"How we doing?" Oliver asked as he approached Curtis and the other techs.
"We have almost got it." Curtis said as he worked continued to work on the data.
"Great, keep working." Oliver said as John approached him.
"Hey Oliver, can we have a minute, alone?" John asked and Oliver nodded.
"What's up?" Oliver asked.
"Well first off, even once Curtis gets the data, what exactly are we supposed to do with it? The team doesn't have the manpower or the authority to arrest them, the SCPD is corrupt and Argus doesn't have jurisdiction to take them in. So what do we do?" John asked, pointing out a new problem.
"I've been thinking about that ever since we got the intel and I think I have a plan." Oliver said.
"How so?" John asked.
"Last November when Watson arrested me, I promised her I'd sue for malicious prosecution and I think that may be a way to get the FBI to deal with all the people on Diaz's payroll, allowing us to focus on him directly." Oliver said and John smiled.
"I guess you really are the man with a plan." John said.
"I'm working on it." Oliver said right Curtis shot up.
"Boo yah, data decrypted." Curtis said.
"Way to go. Transfer the data to a drive and prepare to send it to me." Oliver said.
"Okay, but why?" Curtis asked.
"I have a plan to liberate our city without branding us as criminals." Oliver said.
"Mind telling us what it is?" Curtis asked.
"I'd rather tell you all at once and since I'm gonna need Lyla's help to implement it, let's head to command center." Oliver said and they nodded.
"So, what's the plan?" Dinah asked as they all gathered in the command center.
"Curtis got us Diaz's ledger, now we just need help to use it to liberate the city from that maniac." Oliver said.
"And where are we going to get that help?" Rene asked.
"The FBI." Oliver said.
"Are you crazy? You mean the guys who have been trying to arrest you for the past year?" Rene asked.
"Pretty much." Oliver said.
"And how do you plan on getting their help?" Thea asked.
"Well, last time I checked, Samandra Watson has violated several protocols and I'm actually planning a lawsuit against her. We can use that to get the FBI on our side." Oliver said.
"And how exactly would you do that?" Roy asked.
"By arranging a meeting with Watson's superior. Make a deal with him that in exchange for dropping all charges against both Watson and the FBI for what I'm sure was an illegal operation looking into me and all of you without due cause, they will have the FBI take down everyone Diaz's payroll, allowing us to focus solely on Diaz." Oliver said.
"It's actually a decent plan." John said.
"Lyla, think you could arrange the meeting?" Oliver asked.
"Easily." Lyla said as she walked out.
"So, what about the rest of us?" John asked.
"Well I need to get back to City Hall, since with Quentin in the Norad bunker, I can't just spend a ton of time out of the office." Oliver said.
"Oliver, don't you think that's a bit risky, going someplace so vulnerable?" Thea asked.
"Like Lyla said, the police still have to keep up appearances and Diaz is not crazy enough to try and kill the mayor in broad daylight in the middle of City Hall." Oliver said.
"I still think I should go with you as a protective detail." John said.
"Let's do it. Dinah, you to." Oliver said and Dinah nodded as they walked out.
Oliver was not at all surprised to find Samandra Watson waiting for him in his office when he arrived at City Hall.
"Agent Watson, I do not believe that you were on my schedule and since your investigation into me was called off by the president herself, what do I owe this displeasure?" Oliver asked.
"I just wanted to know how you got the president to clear you of all charges. After all, it's clear that you are the Green Arrow." Watson said.
"I'm already a mayor, a father and a fiance, I hardly have time to run around this city in a green hoodie and even if I did, you have no authority to act on it, since I never actually gave the FBI permission to operate in my city, which means that you're entire investigation is illegal. Now get out of my office or I can have security throw you out. Whichever you prefer." Oliver said in a tone of voice that was just begging Watson to test him.
"This isn't over yet Mr. Queen." Agent Watson said as she left the office.
"Damn, I was kinda hoping to throw her out." John said.
"You and me both." Oliver said in agreement.
"Hey, when you talk to Watson's boss, you should see if you can get Watson canned as part of the deal." John said.
"Agreed, she reminds me a bit too much of Amanda Waller and this time I plan on at the very least discrediting her." Oliver said.
"Glad I'm not the only one who's made that comparison." John said, right as Oliver's phone rang.
"Hello?" Oliver asked.
"Oliver, it's Lyla. Just thought you'd like to know that I've set up an appointment between you and Watson's superior tomorrow afternoon." Lyla said.
"Send me the details. Thanks Lyla." Oliver said as he hung up and smiled slightly since everything was finally beginning to fall into place for him again.
