The Black Arrow
Birthdays, Somers and Meanie
September 2012
It was now in the final days of the month and both James and Emiko had been observing Oliver Queen surreptitiously since his welcome home bash that had ended with Adam Hunt being attacked and drained of $40 million. Their suspicions that he was the violent and often deadly archer, currently called The Hood by the SCPD, had proven seemingly correct. After looking through the CCTV of the event centre used for the party they found that Oliver had quietly sneaked out from the party and before disappearing out of view from the cameras. Then shortly after when the vigilante escaped Hunt's office Oliver reappeared looking a bit flustered and smoothing out his suit. While not proof, no one else had disappeared nearby and so was reasonable proof he could be the vigilante. They had not however yet determined a base of operations, nor how he knew who to target. They had decided though that at some point they'd need to step in and tell him to stand down, or to at least be less violent. He was too violent and while the couple admitted that some may need to be killed, that it was Oliver's go-to modus operandi was... disturbing.
Since the attack on Adam Hunt he gone after another businessman who it had turned out had in fact been hiding criminal activities including, but not limited to, arms sales to gangs and stock market share price fixing thus robbing people of any profits earned. It was now clear that The Hood was targeting those that had hidden their criminal activities well or had protected themselves from prosecution via bribes or threats. Indeed it made their more street crime and organised crime orientated vigilantism seem inadequate when the rich were getting off because they bought the right judge or had an excellent defence attorney.
xxxxx
In other news though it was now Emiko's 23rd birthday and James was hosting her and her mother at his manor for a private party/meal. They had decided on causal wear since they weren't going out but were having a private meal so James wore slightly smarter dark grey Jeans and one of his polo shirt with a jumper. A slightly old fashioned but smart look which he blamed on having an ex-army and Englishman as a butler and guardian. Still he'd had no problems with it back in England but then he guessed if an Englishman had suggested it others wouldn't bat an eye.
He came down the stairs to the sight of Emiko waiting wearing a tight fitting dress that cut of at her mid thigh and was ever so slightly generous with the amount of skin it showed off. "You made it on time then?" he asked as he brought her into a hug. "Happy birthday" he whispered in her ear.
"Considering I beat you to the bottom of the stairs I'd say yes" she replied dryly. "And thanks, we could have just gone for a meal you know."
"Days like this should be with family and friends and while we don't have too many of either I felt here was good." He then led her to the lounge where met with Kazumi who was sitting on the sofa talking with Jack the butler. "Miss Adachi, wonderful to have you round again."
"James, thank you for hosting this, I know we could have hosted you easily in our new apartment out of the Glades.
"It's no problem at all. I'm quite happy to host my girlfriend's birthday here" he replied with a grin and pulled Emiko against him much to her amusement and playful slap on his shoulder. Kara soon came in with Kal beside her who waved at Emiko.
"Happy birthday Emiko" Kara said softly. "I er got you this, some chocolates and gift voucher for that clothes shop on 12th and 5th" she said while handing over an envelope and a small wrapped box.
"Thanks Kara, you know you didn't really need to get me anything. It's not like I'm your mom or anything" Emiko replied thankfully.
"No but James? Dad? Still not sure on which to call him, is dating you so you're part of the family."
"Thanks Kara, you're a sweet girl." Kara blushed lightly from embarrassment and quickly hurried off to hide her face. Champagne flutes were quickly passed around between the four adults while Kara and Kal had Lemonade and they toasted the birthday girl. The other presents were then handed out which was mostly soaps and clothing from the other two. With them done James handed over an envelope. She frowned upon receiving it but opened it without complaint. Out came a letter which she read and then gasped after a few moments.
"You didn't?" she gasped in surprise.
"I did, I felt you deserved something from them, so to speak."
"Oh thank you so much, but it's too much surely?"
"It's fine Ems, and don't call me Shirley." She giggled slightly at his old joke while Kara and the others snorted or rolled their eyes, before hugging him tightly.
"What did you get dear?" Kazumi asked her happy daughter curiously.
"It's a deed for shares, in my name. Shares of Queen Consolidated. He bought out 10%." The others gasped. 10% of a company like QC was not an inconsiderable sum.
"It's not quite as grand as it sounds. I had been buying up the odd few shares as they were sold and it just so happened that I had gained around 10%. Thus as a Queen by blood I felt that you should have it." Emiko's eyes began to water slightly as her eyes grew damp from tears of happiness at receiving such a gift. It was her dream to be recognised as a Queen and even if she couldn't have that yet, James had given her a start in that direction. Possessing a stake in her family's company.
"Thank you" she said softly and hugged him before kissing him on the lips gratefully. With the gifts handed out they had the meal James and Jack had prepared in the kitchen, chatting merrily around the table as a family of sorts. The evening ended on a high as far as the young couple were concerned as they retired to his bedroom before loosing themselves in their mutual passion and love before getting wrapped up in the bedding. They would both be rather sore but satisfied come the morning.
Oliver
He was on edge. For the last few days when he had gone about town or been out at night as The hood he'd felt like he was being watched. He hadn't noticed anyone though he thought he'd seen a flash of red one night but the next second he looked he hadn't been able to see anything. He was starting to wonder if he was seeing things but the feeling of being spied upon never left except when he was at Queen Manor. Still, he had managed to cross off another name from the list by now and he was starting on Martin Somers after he heard that Laurel was going after him after his visit to the courthouse to be legally resurrected. She was tangling with a man who would do anything and who likely had ties to the Triad if what he'd heard was true and given he was on The List it was likely true. He would need to help her and stop Somers before he did anything bad to Laurel. He owed both her and Sara that.
The stress though was getting to him. His mother and Walter wanted him to take a position in the family company and he had his mission from his dad had set him to complete. He wasn't sure he could do both and what the hell did he know about business anyway, he'd dropped out of every Ivy League school he'd been sent to. He barely even remembered what the only book he had bothered to read at college was about, The Odyssey. So yeah he didn't feel he could lead a Fortune 500 company with so little knowledge. He could pursue his mission however, one he'd spent five years ultimately preparing for. Now, where did he put The List he wondered as he looked around the base under the former Queen steel factory.
James
Reading about the fusion reactor was one thing. Seeing the building and reactor itself was another. The huge construct sat in a secure, purpose built building with a number of scientists milling about taking readings or adjusting instruments. Just getting in was a nightmare despite owning the building and company. Passing through security which included bag searches, metal detectors, anti-forgery ID passes and fingerprint scanners. Plus security cameras and a dozen security personnel. It was as tight as could be while being manageable.
"Mr Evans? Miss Adachi will meet you in her office. She sends her apologies but said that there were a few things that needed doing first" a middle aged man said apologetically.
"Thank you Stevens. And thank you for looking out for her, she's settled in well?"
"Doing fine sir. Hard working and keeping up with everything" he replied warmly.
"Good, I appointed you her Assistant since I wanted her to have help in case she needed it but if it's as good as you say then I can bring you back to to EI and let her have free run of Evans Tech" James said happily as they walked along a few corridors to Emiko's office. "Any problems with staff?"
"No they've settled down and are making good progress with the reactor. Evans Tech has complete control aside from the loaned QC scientists like Doug Miller. He's head of their Applied Sciences division."
"Why is their head here? Shouldn't he be at QC?" James asked in confusion
"Apparently Walter Steele wanted their best to oversee their contributions" Stevens answered before knocking on a door and entering. "Miss Adachi? Mr Evans is here to get the latest reports."
"Thank you John, I'll take it from here" came a voice and Stevens indicated for James to enter.
He saw her sitting behind a desk with a computer to one side while a load of files sat on the other end. The room was mostly spartan, a few pictures of Emiko and himself along with one of her mother sat on a side table and her desk. "What brings you here? You know if you wanted a report I could call or come to you, you are the boss" she asked with a grin.
"Do I need a reason to see my girlfriend?" he replied. She raised an eyebrow curiously at him and he sighed. "Fine I wanted to let you now I'll be handing the Gambit over to the FBI this afternoon. Things seem to be heating up in Starling with Queen's kidnap and The Hood being around. I've therefore arranged to meet their local field agents at the warehouse while informing them only that it was a mater of some importance they be there." She nodded slowly.
"You sure you want to do this? It's gonna ruffle a load of feathers when this gets out? Plus, am I going to need to say anything?" she asked worriedly.
"I'll keep you out of it but we'll need that invoice you almost burnt. Luckily you kept it as it'll give us something to give the feds."
"I almost didn't" she said sadly. "The anger of rejection still hurt and it was the day after that the news first reported it. I had a lighter in my hands and the plans but knowing Oliver was on it, what you had said earlier and the job offer. I don't know. I froze and just placed it back on the table with the gear I had from Dante. I think it might be with my stuff at our base. Doubt I threw it out from my things."
"Good, we'll go grab it and hand things over in one go. Simple."
"Things won't be that simple James" Emiko cautioned.
xxxxx
That afternoon James and Emiko were standing outside in the sun, the cool breeze blowing gently, as they waited by a warehouse when a black SUV pulled up the drive and park nearby. Stepping out from the passenger side was a slim early twenties reddish-brunette with short hair wearing a business suit. From the driver's side a man tall broad shouldered man of Hispanic descent who looked to be in his forties wearing a black suit and tie, the very image of a Man In Black. "Mr Evans?" he said cautiously.
"Indeed I am, this is my Head of Evans Tech and girlfriend Emiko Adachi" James replied warmly.
"Pleasure. I am Agent Miles Handez and this is my junior partner Agent Alex Danvers. A raw recruit but she has talent and spark."
"Gee thanks sir, I've been with you for two years now" she grumbled in a put upon manner. Handez just grunted.
"What can the FBI do for you Mr Evans?" he asked, getting to the point.
"It'll probably be easier to show you. Come, I'll lead you inside." The agents glanced at each other before following inside the large warehouse. "I had it recovered a few days after the news broke and brought it here. Initially it was simple inquisitiveness before handing it over to the family but...well you'll see." This brought the agents even more questions.
"What family? And what did you recover?" Alex asked but James didn't reply and instead pushed open a metal door where they walked onto a balcony of sorts. He then went to one side and began flipping a load of switches on the wall. Lights flickered on and soon the warehouse was lit up by bright white floodlights. On the ground below was a mostly reconstructed Queen's Gambit with two large obvious holes in the hull to the rear of the boat.
Agent Handez
"My god" Danvers whispered.
"I see you can see why you're here. The boat was deliberately sunk." It was indeed rather obvious that that was the case Handez thought as he observed the wreck. It was mostly put back together with a few parts lying around but at the rear and side of the boat was a relatively large hole.
"Why didn't you call us sooner?" he asked sternly at the youngish man.
"Mostly because I had no proof, sure it looks self explanatory but we all know things can be faked so I needed proof. I eventually got it a few days before I called your office. An invoice with the plans for the explosives as well as who ordered it. Don't worry, I don't expect you to take my word for it you'll investigate but I thought you should have it anyway. One line of enquiry for you to look up and all. You can have all the research I had my people do on the wreck. You're welcome to have you're own people do some to checks but you'll find it' all there. Well, all that could be recovered. I'm sure a few bits are still at the bottom of the South China Sea." Handez nodded. They would indeed do they're own survey of the wreck but if their own data corroborated Evan's own they would run with it. As for the culprit, that would be checked and triple checked.
"The invoice, do you have it?" Handez asked.
"Sure, have it over here" James said as he picked up a folder from a side table by the light switches and handed it over. Handez noted that young Emiko seemed to tense up when the invoice was mentioned, 'might be something to look into'. Opening the folder revealed a blue and white schematic of the ship in question with two red spots indicating locations of explosives which matched the wreck below them, more or less. At the bottom of the page was a name belonging to a rather well known businessman indicating it was he who had ordered the bombs to be placed aboard; Malcolm Merlyn. Handez frowned.
"Is this some sort of joke? Did you set this up to blame your competition and have us remove them?" he asked angrily, only slightly putting on the act to frighten the young man into talking some more. The young man however seemed mostly unfazed though he did seem surprised at his tone.
"No, I did not set it up Agent Handez" he replied rather defensively. 'Well at least he seems honest' Handez thought. "I'm sure your people will confirm this is the right ship and that it was destroyed in the manner explained in the plans. I'm sure you will also confirm that the payment details and methods along with the other details in the white text box are accurate and reveal everything. Everything except why. I do not know that unfortunately" the man answered after calming slightly. Handez raised an eyebrow at the man as he handed the file to Agent Danvers who had a quick look over it as well before also frowning.
"Sir, how do you wanna play this"?" she asked worriedly. Handez turned and surveyed the warehouse again to gather his thoughts.
"Where is all the research data on the wreck?" he asked.
"All the data is on the isolated computers down there. I felt it best given the circumstances of the wreck. I could not be sure someone would want it or me removed from play if I did anything overt. If you need to speak with any of the researchers that I had brought in I have their names on a list on the table over there" he replied while indicating a second, slightly thicker folder on the desk by the light switches.
"Alright Mr Evans" Agent Handez said after a sigh. "We'll take care of everything from here. Agent Danvers, call Starling field HQ and ask for a CSI and forensics team. I want both lab and computer tech specialists here ASAP. Also get someone with explosives training and knowledge. For now we shall examine the wreck and then this invoice. If proven correct and the data matches we will take steps. If however, this is some hoax Mister Evans, you will be charged with federal fraud, wasting federal resources and anything else I can think of that's relevant. Am I clear?" he asked threateningly towards the young CEO.
"Crystal. I only wanted to help."
"Helping would have been to give us the wreck once you'd recovered it, not letting it sit gathering dust" Handez said sternly and Evans flinched slightly at the reprimand. "Now I suggest you and your friend leave the site to us. Is there anything else, either off-site or in general, that is relevant before you go?"
"I don't believe so" Evans replied slowly. "I kept everything to do with the wreck on-site or on the on-site and isolated computers." Handez nodded and dismissed the two civilians who turned and left. Alex came over a few moments later after making the necessary calls.
"What do you think Alex?" he asked his partner.
"I think he told us the truth, mostly, and what we'll find ourselves will back up what his experts say on the computers. I think he's hiding something though. Whether it's relevant or not remains to be seen. Plus Starling has a crime and vigilante problem at the moment. The Black Arrow and Artemis plus the new guy the local cops have called The Hood. Maybe there's a link?" she suggested.
"Possibly, though all three appeared well after the Gambit sunk. And there's no link between them or the Queens or Merlyns, assuming the invoice is real. No we'll leave the vigilantes alone for now unless it become obvious the locals can't or won't deal with it. You know how it gets when us Feds turn up, a pissing match over jurisdiction." Alex chuckled at the description of jurisdictional problems the FBI and local law enforcement could get into.
"Should be an interesting case no?" Alex said with slight enthusiasm.
"Aye it could be quite interesting. Why would two, seemingly best friends fall out so badly that one kills the other plus his godson? With the vigilantes, this, and the reports of corruption starting to trickle up to us… Something is going on in Starling Alex, something we aren't seeing. I grew up not far from this city so I know how it was years ago, and how it is now is a heck of a lot worse. We're close to being another Gotham. Except here we don't have a myth to scare criminals, we have three and they ain't myths but bloody archers."
"So… it's gonna be interesting then?" Alex said with a small grin. Interesting cases were always more fun, especially when the brought the criminals down hard in Alex's opinion. Arrogant bastards.
"Yes Alex, it just might be" he replied worriedly.
Kara
Kara was walking around the manor after coming back from university for the weekend. It was nice to visit the place again and was a welcome break from the stresses of uni life now she'd graduated high school with flying colours, mainly in maths and the sciences. She was currently studying Particle Physics at Starling City University and while she enjoyed it it was not as fun nor as interesting as she'd hoped, the downsides of being from an advanced alien society that covered most of this in her younger years.
One thing of note for her was that her powers had now stabilised in terms of getting any more which she was glad of. If she'd received more she wasn't sure she could have hidden them all. The last one she'd only discovered 6 months ago was flight. She'd determined that she was able to manipulate her own gravitational field to generate thrust and propel herself through the air, though how fast her limit was she wasn't sure. She couldn't do it too well currently since she hadn't really practised it much dues to school and then uni but still, it was a power that she might enjoy using. Certainly beats driving in rush hour she thought happily.
To help with one of her powers James, along with the AI representation of her uncle and mother, had created some lead lined glasses which prevented her from accidentally using the x-ray vision while she'd also taken to meditation taught by both James and Jor-El to control her hearing so she didn't hear everything nor lash out with her super-strength when her emotions got the better of her.
Unfortunately that didn't come too soon as James and Emiko had a tendency to be quite vocal at times, much to her embarrassment. Rao it was just so embarrassing being able to hear them in the bedroom. She was happy for them, don't get her wrong, but did they have to do it at that time at night? Luckily she'd convinced them to try to be quieter via embarrassing them in return plus she'd moved further away from the master bedroom. Her hearing and sight had also meant she'd learn of her guardian's nightly activities in a hood.
She couldn't decide how she felt about that and while she'd dropped hints that she knew she hadn't confronted him about it. For one she didn't want to ruin the friendship and family feeling that had developed over the last five years but also she couldn't square it with what had been taught to her on Krypton and here on Earth. He was a vigilante, which was technically illegal but he did it anyway, and seemed to be helping the city. From her few school friends she'd noticed that people were split on Black Arrow and Artemis. Most seemed to think them a menace that should leave stuff to the cops while a significant amount thought them cool, badass and ultimately doing the right thing. That said, they all thought The Hood-guy was a nutjob.
Rao, why were humans so complicated. On second thoughts Kryptonians could be too, Zod was a perfect example. A loyal general that was greatly admired but then suddenly launched a coup against the Ruling Council when people began to hear of Krypton's imminent demise. From there she'd been placed in the pod with Kal and sent to Earth though apparently they'd gotten caught in the Phantom Zone for many years before getting loose and landing here. At least that was what her mother and Jor-El believed.
She sighed as she took a seat on the sofa, picking up the remote to binge watch some TV, perhaps Game of Thrones was on that she could catch up with? As she fumbled with the remote and the TV she heard her guardian, James, come in through the front door. He soon came into the lounge upon hearing the TV and noticed Kara. "Back again are we Kara? Do you not like uni then?"
"Course I do, just wanted a break from all the work" she replied while not turning round and continued flicking through channels.
"I thought you loved science and that?"
"I do but it's still so primitive and lacking in things that Krypton knew. Plus while I like science and I enjoyed visiting other worlds with my parents I always wanted to go into public service. Either law enforcement of some kind or a judicator like my mum. To be honest I'm kinda thinking of switching to study law, either criminal or civil, or maybe both and join the er, what do you all them...DA? Is, er, that ok?" she asked worriedly. She didn't want to let him down plus he was paying for the course.
"Aye you do have a passion for justice, and yes it is the District Attorney. As for switching… Look Kara it is ultimately your choice. What do you think you will enjoy and get more out of? What do you want to do with your life? Don't think about what I want for you, I will support you either way, but what do you want to do?" he paused, letting her contemplate what he'd said before he spoke again. "So is it the love of justice and righting wrongs which is why you are rooting for the Starks?" The TV had now landed on a daytime showing of Game of Thrones. "Or is because you like Robb Stark?" She ducked her head in embarrassment, her cheeks flushing red at being accused of a crush.
"Jaames!" she cried. "That's a lie! It's not true, I don't have a crush. They're a good family that deserves better, that's all" she denied repeatedly while still feeling her cheeks burning.
"Uh-uh, keep telling yourself that dearie" James countered. Oh Rao, she could practically hear him smirking at her.
"You meanie" she accused at him, without heat while huffing before turning back to the TV. She then heard him step behind her before she then felt him ruffle her hair and walk off laughing. "Meanie!" she yelled after him to receive only another laugh. She grumbled further while watching the re-run of season 2. She did love him really, more like a brother or fun uncle though rather than a father, partly it was due to his age but also he was just more fun and laid back with her. With Kal he was more serious and like a father, that was why Kal called him papa and recently dad. She sighed contently as the title credits finished, she loved her new family. James and Jack the butler, with help from the maid Sophie (and wasn't that weird having a maid, sure both Kal's parents and her own had had droid servants but an actual maid and butler?!) had been good to her since she and Kal had landed on this world she couldn't have asked for more caring and respectful carers.
xxxxx
That evening Kara watched the news with James and Jack, Kal having been put to bed already given he was 6. They learned that The Hood had struck again, this time at the ports where he attacked and killed many of Martin Somers' men while brutally attacking Somers himself. Apparently Somers had been arrested as well. Kara was confused, why would they arrest Somers as well when he had been attacked? She asked the other tow who answered her. "They likely found he had done something illegal. Given what has been going on with his ongoing prosecution by the attorney Laurel Lance, it's probable that they found proof he did have the girl's father killed. That's all I can think unless he did really dodgy stuff down there and got caught with it after the attack."
"I don't like it though; the methods he uses, killing those people. What gave him the right to be judge, jury and executioner?" Kara questioned angrily.
"So it would be better that he didn't kill them or there was no vigilantes at all?" James countered calmly.
"There should be no vigilantes at all. We have police and law enforcement, they should deal with it surely?"
"You are right Kara. In a perfect world there would be no vigilantes because there would be no need for them However we do not live in that perfect world" James replied sadly. "Corruption and the sheer number of crimes means that as it is, Starling and places like Gotham need that little extra or else the police will barely hold the line or they will in fact retreat and not bother with crimes at all. We see it here; The Glades has very few police patrols, particularly at night. The two archers fight the crime there and occasionally branch out, handing most over to the police or giving some harsh beatings."
"Yes but they don't kill, they've only killed like three people. Three it still too many but admittedly they were three really bad people. They clearly make sure there are no innocents. The Hood guy doesn't seem to even care."
"I think most can say he is clearly targeting those that have hidden their crimes well, they are hardly innocent but do they deserve death? No, very few truly deserve that punishment" James explained as Kara and Jack listened to him, the news continuing softly in the background. "Now I think we've all had enough tonight, so off to bed, spit spot" he finished with a dismissive wave.
"You aren't Mary Poppins" Kara muttered before yawning and James just gave her a smug look so she grumbled some more and left for bed. Her warm comfy bed that was nicer than the one at her uni.
AN: So Kara got her first segment of a chapter and I hope I have the character right. Some have really done her justice in other stories. So just to clarify this is not a cross-over story, or not fully at least. I simply brought her here as her Earth-1 version. In theory Krypton and co existed and Kryptonite did land on Earth so her eventually turning up was possible. The FBI are now involved with the Gambit and the head guy is suspicious of Starling. The Alex here is the Earth-1 Alex of course.