Earth 1, Star City/Acheron/Central City
''It's very simple'' Lyla Michaels said. She looked at Sara. ''You take out Martin - Mark Martin. I release Heywood into your custody''. The last was addressed to Rip. ''He's your friend, so you say, maybe you can persuade him to drop this investigation - or join you.''
Deja vu, Sara thought, like a lot of things lately. She recalled when, in the previous timeline, Rip had asked her to kill Martin Stein if need be. Once again, there was a Mick/Chronos to contend with, Leonard was faced with the possibility of death (however remote he might think that was) - what would come next?
''I'd like to have some time to think about it.'' Sara stalled.
Lyla's face showed a mixture of frustration and irritation. Sara guessed that her old boss still hoped she would come back - not a chance. ''Heywood's not going anywhere'' she finally said.
Rip started to argue with her, the moment they were out of the A.R.G.U.S. building.
''What's the problem? You get rid of one bad guy and Heywood - whom I can assure you is a good guy - goes free. He can maybe help us with the Dibney problem.''
Sara wasn't sure if she could mention that final assassination that had made her walk away from the League of Assassins - but he would point out that she had been a vigilante after that and then gone to work for A.R.G.U.S. -not exactly keeping her hands clean.
''I don't want to kill any more'' she got out.
His face also showed frustration. ''With the bunch we're up against, you might not have a choice.''
X
''I'll do it'' Leonard said.
He was nearly as good a shot as she was - Sara was on the point of agreeing when Naomi intervened.
''I've got a better idea. The Flash can time travel, isn't that right?''
''Yes'' Ray admitted. ''But -''
''I know - he's doesn't kill. But he could go back in time and bring Floyd forwards.''
''He did that with me once'' Leonard remembered.
Sara took a deep breath. ''You'd only have him back for a short while'' she pointed out. She hadn't had time to have it out with Naomi about the dead Earth Xer - or maybe she was just ducking the issue.
''I know that'' the younger woman was impatient. ''But he's a far better bet than either of you two. ''
Which was true - and the majority of the Legends agreed with the idea, the now recovered Carter, together with Kendra, being chosen to do the asking.
''I could do with asking him something too'' Leonard put in.
''What?'' from Sara.
He dodged the question. ''It'll be a surprise.''
In fact, he'd already phoned Barry, outlined the problem and asked ''Could you do something like that?''
''Maybe'' Barry hadn't been sure. The original device had been intended for a quite different purpose. He'd have to talk to HR and Cisco.
The final answer had been ''Maybe. Come by and we can try it.''
X
Carter and Kendra were doing their sales pitch in another room.
''This is the prototype.'' HR held up what looked like a chunky armband. ''The best we can do at short notice. It's almost ready, but we're going to have ask you to do a bit of telepathy first - both receiving and sending. We need to link the device's output to the relevant area of your brain.''
''OK. How do you want to do this?''
''You put the helmet on'' HR held up a chunky net of wires. I'll think of something and you'll tell me what it is. Then Cisco thinks of something.''
''Going fishing'' That made Cisco look at HR in disbelief. ''Of course, he doesn't do that'' Leonard added dryly. ''Cisco's thinking about eating.''
''So far so good'' HR said. ''Now send.'' HR got a faraway look for the moment. ''The pipeline.''
What Cisco received made him smile for a moment and then burst out with a shocked ''Do you mind -''
''I thought you liked Lisa?''
''I do, but -'' He stopped - an imaginary kiss from her was nice.
Five minutes later he was able to try the device. It worked.