Chapter Text
Things moved faster than Strange expected. After Sara’s announcement, everyone with any knowledge of science, technology, or both gathered quickly. Strange and Behrad led the group back to the ship - Strange figured they would need some help with the magical side of this project. Almost immediately after they arrived in the lab, a large, clear dry erase board was immediately pulled out. Strange believed it was Ray who did so - he’d had a brief introduction with the former Legend shortly after Ray had arrived; Strange liked him well enough, though he was a bit overly optimistic.
It didn’t take long for the conversation to start.
“So!” Cisco announced. “We should probably start with the tech we’ve got.” We,” he gestured to himself, Caitlin, Barry, and Chester. “have devices that could create breaches to other Earths, before the whole ‘end of the world’ thing, we have current tech for teleportation, but nothing multidimensional, and we have a lot of tech for stabilizing stuff. More than I’m comfortable with thinking about, if I’m being honest. Anyone else?” Brainy had a contemplative look on his face. He moved over to the board, picking up a marker and writing,‘Known Tech,’ in neat, blocky script. He listed Cisco’s tech under it. “We have our own addition.” Brainy said. He wrote ‘Phantom Zone Portal Gun’ on the board. Lena immediately let out an objection, “What? That almost got Kara killed! We’re not-”
“Lena! I’m not suggesting we use the portal gun as a whole!” Brainy interjected. Lena’s mouth closed. She raised an eyebrow. “Then what are you suggesting?”
“I’m suggesting that we take note of the portal gun’s ability for such long distance travel, not exactly through the easiest area of the universe to navigate, and not exactly the kind of portal necessary, but more toward how it harnesses the necessary energy without being explosive or unstable...at least not too unstable.”
Lena nodded reluctantly. “That makes sense, but we have to be careful.”
“Of course.” Brainy assured. “Who’s next?”
“Behrad and Jax stood as one, before looking at each other curiously. Jax broke the silence first. “I’m Jax, nice to meet you.” He said, extending a hand. Behrad smiled, accepting the handshake. “I’m Behrad. You’re one of the OG Legends right? Sara’s mentioned you before! What do you do?” He said, clearly excited at meeting an OG that wasn’t Mick, Ray, or Sara.
Something sad passed over his face, before vanishing. “I used to have powers.” Jax said, quieter than usual. “But, mostly, I was the ship’s mechanic. I fixed things when they broke, which happened...often.” Behrad’s eyes lit up. “No way! I’m the Waverider’s mechanic too!” He whirled around, facing Brainy, who was still standing in front of the board. “The ship has a lot of futuristic and super advanced tech! There has to be something in it that could help with the portal devices!” Rory, who they previously hadn’t realized was there, spoke up . “Time couriers.”
Jax’s eyes widened. “Yes!” Jax said. “Time couriers already produce portals, not just to different locations, but different times! If we combine that with Cisco and Brainy’s tech…” Brainy, Cisco, and Lena were getting more excited by the second, and Jax and Behrad were looking at them, and each other, grinning like fools. Felicity, who had been watching the exchange with an amused expression, smiled. “Well, sounds like we’ve got a plan!”
“Yes!” Cisco said enthusiastically. Despite the insanity of Strange’s story, he had hope. They’re were so many of them, and they all - mostly, at least - trusted each other. They had this. “Okay, I think we should all go get the tech, and start!” he suggested. Behrad nodded. “I’ll grab a few couriers, we can go collect everything, and then get inventing!” Ray, who hadn’t said anything so far, made a victorious gesture, pumping his fist in the air.
Strange figured they had this handled for now. Even though they needed devices to help keep multiple portals open, it didn't mean they couldn’t send a team to go get people while they were brainstorming.
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After the science group went to the lab, Sara, Barry, and Kara led the rest of the heroes to the bridge. They weren’t idle long before Strange returned, a look of hope on his face. “They, actually, seem to have this covered for now. I think we should take a team to a dimension while they’re busy.” he addressed everyone in the room - the bridge was full to bursting. Even with some people in the library, and trying to stay spaced out, the Waverider wasn’t made to hold 30 heroes at the same time.
Sara nodded. “Okay, but..” She spun around. She had been at the very front of the group, facing Strange, so turning faced her towards the group of heroes. “Is there ANYONE that isn’t here?” Kara and Barry raised their hands. “Who?” Sara asked.
“There’s a few people we know.” Barry said. “But it’s...complicated.”
“Can we trust them?” Sara questioned, interested. Barry made a face, moving an open hand in the ‘so-so’ gesture. “Well.” Sara said, sighing. “Do you think they would be threats?” Barry shook his head. He turned to Frost, who was leaning on the command table in the middle of the room. “Frost, do you know where..”
She groaned. “Yes, I can find Mark, but ONLY because I know this is urgent. And you owe me one.”
“Thank you.” Barry said. “You know I’d do it, but you’re the only one who knows where he is. Um, also, is there any way you could find Lisa Snart and Hartley Rathaway too? Hartley will probably help, but Lisa…” Frost waved her hand in the air. “Yes, yes, I’ll find them, but if what you told me is true, it won’t be easy to find Lisa, much less convince her to come with me. And I’m assuming you want me to avoid kidnapping.” Barry nodded, ignoring the rhetorical question.
Sara cut in. “Lisa?”
“Yeah, Lisa Snart...oh.” A guilty look took over Barry’s face. “I’m so sorry. If you don’t want us to call Lisa…”
“No.” Sara said sharply. “I probably should’ve talked to her a long time ago, but…” She shook her head. “No, call her, if she wants to come, that’s great. But, bring Rory with you, trust me. It might make things...somewhat better. Maybe.” Ava shot her a concerned look from where she stood in the Library, a clipboard in her hand. Sara sent her a reassuring smile. She didn’t look fully convinced, but went back to whatever was on the clipboard - some sort of list, no doubt.
Frost seemed as confused as Ava, but nodded. “Bring Rory, got it.”
Sara turned and focused on Kara, who had been watching the whole conversation like a tennis match. “Is there someone you know?” Kara nodded. “A few someone’s, actually. I think I’ll go get them, it’ll be the fastest that way.” Sara nodded. “Okay, I’ll go grab a couple couriers for you guys, then,” She turned back to Strange. “We can go dimension hopping.”
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Behrad met her in the fabrication room, where they had taken to keeping a large stash of couriers. Sara had nearly ran into him as he was exiting the room. He was holding two couriers - no problem, they had nine in the fabrication room alone. “Hey!” He said, grinning at her.
“Hey B!” She said, raising an eyebrow. “So, are things going good? Strange seemed impressed.” If possible, his grin got wider. “Yep! We already have a plan! Well, most of one. But it seems pretty great so far!”
She couldn’t help but smile back, nearly as wide as his. She had always found Behrad’s optimism, nonchalance, and occasional Woodstock vibes somewhat refreshing. They had bonded pretty quickly when he first joined the Legends - he had helped her - and Ava too, somewhat - lighten up a little. In return, Sara had supported him 100% in being himself, and learning how to use the totem, rather than him becoming the lawyer his parents wanted him to be. After they all got they’re memories of the old timeline’s Zari back, she nearly had heart failure. Not just because of the fact they had all forgotten a team member, but because that timeline’s Behrad had died. And then, it had
During one of her turns outside the totem, she had asked Zari about what exactly happened to Behrad then. Other than knowing he died before he joined the Legends, she hadn’t known any details. Zari had gone to the kitchen, made two cups of hot cocoa, and told Sara the whole horrific story, from being on the run, to the day they got cornered, and Behrad had been shot protecting her.
Sara hadn’t been able to keepall her tears at bay. The thought of Behrad being killed so brutally physically hurt, and if he noticed Sara being overprotective of him on missions the next few weeks, he didn’t mention it. She had only been able to deal with his death at the hands of Charlie’s sisters so well because she knew the team needed a leader then, especially Zari. Sara couldn’t afford to be upset. Thankfully, that had been reversed, and there had been relatively little fallout, aside from a good dose of trauma for both siblings.
And she found herself being suddenly thankful, as Behrad stood grinning in front of her. Not just thankful, but...She just...hoped. Hoped that this brand new fight wouldn’t be as hard as the last several. That there would be less death. Hoped that, for once, everyone would get out in one piece, and that they might even get more allies, without losing any. Resurrections or not.
She gave him a quick hug. When she pulled back, he tilted his head to one side. “What was that for?” He asked. “It’s not unwelcome or anything, but.”
“No reason.” Sara said. “Just...happy everything is going smoothly so far.” He nodded, a rare serious look flitting across his face for a second. He gave her a reassuring look. “Don’t worry too much.” He told her, giving her a mock-stern look. “We’ve got this. Everything will be fine, you’ll see. We have a ship full of superheroes!” She laughed at his utterly starstruck expression, before walking into the fabrication room to grab the couriers she needed. “See you later, B.” She said over her shoulder as he headed back toward the lab. Sara took a deep breath.
Things were fine. There was nothing to worry about.
Yet.