(Madison Room, Metropolis Congress Centre)
Lex looked at Clark, who seemed bewildered at Oliver's shocking announcement.
"Is he insane?" Bruce muttered. "Did Oliver just say that he's taking on Lionel Luthor and the full might of LuthorCorp. … all by himself?"
Lex thought about what could drive Ollie to take on such an irrational risk. Queen Enterprises was a mere shadow of its former glory. Even if he liquidated all his assets, properties and cash reserves, he still wouldn't have enough funds to reclaim what LuthorCorp. had taken from him.
"Why?" Lex gasped. "It doesn't make sense!"
Only Alfred didn't seem surprised. "Oliver Queen always thought outside of the box, as some might say," Alfred replied. "Everyone assumed he only had two options …"
"Right," Bruce added. "Either side with us, or side with Lionel. He's decided to take nobody's side! Lionel will pummel what's left of Queen Enterprises into the ground – which leaves us back to square one."
"Wait, I think Alfred's on to something," Lex continued. "So, Alfred, you're saying that Ollie didn't want to be hemmed in by only two choices? That this reckless move is actually intentional?"
"It's quite a daring gambit," Alfred explained. "Ever heard of a Hail Mary pass? Yes, it's foolish, fraught with risk and could still cost him the family firm – but if you and Master Bruce are smart enough to receive that pass – you just might come off with an upset victory. Pay attention, lads. Your collective futures may likely depend on what you do in the next few minutes."
The board chair finally silenced the flurry of reporters' questions. "Mr. Queen," he announced, "you may continue."
Oliver sipped his glass of water, while ignoring Lionel's attempts to interrupt him. "I would like to take this opportunity to apologize – without reservation – to Bruce Wayne. Prior to my disappearance, I made some hurtful remarks about the late Thomas and Martha Wayne – remarks I care not to repeat. We had an argument, and I allowed emotions to get in the way. That is not an excuse for my behaviour. Bruce, if you are prepared to forgive my words spoken in haste – I would welcome the opportunity to become your friend again."
At the back of the room, Chloe tapped her foot anxiously. Carpe diem, Bruce, she thought. He's offering you an olive branch.
Ollie's forcing our hand, Lex realized. It was ridiculously dangerous, but brilliant. Oliver was tired of others setting the terms for his future. Now, any arrangement would be on his terms (with the entire continent as his witness).
It was a bold and shrewd move – just like Ollie.
Oliver set aside his prepared speech and launched a fiery, 10-minute tirade against the environmental sins of LuthorCorp., its anti-worker policies in the developing world and questionable investments in the defence industry. Lionel's face froze in a disgusted scowl, as Oliver tore into LuthorCorp.'s reputation in front of the cameras.
Oliver Queen smiled. He was taking back his family fortune. If he were facing corporate suicide, he would take Lionel with him. It was not in Queen's nature to play it safe.
"Based on the questionable corporate values of LuthorCorp.," Oliver continued, "I cannot – in good conscience – lend my family's credibility to an enterprise that stands for everything I oppose. It is my intention to pursue my Chapter 19 appeals under NAFTA to their conclusion, while I assemble a group of like-minded investors from the West Coast to reclaim what is mine by birthright: Queen Enterprises' North American assets."
"It's time to intercept that Hail Mary pass," Lex remarked to Alfred, slapping his shoulder before ascending the stage. He glared at his father before he approached the podium.
"Lex, it's still not too late," Lionel pleaded. "You are a Luthor! Don't forsake blood loyalty just to spite me! Do you really want that charlatan Queen to speak for you?"
"I fear that you've reached your Hyphasis River, Dad," Lex quipped. "Your era of limitless conquest is over." He stood beside Oliver and embraced him, pausing for the cameras.
"I pledge LexCorp.'s resources as a partner in Mr. Queen's quest to regain his family assets – and restore his family's honour," Lex declared.
For a brief moment, Bruce relived the horrific images of his murdered parents. He recalled the anguish he felt, when he realized that he had lost them forever. What hurt more was that their killer was never found. Could he forgive Oliver Queen, even now?
"You can't be angry at Oliver forever." Alfred advised. "Let it go, Master Bruce. Please."
"I don't know if I can," Bruce mumbled, "but Ollie is my friend. He deserves good friends, but I don't know if I deserve his friendship." He cradled the tarnished locket in his blazer pocket, the locket with his parents' faded portrait. Why should Oliver Queen share in the life-long torments that he had no hand in creating? He hesitated.
Clark pushed his way out of the horde of photographers, towards Bruce. "I know you know what needs to be done, Bruce. You and Oliver need to trust each other again. If you're ever going to find peace –"
Bruce interrupted him. "Sometimes, Clark, your persistence borders on annoying, but you're right. No man is an island, even a Wayne. I'd like to find peace – but I'll settle for retribution." He glowered at Lionel, before he stepped onto the stage. He clapped Oliver and Lex on the shoulders.
"I thank Oliver for his apology," Bruce announced at the podium. He squeezed the locket tightly. "It means a lot to me. As soon as I return to Gotham City, I will not rest until I've mobilized enough capital to assist Lex and Oliver's investors in a hostile takeover of those assets LuthorCorp. seized from Queen one year ago. Star City's favourite son is home; I intend to ensure that he has something to come home to." He waved off any further media questions, but the hail of camera flashes continued.
Chloe could barely contain her glee. With the weight of Wayne Enterprises behind Lex and Oliver's acquisition scheme, they could recapture all of Queen's former divisions: R & D, pulp and paper, mining … everything. It would take time – and Lionel would put up one heck of a fight – but LuthorCorp. would be too busy fending off those battles to even think of a global conflict with Bruce's empire.
Lionel shoved his way through the mob of reporters and cameramen. "I take it you are just as surprised as I am. Oliver Queen is a fool. My son and the Wayne boy conned him into this suicidal scheme. He's in for the fight of his life, that I can assure you!"
"Well, it looks like the three emperors over there have re-written history," Chloe taunted. "Was this the Austerlitz you had in mind, Lionel?"
"Wipe that smug grin from your face, Miss Sullivan," Lionel cautioned. "You may not have had a say in this fiasco, but your obligation to me still stands! It would be unfortunate if Gabe found himself without a job after the next round of layoffs. I expect you to uphold your end of our agreement. 'The most dangerous moment comes with victory,' Napoleon once said. You would be wise to heed that warning."
Chloe refused to yield to him, even with his threat to fire her father. "It is better to have a known enemy," she quoted, "than a forced ally."
"And what imbecile came up with that trite observation?" Lionel scoffed.
"The same imbecile who once brought Europe to its knees, put his own brother on the throne of Spain and got his revolutionary butt handed to him at Waterloo," Chloe replied sarcastically. "For a student of the great conquerors, you seem to have skipped over the 'lessons learned' chapters!"
Dozens of reporters began to pursue Lionel for a comment. Lionel eyed the anteroom exit. "We'll have our tête-à-tête another time," he stated, before fleeing towards the safety of the anteroom
Chloe felt exhilarated. She had faced Lionel's wrath and – momentarily – prevailed. There would be time to assess the implications of her deal with Lionel, but today she was content. On the stage, Bruce, Lex and Oliver were congratulating each other. Oliver would get his family fortune back, Lex would win another round in his battle against his father … and Bruce would have precious time to solidify his control over Wayne Enterprises.
Clark bounded down the aisle. "Did that just happen? Oliver Queen pulled the rug from under Lionel!"
"If it were anyone else," Chloe replied, "I'd say that was a reckless move. But, this is the infamous Emerald Archer. Risk has always been part of Queen's vocabulary." Reporters for the Smallville Ledger and the Daily Planet jostled to get within earshot of Oliver and his long-time friends. While they gave the media enough sound bites for the six o'clock news, Alfred took the opportunity to exit.
"Well done, Clark," Alfred stated. "Although I don't think we'll ever know if the information in that folder had any influence on Oliver's bold move today." Clarkhad used the pre-hearing confusion to place the folder onto the podium. Whether its revelations had any effect on Oliver's decision was anybody's guess.
Clark said something about "being lucky", but Alfred wasn't paying attention. He carefully watched Lionel, who had extracted himself from a pair of persistent television reporters. Lionel Luthor almost destroyed Bruce's friendship with Oliver, and threatened to undermine Bruce's tentative hold on the family empire.
Lionel has become too brash, Alfred concluded. Someone needs to rein him in. "Lex has offered to entertain Oliver and Bruce after the hearing. I must beg leave to settle unrelated business at Wayne Enterprises' Metropolis offices, but I shall rendezvous in Smallville before we depart. For now, I bid adieu to you, Clark. Miss Sullivan." Alfred nodded towards Chloe, who caught a slight smirk at the corner of Alfred's mouth. They had done more to achieve this small victory than anyone, yet no one could ever know about their private alliance.
Chloe's thoughts distracted her, and she failed to notice the Senate intern from Smallville. "You wanted a few moments, Ms. Sullivan?" he asked.
"Oh, right," blurted Chloe, as she shook his hand. "I wanted to ask about your views on the Pentagon's proposed continental Ballistic Missile Defence and the potential for the weaponization of space. Would that not escalate a new arms race?" Clark couldn't help but laugh. That poor intern didn't know what he got himself into!
He watched as Alfred calmly exited the Madison Room. Mr. Pennyworth paid close attention to Lionel's escape from the media scrum. Oh well, he mused. There was no love lost between Alfred and Lionel: they had been foes since the Thomas Wayne era. Alfred was one spy who had come in from the cold, for good. Clark knew (or wanted to believe) that it was so.
The tension between Alfred and Lionel, it was nothing of concern. Was it?
(Monroe Room, Metropolis Congress Centre)
Lex, Bruce and Oliver managed to escape the mob of reporters and photographers, under the cover of Lex's own security detail. They took refuge in an unused conference room to wait for their limousines to arrive in the private garage below.
Oliver gave Lex a bear hug. "Man, I knew I could count on you!"
"Well, I know a Hail Mary pass when I see one," Lex replied with a big smile. "You're just lucky you had someone to catch it."
Oliver turned to Bruce, who seemed surprised that they had actually beaten Lionel Luthor at his own game. "I wasn't just playing to the press out there, Bruce," he explained. "I am sorry, and I've got no business to expect that my apology will make up for all the pain you've been through."
Bruce squeezed the family locket a little harder. "It means a lot that you said sorry. Alfred says I can be too stubborn for my own good. I have few friends. If I were to lose you – or Lex – as a friend, I honestly don't know what I would do." He gave Oliver a firm handshake.
"I'll remember you said that, Bruce," Lex smirked, with just a hint of irony. "I don't think any of us would want Wayne Enterprises as a foe."
"You're right," Bruce remarked. "You wouldn't."
Suddenly, Oliver gasped. "What is it, Ollie?" Lex demanded. "If you're having second thoughts …"
"I have to find Dinah," Oliver declared. "She's on the congressional security detail, right?"
The now-familiar streak of jealousy ripped through Bruce again. He had let Dinah Lance go, and any notion that he still had a chance with her was a distant memory. "Security is pretty tight around here," he answered, "and in Metropolis. I don't know if Special Agent Lance will be off-duty until long after we're gone."
"I'd advise against trying to see her, Ollie," Lex cautioned. "She's not ready."
"Not ready?" Oliver scoffed. "Thinking of her kept me going all those months in the South Pacific!" He had just thwarted Lionel's schemes, and he was flush with confidence. "I've got to try, Lex. I love her." He bolted from the room to search for Dinah.
Lex feared that he might do something rash. Again. "Ollie!" he hollered after him. "It's too soon. You'll only hurt her!"
Bruce studied the falling crimson, gold and orange leaves outside the window. It would be winter soon, and the nights would be longer. Lonelier. "He may have beaten Lionel today," he concluded, "but he's only setting himself up for disappointment if he thinks he can rekindle what he had with Dinah – as if the last 12 months never happened."
Lex slouched into a nearby chair, and sipped a cup of coffee. "I know. That's what I'm afraid of."
The line between bold and foolhardy is razor-thin, Lex mused. Especially where Oliver Queen's heart is concerned.