Static walked into the brightly lit lab, surprised to see that both Gear and Dr. Todd had beat him there.

"Hey, bro," Gear looked back at them as they walked in, "Just going over some logistics of the antidote I cooked up.

"Yes, it is very impressive," Dr. Todd nodded and turned around. "You're lucky I was working late, or you would have had a hard time getting me here."

"It's one-o-clock in the morning!" Static stared at him.

"Every now and then, my work takes a lot of my spare," he sighed, "and sleep time." He looked over at Static and shrugged. "Besides, I was just heading for home."

"Than we won't keep you long," Static stepped aside, "Doc, I'd like you to meet Nightingale."

"Pleased to meet you," the young girl said nervously, reaching out and shaking his hand.

"And the same to you, my dear," he shook her hand firmly. "Are you the reason these two called on me?" he asked. She nodded.

"Actually, my name's Gail, and I'm part of the Night Breed."

"The Night Breed?" Dr. Todd raised an eyebrow, and looked at Static and Gear.

"We thought it would be better if he heard it from you," Gear held up his hands.

"And what seems to be the problem?" he asked Nightingale.

"Well...It all started the day after the Big Bang..."

-----

"So," Dr. Todd put his stethoscope on the table. "Many other people from the Big Bang were affected similarly to you, with the same sensitivity to light, and the same yellow, cat-like eyes, but different special 'powers'?" She nodded.

"And from what I can tell, you're perfectly healthy, if a little malnourished. I would like to take a sample of your blood to study, if you don't mind." She shook her head, and he produced a needle and a small bag."

"That's an awful lot of blood, doc," Gear said uneasily.

"I know," he sighed, "but I will need it if I am to find what differs from her blood and any other metahuman's blood." He sighed and went back to sanitizing the place on her skin where he planned to place the needle-point. "I only wish I had more specimens. Chances are, the cure will be specific to you only."

"But if you find one for me, you will be closer to finding one for the others as well, right?" He nodded. Nightingale looked down as he punctured her skin. "I will try to get some other samples for you," she said softly, "But I cannot make any promises."

"Thank you," he smiled at her. The rest of the process continued in silence. Finally, he held up the bag, and handed her an energy bar and an apple.

"Eat this," he smiled and walked over to a refrigerator of sorts, where he placed the package of blood carefully with a lable.

"Thank you for all of your help, Dr. Todd," Gail glanced at her watch, "But I really have to leave. I'll probably already be late for the train.

"You said 5:07 train," Static glanced at her.

"Yes, well, I was supposed to check in a few minutes ago unless I was on my way home." She glanced down, blushing. "I didn't realize how late it was until just now, and they'll be expecting me soon."

"Than I'd better get you home," Static pulled out his disk and threw it at the ground. It stopped and began hovering.

"Nightingale, here," Gear handed her a bag just as she stepped onto the metal behind Static.

"Uh...thanks," she said looking into it confused.

"It's that stuff we were talking about before," Static said and waved at Gear and the Doctor. "Later, Doc," he said and zoomed out of the room.

"What was that all about?" she asked as they headed into the night sky.

"Dr. Todd is afraid if the wrong hands get ahold of those vials in there, that they could set off another bang."

"Why?" she asked, looking at the small, plastic jars of pink and purplish liquids.

"Those are several stages of the antidote. They're all labeled, but we're counting on you to keep them safe." He looked at her over his shoulder, "Promise me, that no matter what happens, you'll get them to Tech, and make him swear that he won't tell anyone. Not Fade or even Brickhouse. If anyone found out that this was in the open, they could do a lot of damage."

"Oh," she said softly and looked with quiet respect into the bag again. "I promise."
"Thanks," the young teenager turned back to face the direction they were heading. "We're counting on you, Nightingale." She didn't reply.