Chapter 52: Extreme Measures
Out in the city, the man Batman had run down before walked into a local bar, quickly making his way to the counter.
"Hey! Give me a beer!"
"Alright alright," the bartender called back.
The bartender placed a bottle of beer in front of the man, who took it and was about to take a swig. Suddenly, a green hand shot out and covered the top, much to his shock.
"Hold on there, partner."
The man turned to see GL, Wonder Woman, and Diggle in a ski mask standing in the doorway.
"We've got a few questions for you," GL remarked.
Once everyone saw the three heroes, they immediately took off towards the exit. The man at the bar tried to make a break for it as well, but Wonder Woman's lasso shot out and wrapped around him. She yanked on it hard, pulling him back as he landed in front of the three of them.
"We have some questions for you," Diggle insisted.
"I ain't telling you freaks nothing!" the man insisted.
"I beg to differ," Wonder Woman replied, tightening her lasso. "Tell us everything you know about Vertigo, and a man known as The Count."
"Vertigo is heavily traded in the south side of the Glades," the man rattled off. "The Count rarely if ever shows his face when making deals but is known to frequent certain drug dens in the wrecked parts of the Glades because the cops rarely go that far."
Wonder Woman then retracted her lasso as Diggle watched.
"Do I even want to know?"
"Magic Lasso of truth, forged in the fires of Hestia's hearth."
"Didn't think so."
"You asked."
…
Back at S.T.A.R. Labs, Flash worked with Felicity, Caitlin, and Cisco to decipher the Vertigo's chemical makeup. As Felicity typed away on her computer, Cisco casually rolled over in his chair to check on her.
"So… how's it going?" Cisco asked.
"Not too badly," Felicity admitted. "I was able to pick up trace amounts of sea water in the sample and I'm attempting to run a check on the Star City ports. See if there's anywhere isolated enough for this 'Count' character to operate out of."
"Cool. So… how did someone like you end up working for a guy like the Green Arrow?"
"Well… first he brought me a laptop with bullets in it. Claimed he spilled coffee on it. Then I found him bleeding in my car. I patched him up and pretty much became his girl afterwards. I mean, not his girl, but, y'know… his girl. That he calls when things need to be hacked, or deciphered, or tracked, and I'm rambling."
"You do that a lot?"
"More than I'd ever care to admit."
"Well… I can't imagine anyone getting tired of listening to you."
Felicity perked up, slightly blushing in response.
"Uh… thanks."
"Hey, I mean it. You got talent. I mean, it's not everyone that can figure out where a narcotic/poison is being made in a city this big."
"Actually," Caitlin spoke up, walking over to them. "You might want to reverse that?"
"What do you mean?" Flash asked, looking up from his work.
"I was going over the chemical makeup of the Vertigo, and I found that if certain components were given just a fraction more potency, then anyone who used it would be no better off than the Queen."
"So, wait. You're saying that this drug was always meant as a poison?"
"That's certainly what it looks like. The Count must have found a way to lessen its effects and sold it on the streets."
"That's just sick," Cisco commented.
"Flash," GL called over comms. "You there?"
"Go ahead," Flash answered.
"Not a lot, but we found out that the Count operates out of the south side of the Glades."
"It's a start," Flash replied before turning to Felicity. "Any structures on the south side of the Glades that intersect with the ports?"
Felicity pulled up a map of the city and began searching.
"Got it. Looks like an abandoned warehouse at the bay off of Weisinger."
"I'm on it," Flash spoke up. "Relay this info to the others."
Flash then sped off as Felicity got in contact with everyone else.
…
Outside SCPD headquarters, Batman and Green Arrow were walking out of the building when they got Felicity's communication.
"Understood. We'll check it out," Batman responded before hanging up. "Arrow, we-"
Just as Batman turned towards Green Arrow though, he was already gone, leaving the Dark Knight alone on the street.
"So that's what that feels like…"
…
Not far away, Green Arrow sped down the streets of the city on his bike, hoping to reach the warehouse and find any clue to the Count's warabouts.
…
Within a few minutes, Green Arrow pulled up to the warehouse. He discounted his bike and readied his bow before approaching the building. With steely resolve, he kicked the door down and drew an arrow, ready for the fight ahead. Before he could get off a shot however, the Flash sped in and quickly knocked out and tied up every thug in the room. Once everyone was dealt with, Flash stopped right in front of Green Arrow, who put away his arrow in response.
"I was in the neighborhood," Flash remarked.
Green Arrow just brushed past him, much to Flash's confusion.
"What?"
The two made their way inside, seeing evidence that Vertigo was being manufactured there, but seemingly no sign of the elusive Count.
"He could be any one of these guys," Green Arrow lamented.
Suddenly, one of the thugs started waking up, groaning as a result. Flash noted this and sped him into a chair.
"My friend and I want to ask you a few questions."
"Where's the Count?" Arrow demanded.
"I… I don't know. He's not here."
"How do we find him?" Flash asked.
"I don't know, honest."
"Sure about that? Cause I have a friend who's very good at making people tell the truth."
"No time," Arrow responded, taking out an arrow and firing it into the goon's shoulder, much to Flash's shock.
"What the hell?" Flash let out.
"You want to know the only thing that hurts worse than an arrow going in?" Arrow asked, approaching him. "It's an arrow coming out!"
Arrow started pulling on the arrow, causing the thug to cry out in pain.
"Hey, knock it off!" Flash insisted. "He probably doesn't know anything."
"He's lying!" Arrow countered before turning back to the goon. "And if you want to be able use your arm, you'll start talking!"
The goon managed to use his good arm to reach into his pocket and pull out a cellphone.
"He contacts us using one of these. He tells us where we set up shop and where we sell the goods. That's all I know, believe me!"
Arrow took the phone from the crook's hands. Flash took hold of the goon and sped him off to police custody before returning just as fast.
"Get this to Felicity," Arrow instructed. "She can hack the encryption and see where the Count was making his calls from."
Arrow tossed the phone to Flash, but it just bounced off his chest and fell to the floor, much to Arrow's confusion.
"What?"
"You just tortured a man."
"I interrogated him."
Flash just scoffed in response.
"You know, the others were hesitant to work with you at the start of this, and I stood up for you. Cause I thought you were being better than before. That you were being a hero."
"Well… maybe being a hero doesn't come as naturally to me as it does to the rest of you. When I have to contend with depraved psychopaths, the fact that the SCPD is still weary of me, and my entire city literally crumbling around me!"
"Hey, we've all had hardships to deal with. Except we don't use our personal baggage as an excuse to torture whoever pisses us off."
"Well, I'm sorry, Flash. I guess I'm just not as emotionally stable as you guys are."
"Clearly..." Flash picked up the fallen phone. "Maybe before you start trying to save this city, you should try to save yourself."
Flash then sped off, leaving Arrow alone to stew in Flash's words.
…
The next day at the Star City courthouse, Oliver made his way inside the courtroom and over to where Thea, Roy, and the Queen family lawyer were sitting.
"Well look who made it on time," Thea noted as Oliver took a seat.
"Of course I'm here," Oliver insisted. "Look, Speedy, I know I haven't been there as often as I should, but-"
"Just save it. Why are you even here? Since when have you ever given a damn about me, or this family?"
"Thea, I do care. I-"
Thea just pointedly turned away, glaring at the ground in front of her. Roy gave a sympathetic shrug.
"All rise!" the baileth called out.
Everyone stood up as the judge entered the room. Oliver winced, recognizing the judge as one with a particular dislike for him after all the DUIs and the assault his mom got him acquitted for.
"Be seated," the judge instructed as he took his seat. "Prosecutor, your statement?"
"Your honor, the Queen family has a history of substance abuse, particularly in the latest generation. Miss Queen's recent actions show that this has not changed. In the aftermath of the Undertaking, the Queen family must be held accountable for their actions. Prosecution charges Thea Queen with attempted vehicular manslaughter, Driving while intoxicated, and possession of an illegal substance, and wish to withhold bail."
"Your honor," the Queen's lawyer spoke up. "The Queen family has suffered tremendously over the past year. The actions of Thea Queen are those of a woman who has been betrayed by her mother in a way that cannot be properly expressed in words. As such, I strongly recommend not letting one mistake be comparable to the mistakes of her mother."
"Mistake?" the judge repeated. "I'd hardly call driving while under the influence of a controlled substance to be a simple mistake. Especially when that substance has been sweeping across our city like a plague. Someone needs to show that this drug, and its usage, will not be tolerated in Star City."
"But your honor-"
"Bail, denied," the judge proclaimed, banging his gavel.
Oliver turned to Thea with a worried look on his face. She didn't even acknowledge him.
…
At the hospital, Diana walked into Queen Perdita's room to check on the young monarch.
"Has there been any change?" Diana asked the doctor.
"I'm afraid not. We're doing all we can though."
"Please do," Diana replied before turning to Perdita. "You've already shown tremendous strength for one so young. We need you to be strong a little while longer."
As she said this, someone slipped into the room behind her.
"Perdita..." a male voice with a thick, Vlatvian accent spoke up. "My darling niece… what has happened to you?"
"Diana turned to see a man in green clothes and a cloak walking in the room.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"My apologies," the man replied, giving a small bow. "I am Wener Zytle. Perdita is my niece."
"I wasn't aware the Queen had any family left."
"We are… all each other has. I was managing affairs at home when I heard that the Queen had been poisoned. I came over as fast as I could. I regret not being here to tend to her sooner. She does not deserve to suffer like this."
"The Justice League is doing everything in our power to help your niece. And find out who is responsible."
"You have my thanks, Wonder Woman. If I can offer any resources to aid your investigation, you need only ask."
Diana nodded, then left the room. Once she left, Zytle gently brushed some hair from Perdita's sweaty forehead.
"Soon, my dear, your pain will end."
…
Back at the Courthouse, Oliver and Thea were meeting with their lawyer so they could weigh their options on what to do next.
"So, is there anything we can do that doesn't result in my sister going to prison?" Oliver asked.
"I'm afraid she's not being cooperative, so I don't know."
Oliver sighed before turning to Thea.
"Thea, look, I know you're mad at me, but this is not a situation to take lightly."
"Does it matter if I play along? That judge wants someone to throw under the bus, and as long as my last name is Queen, it's gonna be me."
"It doesn't have to be you, Thea," Roy insisted. "Please, you don't want to go down like this."
"Would it be possible for us to appeal or something?" Oliver inquired.
"I can talk to the judge about a lessened sentence," the lawyer replied. "But as long as Vertigo is out there, I don't see much we can do."
"I… understand. Thank you."
The lawyer nodded before getting up and walking out, leaving the three of them to talk.
"I… have to go," Oliver lamented.
"There's a shock," Thea let out.
"Thea, I promise I'm going to help you through this. I just need a little time."
"Whatever," Thea replied as Oliver left, feeling especially defeated.
"Thea, he's trying," Roy told her, annoyance slipping into his tone. "I know he hasn't been there like you'd want him to, but he is trying. You have to see that."
"What I see is a guy who cares as little about his family as I do for his excuses."
"Come on, you don't mean that."
"Yes, I do! Ever since he came back, he's done nothing but completely blow me off. He's always late, always too busy, and his excuses just get worse and worse. He lies every time he talks to me, and I am sick of being lied to. I'm done, Roy… I'm just done. With all this, with him… with everything."
Roy just sat there attentively, taking in everything she said.
"So… is this still about Oliver… or about your mom?
Thea said nothing, just closing herself off and turning away. Roy just let out a huff before getting up himself.
"I'm gonna do everything to help you too, Thea," he said to himself. "I promise…"
…
Meanwhile, Felicity was typing away at her computer, hoping to decipher the cell phone Flash and Green Arrow had provided. As she did, Flash was standing off to the side, still fuming about his talk with Arrow. GL took note of this and walked over to him.
"You ok, man?" he asked.
"Yeah, just… I'm starting to see why Batman has issues with Oliver."
"Oh boy," Felicity let out. "What happened?"
"Just tortured a guy for some intel."
"Yikes…"
"Yeah. How can you stand working with a guy like that?"
"I try not to think of the damage he deals. Try to focus on the good that's being done."
"Yeah, it doesn't work like that," GL dismissed. "Reminds me a little too much of Sinestro before he snapped."
"Who?" Cisco asked, walking into the room with some donuts.
"My old partner turned arch nemesis," GL answered, using his ring to form a hand that grabbed a donut. "He believed the only way to reign in the criminal element was to eliminate it."
"Well, Green Arrow doesn't do that… I mean, anymore."
"Not the point. The point is that you can't stop criminals by acting like them. There has to be a line between us and them."
Felicity said nothing, silently agreeing with what Green Lantern had said.
…
Back in the bunker, Oliver was working on the salmon ladder when Diggle walked in.
"Felicity's still working to decrypt that phone you and Flash brought in," he reported. "And Batman and Wonder Woman are investigating the Queen's security detail to see if there are any leaks."
"Good. Hopefully, this will give us a lead on the Count."
"So… how'd it go with Thea today?"
"... same as always." Oliver dropped off the latter, landing with a grunt. "She hates me, and wants nothing to do with me. She's actively sabotaging herself out of sheer hatred."the only way I'm gonna salvage my relationship with my sister is to take the Count down once and for all."
"You really think that taking this guy down is gonna fix everything?"
"I'm grasping at straws here, Dig. Thea she- she's all I have left. I can't lose her… not like this."
"Well… I do have one suggestion. Tell her the truth?"
Oliver's eyes went wide upon hearing that.
"No. Absolutely not. She's mad enough as is. Letting her into all this… it'll destroy any chance of reconciliation I have left."
"Oh, but lying to her, which is the entire reason she hates you, won't?"
"It keeps her safe. Keeps her as far away from my world as possible. I won't let what happened to Laurel happen to Thea."
"With all due respect, Laurel would've done what she did whether she knew who was behind that hood or not."
"I can't take that chance. I just can't…"
…
Meanwhile in the city, Marc Berlenti limped down the street, still nursing his injuries from the Green Arrow. As he passed by an alleyway, Roy stepped out, clad in a red hoodie.
"Hey!" he called out, getting Berlenti's attention.
"What?!" Berlenti snapped. "What do you want?!"
"The guy you got the Vertigo from. Tell me where I can find him."
"And what if I say no? I already got shot by the Green Arrow, what are you gonna do?"
Roy moved towards him but Berlenti drew a gun on him.
"Sorry kid, but that's-"
Roy then pulled out a small red flechette from his hoodie pocket and threw it at the gun, knocking it out of his hand. Berlenti looked at the gun in surprise, before looking back to see Roy running up to kick him in the chest, knocking him to the ground.
"That's what I'm gonna do," Roy remarked, walking over to him and eying his leg. "Now then, which leg was it that Green Arrow shot?"
"Alright! Alright! Look, I don't know where he is. He calls me."
"Where was the last place you met him?"
"At a warehouse on Infantino street."
"Thanks."
Roy then went over and grabbed the gun, dislodging the flechette from it. He placed the flechette in his pocket before removing the gun clip and emptying out the bullets. He tossed them both aside before heading off, leaving Berlenti alone in the alley.
"Sweet jesus, Arrow's got a groupie..."
…
Back at S.T.A.R. Labs, Green Arrow entered to find only Flash and Felicity in the room.
"Where's everyone else?" GA asked.
"Caitlin and Cisco are still working on the Vertigo cure," Flash relayed. "GL's gone to meet up with Batman and Wonder Woman to follow up on the Queen's security detail."
"Any luck on cracking that phone?"
There was a ding on Felicity's computer.
"As a matter of fact, I just managed to breach a calendar app, and guess who has an appointment with the Count in one hour at the warehouse on Infantino street?"
"Well considering he's in police lock up about now," Arrow remarked, turning to leave. "We'll have to go in his place."
Before he could get outside, Flash sped in front of him, blocking his path.
"I don't think so."
"Out of my way, Flash," Arrow warned.
"Not a chance. Look, I get that this is personal to you, but you are completely out of line, and we need the Count alive and in one piece."
"I'm going."
"You really think you can get through me?"
Arrow paused for a moment, an idea came to mind.
"Alright… how about a little wager then?"
Flash was caught off guard by that.
"What kind of wager?"
"You take off, come at me, and I'm gonna try and hit you with an arrow. I hit you, I go. I miss, I stay."
Flash chuckled in response.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah, seriously."
"You do realize I'm the fastest man alive. You won't be able to hit me."
"Then you have nothing to worry about."
"Alright, fine. I will humor you."
Flash ran outside, Green Arrow walking out as he notched an arrow. Flash came to a stop across the street from the S.T.A.R. Labs.
"Ready?!" Flash called out.
"Ready." Arrow replied, readying his arrow.
Flash then took off, signaling GA to fire his arrow. Flash then came to a stop in front of Arrow, his arrow in hand.
"Nice try," Flash remarked.
Just then, twin crossbows emerged from his motorcycle, firing into Flash's back and causing him to cry out in pain.
"You shot me?!" Flash let out.
"I heard you heal fast," Green Arrow remarked, yanking the arrows out of his back.
Flash turned to confront him on it, but found his movement began to feel a bit sluggish, eventually kneeling over for some reason.
"What… what'd you…"
"Do to you? Pump you with about ten thousand milligrams of horse tranquilizer. For a normal human, it would probably be fatal. For you… I'd say I have an hour."
Green Arrow turned and got onto his motorcycle, driving off as Flash collapsed into unconsciousness.
…
At the warehouse, Roy made his way to a back entrance, climbing up to an open window so he could sneak in. He landed on the ground, quickly ducking behind some boxes as a group of men walked inside. They approached another group of men being led by a skinny man in a trench coat. The man stepped forward, his arms outstretched as if to greet them.
"Gentlemen, welcome," the man spoke.
"I take it you're the Count?" one of the visitors asked.
"Indeed. Do you have your payment?"
The visitors all pulled out large envelopes, handing them to the Count. One by one he took them, opening them to reveal massive stacks of hundreds.
"It's a start."
"What about the product?"
"Oh, please. Vertigo is so much more than a simple product. It's… an art form. A way of life. One dose of this beauty, and you'll never want the dulldrum of normal life again."
The Count picked up a briefcase and placed it on a narby crate. He opened it up, revealing several cases of the Vertigo drug.
"Needless to say… you'll get what you paid for."
Just then, an arrow shot down and hit the case, instantly exploding and sending the product up in flames. The Count dropped the case, looking around as an almost manic grin creeped onto his face.
"Well, well, well, the notorious Green Arrow! Come on out! Don't be shy!"
Green Arrow didn't waste a moment, leaping down on top of a pile of boxes that allowed him to tower over the group.
"You're going out of business!" he promised, drawing an arrow. "Permanently!"
The various men in attendance all opened fire on Green Arrow, prompting him to fire back before flipping down onto the ground. He fired one arrow after another, taking out numerous goons in rapid succession. One of the goons tried running up to him, but he quickly struck him in the gut with his bow before punching him in the face and kicking him to the ground. Another goon tried striking him from behind, causing him to duck and pull out an arrow so he could stab him in the leg. The goon cried out in pain as Arrow yanked out his weapon, causing him to kneel over in pain so GA could strike him across the face with his bow. A third goon tried kicking him in the face, but Arrow caught him by the leg and shoved him upwards, causing him to fall backwards. Green Arrow quickly stood up and fired his bloodied arrow into his shoulder, pinning him to the ground.
Seeing all the chaos, the Count decided to make a break for it. He headed for the back entrance, opening the door just in time to get a punch to the face. He fell backward as Roy walked towards him, making sure to keep his hood up.
"Leaving so soon?" Roy taunted. "And I just got here."
"You're new," the Count remarked, wiping his chin and getting back up. "Who might you be? A new Hood?"
"Something like that."
Roy threw a punch at the Count, knocking him into a box.
"Ya got moxie, kid," the Count admitted, picking himself back up. "I'll give you that. Let's see how long it will last you."
The Count then lashed out at Roy, forcing the young would-be hero to leap back. He quickly dodged the Count's punches and blows, barely keeping an edge on the devious drug lord. After taking down another goon, Green Arrow looked up and saw Roy fighting the Count. He drew an arrow preparing to take the Count out, but one of the goons grabbed him from behind, making his shot go wide. Roy looked up at this, allowing the Count to kick him in the chest, knocking him to the ground so he could make a break for it. Arrow quickly elbowed the goon in the chest, spinning around so he could smack the goon in the face with his bow. Once the goon was down, he ran over to Roy, who was picking himself up off the ground.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" he demanded.
"Same as you! I came to stop the Count!"
Arrow let out a huff, realizing there was no time to argue.
"Keep on him!" he instructed. "I'll head him off!"
Roy nodded before taking off, prompting Arrow to fire a grappling arrow up into the rafters.
…
Outside, the Count plowed through the door, making a break for it. Roy followed close behind, keeping the Count dead in his sights. Arrow meanwhile, climbed onto the roof and ran across it, leaping onto the roof of an adjacent building. Arrow then notched another arrow and prepared to fire, only for the entire building to suddenly become out of focus. He began to feel nauseous and disoriented, stumbling as he lost all sense of direction. He lost his footing, causing him to fall over and off the edge of the roof. He crashed into some trash cans, causing Roy and the Count to turn in surprise. The Count took advantage of the distraction to strike Roy in the back of the head, knocking him to the ground. The Count walked past him, towering over the fallen archer.
"Well well," the Count let out. "You don't look so good my friend. Perhaps I can help...:"
He knelt down, drawing a syringe from his coat pocket.
"You just seem so high strung… take a load off."
He then jammed the syringe into Green Arrow's neck, causing him to grunt in pain. Roy managed to pick himself up, seeing the Count performing his handiwork. Thinking fast, he drew his flechette and threw it, knocking the syringe out of his hands.
"Get away from him!" he called out.
"My, aren't we testy?" the Count remarked, getting to his feet. "Alas, I have other appointments to attend to."
The Count then just turned and bolted, leaving Roy to attend to the fallen hero.
…
Meanwhile in the basement of Star City General, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern were in the midst of interrogating members of the Queen's security detail. Green Lantern stood off to the side as Batman and Wonder Woman sat in front of a table with the head of the detail across from them. He had the lasso of truth wrapped around his wrist so they could ask him what they needed.
"Were you involved in the attempt on Perdita's life?" Wonder Woman asked.
"I was not," the guard replied.
"Do you have any clue as to who might be?" Batman questioned.
"No, I do not."
'"Do you have any connections to an individual known as 'the Count'?" Wonder Woman inquired.
"I do not."
Wonder Woman pulled the lasso off.
"Thank you for your cooperation."
The guard nodded before walking off, leaving the three to talk.
"That's all of them," GL noted. "And not one of them has any clues to act on."
"We had to be certain," Wonder Woman replied.
"What about the Queen's uncle?" Batman offered. "Werner Zytle? What do we know of him?"
"Second born son, brother of Perdita's late father, and aside from that, not much," GL answered. "The guy hasn't done much of anything that really makes him stand out."
"He seems sincere regarding Perdita," Wonder Woman noted. "I saw genuine sadness in his eye when he saw her. Perdita's pain was something he took no pleasure in seeing.
"Perhaps…" Batman admitted. "Still, we should-"
"Guys," Flash called out over comms. "We got a lead on the Count, but Green Arrow took off on his own. He's heading to a warehouse on Infantino street."
"We'll meet you there," Batman replied before turning to the others. "Let's go!"
…
Roy ran over to Green Arrow, seeing that the hero was convulsing in pain on the ground. He bent down, grabbing his arm and trying to pull him to his feet.
"Come on..." he let out, heaving Arrow's arm over his shoulder. "Come on, we can't stay here. You have to walk."
Roy managed to lift him up, but the emerald archer's greater size and weight made the task extremely difficult. Arrow's constant convulsions were not helping matters either. Fortunately for him, the Flash came speeding through the alley, stopping and turning around to see the fallen Green Arrow. He ran up to him as the others arrived via Green Lantern's energy bubble.
"Please," Roy pleaded. "Help him…"
