I have some slight changes to Chapter Thirty Three and added a new Chapter Thirty Five - basically because I wanted to bring Mallam in earlier on (see the New Legends). I also think that I didn't get him quite right in the sequel, so expect a few changes to The New Legends'.
Rip Hunter finished a late breakfast and settled down at his computer to get back to work, conscious that the deadline for his latest book was fast approaching and that he had fallen behind schedule. He felt slightly guilty about that, although he couldn't have broken his promise to take Jonas to Disneyworld. They'd both had a great time, especially when they ignored Miranda's order not to eat too much unhealthy food.
But now it was back to the grindstone. He opened the current chapter of his latest story and read through the last few paragraphs to get back into the feel of things. The Wayfinder had developed yet another technical problem, which Max, the engineer, was part way through fixing. Rip brought that to a successful conclusion - for now - and switched to one of the romantic bits. Ship's Captain Tara was currently involved with a taciturn loner called Ken, ignoring the much more suitable navigator Kip (who bore a strong resemblance to a certain Rip Hunter). Things were getting interesting when the doorbell rang.
Rip turned and stared at his door in irritation, thinking it was probably someone who wanted to sell him double-glazing or something. He thought of ignoring the summons, but then groaned and got to his feet.
When he did open the door, he wondered if this was his lucky day. An attractive brown-haired woman of about his own age was standing outside.
''Can I help -'' he began.
''Captain Hunter - Rip - I'm sorry, but I have to do this -''
He had barely begun to wonder what 'this' was when she pointed a strange device at his face. A bright light flashed into his eyes. His mind was suddenly filled with places, images, people, events that were totally new to him and yet, at the same time, were his memories.
He did what any reasonable person would have done in the circumstances.
He passed out.
The next thing he was aware of was lying on his bed. Eve Baxter was sitting in a chair, watching him with a worried expression.
She's restored my memories, he thought, then - what memories? He was who he'd always been, Michael 'Rip' Hunter, second son of Paul and Mary Hunter. Divorced father of one. Writer of a popular series of science-fiction novels. At the same time, he knew that he was a formerly loyal Time Master, who had led a motley band of misfits on a mission to save Earth from an evil dictator.
The woman looking at him was Eve Baxter, another Time Master in his new memories. A stranger - a potentially dangerous stranger - in his old ones.
He groaned and sat up. ''What -''
''I had no choice'' she interrupted. ''I need - the Earth needs your help. Vandal Savage is still alive.''
