Earth 1, Star City/Acheron
Lyla Michael's had often disagreed with her predecessor's decisions but she understood the late Amanda's preference for a rapier-style approach rather than that of a blunder-bus. It was the latter style of operation that people like her current deputy, Bell, favoured. He was now arguing in favour of killing everyone on the estate.
''The local government isn't exactly incorruptible'' he pointed out. ''They'll look the other way for a consideration.''
What he was proposing was another Dead End scenario - which was the last thing she wanted.
''How do we kill an immortal?'' Collins asked.
''We imprison him - somewhere like Lien Yu. OK, it'll be for a very long time, if not forever - but doesn't he draw his power from killing Hall and Saunders? If he can't do that, won't he grow weaker over time?''
No one knew the answer to that.
John put forward another objection. ''What happens when Martin uses his powers against the strike team? And there may be other metas there - not even the Flash keeps track on them all.''
''Obviously, Agent Diggle.'' Bell never seemed to tire of emphasising the difference in their ranks. ''We take him out first.''
And therein lay bell's weakness, Lyla thought. He'd just proposed a possible surgical strike that wouldn't involve collateral damage - and he hadn't realised he'd done so.
''You're right - and wrong'' she told him. ''We're not going to attack the Savage estate but we are going to take out Martin. The Flash may not know all the metas, but he's assured me he's never come across one who has the same level of weather control abilities as Martin.''
The revelations about Savage's plans - as per the leaked report - had made the immortal and his followers legitimate targets for A.R.G.U.S. She didn't think anyone at this table would disagree with assassinating a criminal to save countless other lives. But her own decision had left her with a problem - who was going to be the shooter? The most obvious choice was now buried in the middle of nowhere - having made a decision she was struggling to understand.
''Bell'' she turned to him. ''I'll need a list of the half dozen best marks-people we have.''
She walked back towards her office, parting company on the way from John, who was in the middle of inducting a group of new recruits. (Was I ever that green and keen, she thought, with regard to some of them?). It was there that she found a new irritation. Rip Hunter had called three times, wanting to see her. She was about to hurl the screwed-up requests into the bin, when she had an idea of another way to solve the Martin problem.
X
''I've told you both now.''
That answered their question before either of them asked it.
''Stop doing that!'' Sara snapped.
''When you're standing so close and thinking about me, I can't help it.''
''That's true'' Mick allowed. ''It's an old power not a new one. But it's not the point.'' He glowered at his partner. '''We both agreed, no kamikaze stuff.''
''And I haven't died. '' he paused. ''Let's look at this head on. I don't know what my limits are - but I'm pretty certain it would take something mega for me to have to go full steam - I can't make a decision about something like that until it happens.''
''We've seen you die once'' Sara was still angry. ''Neither of us wants to see it again.''
''I'm not too keen on the idea either. But I'll do it if the stakes are high enough.''
He will, Mick thought. He may be careful not to show it, but inside, he's exactly the person he was at the Occulus wellspring, in the original timeline.
Sara was silent, remembering the old memories - it had only been in those last moments that the old her had realised he really was someone she could have loved. It was still true - on both sides - although neither of them were quite there yet.
But there was one thing she could do. And she didn't care if Leonard knew that last thought.
X
She followed Rip into his office (which had been Eve's) and closed the door firmly. Outside, the other's were still mulling over what they'd just heard.
''Yes, we need his skills but we're not going to use him as a crystal ball every time we need to know what someone's doing.'' she said flatly. ''I expect you to back me up with that.''
He stared at her for a moment. He'd long suspected that she was a stronger character than him, but she had never before shown it in such an open, confrontational manner.
''You're right but -''
''Urgent incoming message, Captain Hunter.'' Morris interrupted. It looked like a deliberate ploy but the A.I. wasn't that devious.
Rip turned and looked at the message on the screen. He was both relieved ad surprised.
''It's from Lyla Michaels'' he told Sara. ''She want's to see me - and you.''