Chapter 182: Unforeseen Events Part 2

While the news buzzed over Arias's decision to turn himself in, the Justice League wasn't the only one wondering what he was planning. 

The president found himself in a familiar position once again, seated at the head of the table in a private meeting inside the White House with his closest aides. After the scare of nearly losing his daughter, President Ross was beginning to find his duties far too burdensome and even somewhat saw the possibility of failing in the election as good luck.

This change of heart wasn't within Arias's expectations, as Arias only ever saw the end result and glossed over predicting emotions. Why? Because reading someone was far trickier than reading a situation, especially one that usually followed a certain pattern.

Even the president's own aides likely had no idea of the psychological impact the past few events had had on President Ross: losing Amanda Waller, succumbing to a terrorist attack that nearly killed his daughter, failing to apprehend a wanted fugitive, losing numerous good soldiers and agents, and more. His daughter's near-death experience was the final straw for the president, whose desire for a second term had all but faded.

Even during this meeting, he took a somewhat passive role as his aides debated vigorously over the situation surrounding Arias.

"We should send him to a black site immediately for questioning!" one aide suggested.

"That won't do. Not now when the public saw him surrender. We lack the evidence to do as we please in this situation. Given the circumstances, he is allowed a trial," another argued.

"Is that a joke? Have you seen the fantasy polls? Once Slade Wilson wins, no matter what verdict Arias Markovic gets in court, a presidential pardon is within reach!"

"So what?! You're talking about a man whose organization created the cure to a biological attack that could have ruined us. The public is against us on this. Just look at this—almost every major city has at least one protest regarding the release of Arias Markovic!"

The debate raged on, but no matter what points were brought up, Arias had thoroughly cornered the government. They could not escape, at least not without consequences.

At this time, the president's advisor turned to him and asked, "What do you think, Mr. President? How do you feel this situation should be approached?"

The president fell silent for a moment, clasping his hands together and resting his head on them as he pondered. Silence prevailed for what felt like minutes before the president spoke.

"There's only one thing we can do now..."

...

At the same time, an armored vehicle with a heavily escorted convoy drove through the streets of Gotham. Inside the armored vehicle, Arias was cuffed at the legs, arms, and waist, with a power-dampening collar around his neck. Seated on either side of him were four heavily armed officers, their fingers resting on the triggers of their firearms. 

Aside from the wailing sound of the siren and the occasional background noise, the area was silent. Each officer looked nervous.

'Damn it, why couldn't I be assigned to the truck carrying Harley?' one officer thought, vividly recalling what Arias had done the first time he evaded capture.

Not too far from the convoy, atop one of Gotham's higher skyscrapers, stood Wonder Woman, and beside her, Cheshire, who wore her mask.

"Hey, what exactly is the plan here?" Cheshire asked, leaning against the edge of the concrete in a bored manner. 

Before Arias surrendered, he had told Cheshire and Diana to exit the plane and wait for him in the city, without providing any further instructions. This wasn't because Arias had a set plan in mind, but rather the opposite. His decision to surrender was basically a roll of the dice, with the outcome not yet known even to him—just possible scenarios.

The only real advantage he hoped to gain was an even bigger rise in his reputation. Those who already believed him innocent would surely have no doubts now. After all, what guilty man would turn himself in?

Even Diana, who usually trusted her friend, was concerned over this plan. "I am unsure, but Arias has always carried himself with honor. They dirty his name with accusations, so he chose to come forward and prove he has done no wrong. That is all I see." 

Diana hovered slightly above the ground, arms crossed and expression firm. Cheshire glanced at her before sighing inwardly. 'Honor, huh? The boss really has her fooled.'

Unlike Diana, who was kept in the dark about Arias's true nature, Cheshire had received a bulky profile on him and was aware of his role in the Light's most recent endeavors. Calling him innocent was almost enough to make her chuckle, but she kept her thoughts to herself. If Arias fell, so would she—not by choice, but because under the League's strict rules, she would be seen as a failure who had failed to protect her master, and thus, she would need to die alongside him.

"Well, one thing I know for sure—the boss is smart enough not to walk into a death trap. And if things go south, it's our job to rescue him, right?" Cheshire added casually but received full support from an inspired Diana.

"Indeed it is! We shall smite any and all who stand in the way. Those who defend the corrupt have no right to live! I understand now why Arias invited you to his noble cause. You have a warrior's spirit and a firm heart. You are now Sister Cheshire!" Diana smiled, proclaiming friendship there and then. In her eyes, Cheshire's words were moving.

Cheshire could only inwardly sigh. 'If that's how she feels, I better keep my past and hobbies a secret from her. Seriously, she's more likely to kill than me...'

The longer Cheshire hung out with Diana, the more she realized just how dangerous the individuals Arias surrounded himself with truly were.

...

Before long, the armored convoy arrived at the Gotham PD headquarters, where they planned to hold Arias while awaiting instructions from Washington. However, this proved difficult because the largest of the nationwide protests was in Gotham, with many participants being students from Ark Academies.

As the armored vehicle came to a stop, even the bound Arias could hear the chants outside.

"What do we want?"

"Justice!"

"When do we want it?"

"Now!"

"Free Arias Markovic!"

"Free Arias Markovic!"

Hearing this, Arias couldn't help but smile and chuckle. That innocent gesture, though, made the officers around him even more nervous, each fearing for their lives.

Soon, a loud banging resounded from outside, startling the officers, nearly causing one to pull his trigger.

'This can't be good for my heart,' one officer thought, swallowing dryly.

One of the officers opened the door and found the commissioner of the Gotham PD standing outside with his entourage.

Wearing a frown, the commissioner quickly shouted, "What are you all looking stunned for? You're holding an innocent man. Undo those cuffs!"

Hearing this out of nowhere, the officers hesitated. "But sir—"

"Now, officer!"

The officers exchanged unsure glances, then each brought out a key to unlock one of Arias's cuffs. Once done, they shuffled away from him as he stepped out of the truck with the help of an officer below.

Even Arias was curious, so he turned to the commissioner and asked, "What's going on?"

The commissioner smiled and gave Arias's shoulder a hard pat. "You're the beneficiary of a presidential pardon, that's what! Not like you needed it, but congratulations nonetheless. Those suits in Washington finally did something right!"

Arias cracked a small smile and shared in the commissioner's enthusiasm. "It would seem they did."