Lauriver Chronicles

Chapter 127

"Wow, nice place you got here." Jake said as he walked into the Nexus where Team Arrow was waiting.

"Thanks. It's been a long time in the making. But anyways, what did you find?" Oliver asked, since he'd asked Jake to look into the drug that Taylor had planted on Yolanda. An action that had not only gotten her expelled, but also arrested and her family was disgraced by it.

"It's called Vertigo." Jake said.

"Wait, Vertigo?" Roy asked, perking up from where he was gearing up for patrol tonight.

"You know it?" Oliver asked him.

"New party drug popping up in the Glades." Roy said and Jake nodded.

"And there's only one known provider, but we have no idea what his real name is. Just an alias." Jake said.

"And that is?" Laurel asked.

"Count Vertigo." Jake said.

"Seriously, what is he a vampire?" Thea asked and several people couldn't help but chuckle at that.

"Does Argus have any idea where he's hiding?" John asked as he took the file from Oliver.

"No. But I think I know some people who might." Oliver said.

"Who?" Roy asked.

"The Bratva." Oliver said.

"What's the Bratva?" Artemis asked.

"The Russian mob." Yolanda was the one who answered of all people.

"How do you know what the Bratva is?" Artemis asked.

"Because before I was adopted by the Queens, I worked for them as a courier." Yolanda said, with Artemis being the only one surprised by that.

"Really?" Artemis asked her sister.

"You don't survive the Glades alone when you're a kid without some kind of protection. I worked as a courier for the Bratva for protection and some money to get by on. At least until the community center opened and then Oliver and Laurel adopted me." Yolanda explained.

"I'm surprised they let you go so easily." Jake said, since desertion wasn't treated well among the Bratva.

"It's only because Yolanda is under my protection and I'm a high ranking Bratva captain. They won't dare attack her and offend me, especially when I saved the Pakhan's life years ago." Oliver said.

"You're a member of the Russian mob?" Jake asked him.

"Are you really that surprised?" John asked with a chuckle.

"They provide us with occasional intel and it helps to keep that relationship alive." Oliver said.

"But I don't think it's good for your image as a mayoral candidate or as the Green Arrow to be seen with mobsters." Laurel pointed out.

"That's where I come in." Roy said, since he'd recently become Oliver's proxy with the Bratva.

"That's right, don't they call you Molodoy Kapushon?" John asked and Roy nodded.

"It's Russian for Young Hood." Roy said.

"Which is appropriate since my Bratva name is Kapushion, the Hood." Oliver said.

"I'll make contact with Alexei, see what I can find out." Roy said and Oliver nodded.

"Just be careful. You know how Alexei feels about outsiders." Oliver warned and Roy smirked faintly.

"Yeah. He's not exactly your biggest fan." Roy said and Oliver shook his head.

"He still doesn't approve of me being a captain, but his fear of Anatoly keeps him in line." Oliver said.

"Then why's he even in Star City?" Thea asked.

"Because he's in exile." Oliver responded calmly as everyone looked at him.

"He was loyal to the old, corrupt Pakhan, Gregor, before I killed him and Anatoly took charge. Anatoly exiled him here and asked me to keep tabs on him." Oliver explained as the pieces clicked together for Roy.

"So that's why Alexei doesn't ask for anything big in return." Roy said and Oliver nodded.

"He's hoping if he does enough favors for me, I'll put in a good word with Anatoly for him and end his exile." Oliver said.

Roy gave a small grin.

"Guess that means he'll be motivated to help."

"Or motivated to test you. Stay on your guard and don't go alone. He's getting more and more desperate to return home and he might try to do something to force me to convince Anatoly to let him return to Russia." Oliver said.

"Not a bad idea," he said with a nod. "Your magic could come in handy if things go sideways."

Diggle crossed his arms.

"We're sending them into a Bratva den. I'd say sideways is the most likely direction."

"Which is why I want you and Rene to shadow them. Quietly. I'm not taking any chances." Oliver said and John nodded.

Oliver then turned to the others before saying "I'm also going to let Anatoly know that Slade's alive, since he has a stake in that fight too, since Anatoly's likely on Slade's hitlist too, just not as high as me. He'll likely be happy to help end this conflict for good."