The Storm After

Chapter 13: Libertas Perfundet Omnia Luce

The future duo had swiftly taken out Andrei and his men. Andrei had been bounded by ropes deployed from a bola arrow and was being escorted by the two towards the outer area of Star City. It was an open area with nothing but grass in sight. Linda began to pull out a device and pointed it forward. Moments later, a dissolving effect began to occur and it unraveled a small ship. The device was used to disengage the cloaking mechanism. Its design was similar to that of a helicopter but instead of the main rotor that rested on the top, there were two engines, one on each side of the ship. The side door began to unload, transforming into a ramp. Linda turned around to face the other two.

"Well... despite some mishaps here and there. We succeeded in our mission." Linda said. Andrei whose face had been staring at the ground for quite some time, lifted his head up.

"Please... I beg of you, don't take me back. That man... he'll... he'll kill me..." Andrei said, his voice echoing his fear.

"I'm afraid that's not possible. I assure you, once we return, we'll do our best to protect you. So that you may stand before a trial for the crime you have committed." Linda said. Andrei dropped his head, and moments later began to exert laughter. His response was off-putting the two of them.

"Hahaha.... You really think you can stop him...? Superman...?" Andrei asked, his voice was now quite shaken with a mix of hysteria. The name raised the eyebrows of both Linda and William.

"... Like I said. We will protect you." Linda said, her voice was slightly less confident and her face had complimented it.

"Heh. Keep telling yourselves that." Andrei said. A blank expression was drawn on his face, it was as if he had given up. William pushed him forward and tossed him to Linda. She caught him with one hand and was slightly confused.

"You haven't said anything much. Is there something wrong?" Linda asked, staring towards William. She hadn't paid him much attention but he was more noticeably silent. His head was buried and he seemed to be lost in his thoughts. After a while, he raised his read and looked back at her.

"Go on ahead, and take him with you." William said. Linda began to raise her eyebrows in confusion.

"What...? What are you on about?" Linda asked.

"It means what it sounds like. Go on without me and take him back to the future." William said.

"Where is this coming from? You intend to stay here? You know we can't do that." Linda said back to him. He didn't immediately respond, but turned his head and faced the city.

"Doesn't it seem strange?" William asked.

"What?" Linda asked, she didn't know what he was referring to. He let out a sigh and turned back to look at her.

"The return of the Green Arrow and Supergirl was supposed to invoke a tremendous rally that shifted the foundation of Star City. And although they did come back... it feels like... something else is missing." William said.

"What else is missing? They've chosen them to be their heroes haven't they?" Linda asked.

"Have they? All they did was let the people decide what they are to them. Yet there's still nothing... everyone is fighting for them and nothing." William said, his voice had got a bit heated. A slight laughter surfaced near them and they turned to find it locating from Andrei.

"What's so funny?" Linda asked. He continued laughing for a few moments before settling down.

"That's how those people are. They've never been one to take action for their lives. They've never chosen for anyone to save them. It's why they're such easy targets. Promise them a good life and they submit so fast. That is their deadly desire." Andrei said. William shifted his head down. It was tough to hear but it was no doubt some truth in what he said.