Chapter Text
Earth 2017 -Central City
They say that we never really learn from our mistakes. That we are destined to repeat the same wars , and shed fresher blood. This world that we live in today is the very embodiment of that theory.We have reverted back to our selfish, hateful ways...and for what? Our own personal betterment?
'Again ma'am there really isn't anything I can do, King Savit'ar has passed the law-all Gotham natives are to return to their homeland to ensure the safety of Central city's citizens.' The lady rehashes to me helplessly. I can see the genuine regret swimming behind her green eyes, and I hate that she is the one who has to enforce the rules and see my distress at the situation, while the said overlord sits peacefully in his castle.
I know it isn't her fault, that she was merely sent here to do her job; but this is my house, this is my family, and that selfish bigot in the palace up north had better pry my cold dead body from this city himself if I am to go anywhere.
I say that to her, and note the discreet upturn of her lip at my defiance. This is the third time this week that she has visited me with the same request, and in turn I have given her more or less the same answer, she never seems to get annoyed with me though.
'Miss West, it's my duty as a councilor to advise you to comply and avoid any further repercussions...' She stands up from the table , sparing a glance at my rather curious niece in the corner of our little apartment. She then turns back to me, brushing her tailored suit down before adding to her comment , 'But as a fellow woman and mother who wants to see this world change for my own daughter, I would encourage you to join the rebellion.'
Perhaps it is a good thing that her brute of a partner opted to stand outside- he looked like the type that wouldn't touch anything a person of color had, let alone step foot in their home.
I smile at councilor Smoak, also rising from my seat for her departure. 'Surely they don't train you to advise any defiant Gotham born black to join the underground resistance.' I chastise and she shrugs ,holding her file to her chest...a file with a list of Gotham expats that she has to ensure leaves the city within this month.
'With the week you have given me miss West , you might as well have already joined it.' She throws back playfully. She's almost right, I have thought about it,but somehow I thought it wouldn't have to come to that...that someone would overthrow the crazy King before any of his crazy plans were put into fruition... Alas...
'It's safer for her' she insists referring to Mia,who thinks she's doing a good job hiding behind the couch. 'The main base is in starling city, but there is a smaller base right here in the old star labs building.' Ms Smoak spares a glance at the window by the front door where her partner is merely hovering unaware of our conversation. She then turns back to me . Her green eyes are more sprightly probably because of the turn in conversation.
'You must pack your things and leave tonight with your family though, someone else will come to check your departure tomorrow morning... I can manage to fake records that you have exited the city, but you must leave .' She emphasizes .
Suddenly the surreality of it all hits me. This is actually happening -the Third World War would commence in my time and I really could do anything to stop it. 'I -I how do I even get in? When-...' She cuts me off , placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. 'Ms west , I will help you - I have friends there,they will let you in and protect you.Take the alleyway train there, and enter through the 5th gate-ask for a doctor Caitlin Snow-tell her I sent you '. The way in she lays out the plan has me almost believing that it is that simple , but is it? Why would a central city born Caucasian councilor help a black Gotham native?
'Why are you doing this...how would this benefit you?' I ask skeptically. I wonder if I should pack my bags and just leave for Gotham instead...sure the city is not safe , ridden with crime, and gangs, but it was once my home....before Central city became a symbol of hope in this racially and inevitably economically segregated world,but then Savit'ar killed king Allen...
'Savit'ar is not my ruler, he never will be. I only do this job to keep your people safe ,but if you are willing to fight miss West, then you should... I too am part of the resistance. I recruit, while I protect.' She tells me as a ,after or fact. It makes sense really, Linda was literally dragged to prison after one warning from her councilor in her sector...Ms Smoak allowed me to get away with three...
'Mia would be safe?' I clarify again looking wearily at the blonde lady. She really is much too pretty and bubbly looking to have such a demoralizing job.
'My husband leads the resistance, and my daughter Thalia lives there too.' She replies. I raise my eyebrow -she hasn't answered my question.
'But will Mia be safe?' Miss Smoak lets her face fall slightly. 'She's safer than she would be here , or in Gotham...children are children there nothing more and nothing less.'
That's all I can ask for...
Mia ducks behind the couch again, seeing that I've noticed her presence.she's only four, and I promised Wally...I promised him that I'd take care of her.
'I'll do it...she's all I have left.' I tell the woman, and she nods .
So it was set. Miss Smoak left with the brute man,and Mia I packed everything we could carry into our little duffel bags.
We did not really own much, but the little we carried was enough for me to regret packing while slipping into the automated train with a four year old.
'Mommy, are we gonna see mama?' Mia asks halfway through our journey. The train isn't really the fastest, but it is the easiest mode of transport to use to get to the secluded industrial area without much detection.
I turn to look at my caramel skinned niece. Her silky brown curls are barely held by the pink Alice band atop her head, and her beautiful Korean eyes peer hopefully at me. She misses her mother, I had taken her to visit Linda in prison only two weeks ago , but on the central city express train... She obviously hasn't noticed that we are going in the opposite direction.
'No , no honey ...um, we are gonna go see pawpaw Joe's friends...' It's the best way I can explain the situation to her without flat out lying.
'But paw paw 's died...' She is very intuitive, and just like her mother ,smells a lie from a mile away. My dad was in the rebellion, and he paid with his life not even a week after leaving for it. That's why I really am hesitant about this...I can't loose Mia, and I can't have Mia loose me.
'Yes, but he still has friends that are alive ...they might not remember him though...' I say the last bit mostly to myself. It was two years ago when he died, and two years ago when I cut myself off from anything and everything to do with the rebellion. Linda was a part of it, and it's what inevitably led to her arrest instead of mere deportation.
Mia does not reply for a moment , perhaps to ponder my comment.
'Mommy, are we running away...like Paw Paw?'
Always the perceptive little thing.I put my arm around her waist pulling her closer to my side and kiss the corn of her little head.
'Yes baby, but we are running away together .' She seems to relax a bit with my comment,resting her head on my arm. I would move mountains for this little girl, and Savit'ar should know that there are millions of other women and men who would do the same for themselves and their families. He may have gotten away with so much over the past few years, but he will fall.
Evil never wins .