Earth 1, Naomi's Bar/Coast City

She spluttered with laughter when she read the headlines. So, the High and Mighty Legends had had to go on the run! She wondered if she and her team would come across any of them while hitting the streets. Perhaps we could turn some of them in, she thought cattily.

But now, there was something else on her mind.

''I need a burglar'' she thought aloud. ''A good one.''

Unfortunately the best burglar she knew was one of the people she'd just been mocking. As well as being someone who definitely would not help her.

''Hey, Ted'' she said in a louder tone, not really expecting to get much in the way of an answer. ''Where can I find a good burglar?''

He looked at her for a moment to see if she was serious, then said ''Echo.''

She had to think for a moment to work out who he meant. 'Echo' was that freckle-faced, red-haired, kid who was always either surfing or beachcombing.

''Serious?'' her tone doubted it.

''She's a meta. So they say.''

X

Naomi went so far as to invite the girl for a drink - non-alcoholic considering her age - at which the kid wrinkled her nose a bit. But Naomi kept things legal at the bar. It was good tactics to be friendly with the local cops.

When Echo showed her talent, which was to take the form of anyone she'd been able to touch - in this case Naomi herself - the latter began to think it was possible.

''I need you to get into STAR Labs in Central City'' she said. ''What I want is one of these.'' She'd drawn a pretty accurate picture of a personal breach device. Can you do that?''

Echo looked at the drawing for a moment and then said ''Sure.'' She named her price, adding ''Payment when I get back.'' She'd didn't show any curiosity as to what the device was, which was a good thing in Naomi's book.

Echo strolled away, mildly interested in the fact that this was the second time recently when someone wanted something from STAR Labs. Some time ago a lady called Darhk had wanted some files copied from the computer in one of the labs. She already done her preparation by joining a public tour and getting to shake hands with three of the staff.

X

Echo came back a week later with the right device. Naomi paid the price without question, then studied the girl for a moment.

''I could put some other work you way -''

Echo was shaking her head. ''Nah. I only work when I need the cash, which I don't right now.''

''Suit yourself'' It wasn't that important. The next step in her plan was. ''Kaznia, here I come.''

X

Nora hadn't been happy with keeping this from Ray but she didn't want to say anything before she knew whether it was going to work. She'd disguised the print-outs from the files Echo had brought her as a photo album, using her magical ability to do so.

When she'd studied them, she'd gone to see an alchemist/magic potion maker. in Coast City.

''Mirakuru?'' he'd stared up at her. ''That's nasty stuff, Nora.''

''I don't want the stuff itself'' she'd told him. ''STAR Labs analysed it and made a cure. One of its characteristics is to heal - Slade Wilson would have died of his burns otherwise. STAR Labs never appear to have tried to work out what the healing part of the formula was.''

He still hadn't been in favour. She'd thrown in the sweetener. ''All I want is one dose of whatever it is that cures. You can either patent that or give it away.''

''You don't look sick -''

''It's for a friend''

''To whom you might not be doing any favours.'' He'd looked at her for a long moment. ''I'll look into it - no promises.''

''You're a star'' she told him.

''Humph.''

It was going to be difficult getting back to him in the present circumstances, but she'd work something out.