and the speed and agility of someone well versed in the techniques of martial arts. For some seconds it was all Oliver could do to match her, blocking her attacks and seeking to avoid her potentially disabling blows. Eventually, however, he started to go on the attack, bringing to bear his own training to force the woman on to the defensive. He soon had the upper hand, but she refused to yield, fighting on with an intensity and a speed of movement that Oliver had rarely encountered before. At last a well aimed kick to the woman's stomach sent her flying to the ground, and in an instant he was on her, flipping her onto her stomach and forcing her hands behind her back.
The fight had lasted under a minute, but both Akunin and Oliver were breathing hard as he pulled some cord from his utility belt and started to bind her hands. Akunin winced as he tied the bonds tightly, but a half smile danced across her lips. The adrenalin rush provided by the fight was still coursing through her veins – she may have been bested by the Green Arrow, but she had learnt much from their intense encounter. He was a worthy adversary, indeed everything she had hoped for. Next time it would be different – next time it would be she who would emerge victorious.
"Thanks for the help, guys," said Oliver, as he pulled Akunin to her feet by her collar.
"You seemed to have everything under control," said Clark, the hint of a smile on his lips. Oliver shot him a look – Clark could always be relied upon to keep the Green Arrow's feet firmly on the ground.
"Hey man, she was kicking your ass. Guess the big man must be getting old." Oliver turned, to find Bart and Victor standing a few feet away. They had clearly seen everything, and the teenager had a broad grin on his face – he was clearly enjoying the opportunity to have a gentle joke his leader's expense.
Oliver looked down at the wound in his shoulder. The knife had not penetrated very far, but the cut still stung badly. Not that there was any time to worry about it now – they were very far from completing their mission.
He bent down and picked up his crossbow, examining it for any damage. He then took an arrow from behind his back and placed it in position, before turning towards Akunin and placing the tip of the arrow directly against her chest.
"I've asked you once, now I'm asking you again. Where is my friend?"
Akunin did not reply, but simply stared at him. She was aware of his finger on the trigger of the bow, but if she felt any fear as a result of being inches away from death, she wasn't showing it.
Oliver pressed the arrow firmly against Akunin's chest.
"Don't think I won't kill you, because I will. I'll do whatever it takes to save a member of my team, do you understand? Whatever it takes." Oliver's voice was quiet, but there was an absolute determination in his words that Akunin could not fail to recognise. She knew that the Green Arrow did not kill, but now, at this time, with the life of his friend at stake, she believed that he would.
There was silence for a moment, until eventually Akunin spoke.
"He is being held at the Wallis Facility."
"And where is that?"
"A hundred miles to the north of Metropolis, but you'll never make it inside – the security systems are second to none. You may have won here, Green Arrow, but you have condemned your friend Aquaman to death."
"I don't think so – not for as long as I've got you. Impulse, get her cell phone."
Bart reached down to Akunin's belt, where her cell phone could be seen nestling in a pouch.
"Now this is what you are going to do. You are going to phone Lex, and tell him that your mission has gone according to plan, and that you are returning with the Green Arrow. Understand?"
Akunin said nothing as Bart found Lex's contact details on her cell and dialled the number. He held the phone up to Akunin's ear and as it started to ring Oliver pressed the arrow deeper into Akunin's chest, so that it felt as if it had almost broken through the flesh.
"No tricks," he said simply.
"Rachel, I've been waiting for your call. I hope you have good news for me." Lex's voice was audible to all those who stood in the depot yard.
"The mission was a success, Mr Luthor. I'm returning with the prisoner now."
"Excellent. I hope our green friend didn't cause you any problems."
"Nothing I couldn't handle."
"Good. I shall expect you at Wallis in a couple of hours, and remember – he is not to be unmasked before I have seen him, is that understood?"
"Understood."
The line went dead.
"There, that wasn't so hard, now was it?" said Oliver, glancing across to the corner of the depot yard where a black van was parked. "Is that your transport?"
"Yes"
"Then I think it's time we all took a trip to the Wallis facility, don't you? Cyborg, take her and secure her in the back of the van. Then you and Impulse need to get into those LexCorp uniforms."
Victor took hold of Akunin by the arm, and guided her over to the LexCorp van. Bart gathered up the security uniforms that lay nearby and followed him, smiling at the thought of the two guards who now lay bound and gagged and in only their underwear somewhere out amongst the containers.
Oliver turned to Clark, who had pulled back his hood now that Akunin was unable to see the true identity of the fake Green Arrow.
"Clark, you know I need you to act as back-up for the next stage of this operation. If Lex were to identify you…"
"I know," interrupted Clark. "But if you need me, just call."
Oliver nodded to his friend, before jogging towards the van. Half way across the compound he turned his head, looking back in Clark's direction.
"Hey, forgot to say earlier, but you look good in the suit," he shouted, now jogging backwards so that he could address his friend. "Not as good as me, but still good."
Clark grinned as he watched Oliver go to the rear of the van, before he disappeared inside. There was the sound of the doors closing, and then the engine started. The van began to move, making a wide arc across the open yard before heading towards the open gates. As it passed Clark he could see Victor at the wheel, now dressed as a LexCorp security guard. Clark raised his hand and shouted "good luck!" as the van sped by, before it made its way out of the compound and out into the night.
Inside the van Oliver sat on one of the two benches that stretched down each side of the vehicle's hold. There were no windows in the compartment, save the two blacked out squares in the main rear doors, but a powerful overhead light illuminated the space. Opposite sat Bart and Akunin, the later looking awkward with her hands tied firmly behind her back. As Oliver surveyed the space he spied some rope and duct tape lying on the floor, presumably the means by which the woman he now held prisoner had intended to deliver him to Lex.
Minutes passed. No one spoke; each was lost in his own thoughts, trying to prepare himself for the second, much more dangerous, stage of the rescue mission. So far everything had gone according to plan – in fact it had gone so well, Oliver felt vaguely uncomfortable. Lex had sent a remarkably small team to apprehend him – surely he must have expected some sort of attack? Was he really that naïve, after all that had happened, to expect the Green Arrow to simply give himself up without a fight? Or was this all part of some larger Luthor plan, as yet unseen? Were they in fact now driving into a trap?
"The Green Arrow is worried."
Akunin's voice cut across the sound of the van's engine, bringing the occupants back from the silence of their own thoughts. Oliver looked across at his captive, who sat upright as she perched on the edge of the bench. For an instant he was taken aback by what he saw; her face was motionless, save for a half smile of satisfaction, but it was her eyes that really caught his attention. They were dead eyes, cold eyes, but they were boring into him, unrelenting in their focus on his face. For a moment he met her stare, and it unsettled him – he knew that he was looking into the eyes of a killer.
"You're the one who should be worried, bitch. When Lex finds out you blew it he's going to bust your ass." Bart's voice was full of its normal confidence, but Akunin did not respond; instead she continued to stare fixedly at Oliver's hidden face.
"You know your friend wept when I broke him," continued Akunin, speaking calmly and as if Bart had not spoken, was not even there. Every word was directed at Oliver. "The tears of a boy who thought he could be a hero. You, I think, will be a greater challenge."
"In your dreams, lady!" said Bart.
"Lex has built a special cell for you, Green Arrow. Did you know that? He doesn't want to kill you – that would be too easy, too quick. No, he wants you broken – and I will be the one who does it. I will be the one who destroys you, the one who takes you apart, piece by piece."
"Shut up, bitch!" Bart's anger finally got the better of him, and he grabbed Akunin's hair and slammed her head against the side of the van. "Shut up, or I'll make you wish you'd never been born!"
Bart let go of Akunin's hair, pushing her head forward as he did so. To everyone's relief she at last fell silent, and within minutes everyone had slipped back into the private world of their own thoughts. The van drove on, but Oliver felt unsettled – and all the time he was aware of those eyes, staring at him, examining him, and never once losing their focus.
The journey seemed endless, with only the monotony of the sound of the van's engine to disturb the silence that had now descended. At last the van slowed, before drawing to a halt. Victor's face appeared over the back of the driver's seat.
"The GPS says we're a couple of miles from the Wallis Facility."
Oliver was relieved that at last the long and uncomfortable wait was over.
"Okay," he said, looking from Victor to Bart. "Let's do this."
Lots more Justice League action to come in the next chapter. Thanks so much for reading, and to all those of you who take the time to review - I really do appreciate it massively!
