Central City.
Nine months ago, Doctor Harrison Wells of S.T.A.R. Labs activated the particle accelerator to thunderous anticipation.
It was a stormy evening. The success lasted only moments before the electron volts spiked beyond measurement and the core ruptured. Unable to cool or shut down the reaction, the energy blasted skyward from the breach point. The resulting shockwave spread instantly, saturating every corner of Central City.
The particle accelerator exploded. S.T.A.R. Labs was forced to close. Countless people were affected—but none more than Barry Allen.
There had been many Flashes over the years. Barry Allen was the most famous. Some said he created the Speed Force; others said he was the Speed Force—the source of every speedster's power.
As a child, Barry had watched a speedster murder his mother. His father was convicted of the crime and sent to prison. Barry was adopted by Central City police officer Joe West, and when he grew up, he became a forensic analyst for the CCPD, obsessed with finding his mother's real killer.
Nine months ago, the particle accelerator exploded and lightning struck Barry Allen. He fell into a coma.
Nine months later, he woke up.
Jack Kadere also arrived in Central City, piloting the Aerie.
For Lilah, Valentina, and Laurie, this era was overwhelming. The traffic flowing through the streets, the people in flashy modern clothing, the towering buildings and electronic displays everywhere—it would take time to process.
"Master, how long are we staying this time?" The Aerie touched down in an empty lot and shifted to stealth mode. As they disembarked, Lilah looked around uncertainly.
Jack considered. "A while."
"Should we find somewhere to settle?"
He glanced around and spotted a discarded aluminum can nearby. Picking it up, he activated Firestorm's ability. Flames engulfed his palm, and the can visibly transformed within the heat. When the fire died, he tossed it to Lilah.
"Sell this. Get yourselves some new clothes, look around, find us a place to stay."
Lilah stared at the can in her hands. "This—this is gold? How did you do that?"
"Firestorm can rearrange subatomic particles to change atomic composition. Practice when you have time. You won't need to worry about money."
"You can just... turn things into gold?"
Valentina curled her lip but said nothing.
"Go shopping. I'm visiting a friend."
None of them objected—not even Laurie, who'd been reluctant to leave the Soviet Union and still seemed half-dazed about being here at all. Their outfits were dated but not bizarre, and the modern era was forgiving enough that they didn't draw stares.
Well—not for their clothes, anyway. Three tall, striking women walking together attracted plenty of attention. The only real complication came when they tried to sell a gold beverage can; the pawnshop owner had never seen anyone make drinkware out of solid gold.
Rich people and their eccentricities, apparently.
While they explored, Jack walked toward S.T.A.R. Labs.
The last time he'd been here was to help Laurel acquire sonic equipment. Back then, the facility had looked sleek and prestigious. Now an iron gate blocked the entrance, plastered with warning signs: DANGER. DO NOT APPROACH.
Wonder if Caitlin's inside.
He was about to jump the fence when brakes squealed behind him. He turned to see a red car pull up to the curb.
The door swung open. A woman stepped out and hurried around the hood.
"Jack Kadere? Is that really you?"
Perfect timing.
Caitlin Snow.
"I was just about to go in looking for you," Jack said, gesturing at the building.
"I just came out—the parking lot's in back. I saw someone standing at the gate and thought I was imagining things." Her initial surprise faded into something sharper. "Are you here to see me? Why didn't you call first? Where have you been? Do you have any idea how much trouble you caused me?"
"Trouble?" Jack raised an eyebrow.
"I was kidnapped because of you!" The memory clearly still rattled her.
"Kidnapped? Because of me?" He looked genuinely surprised. "By who?"
"Some woman in a Robin-style outfit with a crossbow. She wanted to know if S.T.A.R. Labs made that sonic equipment, and whether I knew you." Caitlin huffed. "You nearly got me killed."
Huntress. Helena.
Jack smiled. "What happened next?"
"How can you smile about this?" Caitlin glared at him. "I was rescued by someone calling herself Black Canary—using that same sonic device, actually. I looked into it afterward. They're both from Starling City. Black Canary's apparently some kind of hero there."
"Sounds like you really did get caught up in my mess." Jack's smile didn't waver. "How about I buy you dinner to apologize?"
"Obviously you owe me. But first—tell me why you suddenly showed up after disappearing for so long. I'll decide if I want to help you, depending on whether you're going to drag me into more trouble."
"It's the thing you've been waiting for."
Caitlin's eyes lit up. "A physical examination?"
"That's right, Doctor." Jack kept his expression serious.
She hesitated, then nodded toward her car. "Get in."
He did. The car pulled away from S.T.A.R. Labs—but not back toward it.
"Where are we going?"
"My place."
"Your place?" Jack grinned. "Isn't this moving a little fast?"