Working With Red

Divide and Conquer; or, However It's Supposed to Go

"Well," Dinah strained, "not exactly." 

"What's that supposed to mean?" Roy piped up, folding his arms over his chest. 

"We've informed the bases that you're coming," Dinah clarified, "but they're still expecting Green Arrow and Black Canary." 

Your eyes widened. "Wait, what--?" 

"If we told them we were sending Tiger Lily and Red Arrow, the officers would probably contact the League about it, and then they'd find out we didn't go to Sacramento, and then everything would just fall apart," Oliver whined. "So, Green Arrow and Black Canary will be going to Sacramento... but Dinah and I will be in Gotham... So..."

"Are you kidding me?!" Roy exclaimed. "Ollie, the League is going to find out you didn't go to Sacramento when news of the Mayor of Star City--whom the League knows is Green Arrow--is seen in Gotham meeting with one of the League's top-list current enemies!" 

Oliver opened his mouth to retort before pausing, eyes momentarily going blank.

"That... is an excellent point!" The blonde replied, to which Roy responded with an incredulous look. "But I already decided to make the meeting with Jackson Albis private; he told me he has access to a location for our meeting where the media won't interfere." 

"And you really think it'll be enough to keep the League from finding out we went to Sacramento in your place? Did you even bother to consider how the two of us are supposed to pull off being the two of you? What happens if we get into a fight?" Roy then gestured to you, causing you to flinch at the unexpected motion. "Maybe I can pass off as Green Arrow, but what the hell are we supposed to do when Black Canary doesn't use her Canary Cry? Or when she's unable to fight like the trained martial-arts badass she's supposed to be?" He shot you a quick look, which you returned with a wide-eyed stare. "No offense." You immediately shook your head, completely and totally agreeing with him. 

Oliver let out an exasperated sigh, running both hands down his face. "Please understand what's at stake here, guys." His gaze shifted between you and Roy. "You know the military has always been stand-offish with vigilantes. Not so often does the military ask for help from the Justice League, especially the members without powers. I can't allow my political affiliation to interfere with being Green Arrow, which is why I think having the two of you go in my stead is a better idea. Plus, I'm kind of hoping that with Jackson in Gotham, the Council of Wings will remain somewhat dormant until I can figure out exactly what Jackson is playing at." 

Roy hesitated for a moment before breathing out a heavy sigh. "Look, Ollie. I didn't want to bring this up, but I've been thinking a lot about how Jackson wants to meet up with you in Gotham. I mean, I get why he chose Gotham, and why you're agreeing to go; we might be able to find out who his partners are, whether or not he's related to Ivy in any way--" 

The way you straightened up and the hardened look on your face did not go unnoticed, but it wasn't acknowledged. 

"--and we might even be able to find out about his plans for the future. I just can't help thinking that..." Roy sighed again. "Ollie, what if Jackson knows you're Green Arrow, and he's trying to draw you out of Star City? What if that's the reason the Council hasn't been active lately?" 

"I've thought about that, too," Oliver murmured, his lips pursing anxiously, "and, trust me, I'm kind of freaking out about it on the inside. However, it's just something I'm going to have to remain ignorant about. Say Jackson is trying to get me out of Star City. That means I'll be leaving the two of you behind. Tiger Lily and Red Arrow will still be here to defend Star City, and considering the run-ins the two of you have had with the rest of his crew, I have no doubt that word has spread among the Council about how strong you are together."