First off, happy new year to all of you. This is either going to be the last update of 2024 or the first update of 2025 depending what time I finish this chapter at, but either way, I'm thrilled that how far I've taken this series and with the reception I've gotten to it. Thank you all for standing by me, since I know that with my old style of writing, it might've gotten difficult, but I think it was worth it to get to where we are now. Also, while I'm flattered by the number of people who want to do artwork for this series, I'm not currently looking for artists at this time, I'll let you know when that changes. And now, on with the chapter.
When Jesse and Cisco arrived at the vaults, they found that the intruder was long gone and the vault in chaos.
"What happened?" Jesse asked their new head of security, Ralph Dibny.
"We were blindsided. Whoever the intruder was, they were a meta." Ralph said.
"But I thought that we kept metahuman power dampeners active on this floor to prevent metas from stealing our stuff. The only ones immune are metas on the Justice League who were given special tech that bypasses the dampeners by Dr. Danvers herself." Jesse said, since in a professional situation, she had to refer to Kara by her professional title.
"We checked that. Power to the dampeners was disabled and whoever did it was smart enough to prevent the failsafes from kicking in and rerouting power from other generators. They knew our security protocols and took out my men like they were nothing." Ralph said.
"Was anything stolen?" Jesse asked.
"Just one thing. Something called a tachyon prototype. I don't know what it is, science isn't my thing, but whatever it is, I'm guessing it's important if it was down here." Ralph said.
"You have no idea. Especially since that prototype was a joint project between Argo Enterprises and Mercury Labs. It's a one of a kind device that's irreplaceable. And now it's gone." Jesse said.
"What was the purpose of that tech?" Cisco asked, since while he'd heard about the project, he didn't know what it was.
"It's an experimental energy source. I can't disclose much beyond that." Jesse answered.
"Anyways, did you manage to get a good look at the guy before he left?" Cisco asked.
"No, he was too fast. Like a blur. Almost like he was the." Ralph began, only to be cut off by the arrival of the Flash.
"Sorry I'm late. What's going on?" Flash asked.
"Not sure who called you, but they were right too, since I think that this robbery was committed by someone with your powers. Another speedster." Ralph said.
"Why, what did you see?" Flash asked.
"I didn't see anything and security footage was wiped clean, but the guards who survived claimed that the attacker was a blur, but the last thing they saw was a flash of red lightning and in it, a man wearing some kind of yellow suit." Ralph said, causing both Flash and Jesse to freeze.
"It's him. The man who murdered my father is back." Jesse said.
"What did he take?" Flash asked.
"A tachyon prototype. But the good news is that due to their energy signature, once they're activated, they can be tracked." Jesse said.
"And if whoever stole them is smart enough to know how to use them, then they're likely smart enough to know that and how to shield it from tracking. But it's still worth a shot." Flash agreed.
"I'm gonna call in the CCPD." Ralph said.
"Go ahead, but I doubt it would do much good, since a speedster is out of their league. My team and I are likely the only ones equipped to deal with him. We'll find a way to get your property back Ms. Chambers." Flash said.
"Wait, if you're going after the guy who killed my dad, I want in." Jesse said.
"Too dangerous. I understand your feelings, believe me, I do, but this is not something for a regular scientist. Leave this to the heroes of the Justice League who are training for this sort of thing." Flash said, not arrogantly, but genuinely, since he understood Jesse's desire for vengeance better than she could imagine, but he wouldn't allow her to put herself in harm's way, since it was more likely that she'd get herself killed.
"Flash, please. I have to do this." Jesse said.
"I'm sorry, but it's out of the question. This guy is too dangerous to leave to chance. But we will catch him. Eventually." Flash promised before sped out.
"I'm not sitting this one out Cisco." Jesse said.
"Jesse, I'm for that, but how are we supposed to stop a metahuman like that? We should leave him to the Flash. Even if we had powers, we couldn't stop him." Cisco said.
"You really think I'm going to let something like that stop me? I'll find a way." Jesse said as she walked away while Ralph went to check on his men, leaving Cisco alone.
"Like I said, we couldn't stop him even if we did have powers." Cisco said quietly as he lifted his right hand and closed it into a fist, right before it began to glow with some kind of blue energy.