Earth 1, Star City

Nate's head was spinning as Rip drove them both to Ray Palmer's home. Rip had given him a tour of the Acheron and explained his double life memories. Going to meet the other members of the team seemed a mundane thing by comparison - but he wasn't going to take anything for granted at this stage.

They were still approaching the front door, when it was opened by a blonde woman. Her expression seemed to indicate that there was some kind of trouble afoot. Her words seemed to confirm it, although Nate had no idea who she was talking about.

''Barry called'' she told Rip. 'He went to the rendezvous place but Naomi and Floyd weren't there. Ray's in his office, looking for them.''

''Ray -'' Rip stopped in mid speech. ''Nate, this is Sara. She'll introduce you to the others. I'll be down as soon as I can.'' With that he headed for the stairs.

''I'm Sara Lance'' the blonde woman informed him. ''The others are this way.''

''I take it you're the second in command?''

''We don't really have ranks''

X

Rip hurried into Ray's office, to find him studying what appeared to be an aerial map on his computer screen. He gave a brief glance in Rip's direction.

''She's on a plane - and I assume Lawton's with her. They seem to be heading for the island where Savage's estate is.''

''How do you know?'' Rip demanded.

''I planted a micro-tracker on her - or rather in her, just under the skin.'' Ray looked a bit shame-faced. 'She was asleep at the time. I wasn't really sure what she was going to do.''

Rip stared at him. It wasn't like Palmer to be so - well, sneaky. But this news was bad - the others needed to be told and a plan made.

X

Sara had finished the introductions, but not explained why they had been selected for Rip's original team. Nate was trying to work out that very problem.

''They're headed for Savage's estate'' Rip announced, as soon as he and Ray came into the room.

''Lawton's an anachronism'' Professor Martin Stein said.

''We have to send him back before something goes wrong'' Rip agreed. ''Sara?''

''They're both my friends - or were - but this is beyond'' the blonde woman concurred.

''What is this?'' Nate asked, a bit hesitantly, not sure he would get an answer in the midst of what appeared to be an urgent matter.

''Lawton worked for A.R.G.U.S. but he helped us when we attacked - some bad characters - unfortunately he got killed in the process. Naomi. his girlfriend, joined us after that. Lyla Michaels wanted a man called Mark Martin taken off the board - in fact she made that the price of your freedom. Michaels wanted Sara to do it. Leonard offered to stand in for her. Then Naomi suggested going back in time and 'borrowing' Lawton for the occasion. He did the job but now he and Naomi have headed off. We need to find them and send him back to where we got him from.''

''Is that the anachronism thing?'' Nate asked. His head felt as if it was spinning again after what he'd just heard.

''Yes'' that was Stein. ''The past is like a tapestry. Pull one thread out and the whole thing can unravel. Between the time we took him from and his death, Lawton took part in an important mission with some of us. If he isn't present for that event or the one at which he died, those events will change - reality may change for all of us. We know from the experiences of a friend of ours that such changes can be for the worse.''

There was one thing that was bothering Nate. ''You said someone was 'taken off the board' so I could go free?''

''What he was preparing to do would have cost maybe millions of lives.'' Rip told him.

Nate swallowed. He knew about government agencies like A.R.G.U.S. but this seemed more ruthless than he would have expected from Rip.

''We're going after them so we can return Lawton to his own time. Naomi -''Rip looked at Sara.

''Send her back to her bar'' the blonde woman said flatly. ''No breach device. She can't be on the team after this.''

''And we can still keep an eye on her whereabouts'' Ray Palmer pointed out.

''So where do I fit into this?'' Nate asked, hesitant once again.

''You investigate - there's something we'd like you to look into for us. But first, there's the matter of Ralph Dibney.''

''What about Dibney?''

''He did some work for you recently - as a result of which his office was burgled. He was looking for you following your detention by A.R.G.U.S. when he ran into Mick. He's currently in the basement here.''

''Locked in the basement'' Stein was quick to point out.''

''You're keeping his prisoner?'' Nate managed to get out.

''Yes - we'd like you to talk him out of going to the authorities.''

Swallowing, Nate e thought, was not a sufficient reaction, to what he'd just heard.