Earth 1, The Caribbean/Star City
Vandal Savage called his daughter's house while she and Nikki were having lunch.
''Take a look at the local Iowa news'' he ordered her. ''I'm on my way over.'' Then he put the phone down.
Cassandra stared at the instrument in her hand for a moment. She couldn't recall a time when he had ever been as brusque towards her.
''Dad wants us to look at the local Iowa news'' she told Nikki.
The other woman went through into the office and switched on the computer. Cassandra followed her, the same thought being on both women's minds. Mark Martin had gone to that state, to practice using his skills to ensure a bumper corn harvest. Had something gone wrong?
When Nikki found a local news video, it was worse than they had expected.
''Further news on the man found dead at the side of the highway near Orange City, Iowa. He has been positively identified as Mark Martin, known felon and meta-human, said to be able to control weather events. The local Sheriff's department has stated that Martin was shot. Investigations are ongoing.''
X
''You still think Lucy had some kind of accident?'' Savage snapped out, as soon as he walked into his daughter's house. '''The girl played you for a fool!''
Cassandra flushed - he'd never spoken to her like that before.
''I trusted her too'' Nikki pointed out coolly. ''And I never saw any indication that you didn't.''
Cassandra felt glad that her friend was defending her - but also nervous on Nikki's behalf. Savage was glaring at her now.
Savage was furious at his plans going so badly wrong - Lance and now Martin. He wanted to lash out at someone and these two young women were the closest targets. The fact that Nikki was standing up to him added fuel to the fire - but he couldn't help being aware that she was right. She was also far too valuable to him, a better asset than Lance or Martin or even Cassandra. He gradually forced his temper back into its box.
''Alright, alright'' he growled. ''But I want to know who this girl is and who she's working for - who's on to us other than those idiots of Hunters. ''
''You're not the only one'' Cassandra murmured. She wanted to strangle the wretched girl.
X
''He did it'' Rip told Lyla Michaels. ''Now it's your turn.''
Her lips compressed slightly. She didn't like being given orders by a hack writer, especially not in her own office. And Heywood could still be a security risk. But she had given her word.
''Bring Heywood here'' she told her assistant.
Turning back to Rip, she continued. ''He's in your custody now. I'll be holding you responsible for any security breaches he causes.''
''I get that'' he said shortly. Privately, he was praying that he would be able to convince Nate to keep everything that had happened to himself.
X
He was taken out of his cell. Then they cuffed his hands behind him and marched him through the corridors, towards the boss woman's office. He supposed this was going to be another, pretty useless, interrogation session.
He stopped in his tracks, when he saw Rip standing next to Michaels' desk. The guards nudged him forward. He had a thousand questions but he wasn't going to ask them here.
''Sign here'' Michaels held a pen out to Rip. 'Take Heywood out to Hunter's car.''
The guards turned him about and marched him out of the building. They did put him into Rip's car, still handcuffed, and put the seatbelt around him. Rip came out as well, walking slowly to the car and, at last, getting in.
''Rip'' the word burst out of Nate. ''What the -''
''There's lot to explain and show you.'' Rip leaned over and removed the cuffs, then began to derive off.
He drove for several miles out of town, then turned off down a track into woodland. When he finally pulled up in what appeared to be a deserted clearing, Nate began to feel worried. Had Rip flipped or got involved in something really bad?
''Why are we here?'' he stuttered out.
''So I can show you this'' Rip pointed some kind of small device at the empty area directly in front of the car.
Nate's eyes almost popped out of his head. It was a UFO!