Earth 1, The Caribbean
Reluctantly, Nikki turned to look at Vandal Savage, who'd been standing just behind her while she conducted the battle. She was more than annoyed about the way things had turned out and expected to be on the receiving end of a blast of anger from him. Not only had the project not come anywhere near its target - Lucy/Evelyn Sharpe but Chronos was lost to them. Instead he had a reflective expression on his face.
''Interesting'' there was a slight edge to his tone but it didn't seem to be directed at her. ''They didn't hold anything back and yet they barely won. They've exposed their weaknesses in the process.''
That was one way of looking at it, she admitted. Like really pushing a piece of machinery to its limits to find out if it had flaws.
''Make a few copies of your recording'' he told her. ''General Lance's colleagues can analyse them. In the meantime, we need to adjust our plans.''
He told her what he wanted her to do and left to pass the same message on to Cassandra.
Nikki turned and stared at the doorway through which he'd gone, a bemused expression on her face.
''Kaznia?'' she asked her departed boss. ''Kaznia?''
X
He knew where Cassandra was but chose to take the long route via the beach, thinking as he went. Not all of the opponents that he'd been watching impressed him very much. Green Arrow had taken archery to a new level with his range of specialised arrows but was otherwise little different from a medieval bowman. Some of Green Arrow's associates seemed to be little more than costumed characters with guns or martial arts skills - there were plenty of those about. The exception was the tall black man, who had an interesting line in tech-spheres - Nikki should work on something like that - when she had the time. The so-far unseen, but effective, Smoak was also worth further investigation.
And the Legends? This time round, they weren't unknowingly following the plans laid down for them by the Time Master's Council. Caspar and Dronon hadn't known the other Captain, Baxter, was still alive - until she'd reassembled the original Legends team. They were different in subtle ways - not so subtle in the case of the one who was supposed to be dead by now. Savage suspected that one had discovered Holaristan technology had its downside, just as he himself had. Who were those extra members and where had they come from - including the gun-toting woman who'd appeared for the first time during the recent battle?
His chain of thought broke, as he saw Cassandra walking up the beach towards him. She'd plainly been on her way to see Alice and had veered off to meet him.
Filling her in on what had happened, he saw dismay settle on her face.
''It's a set-back, I admit'' he told her ''but it also gives us an opportunity to study the opposition - and believe me - they have weaknesses we can exploit. In the meantime -'' he told her what he'd told Nikki.
''Are you sure?''
''A third-rate country, ripe for development? It's perfect, given our access to Time Master technology.''
X
Sitting on the veranda of her house, Alice made small changes to the internal structure of her ears - not quite into the original form but something close to that. She could clearly hear the father-daughter conversation taking place about fifty yards away.
When he came up the steps, she reverted her ears to the human pattern and gave him a welcoming smile. He bent down to kiss her - the last of his irritation vanishing as he did so - and accepted her invitation to sit beside her.
''I have to go abroad, on an extended business trip'' he began - as if she didn't already know that - she thought ironically. ''I'd like it if you came with me?''
''Where?'' she asked, feigning ignorance.
He tod her.
''Isn't it rather cold there?''
''You'd look good in a fur coat.''
He meant a compliment, she knew. With an effort she kept her face pleasant. Her species took pride in their pelts and the thought of killing other species to make garments revolted her.
''I'd have plenty of business meetings'' he pressed ''so, if you don't want to see the sights - you could breach back here for a bit of sun and sea.''
''Twenty-four hours to think about it?'' she asked. What she really needed was a chance to get this new information to Mallam.
X
He'd listened to what she had to say and his first reaction was a scornful one.
''This Savage has an unfortunate habit of losing valuable assistants it seems - General Lance, Mark Martin - now Chronos. Perhaps he isn't such a good choice as a potential ally.''
''Was that truly your idea, Majesty?'' she enquired.
How well she'd come to know him. He gave a sardonic grin.
''No - stooge is a far more accurate description. He's keeping the Earth authorities occupied, while my plans are going ahead, unchallenged.''
''How are things progressing?'' she asked, with genuine interest.
''My teams have made substantial scientific surveys and picked out some potential sites. The planet is going to suit us very well.''