Disclaimer: I do not own Arrow.
Starling City
Night
Roy was watching from a distance as two SUVs pulled up. Two men got out of the SUVs and a voice spoke up behind Roy.
"You should be more careful." The Arrow said in his disguised voice and Roy almost jumped.
"You're completely exposed." The Canary agreed.
"I knew you guys were there," Roy said trying to save some dignity, "so, you wanted me to tell you when the funny money guys made their move, here we go."
"Not we, us" The Canary corrected, "you're not ready for this yet kid. Go home, we can handle this."
Roy turned around to protest but the two vigilantes were already gone.
Inside the warehouse, the criminals were striking a deal and a bag of money was about to be handed over when it was struck by an arrow. It promptly burst into flames and the man dropped it before he was hit in the leg and went down to the floor. The Arrow and Canary emerged from their hiding spots, each of them taking out a guard before going in. As The Canary took out those on the ground floor, The Arrow raised his bow and fired two arrows up to the rafters. One fell into a box with the other grabbed onto the catwalk above him, dangling for his life. As another one emerged from around the corner, The Canary took out a knife and threw it at him, striking him in leg, knocking him down. The two vigilantes turned to the man who'd set up the deal, who looked at them fearfully.
"I think it's time you went to jail, don't you?" The Canary asked sweetly.
Arrow Lair
Later
"Well, another night, another scumbag behind bars." Diggle quipped as the three walked down the stairs.
"Well, we better get home, relieve Walter of babysitting duty." Sara said before they stopped as they walked into the lair.
Felicity was down there, sitting at the computers, but she wasn't alone. Standing next to her, Lyla stared at Team Arrow stonily. After a moment, Team Arrow got over their surprise and walked over to them.
"What are you doing here Lyla?" Diggle asked surprised to see her.
"I need your help. Well, their help." Lyla said as she looked over at Oliver and Sara.
"With what?" Oliver asked uneasily.
"There's an agent in Russia on a mission, he went dark. I would like your help in retrieving him." Lyla explained.
"Why come to us?" Sara asked suspiciously.
"Because the identity of the agent will cause you to be emotionally involved." Lyla said and Oliver and Sara looked at each strangely before looking over to Lyla.
"Who is this agent?" Oliver asked not at all prepared for the answer.
"Jonathan Smoak." Lyla said and everyone stared at her shocked.
"What?" Felicity croaked.
"Is this some kind of sick joke?" Sara hissed.
"John Smoak is dead." Oliver said coldly.
"That's what I thought until two days ago. Apparently, Argus got to the abandoned base you were using mere minutes after you and the Yamashiros fled. Does the name Project Cadmus mean anything to either of you?" Lyla asked and they both shook their heads, "Project Cadmus is a branch of Argus that deals with human research. Its medical capabilities are simply astounding. After he was found, John was sent there and they managed to save his life."
"If this true, why didn't he come forward after Waller was killed?" Sara demanded.
"Because he's been in Russia under deep cover for almost a year. He wouldn't have known until he was state side," Lyla said before pulling out a flash drive and handing it to Oliver, "I know this must be a lot to take in and you're probably skeptical. On this flash drive is everything you need to believe my story. After you've had time to consider it, call me."
Lyla then walked up the stairs, leaving Team Arrow alone as they all stared at the flash drive in Oliver's hand.
Ship in the North China Sea, five years ago
Day
Oliver awakens to find himself in a room on the ship. A man stands before him, looking at Oliver like he is a frog he can't wait to dissect.
"My name is Ivo, what's yours?" Ivo said in an American accent.
"…Tommy." Oliver said smoothly after deciding it would be best not to use his real name.
"So, how did you come to be on this island Tommy? I assume it wasn't by choice." Ivo asked as he picked up a notebook.
"The boat I was on went down, I was shipwrecked here. I was the only survivor." Oliver said tonelessly.
"Well I'm sorry to hear that," Ivo said as he wrote something down, not sounding like he meant it, "did you explore the island much?"
"Some of it." Oliver admitted.
"You didn't happen to run across a Japanese Imperial-Navy sub, did you?" Ivo said before continuing, "You see, during World War Two, every country was trying to develop the ultimate weapon. The United States had the Manhattan project; of course the Nazis had Das Uranverein, and the Japanese? Well, they had Mirakuru."
"Mirakuru?" Oliver repeated.
"Stem cell regeneration therapy decades ahead of their time. Every war advances the cause of science Tommy. And the Japanese, they had developed a serum that causes enhanced strength, rapid cell regeneration. They called it Mirakuru, Japanese for miracle. They thought they could create an army of super soldiers. They were transporting their only supply when that cell came under heavy fire by the Allied forces. And it ran aground into this chain of islands," Ivo explained as he walked over to Oliver, "thanks to you, we now know it's this island."
"You killed my friends over some fantasy serum?" Oliver growled filled with rage.
"Oh, it's quite real Tommy. And you'll see that when you help us find it." Ivo said confidently.
Arrow Lair
Later
"It's all true; there is no way this is fabricated." Felicity said stunned as she looked over at the contents of the flash drive.
"Then John's alive…and he's in trouble." Sara breathed.
"Dig, call Lyla, tell her we're in." Oliver ordered.
"When do we leave?" Felicity asked but Oliver shook his head.
"You're staying here Felicity." Oliver said and she whirled around.
"He's my father Oliver." Felicity hissed.
"And we get that, but we're in uncharted territory Felicity," Sara began gently, "I don't think this is something you'll be able to help with. I promise you Felicity, we will bring him home, but you need to stay here."
"I am not okay with this." Felicity said unsatisfied.
"We don't expect you to be." Oliver said understandingly.
Star City, next day
Morning
Oliver, Sara, and Diggle were about to board the plan when a black limbo pulled up. The trio stopped as Isobel Rochev got out.
"Where do you think you're going?" Isobel demanded as she walked towards them.
"I was thinking of checking out the company holdings in Moscow." Oliver said smoothly.
"What kind of partner decides to check out overseas holdings behind the other ones back?" Isobel demanded.
"It was an oversight." Oliver said as he mentally seethed at the unneeded complication.
"Well lucky for our partnership, I'm a fast packer." Isobel said haughtily as she walked towards the plan.
"Oliver." Sara hissed.
"I'll handle her. Sara, we'll get John back. If nothing else, because I owe him for helping me keep you safe." Oliver said before they followed Isobel and Diggle onboard.
Russia
Mid afternoon
"What was that about?" Sara asked as she and Diggle approached Oliver as Isobel walked off.
"Oh, she just accused me of using this as an excuse so you and I could get a weekend away from Shado." Oliver said idly as he glared after his partner.
"…yeah, I'm gonna kill her." Sara moved to stalk after Isobel but Oliver stopped her.
"As enjoyable as it would be to not have to fight for control of my company anymore, how about instead you try to get a read on her. There's a reason she was on the list, find out. I know this place brings back bad memories, but try and keep your cool," Oliver said before he turned to Diggle, "Dig, we're going for a drink."
Moscow
Same time
"So what did you mean about this place bringing back bad memories for Sara?" Diggle asked as he and Oliver walked on the street.
"Well, we came here to Russia after Hong Kong. As you know, Sara and I spent the better part of our fourth year away hunting China White," Oliver began and Diggle nodded, "Sara quickly became obsessed with White. She focused all her grief and rage for what happened in Hong Kong on White. At first I wasn't too concerned, but then Sara stopped worrying about collateral damage. Her obsession with White turned her into someone I didn't even recognize anymore."
"How'd you bring her back from the edge?" Diggle asked disturbed by the image Oliver painted.
"I didn't, she did that when she hit rock bottom." Oliver said as he and Diggle walked into a bar/club.
"Oliver Queen," Both men turned to see Anatoly stand up and walk over to them, "if it isn't one of my favorite Americans!"
Anatoly walked over and gave Oliver the kiss on each kiss before he stepped back. Oliver smiled as Anatoly said something in Russia that Diggle couldn't understand.
"It really has been too long," Oliver agreed before turning to Diggle, "John Diggle, this is Anatoly Knyazev."
"Thanks for meeting us." Diggle said politely as Anatoly gave him a blank stare.
"If Oliver vouches for you…then you are my third favorite American!" Anatoly laughed as he shook Diggle's hand.
Anatoly led Oliver and Diggle into a private room and poured them each a glass of scotch.
"First a toast." Anatoly began as he set the glasses in front of Oliver and Diggle.
"Non for me, thanks." Diggle politely refused.
Oliver reached forward and pushed the glass towards Diggle. At Oliver's pointed look, Diggle took the glass. They all raised their glasses and Anatoly said something in Russian.
"To strength." Oliver translated before they all took a drink.
"Now, business," Anatoly said as he opened a small, leather box and pulled out a picture, "this is the man you are looking for, yes?"
"That's him." Oliver agreed while Diggle noted John's resemblance to Felicity.
"Picture is from two days ago from Gulag. Prison." Anatoly explained and Oliver looked at him sharply.
"John was arrested?" Oliver demanded.
"Not quite. From what I hear, he was trying to break in." Anatoly explained.
"Why?" Oliver demanded and Anatoly shrugged.
"I do not know but clearly he had issues trying to break back out," Anatoly said, "Gulag is worst in Russia. It's called Koshmar."
"The nightmare." Oliver noted.
"It's full of violent psychopaths and killers. And that's just the guards." Anatoly said grimly.
"Anatoly, we need a way to get into the Gulag to extract her." Oliver told him.
"You get in; you get shot before you get out. Or end up like your friend, it is impossible." Anatoly shook his head.
"Anatoly, I owe this man more than you could ever know. Either I'm leaving Russia with him or I'm not leaving Russia at all." Oliver said firmly.
"Very well," Anatoly said after seeing Oliver was serious, "only way in is as prisoner. I have guard there, owes me favor. Give you one shot in twenty."
"Set it up. I'll go." Oliver ordered.
"No, it has to be me," Diggle said and Oliver looked ready to protest, "Oliver, what if something happens to you in there? You have a family to think about, besides, what happens to me, Sara, or Isobel for that matter? You have to be on the outside, making the moves. I've got this."
After a moment, Oliver looked over at Anatoly and nodded.
Hotel, next day
Morning
"You need to be wearing this when they process you. The guards will take it but that's the point," Sara said as she hands Diggle a black jacket before opening up a laptop and bringing up a picture of a stern looking Russian man, "this is Anatoly's inside man."
"He'll know where in the Gulag John is being held." Oliver explained before his phone rang, "its Felicity, hold on a sec.
"So, how are you doing?" Diggle asked as Oliver walked away.
"Ollie told you about Russia." Sara said knowingly.
"Bits and pieces, yeah. He said you became Helena basically." Diggle said and Sara scoffed.
"My husband, always sugar coating things," Sara said with a mix of affection and scorn, "I wasn't like Helena, I was worse. I stopped worrying about collateral damage: at first a few people got injured in my pursuit of White, but then people started to die, innocent and guilty, it didn't matter and I didn't care. I was too caught up in my lust for vengeance. Ollie tried to bring me back from the edge but I wouldn't listen. I was too far gone."
"So what happened that brought you back?" Diggle couldn't help but ask.
"I killed a kid," Sara said and Diggle couldn't contain his startled gasp, "I didn't mean to, I was going after White. I had a clear shot at her and I took it. But White moved out of the way and the bullet struck a young boy, maybe nine or so, in the head. After that…I came back to myself, wracked with guilt. For a while, I pulled away from everyone, even Ollie, but he never gave up on me. I gave him a million reasons to that year but he never did, he stayed with me and helped me deal with what happened. It haunts me, probably will for the rest of my life, but I've dealt with it."
"Okay, Felicity says hi and we have work to do," Oliver as he walked back over to them, "am I interrupting?"
"No," Diggle got over his shock and looked over at Oliver, "anything else?"
"You need to meet us at the rendezvous point with John when all hell breaks loose or-" Oliver began.
"Or I am a permanent Russian." Diggle deadpanned.
Oliver's phone went off and he pulled it out.
"Two minute warning." Oliver said as he pocketed his phone.
"Be careful Dig." Sara said as she handed him a scarf.
"I'll be back guys, and I'm bringing John with me." Diggle promised as he walked out the door.
"So, did you find anything out about Isobel?" Oliver asked as he turned to Sara.
"Besides the fact that she's a huge bitch? After the car ride, she went up to her room and stayed there all night." Sara said tonelessly.
"Well, today is a new day," Oliver said before his phone went off and he answered it, "Hello?" Oliver waited five seconds before hanging up, "the clock's ticking."
Ship on the North China Sea
Late day
"You know in Russia, we have a Gulag," Anatoly mentioned to Oliver as they sat in their cells, "almost as bad as this."
"I have to warn my friends." Oliver said quietly and Anatoly looked at him.
"I thought you said your friends were dead." Anatoly said curiously.
"They aren't that easy to kill." Oliver said softly.
Meanwhile, on Lian Yu, Shado applied some substance to the moaning Slade's face. Sara watched from the corner, worrying about Oliver.
"It smells like puke." Slade complained.
"It will heal your wounds." Shado told him.
"You have to go, both of you. Get out of here, to high ground." Slade attempted to order.
"We're not leaving you." Sara said immediately.
"I will not be the reason something happens to you two." Slade said.
"Then we're in agreement, we make our own choices." Shado said idly.
"You know, you're a strong woman. And you," Slade managed to turn his head to look at Sara, "you've come a long way from that daddy's girl I first met."
Slade suddenly started to shiver violently.
"It's the burns, their lowering your body temperature." Shado realized.
Sara stood up and both women lied down with Slade, attempting to warm him.
Koshmar
Night
Diggle was sitting at a table with his cell mate when he noticed someone was glaring at him from another table. Noticing this, Dig's cellmate leaned in close.
"Those men, they are Vory," he said before he saw Diggle's blank expression, "they are in charge. It is best to stay away."
"Got it," Diggle said before lowering his voice, "Listen, I'm looking for a guard named Sergei Pavelski."
"Far corner, over there." His cellmate said after looking around for a moment.
Diggle looked over and the guard met his stare, nodding at him. At that moment, the Vory walked over and slurred at Diggle. Diggle looked over at them annoyed.
"Are we seriously gonna do this?" Diggle asked.
In response, the Vory struck Diggle on the back with a metal tray. Diggle went down, momentarily dazed.
"Guess so." Diggle grunted before he leapt to his feet.
Diggle tackled the head Vory and the two wrestled on the ground. As the crowd cheered, Diggle and the Vory wrestled for a bit before Diggle gained the upper hand. Diggle pinned the man with a leg bar and was on the verge of breaking his leg when the guards came over and broke up the fight.
"Fighting is strictly prohibited." One guard said before they roughly dragged Diggle away.
Hotel
Same time
"So did you enjoy the tour?" Isobel asked Oliver as they walked into the hotel bar.
"I thought it was enlightening," Oliver admitted before he saw Sara sitting at the bar, "I was wondering where you went off to!"
"Sorry I disappeared; I saw a Russian vehicle I simply had to have." Sara said vaguely as Oliver and Isobel walked up to her.
"Is that why you tagged along, car shopping?" Isobel demanded and Sara's smile turned from loving to cool in an instant.
"Why I tagged along is none of your business. You don't know me, you don't know Ollie, but you certainly seem to think you do," Sara sneered, "and you seem to believe that I would abandon my daughter for a weekend getaway with my husband. Well, imply as much again, and I'll make sure you never have children."
Isobel looked at Sara coolly before walking off. Oliver sat down next to Sara, looking over at her.
"The getaway car is set." Sara assured him as they were served drinks.
Koshmar
Same time
Diggle was chained up to an overhead pipe inn a large freezer. Across from him, another man was in the same position with his head down
"Six hours for you." The guard told Diggle.
"Six hours, I can't be in here that long." Diggle protested.
"Now seven hours." the guard said snidely before walking off.
"You shouldn't antagonize them, Mr. Diggle." The other man said as he raised his head and Diggle recognized him.
"Wait, you're Emil Hamilton. What are you doing here?" Diggle asked surprised.
"Same thing as you I imagine: John Smoak. When I found out he was still alive, I flew here to relieve him of his mission, to tell him he could go home. But then I was captured." Hamilton said.
"John was arrested trying to save you." Diggle realized.
"Yeah." Hamilton confirmed.
After a few minutes, Anatoly's guard walked in and freed Diggle. As he supported Diggle, Diggle gestured towards Hamilton. Catching the hint, the guard walked over as quickly as he could and unchained Hamilton.
"I can only support one of you." The guard said.
"I can support myself." Hamilton said as the three walked out of the room.
"So, how do we find John Smoak?" Diggle asked as they walked down the hall.
"We don't need to, I know where he is," Hamilton turned to the guard, "you've been a great help. But we can handle it from here."
Hotel
Same time
"Are you okay? I know being back here must be…difficult." Oliver asked Sara cautiously.
"I'm fine Ollie. I admit it does bring back bad memories of…that time, but I can handle it. I'm not that person anymore. And with you and Shado, I never will be again." Sara leaned in and kissed him.
Sara pulled back and Oliver caught sight of the time. Oliver stood up and Sara realized it was time to go. The two quickly exited the bar.
Koshmar
Same time
Diggle and Hamilton rounded the corner and came face to face with two guards. Diggle made the first move, socking one right in the face before moving on the other. Hamilton handled the other guard and soon enough, they were both unconscious. Diggle and Hamilton picked up the guns and continued down the hall.
Ship on the North China Sea
Night
"Hey, guard, I think he might be dead." Anatoly said as he pointed at Oliver's still figure on the floor.
Suspicious, the guard unlocked the cell and went to check on Oliver. Leaning down, the guard was unprepared for Oliver punched to his face. The guard slammed back to the wall to Anatoly's cell, allowing Anatoly to reach his hand through the bars and grabbed him around the neck. After a few seconds without air, the guard slumped to the floor, unconscious as Anatoly let go. Oliver searched him and grabbed his keys before walking out.
"Hey, what about the rest of us?" Anatoly demanded.
"I'll come back, I promise." Oliver said before running off.
Oliver wondered the halls, knowing he was dead if he tried to swim for it. Spotting a radio, Oliver got an idea. Rushing over to it, Oliver tried to calibrate it. After a minute, Oliver picked up the speaking.
"Sara, are you out there? Sara," Oliver called out but nothing, "Slade, Shado, are you alright?"
On Lian Yu, the three of them heard Oliver's voice come over the radio. Sara jumped up and rushed to the radio, picking up the speaker.
"Ollie! Thank god you're alive!" Sara shouted in joy and relief.
"Sara, I'm-" a bullet suddenly lodged itself in the wall behind him.
Oliver dropped the speaker and stood up as Guards and Ivo suddenly walked inside the room.
"Thank you, for confirming that your friends are still alive," Ivo said politely, "and now you're going to lead us right to them."
Before Oliver could do anything, He was Tasered and slumped into unconsciousness.
Koshmar
Slightly later
Diggle and Hamilton walked up to a gate that was chained shut.
"John should be past that gate." Hamilton explained and Diggle nodded.
The two walked up to the gate and Diggle reached around and chain and started to undo it. After a few moments, Diggle moved his hands and the chain fell to the ground. They pulled open a gate and ran inside. Rounding a corner, the pair saw John Smoak leaned against the wall, chained up. Diggle ran over and started to undo John's chains. Looking up, John was confused by what was happening.
"Who are you?" John asked.
"My name is John Diggle. I'm here with Oliver and Sara; we're getting you out of here." Diggle told him and John looked at him dumbstruck.
Diggle helped John to his feet and Hamilton walked over to them.
"What's the extraction plan?" Hamilton demanded.
"Depends, what time is it?" Diggle asked and the other men looked at him confused.
A moment later, an explosion sounded that shook the base. Alarms went off as the three ran through the prison. Finding the entrance to the prison, they dug through the wreckage before Diggle found a hole.
"Go, go now!" Diggle shouted and they didn't need to be told twice.
The three came across a whole herd of guards on the way out. They were convinced they were done when they were all struck down by bullets. Lyla and a bunch of other Argus agents stepped out of the shadows.
"Jonathan Smoak, my name is Lyla Michaels, director of Argus. I think it's time we talk about your employment at Argus when we get out of here." Lyla said before they all moved.
They all ran, Hamilton going with Lyla and the others while Diggle and John went another way. The car with Anatoly, Oliver, and Sara pulled up and the door opened. Diggle and John jumped inside and the door closed as the car sped off. Inside, Sara looked at John. He was a little older, a little more wrinkled and his hair was beginning to grey in the front but this was unmistakably her old friend and mentor.
"Oliver, Sara…I never thought I'd see you again." John said in awe.
"Neither did we. It's good to see you John." Oliver said with a smile.
Starling City, next day
Morning
"You ready for this John?" Oliver asked as he, Sara, and John stood outside the entrance to Oliver and Sara's loft.
"No…but it's now or never." John said with a shaky breath.
The door was pushed open and the three walked inside. Shado squealed as she rushed over to her parents. Sara took Shado in her arms and John smiled at the girl who he had helped deliver. But it as the blonde haired woman near the couch that had his attention, looking every bit as nervous as he felt. With a shaky breath, John walked over to her.
"Hi, I'm Felicity." Felicity said nervously.
"I'm John." John said softly as he held out a hand to his daughter.
She took hand but that was all it took. The handshake turned into a hug as father and daughter both broke down.
So, what do you think? Please leave any thoughts or comments you may have in a review, feedback is greatly appreciated.