Usual disclaimers apply.
A/N: Only one chapter left after this. I know I kind of rush the "cases" but my focus was always on Oliver's development into a man who can handle these problems and the relationships he builds as he does. How did I do? Constructive criticism is appreciated and positive reviews make my day. Thanks for reading!
Also, in the italics below, I imagined different members of the cast doing voice-overs. First Iris and Kara, some others in between, and ending with Barry and Oliver.
Chapter Fifty-One
The Future Awaits
Five months ago, Oliver Queen and Harrison Wells stood before a dozen cameras to announce their unexpected partnership. They teased a product that would change the world – a new way to combine technology with social justice. When the time was right, they promised the full scope of their operation would be revealed to the two reporters writing now. To that promise they held true. As to the technological marvel they hinted at, well, that is not the result they revealed. The story they brought to light holds greater importance than any piece of technology. It's a story of justice that affects the world and future. . .
T*L*o*O*Q
"What do you think?" Iris asked nervously.
Barry set the paper down. A picture of Oliver and Harry was splashed across the front page. He folded the pages neatly in half again, his face unreadable. He glanced down at the title: Heroes Among Us.
"That was," he stopped for a very pregnant pause. Iris's breath hitched. Then he cracked a splitting grin; "Amazing. You and Kara make an unbelievable writing team."
"You jerk," she socked him lightly on the arm for the suspense.
"You love me anyway," he retorted. She agreed, and he stole a kiss. Iris leaned her head against his shoulder and wondered; "Do you think they'll listen?"
Barry had no answers for her. Only hope, and faith.
T*L*o*O*Q
Meanwhile, in another part of Central City, Harrison walked into his family's breakfast room to see his wife and daughter reading the article again. Jesse peered over Tess's shoulder, pointing to a part she especially liked. Yet when they noticed his presence, both frowned at him.
"I couldn't tell you," Harry sighed, setting his coffee cup down; "Not because I didn't trust you or doubted your abilities to contribute. I needed to know you were safe and keeping you out of the investigation was the only way to protect you."
"What about the hundred others, those that 'assisted you just doing their everyday jobs'?" Jesse stabbed at the quote from her dad.
"You were a part of the hundred. You were my strength through it all. You two are my reason for everything."
That mollified Jesse some, though she was still put-out she hadn't been able to help until Harry reminded her there was still work to be done. A new future to build. Tess took his hand as their daughter rushed out to contact her friends and organize a meeting to discuss what they could do next.
T*L*o*O*Q
Newspaper clippings, flow charts, and photographs cover a wall. Brightly colored strings crisscross everything, connecting seemingly unrelated ideas. The hallmark trappings of a conspiracy board, yet this isn't some mother's basement wall. It's an office in the heart of Star Labs, where Harrison Wells has gathered his most gifted team of scientists and theorists. Oliver and Harrison are well-aware how preposterous their story sounds – of a threat, decades in the making. They start from the beginning with a man named Clifford DeVoe. . .
T*L*o*O*Q
Kara walked into Maxwell Lord's office with her head held high and a notebook in her hand. Lord turned from his window to face her, wearing a condescending smile, but not for long. He thought he could beat the allegations against him. He didn't realize the evidence in the article was only the tip of the iceberg. "I must admit, I was surprised you agreed to see me."
"Why so, Ms. Danvers? Despite what you claim, I'm an innocent man with nothing to hide."
"Is that what you plan to plead at your trial?"
"My trial? There isn't going to be a trial or even an arrest, my lawyers assure me."
"You might want to check again," Kara informed him as federal agents billowed out of the elevator. Kara and Maxwell observed through glass panes as the lead agents sent their juniors scurrying while two of them proceeded to Lord's office.
"Maxwell Lord," the older agent spoke first; "I'm Agent Jones. This is Agent Danvers. If you would please put your hands behind your back, you're under arrest."
Kara watched with great satisfaction as Alex slapped the cuffs on a stupefied Maxwell Lord.
T*L*o*O*Q
Hundreds of miles away from National City, in Laurel's apartment, a brother and sister tag-teamed their own project. Tommy stuffed their letter into the envelope and sealed it. He handed the mail to Thea who applied the stamp and neatly addressed the front.
"You sure you don't was to use the lawyer? It'll be faster," Tommy checked again as they walked to the nearest postal box.
"I don't trust that lawyer," Thea wrinkled her nose; "Plus, it feels more personal this way."
That had also been her reasoning for using the postal box instead of Laurel's mailbox. As they envelope dropped down the chute with a satisfying thump, Tommy found that he agreed. Then Thea sighed.
"I just wish we could be there to see Malcolm's face when he learns we ruined all his plans."
"We could always try bribing a guard to videotape it for us," Tommy joked. Thea laughed.
T*L*o*O*Q
Queen and Wells let the truth sink in. Their evidence proving their story is not the fanatical ravings of mad men. The question then becomes, how did they uncover such a dastardly plot? This is where Oliver Queen enters with his work in the Glades. His desire to understand why his efforts produced only minor change, led him first to the fringes of the truth, where corruption counteracted his labors. He looked to his friends for help in righting the wrongs in his city and from there it was one stepping stone to another. He starts again from the beginning, with his first case, that of Adam Hunt. . .
T*L*o*O*Q
By the late afternoon, everyone realized the story about Tempest was no joke. Not after the federal government started arresting those named on the board. People discussed the revelations on all forms of communication and soon it wasn't just the corporations in Tempest coming under fire. Dirty laundry was aired on many big businesses as whistleblowers stepped forward. More arrests followed, and Barry and Iris were relieved they made it in time to watch one specific arrest.
"Going to tell me what we're doing here?" Henry inquired as they patiently waited outside Luthor Corp headquarters. A protest had formed on the sidewalk out front and that wasn't really his scene.
"You'll see in a few minutes," Barry assured his dad as they put some distance between themselves and the protesters who were boarding on mob-mentality. That wasn't the response they'd hope for, but it wasn't the only response either, which helped.
A few minutes later the almost-mob cheered. A path was formed, revealing Captain Singh and Detective West escorting a handcuffed Lex Luthor out of the building. Henry looked to Barry and Iris as they stood on either side of him. "We wanted you to see. You helped do that right there."
T*L*o*O*Q
That same night, back in Star City, Oliver and Laurel dined with his parents and stepfather. Conversation was a bit stilted in light of current events. Moira and Robert were proud of their children and soon-to-be daughter-in-law, but understandably flabbergasted at the number of good friends with deceptive hearts.
"Frankly, I'm surprised you didn't suspect any of us," Walter commented, at last addressing the elephant in the room.
"Well," Oliver grimaced guiltily at his parents; "I had John look into all of you, to be safe. Though I knew he wasn't going to find anything."
"We had to be thorough, even when the evidence took us places we didn't want to go," Laurel smiled apologetically, not mentioning she hadn't been part of the operation then.
"I am sorry," Oliver added contritely.
"I can't say I'm happy you went behind our backs, but I do understand," Robert said, thinking of Chen. Moira echoed his sentiment; "You did what needed to be done, don't be sorry."
Laurel and Oliver smiled in relief. The conversation shifted to happier topics, meandering easily from there.
T*L*o*O*Q
Imagine, what would life look like if Tempest had succeeded? A future of debt and labor, where the value of a life is based on profitable skill. A future averted. Now imagine a new future where a group like Tempest has no opportunity to form. How so? With teamwork and determination as millions set their mind to one purpose. Now is the time for change. Don't let today's discoveries be forgotten in a news cycle. Take action, take the power of the people back, and don't be afraid to speak up in the face of injustice. . .
T*L*o*O*Q
After a night of unexpected revelations and reconciliations, the Diggle brothers walked into the Major Crimes precinct early the next morning. The station was abuzz with activity and conversation. John marched Andy to Captain Quentin Lance's office. Knocked. Quentin finished a call with his superior, then waved the brothers in, rising with a smile. "John, good to see you. What can I do for you today?" They shook hands and John introduced his brother, then moved straight to the point.
"My brother has a confession to make. He also wants to talk a deal for his cooperation."
"I see," Quentin intoned, his easy smile melting away into a professional mask; "What kind of crime are we talking here?"
"The illegal operations of Damien Darhk," Andy replied after a leveling look form his brother.
"Why don't you take a seat," Quentin gestured and shut the door to his office. He'd been trying to build a case against the notorious trafficker for years. No one in Darhk's hive of an organization had ever been brave enough to stick it through an entire trial before. He suspected that was about to change.
T*L*o*O*Q
The wall had been cleared. The boards copied and cleaned. All computer files saved and then backed up on separate drives before erased from the main. Ronnie and Cisco finished packing the last box onto the cart. All eight had been sealed and labelled. They were headed for storage in the heart of Star Labs. They contained the true story of how Tempest was brought low. The world wasn't ready for the truth, not yet, but one day that would change. When the people were ready, then the entire world would know how the future was saved.
Caitlin stood in the doorway as Cisco and Ronnie maneuvered the cart past her. She looked over the orderly office where so many memories had been made. She exhaled.
"What's wrong, babe?" Ronnie wrapped an arm around her waist, also looking back. Cisco leaned on the cart handle, joining them in introspection.
"Nothing's wrong. I'm just wondering if it all worked out."
"We'll know soon enough," Cisco decided.
They exited the lab. The lights dimmed. The future awaited.
