ARROW REDESIGNED 04: HUNTING – SHADOWSPIRE
Story Author's Notes:
The Arrow Redesigned AU plot bunny attacked me when I was beyond frustrated with the character portrayal on Arrow. I revisit as when I need for a happier trio. The Arrowverse is not the DCU. I know this, but that doesn't mean I like all the decisions the Arrow writers made. This is not a Revenge Fic. S4 flashbacks in this part. Minor and Major DCU characters are used. This perspective shift to show how the Trio has grown.
Part 04 is the fourth part of MY AU. The three friends, the Trio, completed League training. They are Shadow Warriors. It's time to start hunting. First assignment: Shadowspire.
Remember that the League is DIFFERENT. Ra's al Ghul is DIFFERENT. Check out part X to read more about my world-building for the League. The League has a unique culture. In this AU, the trio are fully invested in the League. It is less brainwashing and more cultural immersion.
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For reference:
One of the main things I did with this AU was change the timeline and alter the past. This is my vision of these characters. Part X details the AU differences. The characters' attitudes are different. Read parts 1-3 for the main differences. Each are updated before each new story is posted.
The ages of our main characters are different in this series. The yacht departed in Jun (not Sep). Part 5 is the start of their third year lost.
[Part 1 (June-Dec 2012): Oliver, Laurel, and Tommy are 20. Thea is 11. Sara is 17.]
[Part 2 (Jan-Jun 2013): Oliver, Laurel, and Tommy are 21. Thea is 12. Sara is 18.]
[Part 3 (Jul-Dec 2013): Oliver, Laurel, and Tommy are 21. Thea is 12. Sara is 19 (Started college).]
[Part 4 (Jan-Jun 2014): Oliver, Laurel, and Tommy are 22. Thea is 13. Sara is 19.]
League names (or English codenames) are used in speech, but their given names are referenced in text. In this story, they are fully invested in the League. They have been in the League long enough to react instinctively by their new names.
[Oliver: al Sah-him, the Arrow]
[Laurel: al Aldire, the Shield]
[Thommy (Thomas for this AU): Yad Alqadar, Hand of Fate, Alqadar, Hand, Fate]
Oliver has the Ruya—the sight. This is one way for me to introduce fourth-wall information. It was trained exhaustively in Part 3. This gift allows him to commune with the planet on Nexus points and to see ghosts. He is trained to listen to his intuition to guide him.
World Building of the League of Assassins (The League). The League is MASSIVELY different from both the Arrowverse and DCU. Part X contains details on this version of the League. Most of this culture was introduced in my previous AU stories for this series.
Malcolm Merlyn: I tried to stay true to Malcolm's Arrowverse character more than his DCU version. However, he has several key differences.
[Malcolm disappeared when Rebecca was killed for six years (The League time). He returned when Oliver, Laurel, and Tommy were 14 years old. This significantly impacted Tommy's relationship with Malcolm.]
[Malcolm created Tempest six years before the start of my AU. This is less time to corrupt the city.]
[Malcolm's martial skill have not degraded much in six years. It HAS degraded, just not much (I disagree with making Malcolm OP. To train, challenge, and grow your skill, you need to practice that skill against combatants of that level. He was 20 years out of practice on the show. Unrealistic).]
[Malcolm took six years to earn his martial skill (more realistic time frame). Yes, he was still a Horseman, but that rank is different in this AU. The horseman (Fasir) are not the most skilled fighters. They are the one of the best leaders. There are always at least four Horseman and an Heir (The Hand of the Demon). This is the advising council for Ra's al Ghul. (World Building for the League in Part X).]
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Original Posting: 2024/08/12
Edit: 2024/11/24 (minor narrative changes, footnotes added, readability, spelling, grammar)
Edit: 2025/04/21 (minor text edits, readability, updated names in text, spelling, grammar)
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Speech Notes:
"Normal" – Normal speech in English, if not otherwise noted. Foreign language noted in text. If you don't get it, it is probably an idiom. Let me know and I'll add it to the Acronyms, Terms, and Translations list.
"Italics" – Audio broadcast. Radio or television. Indicates person not physically present talking. Word in italics or bold indicate emphasized word.
-Normal- – Mental speech or telepathy. Used to converse with the Nexus.
Italics – Thoughts. Vision. Internal POV thoughts. POV listed in paragraph. A vision is a long text sequence in Italics.
Underline - Written. This is used for text messages, computer messages, signs, and paper notes or reports. Instead of underlining long paragraphs, I underlined the first part of the paragraph. Assume that the whole thing is written. For written word in foreign language, the language used is noted in the text.
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Chapter 1: Assignment
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Chapter Author's Notes:
Part 4 picked up the story from right after the Trio completed League Field Training. They are returning to Nanda Parbat for initial assignment to their League Branches. They reconnect after six months of being apart.
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DEMON HEADQUARTERS: TIBET, NANDA PARBAT – THRONE ROOM: 27 DEC 2013
The small group left the plane in the airfield behind them and slowly made their way toward the fortress in the distance; Nanda Parbat. al Qirsh led the group with Saqat. Another from the Demon's Spine.
"Yad Alqadar, al Samita, find the Qas," Qirsh ordered. "Inform them of my need to meet with the Demon's Head."
"Yes, Fasir," they replied before the two ran off ahead of Qirsh and his group.
Al Qirsh smiled. They have been good apprentices this solar cycle. He was pleased with their progress. He looked forward to his private meeting with Ra's al Ghul to report their training progress.
"Who is Qas?" Kiri asked as the three-year-old took his hand.
Al Qirsh accepted the hand of the small child. She was the youngest of the children rescued. He smiled back at her. "The Qas, little Kiri, is our priest class," he told her. "They care for our children… like you and your cousins."
"Are they nice?" Kiri asked with big doe eyes.
"I think they are," Qirsh replied. "I was not raised in the Creche. I am like Pomare," he said as he pointed to the sad man with the group of children. Pomare was a potential recruit. Ra's al Ghul would evaluate him. "I came here as an adult."
"Oh," Kiri replied in confusion. "Then Pomi isn't going to stay with us anymore?" she asked, using the nickname she had given the sad man. Pomare helped the Qas at the Demon's Spine care for the six orphaned children while he recovered from his head injury.
"No, little Kiri," Qirsh smiled. "While it has been wonderful having you and your cousins with us, the Creche is better. You will have other children to play with. It is time for Pomare to see if he can join our people."
"We won't be separated, will we?" Moana asked with some anxiety. The 15-year-old boy felt all the responsibility of his tribe on his shoulders. He was the oldest of the remaining tribe members; The six orphaned children.
Al Qirsh remembered the pain he felt when he read the report from Thomas. Thomas tracked the death cult across several islands. He finally ended them, but four tribes died before he found them. The cult systematically slaughtered the Māori tribe. Thomas found the six hidden children. He rescued them and ended the cult.
The outside world would separate the children. The children knew this and were terrified of losing the last of their family. The last of their tribe. These children lost their entire culture to the cult. They only had each other left.
Thomas presented the solution of taking the group to the Creche. One of his fellow trainees was Creche raised; a solution al Qirsh had not considered. He decided to present the option to Ra's al Ghul. Hopefully, it reduced the trauma these children faced [1].
"The decision will rest with our leader," Qirsh replied to the older boy. "Just be honest and respectful with him. He is fair. He will listen to you."
"But… I'm just a child," Moana replied with a whine.
"You are responsible for your cousins. Your age does not matter," Qirsh replied. "He will listen."
"I just want us to stay together," the boy sighed sadly "We have already lost so much."
"You will do fine," Qirsh reassured the boy as they approached the fortress. Qirsh saw Qas Dusan with his apprentices. "Qas Dusan," he greeted with a head nod. "I have a request for Ra's al Ghul. These young ones require a home. Young Moana will speak for them. There are six children in total."
"Then the seventh is a new member for evaluation?" Dusan asked as he observed them with a blank face.
"Yes," Qirsh replied. "The evaluation can wait until the decision about the children has been made. Pomare was assisting our Qas in caring for the children."
"I see," Dusan nodded. Yes, if the evaluation goes badly, the children should not see their caregiver killed before their eyes. "Ra's al Ghul is waiting for you." Dusan motioned to the Fortress behind him. The apprentices led them into the Fortress.
Al Qirsh followed the apprentices through the maze of hallways to the Throne Room. Ra's al Ghul sat on his simple chair slightly above the chamber's main floor. He was flanked by two guards, Critical Majahid. Qirsh's two apprentices split at the door of the Throne Room door and knelt respectfully at the entrance.
Al Qirsh strode forward and stopped ten paces before the throne. He bowed before Ra's al Ghul. "My Liege," Qirsh greeted Ra's. "Thank you for taking the time to see me." Qirsh could hear the small group of children come to a stop behind him.
"I am always happy to make the time for you, My Fasir," Ra's replied with a polite nod. He was curious about the group that the Demon's Spine brought before him. It was standard procedure to present the newest recruits upon arrival. However, children were not allowed to join the League. Qas Dusan stayed in the back. He identified the recruit for evaluation behind the children.
Al Qirsh stood and placed his hands behind his back. "The Spine had a successful hunt that ended a death cult. The Qayid rescued this group of six children. However, the rest of the Māori tribe was slaughtered. The young Moana wants to keep this group of children together. They are their only remaining family. The outside world will separate them. He will present his case to you," Qirsh said respectfully. He bowed his head.
Ra's al Ghul's eyes widened slightly. The League did not take children. They had room for their own, but the world was full of orphans. The League couldn't take them all. This is a new form of thinking. I will read the report of the Qayid that made this recommendation. That this Qayid could swayed their Fasir spoke well for their leadership and persuasive abilities. Definitely one to watch. "Interesting," Ra's replied. He stood up and walked over to the children and examined them. "Which of you would be Moana?" he asked curiously.
A skinny boy of about 15 stood toward the back. "I am, Sir," Moana replied. Then he swallowed loudly.
Ra's suppressed a smirk. The boy was nervous. He was respectful and polite. It spoke well of his upbringing. "My Fasir says you want to keep the children together. Is this the case?" he asked evenly in a gentle tone. No need to spook the boy.
"Yes, Sir," Moana replied earnestly. "My cousins… We saw our kin killed. We need to stay together. We are family. All we have left." The boy protectively picked up his youngest cousin, and placed her on his hip. Little Kiri wrapped her arms around his neck. She rested her head on his shoulder while looking at Ra's.
"I see," Ra's replied. The boy cares deeply for his young cousins. He takes responsibility for them seriously. "You do not believe the outside world will keep you together?" he asked the boy. He doubted any government would keep the children together. Six children were too great a burden to place in a single foster home. The best situation was an orphanage. There they would only be separated by age group, not location.
"No, Sir," Moana replied with a shake of his head. "They don't like us. The whites. They would separate us and then try to make us like them." The boy sighed. "We are Māori, but… our tribe is gone now. I… I'm the oldest. I don't know the traditions. The dances. The stories." The boy started to cry silently for his lost culture. He kept a brave face as his tears fell down his face.
"You have lost your people," Ra's al Ghul nodded respectfully. "You have not lost your family." He smiled at the boy. "Introduce me to your cousins," he told Moana.
Moana blinked the tears away. "This is Kiri," Moana introduced the three-year-old. Then he pointed to a 10-year-old girl, "Roimata." He pointed next to an eight-year-old girl, "Aroha." The two boys, six and five, "Rangi and Whetu."
Ra's al Ghul smiled at the children. "I am pleased to meet you, Moana, Kiri, Roimata, Aroha, Rangi, and Whetu. I want to welcome you to our family." He motioned to Dusan. "This is Qas Dusan. He will take you to the Creche. All our children are cared for in one place. Our family will become your family."
Dusan bowed to Ra's al Ghul. "Ra's," he acknowledged the order respectfully. Then he turned to the children. "Come children. I will get you settled." He herded the children out the door of the Throne Room.
Ra's al Ghul returned to the chair and sat while the children left. Al Qirsh immediately knelt. This last part was an evaluation. It depended on Pomare, but Qirsh would give the man the visible clues he needed to be accepted. It was a test of his perceptiveness and his willingness to take direction.
"Ra's," Qirsh started. "This is Pomare. His vessel was attacked by pirates while at sea. The pirates thought they killed him. They killed his wife and daughter. We found the boat adrift and nursed him back to health. His head wound was less severe than it looked. He seeks entry into the family."
Ra's al Ghul quirked his eyebrow at the phrasing al Qirsh used. He still doesn't name the League in the walls of Nanda Parbat. Why? Is he unsure of this recruit? "Why do you want to join us?" he asked Pomare. He noted the man did not kneel behind Qirsh. The man remained standing. Al Qirsh showed him proper behavior. Is it disrespect? Many cultures in the Spine value the gesture. Does he not know he insulted me? That other cultures would instantly identify it as disrespect? He is failing to follow the guidance from my Fasir. It is a poor start to his application.
"I… want to get revenge," Pomare spat out. "I know it will not be easy. I know I may not go back to the islands, but… I need to seek justice."
Ra's al Ghul stood up and walked over to where Pomare was standing. "Justice…" he said slowly as he examined the man. Revenge is the man's stated goal yet he claims it is justice. Pomare was still standing. He looked Pomare directly in the eye. Pomare did not look away. No humility. He knows of my position. He is insulting me in many cultures. A direct challenge in others. "Justice for your wife? Justice for your daughter?" he asked, trying to get a feel for the man's mental state.
"Exactly," Pomare replied angrily. His eyes flashed with his rage. Ra's noted the gleam of fanaticism in his eyes.
"Ah," Ra's replied. He took two steps away from Pomare. He drew his sword and thrust it into Pomare's chest. "Do not seek revenge and call it justice," Ra's quoted. "Revenge is not justice. I deny you entry into our family."
Ra's yanked the sword out of Pomare's chest. Blood spilled out of Pomare's mouth and he fell to his knees with his hands grasping at the gaping hole in his chest. Then he relaxed and fell over dead.
Ra's looked over to the apprentices. "Clean this up and go rest," he told them.
They both jumped up. "It will be done." Thomas and al Samita stepped forward to take hold of the body and removed it from the Throne Room.
"Fasir," Ra's turned to Qirsh, "Let us retire to my office for your report."
"Of course, My Liege," Qirsh replied as he stood. He followed Ra's al Ghul from the Throne Room to a more private office.
Once in the private office, Ra's sat in a more comfortable chair at a desk containing his computer. Several stacks of paper were arranged in different places. He motioned to Qirsh to sit in one of the other chairs.
Ra's al Ghul smiled at al Qirsh. "The Spine always makes an interesting splash when they arrive, al Qirsh," he said with a grin.
Al Qirsh chuckled. "Yes," he agreed. "I usually blame Zandia, but this time… I don't know." He shook his head. "It has been an interesting six months." He pulled out the paper reports he for the apprentices. "First, my apprentices. al Samita and Yad Alqadar."
"You don't want to start with the Solstice Visions?" Ra's asked in surprise. He read the reports of those visions, but his Fasir usually brought forth additional requests at this time.
"Surprisingly, no," Qirsh replied with a smirk. "The Solstice Visions were straightforward this time. I'm sure you read the report from the Ravens about our Zandia visit." [2]
"Hum," Ra's replied. "Easy visions is a nice change and Zandia is usually a problem. This time is not different."
"I agree," Qirsh said. "al Samita," he said with the tone of summarizing her report. "I assigned her as Majahid for her initial evaluation. After two weeks, I saw no reason to change that classification. She was assigned to al Heya as her mentor for remaining six months. His final report." He passed a report to Ra's. "He passed her to Eadi."
"I will review the report later," Ra's nodded with a sigh. There is always more to read. He placed the report on one of his stacks.
"Yad Alqadar," Qirsh continued. "I assigned him as Majahid for his initial evaluation. After three days, I changed his classification to Qayid. That boy is gifted. I assigned al Fayr as his mentor. This is her final report. She passed him as Eadi and Journeyman Qayid."
"Interesting," Ra's said as he took the report and started to flip through it. "Three days, you said?" he asked. It was a very rapid time to decide the boy was better placed as a Qayid.
"Yes," Qirsh replied. "The boy has an agile mind. He thinks outside of the usual scenarios and options. He presents his orders in a meaningful way. They seem less like commands and more like recommendations. Yet none challenge him on them. I sent him to Zandia with our scout team. He recognized a child of Father Blood as American. Father Blood is expanding outside of Zandia again. He is the Qayid who recommended the children to the League."
Ra's al Ghul looked up from the report. "I wondered which Qayid made the recommendation. It is a good one for those circumstances," he replied. A skilled leader who motivates, rather than force compliance. One who thinks of alternate solutions. A very good addition to the League.
"I agree," Qirsh said. "I would not have thought of the League. I would have resigned myself to separating the children and allowing the tribe to end. This is better for the children."
"It also gives the League six future Shadow Warriors," Ra's added thoughtfully. "A most beneficial solution."
"It is," Qirsh agreed.
"Good," Ra's replied. "You are the first Fasir to arrive this solar cycle. The others should arrive in the next two days. I will meet with all of you in three days to work out logistics. Rest from your long trip. You will return with one apprentice. Sarab." [3]
"It will be done, My Liege," Qirsh replied softly as he rose and bowed to Ra's al Ghul. He exited the small private office to find quarters. He needed to take a bath and get some sleep. His luggage should have been unloaded from the plane by now.
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DEMON HEADQUARTERS: TIBET, NANDA PARBAT: 27 DEC 2013
The Demon's Venom arrived by plane in the middle of the night. Tayir Alfiniq and Oliver witnessed Dalia's evaluation before being sent to rest. Dalia's application approved. She was sent to the Recruit Quarters. His meeting with al Hamsa was brief. It mainly consisted of report presentations. Ra's al Ghul noted al Hamsa was too tired from the long flight to provide a detailed summary. He sent him to rest. They planned to review his reports the following day.
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DEMON HEADQUARTERS: TIBET, NANDA PARBAT – THRONE ROOM: 28 DEC 2013
The next evaluation came with the arrival of the Demon's Claw in the afternoon. Dam Dhib brought a young woman from Turkey forward.
"My Liege," Dam Dhib greeted Ra's al Ghul as he knelt before his chair.
"My Fasir," Ra's returned. He noted the young woman immediately knelt a pace behind and to the left of Dam Dhib. She is humble then and more willing to follow the direction of my Fasir. "What brings you before us today?" he asked Dam Dhib.
"This young woman would like to join the League, My Liege," Dam Dhib replied. =She feels her family betrayed her. That she is alone= he continued in modern Arabic.
"Interesting," Ra's replied as he watched the woman. Dam Dhib was indicating that the young woman did not speak English yet. He stood and walked to the young woman, standing before her. The woman was in Arabic dress, modest and conciliatory. =I can see that you were raised in an Islamic family. How may I address you?= he asked the young woman in modern Arabic.
The young woman continued to look at the ground. =You may address me as Aisha, My Liege= Aisha replied in Arabic. She took the prompt of his address from Dam Dhib.
Aisha= Ra's repeated. He was pleased she took that additional que from his Fasir. =Why do you want to join the League?= he asked.
I am alone, My Liege= Aisha replied with sorrow. =I have nothing.=
You are alone now. How did you come to be alone?= Ra's asked as he tried to get a read on her mental state.
I… cared for a young man…= Aisha replied. =My father did not approve. He had the young man's family arrested and killed by the government… I…= Tears started to stream down her face.
Do you want to seek revenge for the death of your young man?= Ra's asked her. Too many recruits sought revenge. It is difficult to find worthy recruits for the League.
Aisha looked horrified. =No, My Liege= she said suddenly. =I just disagree with my father. A religion should not matter that much. It should not warrant the death of a man and their family. That is wrong. My father was wrong. I could not stay there with his betrayal. I fled and was later found by Fadia. She recommended this path.=
I see= Ra's said in approval. =You seek solace and acceptance, not revenge. All religions hold truth. It is our actions that are evil or not. I accept your desire to join us.= He nodded to the Fasir. "Fasir, show Aisha to the Recruit Quarters. I will await your in my private office."
"It will be done, My Liege," Dam Dhib replied. He stood and gently led the young woman out of the throne room, followed by his apprentices.
"I don't have an evaluation, My Liege," al Khafifa said with a smile from the back of the Throne Room. She stood alone. She dismissed her apprentices to their quarters.
Ra's al Ghul returned the smile. "Then come to my office while we wait for Dam Dhib," he replied. "It is good to see you, al Khafifa."
"It is good to be here, Ra's," Khafifa replied respectfully as she joined him.
Ra's al Ghul settled once again into his comfortable desk chair while motioning to one of the other chairs in the room. Al Khafifa settled into a chair opposite of Ra's. She pulled out her Apprentice reports, Solstice Visions, and a Demon's Fang request.
"A Fang request?" Ra's asked in surprise. The Horn seldom used the Demon's Fang. Most of their threats were simpler.
"Yes, My Liege," Khafifa replied. "As you are aware, the Horn developed Trojan Viruses. These viruses eased League infiltration to software systems. They bypassed encryption and virus detection systems."
"I am," Ra's replied. "I was impressed with this development. The upload capabilities alone make it invaluable. I have fielded it to all branches. All hubs are using it to manage keyword searches. Hasub in all branches are busy attempting to screen the mass of data identified."
"Indeed," al Khafifa smiled. "After those Viruses were developed, I sent a team to infiltrate Bialya to install it on their systems. We succeeded. The Fang Request resulted from what we found in Queen Bee's operations."
"Then her public image is a lie," Ra's replied sadly. He hoped Bialya was coming out of the darkness incurred by their Royality. That they were finally returning to balance with the death of the last of that Royal line.
"Public image is usually a lie in my part of the world," Khafifa replied sadly.
"What about your Visions?" Ra's asked as Dam Dhib quietly snuck into the office and sat down in another chair.
"I think all of my visions are manageable except one. I will need to borrow a mage from the Venom for that one," Khafifa said resignedly. "I need a large illusion. Several acres. My mages are not that skilled in illusions. Not for one that large."
"I am sure al Hamsa will let you borrow one of his," Ra's smiled.
"al Dafdae," Khafifa started in a happier tone. "I assigned her as Majahid for her initial evaluation. She has a very agile mind, but no direction. I did not change her classification. She was assigned to Ikram as her mentor. He passed her to Eadi. He made a recommendation to change her classification to Demon Support, if she desired."
"Demon Support?" Ra's asked. "Was she injured during her field training?" he asked. He couldn't recall hearing about an incident where an Apprentice received a crippling injury. Two were injured, but not badly.
"No," Khafifa replied. "She showed keen interest in the healing arts. She was Creche raised."
"I see," Ra's replied. "Did she declare she wanted to change classification?" he asked.
"No," Khafifa replied. "She was overwhelmed with options. I think with her interest and her agile mind we can show her a direction that allows her to develop her talents for the League."
"Creche raised," Ra's said softly. "I will bring that up with the Qas. The young ones may not know they can change their classification. Most Eadi know after they have completed their first assignment. The Qas may assume the Creshe raised already know. I will have Dafdae chose before her final assignment is given."
"Thank you, My Liege," Khafifa replied. "al Aldire. I assigned her as Hasub. She was assigned al Mai as her mentor. It was al Aldire who developed the Trojan Viruses. I sent her to Chicago to further develop her robotic and cybernetic skills. Though she is far more skilled at computers than robotics. Al Mai passed her as Eadi and Journeyman Hasub. She has advanced computer skill, with detailed experience in technology and robotics."
"It was an apprentice that developed the Viruses?" Ra's asked in surprise. The world changes too fast. The young ones are keeping the League at pace with the rest of the world.
"Yes, My Liege," Khafifa replied. "She was distracted in the last few months. The viruses were developed that first month."
"Distraction," Dam Dhib replied in consideration. "Distraction could be caused by lack of focus. Since it happened in her later apprentice months, it could indicate a Soul Bond," he said as he added to the conversation. "Separation from a Bonded will cause a person to lose focus during apprentice training. I have seen it with newly assigned Eadi. The loss of a Bonded is resolved within a few months."
"I was reading about a Soul Bond on another Apprentice. From al Hamsa," Ra's replied. "I'll read it again. Dam Dhib, what have you to report?" Ra's asked with a smile. Dam Dhib's headquarters was not too far away. They conversed more frequently than the other Fasir's because of their proximity. This meeting only summarized the apprentice reports.
"Apprentice reports," Dam Dhib said with a smile. "Eadatan. I assigned as Majahid for his initial evaluation. He was assigned to al Fadia as his mentor. She is passed to Eadi. This is his final report. The boy is quite skilled with large-caliber weapons. He may mature enough for Qayid training later."
"al Sahalia," Dam Dhib continued. "I assigned him as Majahid for his initial evaluation. He was assigned to Duha as his mentor. This is her final report. He was passed to Eadi."
Ra's nodded. "Good," he said. "I will review the reports. We will all meet tomorrow afternoon to discuss the needs of your Branches and your new apprentices. Let me know how many Shadow Warriors you want to move around. Take the day to rest."
"Have a good day, My Liege," Khafifa said as she stood and bowed.
"It will be done," Dam Dhib replied as he stood and bowed.
They both left the office. Ra's turned back to the reports and he began to read about the apprentices.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
DEMON HEADQUARTERS: TIBET, NANDA PARBAT – TRAINEE QUARTERS, TRIO: 3 JAN 2014
Laurel opened the door to the trainee quarters she shared with Oliver and Thomas. She drank in the sight of the two of them as they changed for evening meal. She strode into the room and smirked at the two of them as they stared in surprise at her return.
"Gentlemen," Laurel remarked with a smirk. "I prefer you shirtless."
"al Aldire," Oliver breathed out like a prayer. He strode forward and wrapped her in a tight hug. "I've missed you."
Thomas shook off his shock long enough to follow Oliver. As soon as Oliver released her, he hugged her. "It's not been the same without you," he told her in his hug.
"We are together now," Laurel reassured him. She smiled at them both. "Let's catch up over dinner. I feel like I haven't seen either of you in forever. I feel whole again."
"We were just heading there," Thomas replied. He finished closing his shirt and waited for Oliver to do the same before headed to the dining area.
They collected their meals and sat at the end of one of the common tables. Laurel smiled at the two men as they both dug into their meals. She missed the familiarity of their presence. It was comforting to be with them again.
"Now, tell me what kind of trouble you two got into these last six months," Laurel demanded with a coy smile.
"What makes you think we got into any trouble?" Thomas asked her smugly.
"Please," Laurel said, rolling her eyes. "It's the two of you. You can't help yourselves."
"That's not true!" Thomas retorted with a smile.
"Based on history, it is very true," Laurel said with a grin.
"I can see where she is coming from," Oliver interrupted with a nudge to Thomas. "She's always been a calming influence on us… However, she's forgetting one very important fact," he said to Thomas sagely. "We weren't together." Then Oliver turned a grin back at Laurel. "I can't cause trouble if my partner-in-crime is missing… can I?" he asked innocently.
"That's a good point," Thomas replied in agreement. "Besides, we were too busy to get into trouble."
"Point," Oliver replied with a gesture. "What were you learning about?" he asked Thomas.
"Everything," Thomas replied dramatically. "I needed to know what everyone could do in order to formulate a feasible plan of action. What do I have? What do I need? What can these skills do? How do I use these skills? What are their limitations? What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses? EVERYTHING," he said with a dramatic sigh.
"Damn," Oliver replied. "I thought learning about the Ruya was hard, but that's only one skill… not all of them."
"Ruya?" Laurel asked curiously. "I thought you were Wahy."
"My sight… my gift is called Ruya," Oliver replied with a shrug. "The ghost-sensing thing. Wahy is a League classification."
"Oh, then you are a trained Wahy," Thomas replied with a grin. "That makes sense. I only worked with the Wahy once in the Spine. I wasn't leading that hunt."
"I didn't work with our Wahy at all," Laurel replied with a shake of her head. "We did ask for one to evaluate one of our targets, but they hunted alone. We left before they arrived. Even in Bialya, we didn't use a Wahy."
"Yeah," Oliver replied pensively. "My mentor and I only went on one joint hunt. I'm pretty sure most of our hunts didn't need both of us, but he was training me, so… you know… then I got injured. That sidelined me for that last month."
"You got injured?" Laurel asked with concern. She scanned him up and down and didn't notice anything. She wondered what she missed when he was shirtless.
"Not badly," Oliver defended. "I got shot in the arm and leg. The rounds hit my armor joints. They were more grazes than hits. My leg took the longest to heal. I'm mostly recovered now," Oliver replied. "I spent most of that time talking to Dalia. We rescued her from a drug lord. Sanchez was using her for her magic. He did a number on her head. I got her thinking straighter." [4]
"He must have been like Ivo," Laurel said with some anger. "A convincing and twisted sort of evil."
"Yeah," Oliver replied in agreement. "Less insane and more criminal paranoid, but still evil and dead."
"Good," Laurel said. "She can begin to heal."
"Definitely," Thomas replied. "I don't like the use of magic in a criminal enterprise. I came across a man in Tanzania who used a magical cloak to give him luck in his thefts. The man wasn't evil, just bad. We gave his magical cloak back to the tribe. He's suffering from the bad luck curse now." [5]
"I didn't see any magic in my part of the world," Laurel replied. "Queen Bee is evil. What she was doing to her people in Bialya … mind control… it's just wrong." [6]
"Some evils you can only replace with death," Oliver agreed, thinking about his experience with Batman. "Not everyone can return to balance. I'm lucky I can see a person's aura. I can see how influenced by evil they are. Some people… some are too far gone."
"How do we know?" Thomas asked pensively. "We can't see their auras. How are we supposed to determine if they are too far gone or not?" He was curious, but he knew most Shadow Warriors didn't have that benefit. Death was a final thing. How did we know if someone could return to balance or not?
"That's a good question," Oliver replied. "You watched the actions of Ivo and the pirate crew for six months. What do you think? Did they deserve to return to balance? Would they return to balance if given the opportunity? Would they choose not to commit evil acts without Ivo?" he asked pointedly. He wanted them to have a concrete example to use.
Thomas stopped to think. "No," he replied thoughtfully. "Even if you freed everyone on the Amazo, Ivo would have found more victims and continued his experiments. If you killed Ivo, his pirates would continue to victimize people on the seas. Death eliminated future victims," he said as he summarized his evaluation of Ivo.
"I feel the same way about Fyers," Oliver agreed. "Some of his mercenaries could have been saved, but… my Ruya was not trained then… It upsets me that Batman fails so spectacularly, and then criticizes the League for replacing evil with death. Batman is failing the future victims of his criminals."
"Batman?" Thomas asked in surprise. "When did you meet Batman?"
"I didn't meet him," Oliver replied. "Not really. I saw him. He was on one of my hunts."
"He was?" Laurel asked. "He should have been in the Horn. What was he doing in the Venom?" she asked.
"He was tracking a death cult," Oliver replied. "Our hunt was in Haiti. The death cult abducted some Gothamites. Batman was there to rescue them. Our hunt was to eliminate the cult. We didn't know they had new abductees."
"What happened?" Laurel asked, curiously. Oliver was visibly upset about what he saw of Batman. Batman's actions led to his anger and frustration. She was curious how Batman invoked that reaction. She understood fear. Batman was a formidable opponent that inspired fear. She wasn't surprised he criticized the League. But how did he fail?
"My mentor and I found the death cult and the victims. We created a plan to reduce the cult numbers from thirty to just a few that we could take out," Oliver recounted the tale. "We were going to knock them out. The last cult members arrived with the ransom and then Batman attacked… all of them… the crowd of thirty."
Oliver paused as he reigned in his anger at how Batman disrupted their plan with his ill-conceived attack. How his attack led to the poisoning of the victims. How he failed the victims he was sent to save.
"Batman was far more skilled in combat than any of the cult members. He could have easily killed, disabled, or crippled them, but he didn't. He intentionally took the least damaging shots. He didn't try to thin their numbers. He went out of his way to save the cult members from dying by accident… from falling into the fire pit," Oliver spat out. "He did this while they were trying to kill him. It was a foolish waste of his focus. Their actions proved their intent."
Oliver took a calming breath. "We darted the ones he knocked down. They stayed down," Oliver said sullenly. "Batman finally freed the victims… the Drakes… only to let them drink the poison the damn death cult left for them. The damn cult leader had been taunting them with the water the whole time they were tied up. We would never have risked them like that. We would have knocked them out and carried them out of the fire pit. Batman…" he spat his distaste. "…cut them free and encouraged them to drink the water. He would have known it was poisoned if he had observed the damn cult for five fucking minutes before he decided to attack." [7]
"What… what happened to the Drakes?" Laurel said in shock. "I… My grandparents were Gotham Drakes…"
"I'm sorry," Oliver replied softly. "Janet Drake succumbed to the poison on the way to the hospital. Jack Drake is in a coma from the poison. The doctors' hope he will eventually awaken, but the poison may affect his nervous system. He could be crippled if he wakes. I think their son, Timothy, was taken in by a family friend. I checked on them when we got back to the Fort."
"Oh God! They were family. My… my Gotham family," Laurel replied in shocked horror. "My poor cousin."
"What happened to the death cult?" Thomas asked quietly as he held Laurel in her grief.
"Batman raced off with the Drakes," Oliver replied as he resumed his story. "He left the death cult knocked out. As far as he knows, they are alive to continue their evil. However, my mentor and I ensured they won't. Of the thirty men, only three were beyond redemption. Those three were killed to cleanse the land. The rest were left to return to balance without the influence of the source of evil. Their defeat and the symbols we left at the fire pit will encourage them to move back to balance."
"You saved more people than me," Thomas replied sadly. "You only killed three in your death cult. I killed all ten. They slaughtered four Māori tribes over a month."
"A tribe is over a hundred people," Oliver replied in shock. The Venom had small tribes. "You did what you needed to do. Who could say any of those ten were redeemable after that?" he asked Thomas. "Did they have a leader? Or were they all involved?" he asked.
Thomas sighed. "All were involved. There was no definitive leader, but I would prefer to have someone tell me that they are not," he replied. He shook his head to clear it of the images of the dead tribe.
"Everyone makes choices," Oliver reminded him. "Those choices define our intent. Batman's father was a physician… a doctor. Batman made a choice to never take a life to honor his father. His intent is good, but I spoke with his father… at least, his father's spirit… He asked my mentor and I to remove the cancer that is poisoning the body because his son refused to do it."
"What?" Thomas asked. "You saw his father's ghost? I knew you could talk to ghosts. How did you know he was his father," she clarified.
"Yes, I saw him," Oliver said. "He asked me to help his son… Anyway, his father was a doctor. He understood that to heal, you may have to create damage… to prevent death. He saw criminals as the infected part of the community. A cancer. A disease. To save the community, you had to cut out the cancer… In his way, his father disapproved of Batman's oath. He loves his son and looks out for him, but he doesn't approve."
"The death of the body," Laurel said pensively. "The community. Balance. That makes sense. A physician may break a bone to set it properly. They cause pain to ensure the body heals properly. Cut out cancer. Kill evil."
"Batman is not doing proper healing," Thomas agreed. "He is placing a bandage on an open cancerous wound. He is splinting a broken leg crookedly. I get it. There is no ideal way to stop the evil in Gotham. Not without killing. Half those criminals are insane."
"My mentor said the League doesn't operate in Gotham," Oliver replied. "Batman was once considered as potential Heir for Ra's al Ghul, but he refused to join the League. We remained unseen at the death cult. We assisted and completed our work after Batman left. He said the League provided assistance in Gotham, but otherwise left it for Batman out of respect."
Laurel nodded until suddenly her eyes flashed. "It's his fault!" she spat. "My kin were killed and crippled because of his weak morals… His failures. He is left his mess with no assurance that the League was there to clean it up. No wonder Gotham is such a mess."
"All we can do is strive to do better," Oliver told her.
"You're right," Laurel replied as she settled her anger. "I just… I want to punch him in the face."
"Considering how guilty he feels over his failure, he probably wouldn't even try to block the punch," Oliver replied.
"I'm glad he feels some guilt over his failure," Laurel replied with a huff. "Even if he can't see how he enables evil criminals to harm future victims."
They finished their meals and moved their discussion into their room. Oliver took the lull in the conversation and directed it on a new path.
"I talked with my Qas while I was at the Venom… about being soul-bonded," Oliver started. "I was having a hard time. I was distracted. I needed the guidance of the Qas to cope."
"You were distracted too?" Thomas asked suddenly. "I didn't talk to my Qas." He frowned in thought.
"Yes," Oliver replied. "I didn't know who else to go to."
"I was distracted as well," Laurel replied. "I had a hard time concentrating on coding. It was easier to spar or to hunt... I didn't think to talk to my Qas."
Oliver chuckled. "My Qas recommended I focus on just those things. Sparring and hunting," he replied to Laurel with a smile. "She said the three of us have a Soul Bond."
"Because we were distracted?" Thomas asked.
"No. More than just that," Oliver replied. "We were unfocused because we were apart. A Soul Bond makes the partners stronger while they are together, but they lose focus when they are apart for a long time. They feel like parts of their soul are missing. That's how I felt about you both. I feel better with you near again."
"I do as well… We were less effective because we were unfocused?" Laurel asked curiously.
"Yes," Oliver replied. "We can combat it. Focus on the hunt or the spar if we are apart for a long time, but we are more effective if we don't lose focus. If we are together."
"How long until we lose focus?" Thomas asked as he tried to assess how it would affect his future leadership as a Qayid.
"A month or more," Oliver replied. "I didn't notice the lack of focus until my second month away from you."
"That makes sense," Laurel nodded in agreement. "I was able to code and focus all through creating the viruses. I started to lose focus when we were doing surveillance hunts."
"I was too busy to notice. It seemed like I never had time to catch my breath," Thomas replied as he thought about his apprenticeship. "Did the Qas say what caused a Soul Bond?" Thomas asked curiously. "Because I have always felt like I need you both around. The university… that was a challenge with you across the country. I was relieved when Oliver returned to Starling and joined you at UofSC. It made moving back easier."
"We talked about that. When it started," Oliver replied. "I think it was when your mother died."
"But…" Thomas looked stunned. "We were kids."
"I wasn't even there," Laurel added with a thoughtful face.
"Not at first," Oliver said. "But it took both of us to help Alqadar. That's why both of us are bound to him."
"I did this to you," Thomas said with a disgusted snort.
"No," Oliver said, placing his hand on Thomas's arm. "I wanted to help you, to be there for you. I made everyone recognize you. You didn't force me to do anything."
"Neither of us," Laurel added from her side. "We chose to be there for you – our choice. Isn't that what you told us after we were reunited… that it was your choice to come along?" she asked.
"Would you still choose this?" Thomas asked. "To be tied to me?"
"Yes," Oliver replied definitively. "A Soul Bond is a marriage made by the Source. I would still choose it. You mean too much to me."
"To me as well," Laurel added as she leaned forward and place a hand on Thomas's other shoulder. "Everything I did for Ivo was to keep you safe."
"M… Marriage?" Thomas asked with wide-eyes.
"To both of us," Oliver said with a smirk.
"Wow," Thomas said stunned. "Can you be married to more than one person?" he asked with wide eyes.
"Hey. Don't limit your thinking to outside world cultural norms. The Source is above ALL of them," Oliver told him. "Marriage is a term in the outside world. It's cultural and legal. Call it what you will. Mates. Bonded. Partners. I can live with husband and wife, but I find them limiting. Spouse is better. However, the basis of a marriage is the union between two or more people. The outside world only recognizes sanctioned marriages. The League recognizes the bonding of souls."
"That's right," Laurel agreed. "A League marriage ritual binds two souls together in the absence of a soul bond."
"What does that mean for us?" Thomas asked thoughtfully. Did we have obligations or rights because we were soul bound?
"For us, it means the League already considers us married," Oliver replied. "The League will always try to assign us together. They will not try to keep us apart for any length of time. They understand when one of us is hurt, the other two will fly into a rage. That we will defend and protect each other. I consider you my mates; my partners."
"That doesn't seem so bad," Thomas replied. He kind of understood it. He wanted to exact retribution on the person who hurt Oliver. Luckily, that man was already dead. "Do we wear rings or something? How do we indicate our bond?" he asked.
"I don't know," Oliver replied.
"The League doesn't wear jewelry," Laurel replied thoughtfully. "I think they use brands for that kind of commitment," she said after a pause. "We all wear our League name on our skin. I'll look into what is done for League marriages. It is likely a brand of some kind… like a circle."
"That's why the outside world uses wedding rings," Oliver replied helpfully.
"I want our symbol to reflect all three of us," Thomas replied. "We are all a part of this. If it is a ring, I want a triangle inside the ring."
"I like it," Laurel said with flashing eyes.
"I'll talk to al Sikiyn," Oliver grinned. "He is getting the brands for the recruits ready. I'm sure he can get one forged for us."
"Good," Laurel replied. She yawned. "Sleep tonight." She stripped down and settled on the bed mat.
Oliver stripped down and settled next to Laurel. He wrapped his arm around Laurel. "Sleep. Yad Alqadar will get the light. We will talk more tomorrow," Oliver told her. He pecked her on the cheek.
Thomas gave her a gentle kiss on the lips before he got up to turn off the lights. He stripped down and covered the three of them with a blanket before drifting off to sleep.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
DEMON HEADQUARTERS: TIBET, NANDA PARBAT – THRONE ROOM: 3 JAN 2014
All the apprentices and the Fasir entered the Throne Room and positioned themselves before Ra's al Ghul. Each Fasir positioned their apprentices and then knelt behind them in a semi-circle around the throne. Several of the Qas stood behind the throne. The guards stood protectively at the back of the room.
"Apprentices, welcome," Ra's al Ghul greeted them warmly. He was very pleased with the reports he received. As large as this group was, they all performed well. "This is the day you have been working towards. This is the day you become Shadow Warriors. You are all considered Eadi after today."
All the kneeling apprentices bowed to the ground with their heads touching the ground.
"You have done well," Ra's continued. "You swore your life to the League. You wear your new names. Before I begin, I need to clarify some things with two of my apprentices…" Ra's leaned back in his seat. "al Dafdae."
Al Dafdae sprang forward from her kneeling position and came forward to kneel before Ra's al Ghul. "Yes, my Liege," she replied respectfully.
"It has come to my attention you were not properly informed in the Creche that you could change your assigned path, if you so desired. Your mentor believes you should pursue the path of support," Ra's told her. "Your mentor noted your interest in the medical field. Would you like to change your path and pursue training in the medical field? This training would be most beneficial to the League."
"I… I think I would, My Liege," Dafdae replied with some hesitation.
"Good," Ra's replied. "You may return to your Fasir."
Al Dafdae jumped up and returned to her position in front of al Khafifa.
"Tayir Alfiniq," Ra's al Ghul called.
Tayir Alfiniq startled in his kneeling position and then jumped up and knelt where al Dafdae had. "Yes, My Liege," he replied in confusion.
"You have done well in your Barkih apprenticeship," Ra's started. "However, no Master Barkih currently resides outside of the Venom. Do you wish to continue your training in Barkih? Or perfect what you have learned in the other branches?" he asked.
"My Liege," Tayir replied cautiously. "My Barkih skills require developed control. I have learned some control, but it would be dangerous to pursue additional control outside the supervision of a Master Barkih. I believe it would be in the best interest of the League for me to continue my training."
"Very well," Ra's replied. "You may return to your Fasir."
Tayir Alfiniq jumped up and returned to kneel before al Hamsa.
Ra's al Ghul turned to the assembled apprentices. "I have reviewed all your training and apprentice reports. I decided to leave the following apprentices on the Path of Majahid, the Fighters Path. al Sahalia, Eadatan, and al Samita."
The three apprentices moved from their places to kneel directly in front of Ra's al Ghul.
"You can earn your Elite stripes with time. At seven years, you can pursue the Haris Path," Ra's told them. "As Eadi, al Sahalia, you have been assigned to the Demon's Venom. Eadatan, you have been assigned to the Demon's Spine. al Samita, you have been assigned to the Demon's Horn. Take your places behind your new Fasir."
The three new Eadi bowed and then moved to kneel behind their Fasir.
"The Path of Barkih, the Mage's Path. Tayir Alfiniq," Ra's al Ghul said.
One of the Qas stepped forward with a new uniform shirt and handed it to Ra's al Ghul. The shirt had an orange stripe on the shoulder. Tayir Alfiniq moved back to kneel before Ra's.
"Remove your shirt," Ra's ordered Tayir. He then handed the shirt to Tayir. "You are promoted to Journeyman Barkih." Tayir placed it on and buttoned it up. "Tayir Alfiniq, you have been assigned back to the Demon's Venom to continue your training." Ra's smirked. "Take your place behind your Fasir."
"Yes, My Liege," Tayir said as he jumped up and quickly knelt behind al Hamsa.
"The Path of Wahy, the Oracle's Path. al Sah-him," Ra's al Ghul said.
One of the Qas stepped forward with a new uniform shirt and handed it to Ra's al Ghul. The shirt had a purple stripe on the shoulder. Oliver moved to kneel before Ra's al Ghul.
"Remove your shirt," Ra's ordered Oliver. He then handed the shirt to Oliver. "You are promoted to Journeyman Wahy." Oliver placed it on and buttoned it up. "al Sah-him, you have been assigned to the Demon's Claw." Ra's said. "Take your place behind your Fasir."
"The Path of Hasub, the Technological Path. al Aldire," Ra's al Ghul said.
One of the Qas stepped forward with a new uniform shirt and handed it to Ra's. The shirt had a blue stripe on the shoulder. Laurel moved to kneel before Ra's.
"Remove your shirt," Ra's ordered Laurel. He then handed the shirt to Laurel. "You are promoted to Journeyman Hasub." Laurel placed it on and buttoned it up. "al Aldire, you have been assigned to the Demon's Claw." Ra's said. "Take your place behind your Fasir."
"The Path of Qayid, the Command Path. Yad Alqadar," Ra's al Ghul said.
One of the Qas stepped forward with a new uniform shirt and handed it to Ra's al Ghul. The shirt had a yellow stripe on the shoulder. Thomas moved to kneel before Ra's al Ghul.
"Remove your shirt," Ra's ordered Thomas. He then handed the shirt to Thomas. "You are promoted to Journeyman Qayid." Thomas placed it on and buttoned it up. "Yad Alqadar, you have been assigned to the Demon's Claw." Ra's said. "Take your place behind your Fasir."
"The Path of Saeid by way of Qayima, the Medical Support Path. al Dafdae," Ra's al Ghul said.
One of the Qas stepped forward with a new uniform shirt and handed it to Ra's al Ghul. The shirt had a blue stripe down the front of the shirt. Al Dafdae moved to kneel before Ra's al Ghul.
"Remove your shirt," Ra's ordered al Dafdae. He then handed the shirt to al Dafdae. "You are transferred to Qayima." Al Dafdae placed it on and buttoned it up. "al Dafdae, you have been assigned to the Demon's Horn. Your Fasir will assist you in enrolling in a medical school of your choice and ensuring your additional training." Ra's said. "Take your place behind your Fasir."
"You are all fully trained Shadow Warriors," Ra's al Ghul said as he clasped his hands behind his back. "You will reside in the League quarters. You are expected to offer your opinions on a hunt and assist in training others in the League as needed. We are a family. We support one another. Take care of your family," Ra's said in dismissal.
"It will be done," the group said in unison and then bowed to the ground before standing and leaving the Throne Room.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
USA, WA, STARLING CITY – TEMPEST OFFICE: 5 JAN 2014
Malcolm looked up as Councilman Kullens and Councilwoman Pollard stormed into his Tempest office. He used this office to keep his Tempest activities separate from his work at Merlyn Global. Even his bodyguard didn't know about this building or this office. As far as his bodyguard knew, he was at home.
"Malcolm, we have a problem," Kullens started with his face flushed.
Malcolm raised an eyebrow at the two of them. He was unaware of any upcoming city legislation that required Tempest's attention.
"Quality Reality has been lobbying our offices," Pollard started. "Nickel acquired property outside of the Glades. He wants to impose the same restrictions we have on property in the Glades to his new buildings."
"He wants to turn them into slums," Malcolm clarified with a tired sigh. He carefully restricted slum housing to the Glades to ensure they would fall and flatten their criminal residents when the device was finally ready. He didn't want to endanger anyone else in Starling. "Why?" he demanded.
"Nickel stated he turned a larger profit off those properties than with his buildings in the Glades," Kullens replied. "He's already started operating several apartment buildings with the reduced restrictions. Crime is spreading into the downtown area. I've already received several complaints from businesses."
"As have I," Pollard agreed. "This was not a part of the plan. You need to stop him."
"I need to stop him?" Malcolm demanded of her as he glared at her.
Pollard wilted under his glare. "We… were hoping you could send your associate," she said softly in a whine.
"Then the answer is simple," Malcolm told them sagely. "Deny the change in regulation. Send a city inspector to ensure the enforcement of the law on those properties. If Mr. Nickel doesn't back off, hire someone to remove him. I don't see why you need me to bother our associate."
Kullens and Pollard were a fascinating study of shock. "Us?" Pollard asked with her face going pale.
"Of course," Malcolm replied in frustration. "You have a copy of the list. It contains the names of several very qualified hit men. The Mexican is very good and known in international circles. If you want him to suffer, I would use Buchinsky or Cora. I doubt the Triad would assist if it isn't in their interest. We should have adequate funds in the Tempest account to finance any of these hitmen."
"You want us to…" Kullens tried to verbalize. He failed and went paler than Pollard.
"Of course," Malcolm replied. "Mr. Nickel is causing you problems. You need to fix the problem. You need to eliminate him. Tempest can't afford someone spreading crime and corruption outside of the Glades."
"Very well," Pollard finally replied. She swallowed loudly.
"Excellent, I look forward to seeing Mr. Nickel's demise on the nightly news soon," Malcolm replied in a jovial tone.
"Have… a good day," Kullens finally choked out.
Pollard only nodded and left the office with Kullens.
Once they were out of the room, Malcolm's face displayed his rage. How dare they? Do they expect him to handle every little problem? They are in TEMEST for God's sake. They have the damn list. They should just use it.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
Chapter Endnotes:
[1] Māori Children: This is the direct result of one of Tommy's hunts. Reference to Tommy's hunt in Part 3.
[2] Zandia Surveillance: Reference to Tommy's participation in the Zandia surveillance in Part 3.
[3] Maseo Yamashiro (Sarab): This shows Maseo being sent to League Field Training. Maseo was accepted into the League in June. He completed League Basic Training in that time frame. The League cycles trainees every six months. July and Jan they are sent for apprentice training.
[4] Sanchez Hunt: Reference to Oliver's participation in the joint hunt to eliminate Sanchez in Part 3.
[5] Catman Hunt: Reference to Tommy's hunt of Catman in Part 3.
[6] Queen Bee Hunt: Reference to Laurel's deployment of her viruses in Bialya in Part 3.
[7] Obeah Man Hunt: Reference to Oliver's hunt for Obeah Man's death cult and his encounter with Batman.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~