GIJose: Well, to be fair, Oliver was the only genuinely good person they seem to have recruited since Gregor took over. The Bratva creed is pretty similar to most mobster mentalities, keeping everything within the 'family'. I will confirm or deny nothing when it comes to Bobbi. Yeah, Crisis was just a giant let down. Oliver dies like an idiot in Crisis, the supposed main character is barely in the crossover. Thawne, who had been teased as part of Crisis since season one of Flash, didn't even show up. Smallville's Clark Kent and Kevin Conrey's Batman were shown such utter disrespect and Barry was made to play second fiddle to Kara and Kate. The only good parts of the crossover were Part 4 and Brandon Routh's Superman IMO. Barry Not making the recording made sense because Nora messing with the timeline create completely different timeline, so I disagree with you there. Besides, Nora doesn't exist in this new timeline.
Guest: I will confirm or deny nothing.
Russia
Afternoon
"Second test over," Anatoly said as he and Oliver sat in a car on the street.
"You know, if this is how the Bratva treats there new memberss, I'd hate to see how it treats their enemies," Oliver muttered, still feeling the pain from when the knives had cut into his back.
"Pass third test, find out," Anatoly said simply and Oliver sighed.
"What's the third test?" Oliver asked wearily as Anatoly pulled out a file.
"You keep asking about Kovar. This man will get you one step closer," Anatoly said as Oliver took it, opening it and seeing a picture of a man with blue eyes and greying blond hair. "You will have to move fast though; he will be arraigned in morning."
"So he's in jail?" Oliver asked and Anatoly nodded. "Okay, even if I can get in to talk to him, what makes you think he'll even talk to me?"
"Read file," Anatoly said simply.
Wearily, Oliver looked back at the file. As he read it, he understood.
No," Oliver said immediately. "I'm not gonna-"
"You do not have to," Anatoly assured him. "He only need think you will. Some men need…persuasion."
Oliver looked like he's swallowed a lemon as he nodded. He hated it, he hated every minute of this. But to protect his family, there was nothing he would not do.
"Okay, but still, how do I get in to talk to him?" Oliver asked.
In response, Anatoly pulled out a flask.
"It's a little early for a drink, don't you think?" Oliver asked dryly.
"It's not for drinking," Anatoly said before throwing the contents of the flask onto Oliver.
"What the hell was that for?!" Oliver demanded, annoyed.
Anatoly gestured out the window. Exasperated, Oliver looked at where Anatoly had pointed and saw a police officer standing by a cruiser.
"You will be arrested for public intoxication and disturbing the peace, it will get you to him," Anatoly explained. "you will be released next day."
"Okay," Oliver said with a sigh. "Good thing I have a lot of practice acting like a drunk."
"One more thing," Anatoly said and Oliver looked over at him. "Once he is arraigned, Kovar's man will alert Kovar that you have been asking about him. You will need to make sure he will not."
"No," Oliver said as the realization set in. "I'm not going to kill him."
"Then Kovar will know you are after him and you will never get close to him," Anatoly pointed out and Oliver growled. "You wish to find Kovar, this is only way."
Oliver growled, more at the fact that Anatoly was right than anything. If he wanted answers on who had come after his family, he had to make sure that Kovar didn't know he was coming after him. It wouldn't matter if one more scum bag died between then and now, Oliver told himself as he got out of the van.
A voice in the back of his head that sounded suspiciously like Slade told him denial wasn't just a river in Egypt.
As Oliver reached the cruiser, the officer was talking to a woman, his back to Oliver. Playing the part of the drunken tourist, Oliver began slamming his hands onto the hood of the car, playing it like a drum with an idiotic grin on his face.
"Move along," the officer told him.
In response, Oliver kicked out of the headlights, breaking it. Immediately, he was grabbed from behind and slammed onto the hood, his hands behind his back. The easy part was over, now was the hard part, Oliver thought darkly.
SHIELD safe house
Same time
Bobbi was in the gym, working out her frustrations on a sandbag when Dragon walked in.
"What'd that thing ever do to you, huh?" Dragon inquired as she stopped, taking a breath.
"What do you want?" Bobbi asked as she turned to face him.
"Where'd you go yesterday?" Dragon asked after a moment, deciding not to beat around the bush.
"None of your business," Bobbi said shortly as she unwrapped her hands, moving to head to the shower.
Only for Dragon to block her way.
"It is if it affects the mission. Where did you go yesterday?" Dragon demanded.
"And if it affects the mission, I will tell you. Until then, back off!" Bobbi shouted, shoving him and then storming passed him, heading for her room.
Prison
Late afternoon
Oliver was let into a cell with other prisoners, the door slamming shut behind him. Oliver moved around, quickly spotting his target. He was sitting on a bench, staring down at the floor, not looking at anyone.
"You speak English?" Oliver asked as he sat down across from the man on a bench opposite him.
"Yes," the man said as he looked up at Oliver. "You're American?"
"Maybe once upon a time," Oliver said with a humorless chuckle. "Now I'm…enjoying everything Russia has to offer."
"I can smell that," the man said dryly.
"You judge me," Oliver scoffed. "You're in this cell to."
"Yes. A mistake my boss will soon correct," the man said and Oliver let a beat pass before he spoke again.
"You mean Konstantine Kovar, right?" Oliver asked casually and the man looked up at him sharply.
"How do you know that name?" he demanded.
"The same way I know your name is Pyotr Friedkin. Same way I know that you launder money for Kovar. The same way that I know that's what you're doing here," Oliver said, lowering his voice to a whisper on the last four words.
"How can you know that? Unless," Pytor paled as Oliver got to his feet. "Are you Bratva?"
In respond, Oliver delivered a sharp jab to Pytor's neck. It was a move Dragon had taught him a few months after arriving in Russia. Pytor kneeled over, coughing as the guards looked over, confused about what was happening.
"Excuse my friend. Allergies," Oliver lied and the guards went back to doing whatever it was they had been doing before as Oliver sat down next to Pytor.
"I am Bratva. And you are gonna tell me everything I want to know," Oliver said as Pytor gasped for breath. "Tell me where I can find Kovar."
"You think you scare me more than him?" Pytor asked once he had stopped coughing.
"I know I don't. But he's not in this cell with you," Oliver pointed out.
"You wouldn't kill me in front of all of them," Pytor said confidently.
"I'm not gonna lay a finger on you," Oliver then paused, hating what he was about to do but knowing he had. "The same can't be said for Alisa."
Pytor then looked at him sharply and the look of fear on his face made Oliver's gut twist uncomfortably. He was sure that he had the same look of fear on his face when whoever they were had threatened his family. But Oliver pushed his guilt down and continued on.
"Or maybe I'll pay a visit to your wife, Maya as she picks up Alisa from ballet," Oliver said as Pytor's face paled. "Someone is going to die. It can be Kovar, it can be your wife, it can be your daughter, but I need you to choose and do it quickly."
"Kovar is very paranoid, careful," Pytor finally said, not looking at Oliver. "We never meet in person, only remotely."
"Remotely how?" Oliver demanded.
"A digital dead drop, on the dark web," Pytor explained.
"What's the IP address?" Oliver asked and, when Pytor didn't answer, Oliver repeated it with more force. "What's the IP address?"
"," Ptyor told him.
"If this information is incorrect, your family will suffer," Oliver warned him, seeing if he had any reaction.
"How does an American become this, this Bratva devil?" Pytor asked his voice thick with emotion and Oliver swallowed.
"We all do what we have to in order to protect the people we love," Oliver said lowly as he thought of his mother and sister, Tommy and Laurel, remorse entering his voice. "I'm sorry for what happens next. But Kovar can't know I'm going after him…no one can know my secret."
Faster than Pytor could blink, Oliver suddenly had him in a choke hold. With a twist, there was a sickening crack and Oliver let him go. The body fell to the floor as Oliver sat back down, the other prisoners looking confused at what had just happened. Suddenly, the guards were there, asking what had just happened.
"He fell. Must be drunk," Oliver lied easily, hoping this would all be worth it in the end.
SHIELD safe house
Same time
Bobbi was in the kitchen, eating a sandwich when Dragon walked in.
"I'm sorry," Dragon said and she looked up at him.
"Wow. Is the big bad Richard Dragon apologizing?" she asked sarcastically and he smiled tightly.
"I'm an ass, I know. I get…focused on the mission, laser focus. Sometimes, I let it get the best of me. I'm sorry," Dragon apologized.
"Look, whatever issues you have, I won't let it interfere with our ability to work together if you don't," Bobbi said and Dragon nodded. "But, just so we're clear, if you ever pull something like that again, I will kick your ass."
"I don't doubt it," Dragon said with a chuckle and she nodded. "Has Oliver made contact with you today?"
"No, you?" she asked and he shook his head. "When should we start worrying?"
"When we get to that point, I'll let you know," Dragon said before walking out.
After he walked out, Bobbi's phone rang. Pulling it out, she saw that the member Taiana had given her yesterday.
"Taiana?" Bobbi answered.
"Lindsey, I got your test results back. You're not sick," Taiana said and the knot that had been in Bobbi's stomach loosened.
"Then why have I been throwing up?" Bobbi inquired.
"Because you're expecting," Taiana said and Bobbi was stunned into silence.
"W-what?" Bobbi chocked out.
"You're about eight weeks pregnant. Congratulations," Taiana said as Bobbi stared ahead, struggling to process this.
Prison, next day
Morning
As Oliver's possessions were returned to him the next day, he stared at the phone, knowing there was only one person he wanted to call.
SHIELD safe house
Same time
Bobbi stared up at the ceiling as she lay in bed, her mind racing. She had tried to sleep but her mind wouldn't shit up. She was pregnant. With Oliver's baby. This changed, well, everything. She and Oliver had barely started to define their relationship and now this happened. What would happen after the mission? Would Oliver go home like he planned or would he stay? Would she go with him? All she knew is that she needed to talk to Oliver about this.
She was broken out of her thoughts by her cell phone ringing. Picking it up, she saw it was the number of Oliver's cell and answered.
"Oliver?" Bobbi answered.
"Hey, did I wake you?" Oliver asked.
"No, I've been up for a while," Bobbi admitted, leaving out the reason why. "How are you?"
"I'm okay," Oliver said but Bobbi could tell by his voice that he wasn't being entirely truthful.
"No you're not. What's wrong?" Bobbi demanded and Oliver was silent for a minute.
"It's just been a lot harder than I thought it would be," Oliver finally admitted. "I had to kill a man today. Not because he was a threat, but because I had to in order to get into the Bratva."
"I had to kill someone to," Bobbi admitted and Oliver was silent on the other end. "When you asked me what was wrong a few days, I killed someone on Kovar's payroll. I didn't want to, but I had to."
"It sucks, doesn't it?" Oliver final said after a moment.
"It does," Bobbi agreed.
"I have to go, Anatoly is waiting for me. I'll reach out again when I can," Oliver said before the line went dead and Bobbi was left staring at the phone, wondering how she was going to tell him.
Russia
Later in the morning
"How was first night in Russian Prison?" Anatoly asked as Oliver got into the van.
"Friedkin gave up the dead drop and now he's dead. Mission accomplished," Oliver said flippantly.
"You are being sarcasm, yes?" Anatoly asked and Oliver sighed.
"That man wasn't a threat Anatoly," Oliver said. "He didn't deserve to die."
"In Bratva, there is no death without purpose. If Friedkin living, he is warning Kovar. If he is warning Kovar, his information, not so good," Anatoly pointed out.
"That doesn't mean this was right Anatoly! I almost didn't kill him," Oliver admitted.
"But you did. Why?" Anatoly asked.
"Because you told me to," Oliver said simply.
"You trust us. Now we trust you. Third test over," Anatoly said as Oliver looked at him blankly. "You get it? You are Bratva now. Family."
Anatoly pulled out his flask and took a drink. Anatoly then handed it to Oliver and, feeling bile in his mouth, Oliver took a drink, beginning to feel like none of this was worth it.
Bar
Afternoon
That afternoon, Anatoly led Oliver into a bar. It was completely empty, save for three chairs facing another. In two of those chairs sat two men, each occupying one chair on each end, leaving the chair between them empty. Oliver recognized the man on the end as Viktor, Anatoly's friend who had almost shot him in the bar.
"Anatoly, what is this?" Oliver asked.
"It is time, Oliver," Anatoly said, gesturing to the chair facing the two men.
Realizing this was some sort of council, Oliver sat down in the chair as Anatoly in the middle chair.
"What does Bratva mean to you, Oliver Queen?" Viktor asked.
"English will suffice," Anatoly told him.
"Brotherhood," Oliver said, taking Anatoly back.
"You speak Russian well," Viktor noted.
"I do okay," Oliver said evasively.
"Brotherhood is family," Anatoly said, quick to move this along. "Who are yours?"
"My father is dead," Oliver started. "My mother and sister-"
"Both dead," Anatoly cut him off. "Bratva know only their brothers. Do you understand what this means?"
Oliver did, loud and clear. But he knew he had to say it without looking like he was losing his soul in the process.
"I have no family. I have no home. I have no name. I am Bratva," Oliver said with an emotionless look on his face.
Anatoly looked at Viktor and the other man, both of who gave a nod. Although Viktor was noticeably more hesitant than the other man, Oliver noticed.
"We are Bratva," Anatoly said as he and Oliver got to their feet. "Welcome Kaput."
As he and Anatoly embraced, Oliver tried to shake the feeling that he had just made a deal with the devil.
Now the initiation chapters are over, I can start to have a bit more fun with the flashbacks.
Yes, Bobbi is pregnant. Not that it wasn't pretty obvious. But don't jump for joy. Remember, this is the 'five years where nothing good happened'.
