Sooo... long time ago Merryloon threw me that idea for a fic. It won't be a long AU probably, but nevertheless having down-to-earth man like Quentin interact with Rip Hunter and the colorful team of Legends was just too tempting to not write it. Also, I miss Rip Hunter in season 2 of Legends, so I dusted off the beginning of the story I've started a while back.

Many thanks to Perosha for beta. :)

Changing the Scales

Prologue

"Are you sure, Gideon?" asked Rip Hunter, studying the data the AI was showing him on the main screen. He was standing on Waverider's bridge, pondering over the unexpected piece of information the computer showed him as soon as he returned to the deck.

He had just come back from the meeting with people he intended to recruit to his team. All he could do now was just wait for their decision. He hoped that he'd pulled the right strings. He didn't like that he had to lie to those people, but he had no other choice. He desperately needed whatever aid he could gather—he just couldn't achieve what he intended to do alone. For some of them, concern about the future of the world mattered to them enough to make them ponder his offer. Others, like Ray Palmer, were tempted by the promise of being someone exceptional, or were lured by the perspective of adventure (Rip had noticed a glint of fascination in Professor Stein's eyes when he heard about time travel and breaking the boundaries of physics he knew). Some of them, deep down, wanted to gain some new purpose in their lives, like Sara Lance, who was recently resurrected and still a bit lost after such a sudden return. Others might find using the opportunity for their own advantage the most appealing (he had very little doubt that it was the first thing that crossed the minds of individuals like Leonard Snart and Mick Rory)—and that was a risk Rip was ready to take.

And then suddenly Gideon had informed him about this new calculation...Another possibility that had just appeared and he should reconsider. But it sounded even more absurd than his whole plan—which was not the most logical and well-thought out one, to put it mildly.

"I'm 96% sure, Captain," said Gideon with its gentle voice.

No matter what the AI was saying, it sounded as if everything was simple and clear, depending on probability. Having doubts or second thoughts didn't exist for it; its judgment was never clouded by emotions or feelings which were normal for human beings. Ever since Rip decided to rebel, relinquish his position as a Time Master, and commandeer the time ship, he was wondering if he'd made a good decision. He knew that eventually he would have to pay a price for it, as the Council of Time Masters would do everything in their power to bring in the rogue and punish him severely. He'd practically signed his own death sentence. Or something even worse—being wiped out of existence altogether. But if beforehand he managed to change something...to stop that monster, who brought the demise of the world, killing billions of innocent people...as well as his wife and son...it would be worth it.

"My prognosis shows that adding this one recruit to the list might change the scale significantly." Gideon's voice cut into Rip's train of thoughts. "The whole mission's success may depend on that one factor."

Rip scoffed, skimming through the available data about the possible addition to his team. In light of what he was about to do, this candidate looked like a joke. One great mistake. Well, actually his mission was a very risky venture, but this...He frowned, studying the file. Maybe he was meta-human, who was unaware of his powers? But nothing indicated it.

"But he is not a hero of any kind. He is an ordinary man! I can't see anything special about him."

"If I may remind you, Captain, you don't look for exceptional people," Gideon said politely.

Rip felt a stab of guilt when AI made that particular mention. Indeed, he was looking for dispensable ones, whose lives had a minimum effect on a recorded timeline.

"No, I don't," he admitted. "But I look for people with certain potential. Skills. What can he offer us?"

"My prognosis doesn't show it, Captain. Just the possible final effect on the timeline."

"Great." Rip rubbed his forehead. "Just great."

It seemed that tonight he needed to meet with one more person.