CHAPTER 25

Nyssa and Laurel arrived at the Palmer Technologies building and proceeded to the private floor. Since the Foundry was compromised, Diggle, Felicity and Laurel have been using the private floor of Palmer Technologies as a make-shift base to continue their night time activities. Felicity was monitoring the computers while Diggle was watching and observing her.

Upon meeting Diggle and Felicity, Laurel did not waste time and said, "I need your help. Oliver is coming for Nyssa. He's gonna kill her."

Diggle slowly turned his head towards Laurel and saw that Nyssa was standing beside her. Oliver would never do such a thing. His brother did not all of a sudden become murderous. Oliver is a strong individual and Diggle was sure that his brother is going to survive whatever Ra's has planned for him.

Felicity was surprised at this comment made by Laurel. It's Oliver that they're talking about. A good man at heart and a person willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of other people. She did not even hide her surprise because she said as she turned towards Laurel and Nyssa, "Wait a second, Oliver wouldn't. I don't see how."

"I think what she's trying to say is that Oliver wouldn't do anything to hurt you, Felicity, and the only reason he joined the League is to protect the people he loves." Diggle said, continuing the point where Felicity took off.

"And what you need to understand is that Oliver Queen is dead. He's a memory." Nyssa said as she looked at Felicity. The former needed Felicity to understand that the Oliver she knew is gone.

"Apparently, the League has some of their recruits undergo a process of reprogramming." Laurel said as she stepped forward and crossed her arms to prove the seriousness of her point.

"Like brainwashing?" Surprise peppered in Felicity's voice and her eyes widened in shock. "Oliver never said that he was signing on for brainwashing."

"The League's ways are shrouded in ritual and ceremony." Nyssa replied. Her tone was somewhat somber. She had seen the horrors of the process of reprogramming and even participated in some of them at the behest of her father. However, she had really not understood the repercussions of this particular action until now. "Oliver wouldn't even know what was happening to him."

Felicity was panicking and who could blame her. Losing Oliver's body was already hard but losing his soul as well? A soul that she had been nurturing ever since his return from the island? She was having none of it. In a frustrated tone, more than anything else, she then said, "I don't care. Oliver… he is stronger than that."

Nyssa was starting to lose her patience and who could blame her. Her life is on the line and now she's asking for help from Oliver's former friends as a gamble and it would seem that she's on the losing end. She's starting to think that Diggle and Felicity might not be willing to help her in this endeavor. She then said, trying to remain calm, "I did not come here to debate. Laurel insists that I bring this news to you myself but I can all I'm doing is damaging your memory of him. Perhaps it is better for you to not think of what Oliver has become. You can have that luxury."

With fear in Nyssa's eyes in her failed attempt at asking for Diggle and Felicity's help, she walked away towards the elevators. Laurel quickly followed her and while walking, she said, "Wait… where are you going?"

"To face him, and if necessary, my destiny." Nyssa replied as she continued on walking.

Laurel then grabbed Nyssa's arm which made the latter stop, spin around, and face her. Nyssa then stared straightly at Laurel before continuing, "I will not cower in the shadows waiting for death." Nyssa, then left to go and face Oliver.

Laurel stopped and let Nyssa go. Once Nyssa was out of sight, she turned around to face Diggle and Felicity before saying, "Great. Now, what are we supposed to do?"

"Nothing." Felicity started to say before continuing, "No offense, but Nyssa is insane. Oliver is still Oliver!" She said the last sentence with a lot of conviction. In her heart, Oliver has not changed despite the brainwashing, if that was even possible. Oliver is still the man that she loves and he would not, and could not, be affected by the brainwashing. She then walked off and proceeded back to her computers

"Nobody knows the League better than Nyssa." Laurel argued, while following Felicity. She has a point. Being raised within the League, Nyssa knows everything there is to know about the practices and traditions of the League of Assassins. "And did you see the look on her face? She was terrified. I didn't even think that was possible."

"Even if Nyssa's right about Oliver…" Diggle started to say.

"Which she isn't." Felicity interrupted. She was adamant that Oliver is still the Oliver that she knows and loves.

"Getting between her and the League isn't an option. And since when does Ra's daughter become someone we stick our necks out for, Laurel?" Diggle said and he too has a point. Haven't they learned enough from Oliver's experience not to interfere with League business anymore?

"I know you're furious with Ra's for what he's done to Oliver. We all are. But Nyssa, she saved my sister's life. She gave her a home. She's a good person in spite of everything she grew up with. And the last time I checked, protecting good people, that is what we do." Laurel said and pleaded with both Diggle and Felicity. She was desperate and her friend needed their help now more than ever and if they're still not going to help. She will.

Since Laurel was too adamant and would not change his mind, Diggle shook his head. He'd rather be guiding Laurel than letting her go out on her own against the League of Assassins so he said, "Fine. Nyssa does seem to have an idea where we could find Oliver and the League."

"Well then I guess we shouldn't have let Nyssa leave alone." Felicity said softly. She was still very reluctant to offer her help.

"No, it's fine." Laurel said as she shifted her view towards the computers and started typing. "I just put a tracking device on her."

"What the—" Felicity said as she moved closer to her own computers. She was instantly followed by Diggle.

Laurel was startled by the sudden movement and as soon as Felicity was beside her, she said, "This isn't my first day."

On the computer screen, there was a red dot on what seemed like a map of Starling City. It was Nyssa and she was on the move. They could not pinpoint the exact location but they were going to follow her until she stops.