Life In Smallville & Metropolis {9}

Chapter 16: Checkmate

Note: Liana's not in this chapter.

Chloe's at Watchtower trying to get her computers online, but they're not working. Clark speeds in and says, "Did you try the power switch?" Chloe says, "Didn't you see my texts? I lost Oliver. He was tracking some armed men. He followed them under the monorail and then it was like a massive mute button went off. No radio, no beacon, nothing." Clark says, "I'm sure it's fine. Just because he doesn't check in..." Chloe says, "You know, unlike some people Oliver actually follows protocol." Clark says, "What protocol?" Chloe says, "Exactly. He and everyone else dial in with Watchtower while they're on patrol. Clark, y-you spend so much time watching everybody else's back, you forget that we need to watch each other's backs too." Clark slowly nods and says, "Well, this isn't about us. Did you check the local security cameras?" Chloe says, "Every surveillance feed is down. ATMs, traffic lights, convenience stores. It's like someone threw a big blanket over the whole area." The security feed comes back on, and Clark says, "You fixed it." Chloe says, "Or whoever did this finished what they started." Chloe clicks on one of the feeds and she sees someone. Clark says, "Where is that?" Chloe says, "That's where I saw Oliver last." Chloe zooms in on the person to see a familiar face and she says, "John Jones?" Clark says, "Your buddy system works." Chloe says, "I didn't call him." Clark then speeds away. The next day, Clark walks down the stairs of Watchtower, and he says, "Chloe, seems to be taking longer than normal to find an earwig serial number." Chloe's on her computer and she says, "That's because it's taking longer than usual, but after cross-referencing those last four digits, Clark I think that earpiece in John's pocket was government-issued." Clark says, "Why would the government take Green Arrow?" Oliver walks in and says, "Considering what I pay out every year it better not be for tax evasion." Chloe walks over to Oliver and says, "Oh, my God. You're safe." Chloe hugs Oliver and Oliver pulls back and says, "Of course I'm safe." Clark says, "I'm glad you're safe too. You wanna fill us in on what happened?" Chloe says, "Definitely." Oliver says, "Absolutely. Uh, so let's see... One minute, I am saving someone's bacon. Uh, the next thing I know, I'm the only pig on a Pork Chop Express. Some harpy gets on a monitor. She starts, uh, telling me this is a welcome wagon... and she's recruiting heroes for the US of A. I'm guessing you didn't get the Evite." Clark says, "No, someone else did. And that explains why John Jones was covering for them. Did this woman give you, her name?" Oliver says, "Nope. No name. Just, uh, that her organization was called Checkmate." Chloe says, "Wait a minute. Checkmate?" Oliver nods and Chloe continues to say, "When Sylvester Pemberton from The Justice Society was murdered, he warned me that they came after us and they'll come after you. His dying word was check." Clark says, "If he meant Checkmate, these are the same people who took down the JSA." Chloe says, "I searched the archived security footage that was taken from the camera across the city. This was taken a few hours ago." Chloe shows them John speaking with a man and Clark says, "That was right after I confronted him. Who's he talking to?" The computer finds a match on the mystery man and Chloe says, "We got a hit from the passport agency. Edward Lott. He's the CEO of a consumer manufacturing company. He seems pretty high-profile for a secret-agent man." Oliver says, "Well, maybe they recruit people that are already established in the private sector." Clark says, "Or plant them there." The computer beeps again and Chloe says, "You're not gonna be happy where he was planted next. Within an hour after this footage was taken, he was on the list of Metropolis General morgue." Oliver says, "Whoa, slow down, guys. You can't think John murdered this guy. Come on, now." Chloe says, "Clark, I'll come with you, I can run some..." Clark already speeds out the room and Chloe finishes her sentence by saying, "...support on-site." Oliver says, "Looks like you got benched." Chloe says, "Sylvester Pemberton came to warn me about Checkmate the moment that he was attacked by--" Oliver cuts Chloe off and says, "Icicle. Huh. Well, either that's quaintly coincidental or he's working for the same lovely lady whose gaze wilts small trees. What do you think?" Chloe says, "Last I heard, he was in the psych ward at Met Gen." Oliver nods and says, "Let's go." As Oliver goes to walk away, Chloe says, "You know, Oliver... now that Green Arrow is officially on Checkmate's radar, I think it might be a good idea for you to just hang your tights for one night. Go civilian." Oliver says, "Well, t-they're not tights. They're not tights. But I see your point. Yeah. Hm. Unfortunately for me, uh, that means attending a LuthorCorp shareholder dinner, which... Yeah, I'd rather be shot at." As Chloe grabs her jacket, Oliver says, "Hey, Chloe. Um... I was- I was just gonna say, be careful out there, because it... There's Checkmate agents everywhere, so... be careful." Chloe smiles and nods. Later, Chloe arrives at the hospital and is reading some files on Icicle, when she hears someone say, "Excuse me. Those are my charts." Chloe turns around to see Dr. Benner and she says, "Dr. Benner. I was looking for you. You were the evaluating doctor on several patients who came through the psych ward in Met Gen who were... special." Dr. Benner says, "Unless you are... directly related I'm afraid I can't discuss patient information." As Dr. Benner goes to leave, Chloe follows him and says, "Um, none of them actually made it to Belle Reve after you signed off on their transfer including Cameron Mahkent." Dr. Benner says, "Well, once I sign off... those people belong to Belle Reve. Why don't you take it up with them?" Chloe says, "Well, that's just the thing. Belle Reve was never even notified that they were coming." Dr. Benner says, "Look, young lady, if you don't leave immediately... I will call security." Chloe says, "N-no. That's not necessary. I was just trying to get some answers." Chloe then comes the information from his phone to hers and Dr. Benner says, "I'm sorry. Perhaps I was a bit abrasive. It's been a really long day. I'll tell you what. Why don't I walk you down to archives and... we'll see if we can't clear this up?" Chloe says, "That's the bedside manner they say has been missing." Later, Chloe's kidnapped and taken by Checkmate. A Checkmate man has his gun pointed at Chloe and he's just waiting for the signal by Amanda Waller. Then there's an alarm blaring and the flicks are going on and off. The man talks into his walkie-talkie, and he says, "Come in, White Queen. I'm showing external power breach Am I clear to shoot? Over." Clark speeds in and takes out the men and then unties Chloe and speeds her out the room and back over to Watchtower. Chloe says, "Boy, am I glad to see your friendly face. Did you, uh..." Clark says, "No. I didn't tell her anything." Chloe says, "At least we have that." Clark says, "I'm sorry, Chloe. I'm sorry for everything." Chloe says, "I think we're both a day late and a dollar short in that department." As Chloe walks away, Clark says, "But I abandoned you. I keep seeing you on the sidelines, but the truth is, with Watchtower you're right in the middle of the game." Chloe turns to face Clark and says, "You didn't abandoned me, Clark. You pushed me out of the way." Clark says, "Maybe I thought you'd be safer there." Chloe says, "Maybe you just didn't trust me. I've broken your confidence in me, Clark. You saw Watchtower as big brother and you turned away. And the less you confided in me the less you have to depend on me. It's smart... probably." Clark says, "I didn't give you enough credit. You're the one who brought us together. You're the one who saw our potential." Chloe says, "That potential's gonna be short-lived. Waller saw our faces and she's not gonna stop coming after us." Later, Chloe meets Oliver at a café, and she sees him walk up to her and she says, "Hi." Oliver softly smiles and says, "Hey." Chloe smiles and says, "Thanks for keeping my seat warm at Watchtower." Oliver says, "Well, you're welcome. Don't get used to it." Chloe says, "Oh, but your timing is so good. I mean, if you hadn't flipped back Castle's electric switch when you did--" Oliver cuts Chloe off and says, "Chloe..." Chloe says, "But, uh, you know, I kind of liked being out in the field knowing I had a warm bed to come home to." Oliver says, "That's very, very funny. It scared the life out of me." Chloe says, "You better be careful, Ollie. I'm gonna start to think you're falling for me."