Ch - 78 The Foundry?

What Cisco, Caitlin, and even Swayam didn't expect was for Arrow's secret base to be located underneath Oliver Queen's nightclub, Verdant.

For Caitlin and Cisco, the idea of a secret base hidden beneath a nightclub was brilliant. As for Swayam, he was surprised because, not being a fan of dark-themed shows like *Arrow*, he hadn't watched much of it. It wasn't that *Arrow* was bad, he simply had different preferences. He had only seen the *Arrow* episodes that involved crossover events with other shows.

Once inside Arrow's secret base, they learned it was called "The Foundry."

The Foundry was the nerve center of Team Arrow—a command post, training ground, and a place for healing.

The heart of the Foundry was dominated by a central area bathed in the glow of high-tech monitors. The soft hum of computer processors and keystrokes filled the air. At the center was Felicity's workstation, a chaotic mess of wires, keyboards, and monitor displays. Each screen streamed surveillance feeds, mission data, or maps of Starling City. Surrounding her were workstations for hacking, communication, and research, ready to assist with the team's operations.

Off to the side was the training area—a place dedicated to strength and discipline. Gym equipment lined the wall: weights, a punching bag, and the infamous salmon ladder, a test of Oliver's endurance. There was also space for sparring and hand-to-hand combat, along with archery targets for Oliver or Roy Harper (now suited up as Arsenal) to practice their aim.

Along one wall stood an impressive armory filled with weapons: bows, arrows, swords, and guns, all meticulously maintained. Oliver's green suit hung in a glass case, a reminder of the double life he led. Nearby, Roy's crimson Arsenal suit was stored, matching in prominence and care.

At the far end of the Foundry was a small medical bay, equipped with basic medical supplies for treating injuries. Next to it was a garage where motorcycles and Oliver's customized car were kept, ready for quick deployment when the team was called to action.

What made the Foundry even more impressive was its discretion. It could be accessed only through a secret elevator or hidden passageways, safely concealed beneath the bustling nightclub above.

After Caitlin and Swayam had finished admiring the place, they noticed Cisco near Oliver's arrow storage, curiously examining and touching the arrows.

Oliver, who had just arrived after receiving a call from Felicity, noticed Cisco's actions and said, "Don't touch that."

Cisco, undeterred, switched to another item. Oliver, growing more irritated, continued, "Or that. It's a jettisoning arrow. It uses compressed—"

But before Oliver could finish, Cisco interjected with his knowledge. "Compressed CO2 to jettison high-tensile strength polymer cables."

Frustrated but resigned, Oliver muttered, "Yup."

Seeing the tension rise, Swayam stepped in, trying to defuse the situation. "Don't worry, Oliver. Cisco won't cause any trouble... I think." He chuckled awkwardly.

Oliver sighed, clearly exasperated. "You're not even certain, Sam."

Roy Harper, a.k.a. Arsenal, who had been observing the scene, added sarcastically, "Since when did we start selling admission to the Foundry?"

Oliver fumbled for an answer, then pointed at Felicity. "It's... You see what you've done?"

As Oliver grew more frustrated, Cisco, still admiring the gear, exclaimed, "Incredible. I have so many ideas for improvements." Then he moved over to Roy's suit. "And this—oh man, this is the bomb. Red is so much cooler than green. Am I right?" He whispered the last part to Roy.

Roy grinned and, warming up to Cisco, said to Oliver and Felicity, "I'm really starting to like this guy."

Caitlin, meanwhile, spotted the salmon ladder in the training area and, curious, asked Felicity, "What's that for?"

Felicity, distracted for a moment by her thoughts, replied absentmindedly, "Distracting me from work."

Before anyone could tease Felicity about her response, Swayam quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, guys, where's Mr. Diggle?"

Roy responded, "He's running down a lead."