Arrow: Fracture Part 3

Shadow and Silence

The isolated location concerned Oliver, his instincts all indicating a trap. A lone relay station on the outskirts of the Glades would act a perfect hiding spot for HIVE's weapon, but it also could prove to be a perfect spot for an ambush. Oliver observed the area while the team readied their gear behind him at the van. His eyes carefully scanned over the dark filled fields that surrounded the two buildings, his experience with the League of Assassins leading him to wonder if there were enemies lying in the tall grass just waiting to strike. The League certainly had disciplined soldiers that would follow such an order were it given, but now was the time to let fear stop them. Felicity had activated her frequency tracking backup with the Garden Project and there wasn't time to plan around what the League might have set up in terms of defenses. Oliver knew they had to move fast if they had any chance of stopping HIVE from accomplishing their murderous goal. He turned and moved to his team.

"You four move up from the West, clear the building and keep moving. I'll take the East and make a play for the device. Hopefully you're presence will draw some of their attention and give me time to plant the explosives." Oliver instructed, making sure everyone was sure on their part.

"You sure you wanna go in alone? This is HIVE and the League of Assassins we're talking about here." Diggle asked, confident that he knew Oliver simply had to ask for his assistance if he really wanted. Oliver avoided Felicity's reaction to the thought of him engaging such threats by himself and quickly replied.

"It's risky, but we need to isolate the device long enough to destroy it and I can't do that with hostiles on me." Riley silently studied the group, unsure if they were prepared for such a tactic.

"So we're the distraction while you take care of business." Roy spoke up as he tightened his shoulder strap. Oliver paused and hated admitting that he had come up with the plan of endangering his loved ones for a chance to stop HIVE, but everyone knew the risks and that they had to take them. He nodded regretfully, unable to speak the words or face his sister whom he was sending into an extremely dangerous situation.

"There's no other option. We know what's at stake, we'll get you the time you need." Thea firmly stated, hoping to alleviate some of the guilt from her brother's decision.

"Alright, let's move." Diggle ended as he moved on with the others. Oliver turned to Felicity and gently cupped the side of her face. She smiled and leaned into his embrace, needing the strength he gave her now more than ever.

"Be careful." She begged, grabbing ahold of his arm. Oliver took a deep breath and lost himself in her eyes for a moment, longing for the peaceful retreat that they offered for his weary soul. He smirked and kissed her before turning to move into the field. Felicity watched as the Green Arrow quickly darted into the tall grass before disappearing beneath it.
A lone assassin stood in the darkness against the outside wall of the building, completely hidden in shadow as he monitored the field before him. Movement at the edge of the tall grass caught his eye, prompting him to ready his bow. The outline of a large man slowly appeared from the field, his approach steady and professional. The assassin gripped his bow and prepared to take aim. A sudden strike from the side caught the sentry completely off guard, knocking him back into the building side. The man dropped to the ground as Roy flipped his bow around after using it for the bludgeoning of the assassin. He checked for any other threats within his sight and didn't see any. The familiar sound of a bow being drawn stopped him in his tracks as he realized a second assassin was standing directly behind him. Roy turned and locked eyes with the man, knowing he had only one chance. The snap of a KO arrow colliding with the assassin's head rung out, dropping the man to the ground almost instantaneously. The assassin released the drawstring as his unconscious body dropped causing Roy to snap his head to the side and narrowly avoid the projectile. He blew out a sigh of relief and spotted Thea standing a few yards back with her bow still ready for another threat.