(Subsequent books will follow Supergirl, Superman, and the heroes fromDCs Legends of Tomorrow.)
Check out the cover, exclusive to EW, above.Green Arrows Perfect Shotpublishes Aug. 13 and isavailable for pre-order.
Star City had the beauty of a cobra.
Credit: Abrams
He liked his city somewhat mysterioushe just wanted it to be better and more fair at the same time.
Hed grown up here, the wealthy scion of the citys leading family.
There were zoning ordinances and contract bids to sort through, architectural details and city planning standards .
Mores the pity, he thought, turning his attention away from the Glades and to the buildings nearby.
He had his team staked out closer to each individual building.
For himself, Oliver had chosen the angel seat, the overarching holistic position.
He could see all four buildings and have his team move at a moments notice.
Hed been all about swooping down on his enemies once.
But now he was more interested in justice than vengeance.
It wasnt about retribution anymore.
If he had to let the bad guy go so you can save lives, so be it.
Better to do both, though, right?
The sun had set about twenty minutes ago, and Star City was steeped in early autumn darkness.
He resisted the urge to check the time.
Off in the distance, a burst of light flickered for an instant on the horizon.
He glanced up at the sky.
It was a clear night.
No rain in the forecast.
He spun around, fighting every instinct in his body to nock an arrow.
There on the rooftop stood none other than Barry Allen, the Flash.
Took you long enough to get here, Oliver said.
And remember: code names.
Were in the field.
Because someone might be wandering around on the rooftop and overhear me.
And Im not late.
Im right on time.
He tapped the left side of his mask, and Oliver imagined him receiving some sort of information feed.
OK, so Im late.
Theres drama back home.
When is there not?
Barry came over to Olivers side, standing tall and obvious in his bright red-and-yellow suit.
Oliver gritted his teeth.
Could you not be so .
As though hed just realized, Barry looked down at Oliver.
Have you even moved in the last few hours?
Because deep vein thrombosis is a thing, Oliver.
I worry about you, always crouching on rooftops.
Weve identified four possible targets, Oliver told him, ignoring the medical advice.
He pointed out the buildings.
There, there, there, and there.
We think the bomber will go after one of them.
With something like this, you mean?
Barry asked innocently, holding out a rather sophisticated explosive gear.
He was constantly caught off guard by Barrys speed.
Heknewthe Flash was fast.
In the fourth building, Barry admitted.
Its always the last place you look, am I right?
He hefted the equipment.
This thing is impressive, I have to say.
Ive disarmed a lot of explosives in my days with CCPD, but this one is special.
Redundant kill switches tied in to multiple redundant signaling paths .
And some really expertly applied fake wires that go nowhere and do nothing, butlooklike they do something.
To slow down a Bomb Disposal Unit, Oliver said.
Making it less likely someone could disarm the thing before it went off.
Itdidslow me down, Barry said, handing the thing over.
It took me an extra tenth of a second to disarm it.
Good thing Im a copanda speedster, right?
Oliver accepted the bomb, holding it somewhat gingerly.
He looked down at it.
This devicemore accurately, ones just like it had taken down three buildings in his city.
Caused untold property damage.
Spiked the fear of an entire city.
He was impressed by what Barry had done, but that didnt matter right now.
What mattered was what came next.
Did you disturb the scene at all?
Barry was fast, but sometimes sloppy.
All that speed made little things like caution, delicacy, and precision seem trivial.
We need evidence if were going to track this guy down and put him away for good.
Under his cowl, Barrys expression was offended.
What did I just say?
He held up his other hand, producing a standard-issue CSI evidence collection kit.
The seal was broken, meaning hed opened it up and used what was inside.
I also cordoned off the room so that you’re free to go through it and take pictures.
I move so fast that cameras cant keep up.
Speed of light isnt fast enough, you know?
Anyway, I basically did a complete evidence workup on the scene for you.
Oliver accepted the evidence kit and signaled Mr. You make it too easy sometimes, he mock-complained to Barry.
Despite himself, Oliver grinned back.
All the tension and built-up anxiety that had tautened his entire body bled out of him.
Blessed relief flooded in, replacing the fleeing dread.
There would be no explosion tonight.
No wreckage and debris.
No more fear toxins dumped into the city like fertilizer into a garden of terror.
Pumping Olivers hand, Barry widened his smile.
Always glad to help out, like last year, that thing with Ricardo Diaz.
Ricardo Diaz had been a drug lord and crime boss whod targeted Star City for a takeover.
That could have played out much differently, Oliver acknowledged.
I might have even ended up in jail.
Thanks for your help then and now.
Thats what friends are .
Barry stiffened and put a hand to his right earpiece.
What did you say?
Oliver watched his friends expression.
Labs was giving Barry either very bad or very shocking news.
