Ch - 81 Russian Mob?

By the time Barry and Oliver returned to the Foundry after gathering intel on Klaus Markos, the others, having had nothing else to do, had played a few rounds of poker.

Seeing Cisco, Caitlin, and Swayam treating the visit as a fun outing, Oliver wanted to scold them. However, he recognized that they were merely using their free time in an enjoyable and productive way.

Swayam, understanding Oliver's preference for his team to remain serious and alert, knew that Oliver didn't appreciate the lighthearted atmosphere Team Flash often brought. However, Swayam himself preferred the light and goofy environment of Team Flash over the serious and gloomy atmosphere of Team Arrow.

Recognizing that capturing Digger Harkness was their priority, Swayam discreetly signaled everyone to end their poker game and focus on what Oliver had to say. The group quickly complied, sensing that Oliver was suppressing his irritation.

Once he had everyone's attention, Oliver briefed them on the new information Barry had obtained from Quentin Lance. Afterward, Roy, Oliver, Barry, and Swayam suited up and headed to the location where the Bratva, a Russian mob, ran their cyber-crime operations.

When they arrived, Diggle, who had already reconnoitered the area, met them and reported, "There are Kalashnikovs everywhere."

Understanding the situation, Oliver directed everyone to cover specific areas. While Roy, Barry, and Swayam took their positions, Oliver and Diggle worked together—not because Oliver doubted Diggle's abilities, but because he recognized that Diggle's protective instincts were heightened due to the threat against Lyla, his ex-wife. Oliver didn't want Diggle, in his heightened state, to act recklessly.

After silently clearing the perimeter, the team entered the base from their assigned entrances. In the central area, Roy, Oliver, Swayam, and Diggle found all the Russian mobsters unconscious and bound—clearly Barry's handiwork.

However, when Oliver realized that the person they were looking for wasn't among the captives, he ordered a thorough search of the premises.

Barry, being known as the "fastest man alive," was expected to find Klaus Markos quickly. In truth, only Swayam knew that he also possessed speed powers, but he rarely used them, fearing that Eobard Thawne might detect and possibly steal his speed force, a power Swayam vaguely remembered Eobard having the ability to do.

Swayam's previous toe-to-toe exchange with an enraged Barry had relied on his physical advantages and his adaptability, rather than speed.

As the team searched for Klaus Markos, Barry and Oliver eventually located and apprehended him. They informed the others that they had found their target, and the search was called off.

Swayam, Roy, and Diggle regrouped and waited for further instructions. A few minutes later, Barry and Oliver joined them, but it was clear from Barry's expression that something had happened during the capture that deeply upset him.

Everyone there had seen the darkness and evil in humanity and understood that life was not all colors and rainbows. They knew that sometimes, to fight that darkness, one had to embrace it, becoming a beacon of hope even while submerged in it. Oliver was that kind of vigilante, a ray of hope that burned like the sun.

But for Barry, Oliver's methods were too harsh. The way Oliver had tortured Klaus Markos to extract information was something Barry found unacceptable.

Barry's mood remained somber even after they returned to the Foundry. Although everyone was curious about what had happened between Barry and Oliver, they refrained from asking.

Instead, they focused on Felicity decrypting the phone Oliver had obtained after interrogating Klaus Markos.

Unlike the others, who chose not to get involved, Lyla felt uneasy seeing Barry, once so shiny, enthusiastic, and optimistic, now so gloomy. Unable to ignore it, she approached Oliver and asked what had happened with Barry and what exactly Oliver had said to him.