Zero Hour - Sunday, July 16, 2000, 5:49 PM ------------------------------------------ The evening is dark as ever in Gotham - the pollution hides the starlight, and the lamplights below are broken - at least, in this neighborhood. Talia crouches catlike on the roof of a building, looking in through the glass panes of the roof-window into the room below. Beneath her, dark men shout and argue in a strange Arabic tongue, to which she appears to be listening intently. A dark figure makes a slight scuffling noise behind you, almost unhearable except to the ears of one trained to be aware of trouble at all times. Oliver Queen mutters a bit as he lands roughly in a shadow, pulling the hood of his green sweat shirt even tighter as he observers the odd woman (well, not that odd for Gotham, but odd in that she's rooftop jumping and not in a cat costume) and what she is doing. Talia lifts her head up, and slowly looks around. Has Oliver had the pleasure of meeting the infamous Talia Al Ghul? If yes, then he instantly knows who she is. If not, well...not that he can complain for the Emma Peel type view she's offering, but what /is/ she doing up there? Oliver Queen has his bow in one hand and one arrow in the other as he carefully watches this woman. There's a lot of ways to play this but he's not sure just who you are one way or the other or what is going on. He eventually decides on careful trust as he readies the bow and makes a slight clearing his throat noise he's sure will be heard. Talia is mid process of reaching for a gone with her hand furthest away from Ollie. As she extends it, aiming down through the glass, she pauses, turning her face into the light, toward Oliver. Oliver Queen grins a bit under his hood, his teeth somehow glinting in the dim light. "Far be it for me to intrude, but there are rules about shooting people in this city. Even if they are deserving of it." You say "Who are they, anyway?" Talia arches a brow. "Who are you, and why should I tell you?" The whisper carries - a soft, melodic voice with an exotic accent. Her body is tensed like an animal ready to bolt, though her gun is still aimed downward. Closer inspection reveals the gun to be somewhat modified - tranqs and not bullets seem to be her choice of ammo. Oliver Queen doesn't even blink, although he does not the gun is not a dangerous one. He leans forward into the light, his Cheshire cat grin even more evident. "What? The bow and the hood aren't a dead giveaway?" he says with a low deep whisper, his accent very definitely American. Not dangerous? Tranqs aren't lethal, but who says they're not dangerous. "You'll have to forgive me." the woman says in a dry tone. "The vigilantes of Gotham are usually better dressed." she arches a brow, looking him up and down. "Let me see...you look rather like the Green Arrow, if he had perhaps forgot to pick up the rest of his costume at the dry cleaners." Oliver Queen doesn't even blink, although he does not the gun is not a dangerous one. He leans forward into the light, his Cheshire cat grin even more evident. "What? The bow and the hood aren't a dead giveaway?" he says with a low deep whisper, his accent very definitely American. Not dangerous? Tranqs aren't lethal, but who says they're not dangerous. "You'll have to forgive me." the woman says in a dry tone. "The vigilantes of Gotham are usually better dressed." she arches a brow, looking him up and down. "Let me see...you look rather like the Green Arrow, if he had perhaps forgot to pick up the rest of his costume at the dry cleaners." Oliver Queen grins. "Well, things change... and I'm not usually in Gotham. Now why don't you tell me who those guys are and why you're looking to send them to dreamland?" Talia looks cool. "No, you're usually not. Does Bel- Batman appreciate you stepping into his territory?" with a sigh of annoyance and a dismissive wave of her free hand, she indicates the men below. "These men are merchants and rough men who are working through a slave ring that has managed to put some contacts down in Gotham. They are hands and arms - but there is a head, and it is my hope to interrogate one or more of them to find and destroy that head." A silent swingline arcs through the Gotham night, the Bird of Prey flying gracefully upon it narrowing her eyes at the briefest movement. The line jerks as she angles in descent, honing in for a closer view. Soft-soled boots find silent purchase on the shadowed sill of the building as the hi-tech nylon cord retracts with a flick of the wrist. Azure eyes narrow to slits as she watches from a slight distance, sinking from the sill to the shadows, her golden hair a brief halo in the moonlight. Oliver Queen doesn't notice the near slip on "Beloved". Then again, Batman has never been all that open about his relationships, even to people like Ollie who are on his "mildly tolerably" list of people. "Does he appreciate anyone, really?" he smirks. "In his way, I guess he does since I annoy him slightly less than Superman, since I know how to be subtle when it suits me." He then glances down at the men. "Definitely something I could appreciate. I'd offer my assistance, but you don't seem the type of lady to accept a gentleman's offer of help." Talia smirks, tipping her fingers in mild salute. "I wasn't aware there were any gentlemen present." She looks down through the glass again. "Stay and help, or leave as you may - only stay out of my way when it is time for me to do what must be done to get answers. It shall not be pretty." Oliver Queen smirks. "It's never pretty in this town... and don't worry... long as you're not twisting the arms too hard, I'll stay out of your way... so do you want me to play human target while you knock them out... or shall we just go in together in force?" Talia and Oliver are standing on a rooftop, looking down through a glass topping down at the people below - male voices can be heard, shouting and talking loudly in an Arabic tongue. The quiet voice slips like velvet from the shadows, as does the Black Canary. "Please Oliver. Don't handicap her." Her footsteps are light but low as Dinah Lance steps forward and mutters something, then presses on her collar. Her hands rest on her hips as she eyes the two of you, then focuses on Talia. One singular sleek brow rises. "You were thinking of busting in? Saving the day?" Talia smiles lightly, her blue eyes alighting on the blonde. "Hardly. As I explained to your...friend? These men are part of a slavery ring that has been working its way up the East Coast...I am hoping to capture one of these men and have him sing for me. I have reason to believe it is housed in the Middle East somewhere, but none of my Father's contacts has a particular stake in it." she tsks. "If I wasn't doing it because slavery repels me, I would because certain ventures existing without my Father's hand to guide them is a dangerous thing...for all parties involved." She adds almost flippantly, as if she hadn't just threatened the lives of several people by implication, "How are you, Canary?" Oliver Queen raises an eyebrow a bit at the mention of "Father". He knows that sounds like someone he's heard about somewhere, but never met. An eyebrow raises in thought as he looks at Talia. "So who is your father?" he asks, ignoring Canary for the moment. The smile of greeting stays in place, though something in those blue eyes flicker as Canary regards Talia with an assessing stare. "Yes, I know. I've been tailing them for the past two weeks." Her eyes flick down to the skylight. "I've been dating the ringleader. I know half the men down there on a first name basis." She pauses, bowing her head and rubbing her hand along her jaw consideringly as she moves to Oliver's side, crouching and then glancing at both of you. "But, y'see, I DO have a problem with slavery. Tonight, if you follow your lead, you might save six women. But there are 823 American woman in Afghanistan who will have a lifeline cut off. And they'll live out a life of oppression and brutality that I doubt even you would have a hard time dismissing." Her words are precise, low and even a bit pleading. Dinah holds her gaze on Talia, ignoring Oliver's question to which she knows the answer. Talia's eyes widen and narrow. "I see. It would fit with the tales I have heard of the extremists in Afghanistan as well - where I assume, the hub of this trade route is. Would I gain anything useful by interrogating any of these men, Canary?" her tone is brisk, businesslike. Like she 'interrogates' (Read: just one step below torture, probably) people every day. The grim expression on her face gives certainty that she knows how. Oliver's question is ignored. Oliver Queen sighs softly and glares down through the window as he becomes the third wheel. 'Of all the luck, I'd run into one of Dinah's girlfriends' he thinks quietly as he watches the arguing men below, falling silent as he listens to the two women converse. Dinah Lance holds Talia's gaze. "No. I could offer you more, and I will once I know I can trust you. I've got so much dirt on these pigs, they're one step away from being led to slaughter." She darts a look at both of you, her mouth pressing at the corners. "I could get them in a US criminal court, before the UN, and even for treaty violations." She pauses for emphasis. "But I can't get those women back to their families. I need to go to Afghanistan for that. On HIS invite." She inclines her head to the skylight. Dinah Lance looks down at the man, shaking her head. "And I could use help." Oliver Queen turns to regard Dinah, looking at her with a casual indifference. "I assume I'm not included in that request." he says is a low, lion-like roar. Dinah Lance replies in a low brisk tone. "I need all the help I can get, if you can get over yourself and let us work. We need male escorts." Dinah Lance raches a brow and looks at Talia. "I am not the only female dedicated to this cause in Gotham." Talia tilts her head toward Oliver, "If Canary considers you worthy assitance, I believe her." she looks at the Bird of Prey. "He has his city to care for. I shall not ask him to involve himself." she nods, considering. "How do you propose getting the rest of us into the country?" she asks. "They will not molest the women while they are in transit - it lowers their market value, even if they are not virgins. No one wants to buy a woman who looks as if she has been beaten and used." My, my. Knows a bit about this, does she? Looking to Oliver she says, "To answer your earlier question, my name is Talia, and my father is known to many as the Demon - Ra's al Ghul." she watches him carefully for his reaction. Dinah Lance pauses, then glances at Oliver with a faint smile. Oliver Queen returns the smirk at Dinah. "Oh, I think I can manage." he says softly as he looks right at Dinah and into her eyes. "Question is, can you get over me?" Oliver Queen then nods to Talia. "Oh... so YOU'RE the infamous daughter of the demon. Nice to meet you." he says with a smile that would look much more charming if it weren't on an unshaven homeless bum. Talia just looks over at Canary. "You see now why I prefer the strong and silent type, yes?" And well, if that doesn't bang the big clue in giant neon lettering into Ollie's head, what will? She looks at him, all business. "Right now, I am." Then she swivels her head and nods to Talia. "Travel of any type will be difficult. I am assuming you have certain connections which may help. Plus, if I'm not mistaken from your lineage, you speak Farsi?" Talia nods. "This is so." Dinah Lance suddenly grins and nods. Dinah Lance says in low laughter "I can see his silent appeal." One lash drops in a wink. Oliver Queen simmers a bit at the cracks. "Jesus, if I wanted to get insulted by attractive women, I'd go to bar." he says in an angry whisper. Hey, give the guy some credit... he remembered to keep quiet... wouldn't want the screaming ranting old man causing any of those lovely gentlemen downstairs to see you. Oliver Queen then glares at Talia. "Yeah.. you seem the "black leather and capes" types." he says with a smirk. "Too bad Batguy is so cold that he makes Canary here look like Aruba." Dinah Lance narrows her eyes and directs Ollie a cold stare, her face expressionless. Talia smiles sweet acid at Oliver. "Really? How would you know?" she asks in the most polite of tones. Oliver Queen takes a sideways glance at Dinah and meets that icy glare. "You mean it never came up in girl talk?" he says with a wicked smile. Talia just looks at him, though she speaks to Dinah. "Would you be terribly offended if I broke his jaw?" Dinah Lance clears her throat and looks at Talia, obviously wanting to get back to business. "So, within the week, do you think you could use your connections to establish a base in Afghanistan? We are not up against one man: we fight a belief and a doctrine, at one time backed by the US Gorvernment." Dinah Lance adds, "Believe it or not, this man has diplomatic immunity to a certian extent. I trust you have more in the Middle East?" Talia nods. "This is so." she confirms. "I shall see what I can do to arrange a seperate flight for those who would otherwise have no alternative...let me touch base with a few contacts and see what assistance I can provide in the way of a base." Oliver Queen nods to Dinah, his smile gone and his expression steel serious and intense as he regards you both. "If you'll have men, I'd like to get in on this. You said you need men for this... probably to escort you around, right? Well, I've got a little covert/ops experience." He then looks at Dinah. Dinah Lance allows a release of breath, granted, a sigh of vulnerability--but one she is not self conscious of. She nods at Oliver's remark, then looks with eyes openly shining with gratitude at both of you. She straightens, stepping back and readying line, her voice husky. "Thank you, both of you. I can't tell you how much this cause means to me, and to others." She looks to Talia, with a smile and a half salute. "You have the resources to contact me. Use them soon. Please. I came out here tonight looking for you, and now that I've found you--please don't disappear." She steps to the sill and looks at Ollie. "Ditto." Talia looks between the two of them, her expression placid, save for an arch of her eyebrows. She nods to Dinah. "I will need a few days...and it would be helpful for me to know who else is going to go, and what they might need." Oliver Queen nods a bit. "I'll stay in touch, and I can go whenever. I don't really have anything tying me down here..." "He knows how to get ahold of me. Ask him." The voice trails off as Canary adeptly takes flight, her silhouette arcing to the Gotham skyline. Talia slides her pistol back into its holster and starts to walk to the edge of the building. Oliver Queen nods as he shoulders his bow and glances back at Talia. "Another time then..." he says with a polite nod as his glance quickly returns to the flying Canary." Talia says "She's very angry at you." The comment comes seemingly out of nowhere. Oliver Queen nods seriously. "Yeah. Has been for... a couple of years." Talia doesn't comment. "Don't disappear." she says, walking to the ledge and standing on it as she might a diving board. Lifting her arms, she lets herself slowly fall backward, seeming to plummet gracefully downward.