Arrow: the Two Archers

Chapter 4: A Changed Man

"Over the past 15 years, Mr. Redman has withdrawn more than 30 million dollars from the plant's account. Mr. Redman claims refunding the Halcyon pension plan has always been his intent. But sources say Redman was coerced by the vigilantes."

Lydia looked up from her bowl of cereal to cast a glance at the TV. Once again, Channel 52 seemed to be focusing heavily on the brand new "Starling City Vigilantes". The popularity their masked personas had achieved over the last week was something Lydia was still trying to get comfortable with. But she had also been taught that without the numbers afforded by an institution like the police, two people alone couldn't cover an entire city by themselves. Reputation would go a long way to deter any would-be criminals. And for that they had to create a legend, a myth, something that could be more than human. And the reporters would help with that.

"They are really focused on those two nutjobs, huh." she commented.

Laurel spared a quick glance at the TV before turning back to Lydia.

"They're shaking things up. That draws viewers."

"I guess that makes sense." Lydia conceded.
"What do you think of them?"

The older woman took a few moments to think.

"I'm not sure yet. My dad always says that you don't need to go outside the law to find justice. But sometimes... sometimes it feels like the system is broken."

Lydia was slightly taken aback by her answer. Considering what she knew of her father and the fact that she seemed to have a similar dedication to the law, she had expected Laurel to immediately condemn the vigilantes. And yet, she detected none of that in her voice or in her gaze. If anything, the tension in her jaw seemed to indicate that she not only saw the flaws in the system, but also felt the need to do something about it. In a way, it almost reminded her of Oliver whenever they discussed names on the List.

"What do you think?" Laurel asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Well... people need someone to do something. But does it have to be like this?"

Lydia's words might not have been the full truth, but they weren't a complete lie either. Rationally, she knew that if there were no need for vigilantes like her and Oliver, it would mean the world was a better place than it was now. But she also knew that wasn't the case just yet. And deep down, she wasn't really sure what else she could do. When she got stranded on the island, she had been too young to have given any thought to her future beyond high school. And now, she had no clue what use her skills might be outside of their crusade.

"Anyway, enough speculating about the vigilantes. I still need to drop you off at CNRI before heading to the courthouse and judges don't like the idea of being fashionably late." Laurel said, urging Lydia to finish her breakfast quickly.

For a second, Lydia considered protesting, maybe arguing that she could get around by herself and didn't need to be cooped up at CNRI all day. But if there was anything she had learned this past week, it's that it was pointless to argue with a woman who lived to do precisely that. And that was most certainly the case with Laurel Lance.

*

Oliver was still trying to gather his bearings as he, Tommy and his mother and now stepfather exited the courtroom, that being one of the main reasons why he requested to avoid going to the Queen Consolidated offices right now. Having to tell the story of how he was shipwrecked, of how he had found Lydia all alone and mourning the loss of the only family she had ever known... it brought back bad memories, even without revealing the whole truth.

Right now what he really wanted was a moment to himself. Maybe he could call Lydia to check in on her. He hadn't had much chance to do so aside from a quick phone call with Laurel to arrange for Lydia's homeschooling, what with his family hounding him nearly every second of every day. But first, he would have to get away.