## S.T.A.R. Labs - Main Laboratory
The soft hydraulic hiss of the laboratory doors announced Harrison Wells' arrival with perfect timing—not so early as to suggest he'd been monitoring their conversation, but not so late as to miss the obvious excitement and energy that followed a successful superhero operation. His wheelchair moved through the space with practiced ease, and his expression carried exactly the right blend of paternal pride, scientific curiosity, and gentle concern that the situation required.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," Wells said, his voice warm with what appeared to be genuine pleasure at finding them all together. "But I couldn't resist stopping by to congratulate our young hero on his remarkable debut."
Karan quickly pocketed his phone, though not before catching Barry's knowing look. The text from Kendra would have to wait—dealing with Eobard Thawne required his full attention, even when the man was wearing Harrison Wells' face and performing concern with Oscar-worthy precision.
"Dr. Wells," Karan said, managing what he hoped was an appropriately modest smile. "I was just telling everyone that today was a team effort. Without Cisco's technical support and Barry's encouragement, I never would have been prepared for something that complex."
"Modest as always," Wells replied, wheeling closer to the group with that calculating gaze that never seemed to miss any detail. "Though I have to say, the footage of your coordination with Supergirl was extraordinary. Two heroes who had never worked together before, executing a perfect rescue operation under extreme time pressure."
Cisco bounced excitedly, clearly unable to contain his enthusiasm despite the late hour and the emotional exhaustion that followed any crisis situation. "Dr. Wells, you should see the telemetry data from Karan's flight! He achieved Mach 1.2 on his second day of aerial operations! The energy consumption patterns alone are revolutionary!"
"I've reviewed the preliminary data," Wells said, his smile widening in a way that would have seemed paternal if Karan hadn't known what lurked behind it. "The acceleration of Karan's abilities is remarkable. Almost unprecedented, in fact."
"Unprecedented how?" Barry asked, moving closer to the group with the kind of casual interest that suggested he was fishing for specific information.
Wells gestured toward the holographic displays that were still showing various readings from the rescue operation. "Most enhanced individuals require months or years to develop their capabilities to operational effectiveness. What Karan accomplished today suggests either an unusual degree of natural talent, or..."
He paused, letting the implications hang in the air.
"Or what?" Caitlin prompted, her scientific curiosity overriding any social considerations about pressing their benefactor for information.
"Or his abilities are fundamentally different from typical metahuman enhancements," Wells continued, his eyes never leaving Karan's face. "The energy signatures we're detecting, the rapid skill development, the apparent lack of physical limitations... it's almost as if his powers aren't bound by the same rules that govern other enhanced individuals."
Karan felt a chill run down his spine at the accuracy of Wells' assessment. The man was probing, testing, trying to understand exactly what kind of abilities he was dealing with. And the worst part was that most of his observations were completely correct—the divine armor did operate according to different rules than typical metahuman powers.
"What kind of different rules?" Barry asked, clearly thinking along the same lines.
"Consider the source," Wells said, settling back in his wheelchair with the air of someone preparing to deliver a lecture. "Most metahuman abilities derive from exposure to dark matter during the particle accelerator explosion. The dark matter interacts with human physiology in ways that enhance existing biological processes—increased muscle density, enhanced neural conductivity, improved cardiovascular efficiency."
He gestured at the displays showing Karan's performance data.
"But Karan's abilities appear to be... supplemental rather than enhanced. As if he's not just an improved human, but a human with access to entirely external power sources."
"External how?" Cisco asked, though his expression suggested he was already forming theories.
"The armor," Wells said simply. "Everything we've observed suggests that Karan's capabilities come from the mythological artifact that fused with him during the explosion, rather than from changes to his own physiology."
The observation was accurate enough to make Karan deeply uncomfortable. Wells was demonstrating understanding of his abilities that went beyond what should have been possible through casual observation and standard testing.
"Does that make a difference practically?" Caitlin asked. "I mean, regardless of the source, Karan's abilities are clearly beneficial for helping people."
"Oh, absolutely," Wells agreed quickly, his tone carrying reassurance that felt carefully calculated. "I'm not suggesting there's anything concerning about Karan's situation. If anything, having access to genuine mythological power could be incredibly advantageous for Central City's protection."
His gaze shifted to Barry, and Karan caught a subtle change in his expression—something that looked almost like challenge or expectation.
"Though it does raise interesting questions about the development potential of our other enhanced individuals. Barry, your own abilities have been progressing steadily, but perhaps not at the accelerated pace we might hope for."
Barry stiffened slightly, and Karan could see the exact moment when Wells' comment hit its intended target. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that working alongside someone with Karan's level of capabilities might provide motivation for you to push your own abilities further," Wells explained, his voice carrying that perfect blend of encouragement and gentle pressure. "Friendly competition, if you will."
"I'm not competing with Karan," Barry said, though there was defensiveness in his tone that suggested the idea had already occurred to him. "We're partners. Our abilities complement each other."
"Of course they do," Wells replied smoothly. "But partnership doesn't preclude individual excellence. In fact, the strongest teams are composed of individuals who are each operating at their maximum potential."
Karan watched the exchange with growing unease. Wells was manipulating Barry's competitive instincts, trying to create pressure for faster development of his speed capabilities. And the worst part was that the manipulation was subtle enough that Barry probably wouldn't recognize it until it was too late.
"Dr. Wells," Karan interjected, trying to redirect the conversation away from Barry's perceived limitations, "Caitlin was showing us plans for expanded training facilities. The designs look incredibly sophisticated."
"Ah, yes!" Wells turned his attention to the architectural displays with obvious enthusiasm. "I'm quite excited about that project. The facility will provide controlled environments for testing various emergency scenarios, with safety protocols comprehensive enough to allow both of you to explore your abilities without risking injury."
Cisco pulled up additional schematics, his engineering excitement overriding any concerns about interpersonal dynamics. "The aerial maneuvering chamber alone is going to be incredible—variable atmospheric conditions, adjustable gravity simulation, holographic obstacle courses..."
"Holographic obstacles?" Barry asked, his interest clearly piqued despite his earlier defensiveness.
"Hard-light constructs," Cisco explained, gesturing at the technical specifications. "Solid enough to provide realistic training challenges, but programmable enough to adapt to different skill levels and learning objectives."
"The idea," Wells added, "is to create training scenarios that push both of you beyond your current comfort zones. Situations that require maximum performance from your abilities."
There it was again—the subtle pressure for enhanced performance, couched in terms of safety and team development but clearly aimed at accelerating Barry's speed capabilities.
"That sounds incredible," Caitlin said, though her expression suggested she was also picking up on the undercurrents in Wells' presentation. "When would construction begin?"
"Immediately," Wells replied. "In fact, I've already authorized the initial phase of construction. With recent events demonstrating the need for properly trained heroes in Central City, I see no reason to delay."
He turned to look directly at Karan and Barry, his expression carrying that familiar intensity that always made Karan feel like he was being dissected at the molecular level.
"Of course, the training facility will be most effective if both of you are committed to pushing yourselves. Exploring the absolute limits of your capabilities, testing boundaries you might not be comfortable crossing under normal circumstances."
"What kind of boundaries?" Barry asked, though his voice carried a note of wariness that suggested he was beginning to sense the direction of Wells' comments.
"Speed boundaries, primarily," Wells said, focusing his attention entirely on Barry. "Your current velocity achievements are impressive for someone at your level of development, but they represent only a fraction of what speedster abilities can theoretically accomplish."
"How much of a fraction?" Cisco asked, clearly unable to resist the scientific implications.
Wells smiled, and for just a moment, his expression carried something that looked almost predatory. "Based on theoretical calculations and historical precedent? Barry could potentially achieve velocities approaching the speed of light itself."
The laboratory fell silent as everyone processed the implications of that statement.
"The speed of light," Barry repeated slowly. "That's... that's impossible. The energy requirements alone would be—"
"Achievable, with proper motivation and training," Wells interrupted gently. "The Speed Force—the energy field that grants your abilities—has no theoretical upper limit. The only restrictions are psychological and physiological adaptation."
Karan felt his stomach drop as he realized what Wells was doing. The man was planting the idea of light-speed travel in Barry's mind, creating expectations and goals that would drive him toward exactly the kind of velocity development that Eobard needed for his temporal escape plan.
"Dr. Wells," Caitlin said carefully, "wouldn't attempting those kinds of speeds be incredibly dangerous? The physical stresses alone could be fatal."
"Which is why proper training and preparation are essential," Wells replied, his tone carrying reassurance that didn't quite mask the underlying intensity. "But with the right support systems, the right motivation, the right... incentives... I believe Barry could achieve velocities that would make him the most powerful speedster who has ever existed."
The comment hung in the air like a challenge, and Karan could see Barry processing the implications with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The idea of becoming the fastest man alive was obviously appealing, but the pressure to achieve impossible speeds was clearly weighing on him.
"What kind of incentives?" Barry asked finally.
Wells' smile widened, and Karan caught a glimpse of something cold and calculating behind the paternal facade.
"The kind that matter most to heroes like yourselves," Wells said quietly. "The safety of the people you care about. The protection of your city. The knowledge that your abilities could make the difference between life and death for thousands of innocent people."
He gestured toward the news feeds that were still showing coverage of the aircraft rescue.
"Today, Karan saved 186 lives through extraordinary effort and newfound abilities. Imagine what could be accomplished if both of you were operating at your absolute maximum potential. How many more lives could be saved? How many disasters could be prevented?"
The manipulation was masterful—appealing to their deepest motivations while creating pressure for exactly the kind of development that served Eobard's purposes. And the worst part was that most of what he was saying was actually true. Greater abilities would allow them to help more people, save more lives, prevent more disasters.
But Karan also knew that the ultimate goal of Barry's speed development wasn't heroic achievement—it was providing Eobard Thawne with the temporal energy needed to return to his own time period, regardless of what that might cost Barry or anyone else.
"We'll definitely take advantage of the training facilities," Karan said, trying to redirect the conversation toward more immediate concerns. "Though I think we should probably start with basic coordination exercises before we worry about pushing absolute limits."
"Prudent," Wells agreed, though his eyes remained fixed on Barry with obvious expectation. "Though I hope you won't let prudence prevent you from exploring your true potential."
Barry was quiet for a moment, clearly wrestling with the competing pressures of safety, ambition, and the desire to live up to Wells' expectations.
"I want to be the best hero I can be," he said finally. "But I also want to make sure I don't lose sight of why I'm doing this in the first place."
"And what is that reason?" Wells asked softly.
"To help people. To protect the innocent. To make sure that no one else has to go through what I went through when my mother died."
The answer was perfect—noble, personal, emotionally resonant. And Karan could see Wells filing it away as another tool for future manipulation, another pressure point that could be exploited when Barry's development needed additional motivation.
*This is how he does it,* Karan realized, watching the interplay between Barry's genuine heroic instincts and Wells' subtle psychological manipulation. *He takes what's best about people—their compassion, their desire to help others—and uses it to push them toward goals that serve his purposes rather than their own.*
As the conversation continued, with Wells offering encouragement and resources while subtly pressuring for accelerated development, Karan found himself thinking about his text from Kendra and the possibility of expanding their team.
Maybe what they needed wasn't just better training facilities or enhanced individual capabilities. Maybe what they needed was enough allies to make Wells' manipulation more difficult, enough perspectives to recognize when their motivations were being exploited for purposes they didn't understand.
But first, he needed to figure out whether Kendra Saunders was someone who could be trusted with the truth about their situation.
Because if Central City's hero community was going to survive Eobard Thawne's machinations, they were going to need all the help they could get.
—
The conversation about training facilities and speed development was beginning to feel oppressive to Karan, like watching someone slowly being maneuvered into a trap they couldn't see. Wells' manipulation of Barry was masterful—so subtle that even Karan, who knew what the man truly was, could barely detect the pressure being applied. Barry was nodding along with increasingly ambitious training goals, his natural competitive instincts and desire to help people being carefully shaped into exactly the kind of motivation that would drive him toward dangerous velocity experiments.
Karan glanced at his phone, using the motion to check the time while actually thinking about Kendra's text message. Maybe introducing another variable into Wells' carefully controlled environment would disrupt his manipulation enough to give Barry some breathing room. Or maybe it would just give Eobard another person to manipulate and exploit.
Either way, Karan was running out of subtle options for protecting his friend from their guardian's machinations.
"Dr. Wells," he said, interrupting a detailed discussion about velocity measurement techniques, "there's something else we should probably discuss. About team expansion."
Wells' attention shifted to him immediately, those calculating eyes focusing with laser intensity. "Team expansion?"
"Another enhanced individual. Someone I met at the university who seems to be dealing with abilities similar to ours." Karan tried to keep his voice casual, conversational, though he could feel Wells cataloging every micro-expression and vocal inflection. "I think she might benefit from the kind of support and guidance we've received here."
"She?" Wells' eyebrows rose with what appeared to be polite interest, though Karan caught something sharper underneath—the predatory focus of someone scenting new opportunities. "Another student affected by the particle accelerator explosion?"
"Kendra Saunders. We're in a comparative mythology class together." Karan watched Wells' face carefully, looking for any sign of recognition or prior knowledge. "She's been struggling with abilities she doesn't fully understand, trying to figure out how to use them constructively."
"What kind of abilities?" Cisco asked, his engineering curiosity immediately piqued by the prospect of new powers to analyze and understand.
"Flight, enhanced combat capabilities, some kind of connection to historical combat knowledge," Karan replied, sticking to the general description he'd given earlier. "She mentioned feeling like she has access to memories and skills that don't belong to her."
Wells leaned forward slightly, his expression shifting to something that looked like scientific fascination mixed with paternal concern. "Memories that don't belong to her? That's unusual, even by metahuman standards."
"How so?" Barry asked, though he was watching the exchange between Karan and Wells with growing attention.
"Most enhanced individuals experience improvements to existing capabilities—faster reflexes, enhanced strength, improved cognitive processing," Wells explained, his voice taking on that lecture-hall quality he used when discussing theoretical concepts. "But accessing foreign memories suggests something more complex. Possibly even supernatural in origin."
The word "supernatural" hung in the air with deliberate weight, and Karan realized that Wells was probing for specific information about Kendra's abilities and their potential source.
"Supernatural how?" Caitlin asked, her medical training clearly warring with curiosity about phenomena that fell outside conventional scientific understanding.
"Well, consider the precedent," Wells said, gesturing toward Karan with obvious meaning. "We have one student whose exposure to the particle accelerator resulted in fusion with genuine mythological armor. It's not impossible that another student might have experienced a similar connection to historical or mythological sources of power."
Karan felt a chill as he realized that Wells was already forming theories about Kendra that were uncomfortably close to the truth. If Eobard suspected that she was connected to the Hawkgirl reincarnation cycle, he would undoubtedly see her as either a valuable asset or a dangerous variable that needed to be controlled.
"You think her abilities might be mythologically sourced?" Barry asked, his scientific curiosity overriding any concerns about the implications.
"It's certainly possible," Wells replied, his tone carrying that perfect blend of academic speculation and genuine interest. "The particle accelerator explosion created conditions that shouldn't have been scientifically possible. Dark matter interactions that defied conventional physics, energy patterns that seemed to bridge the gap between science and... other forms of reality."
He paused, letting the implications settle before continuing.
"If the explosion could fuse Karan with divine armor from Indian mythology, it could theoretically have triggered connections to other mythological or historical power sources."
Cisco was practically vibrating with excitement now. "Dude, that would mean the explosion didn't just create metahumans—it created a bridge between our reality and mythological dimensions! The scientific implications alone are incredible!"
"The scientific implications are certainly interesting," Wells agreed, though his focus remained fixed on Karan. "But the practical implications might be even more significant. Karan, has Miss Saunders given you any indication of what specific historical period or mythological tradition her abilities might be connected to?"
The question was casual enough, but Karan could feel the weight of genuine curiosity behind it. Wells wanted to know exactly what kind of power Kendra represented, presumably so he could figure out how to exploit or manipulate it.
"She mentioned feeling connected to ancient civilizations, warrior traditions," Karan said carefully. "But she seemed uncertain about the specifics. Like the memories were fragmented or incomplete."
"Fascinating," Wells murmured, his fingers steepling as he processed this information. "Incomplete mythological connections could suggest either partially awakened abilities or interference from modern psychological frameworks trying to rationalize supernatural experiences."
Caitlin was frowning now, her medical instincts clearly concerned about the psychological implications. "Dr. Wells, if this young woman is experiencing fragmented memories that don't belong to her, shouldn't we be considering the possibility of psychiatric complications rather than supernatural explanations?"
"An excellent point," Wells replied, his tone suggesting he'd been hoping someone would raise that concern. "Which is exactly why I think we should invite Miss Saunders to S.T.A.R. Labs for comprehensive evaluation."
The suggestion landed with the weight of inevitability, and Karan realized he'd just walked directly into whatever trap Wells had been setting. By bringing Kendra to the older man's attention, he'd guaranteed that she would be subjected to the same kind of manipulation and control that Barry was experiencing.
"Evaluation?" Barry asked, though his expression suggested he was beginning to sense the same trap Karan was recognizing.
"Medical assessment, psychological evaluation, ability testing," Wells explained, his voice carrying that reasonable, helpful tone that made opposition seem churlish. "The same comprehensive support that we've provided to both of you."
"What if she's not comfortable with that level of... involvement?" Karan asked, trying to find a diplomatic way to express his growing unease.
Wells' smile was warm, paternal, and absolutely terrifying if you understood what it really meant. "Karan, you've experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate enhanced abilities without proper support and guidance. Would you really want Miss Saunders to struggle alone with challenges that we could help her address?"
The manipulation was perfect—appealing to Karan's protective instincts while making any reluctance seem selfish or callous. And the worst part was that Wells was right about the practical benefits of S.T.A.R. Labs' resources. Kendra would genuinely benefit from access to advanced training facilities, medical monitoring, and technical support.
She would also become another pawn in Eobard Thawne's century-spanning game of temporal chess.
"I could mention the possibility to her," Karan said finally, realizing that any attempt to completely avoid the subject would only make Wells more suspicious. "See if she's interested in meeting with the team."
"Actually," Wells said, his voice taking on that tone of sudden inspiration that suggested a carefully planned idea was being presented as spontaneous insight, "why don't we arrange something less formal? A casual introduction, perhaps over dinner here at the facility?"
Cisco perked up immediately. "Like a team dinner! We could cook something amazing, show off the lab, make her feel welcome before we start talking about comprehensive ability assessments and training protocols."
"Exactly what I was thinking," Wells agreed, though his eyes never left Karan's face. "A relaxed social environment where Miss Saunders could meet everyone, see our facilities, get a sense of the supportive community we've built here."
"And where we could get a sense of her capabilities and psychological state," Caitlin added, her medical training making her naturally inclined toward thorough evaluation of new individuals.
Barry was nodding along, clearly warming to the idea. "It would be nice to meet someone else who's going through the same adjustment process we experienced. Plus, if her abilities are as impressive as Karan suggests, she could be a valuable addition to the team."
The conversation was moving with the kind of inexorable momentum that suggested Wells had been planning this exact scenario since the moment Karan mentioned Kendra's existence. Everyone was being maneuvered toward the same conclusion through their own genuine motivations—Cisco's scientific curiosity, Caitlin's medical concerns, Barry's desire for expanded partnership, Karan's protective instincts.
"When would you want to arrange this dinner?" Karan asked, recognizing that resistance at this point would only make Wells more determined to bring Kendra under his direct observation.
"Soon," Wells replied, his smile widening with what appeared to be anticipatory pleasure. "The sooner we can provide Miss Saunders with proper support, the better for everyone involved."
He leaned back in his wheelchair, his expression taking on that familiar look of paternal satisfaction that always made Karan's skin crawl.
"Besides," Wells continued, his voice carrying a note of something that might have been genuine enthusiasm, "I have to admit I'm quite curious about someone whose abilities might complement yours so perfectly. Mythologically sourced flight capabilities, historical combat knowledge, warrior instincts... she sounds like exactly the kind of partner who could help you explore the full potential of your own abilities."
The comment was loaded with implication, and Karan felt a surge of protective anger at the idea of Wells viewing Kendra as a tool for manipulating his development. But he also realized that his reaction was exactly what the older man was probing for—emotional investment that could be exploited for motivational purposes.
"I'll talk to her," Karan said, keeping his voice carefully neutral despite the turmoil in his chest. "See if she's interested in meeting everyone."
"Wonderful," Wells replied, his satisfaction evident. "I have a feeling this is going to be the beginning of something quite extraordinary."
As the conversation shifted to logistics and dinner planning, Karan found himself thinking about the text message waiting on his phone and the coffee date he'd been looking forward to with genuine anticipation. Now that simple meeting had become the first step in drawing Kendra into Eobard Thawne's web of manipulation and control.
But maybe that wasn't entirely negative. If Kendra was as perceptive and capable as she seemed, maybe exposing her to Wells' influence would give her the same opportunities for observation that Karan had been developing. Maybe bringing her into the group would provide another perspective on their guardian's true nature.
Or maybe it would just give Eobard another person to manipulate, another set of abilities to exploit, another emotional connection to weaponize against the people Karan was beginning to care about.
*One crisis at a time,* he reminded himself, watching Wells discuss dinner preparations with the kind of enthusiasm that suggested he was already planning how to use the evening for maximum psychological impact.
Tomorrow he would have coffee with Kendra and figure out how much to tell her about the situation she was being invited into.
The question was whether honesty would protect her from Wells' machinations, or just make her another casualty in a temporal war she had no reason to understand.
Either way, Central City's hero community was about to become significantly more complicated.
And Karan had the uncomfortable feeling that he'd just made that complication inevitable.
—
## Jitters Coffee Shop - Evening Shift
The familiar chime of Jitters' front door announced Kara's arrival with the kind of punctuality that would have impressed her Kryptonian tutors, though they probably wouldn't have understood why she was using her precise time management skills to show up for a minimum-wage barista job rather than something more befitting her heritage and abilities.
"Right on time," Iris called from behind the counter, where she was already in the middle of the evening shift setup routine—checking inventory, cleaning the espresso machine's temperamental components, and arranging pastries with the kind of practiced efficiency that spoke of months spent mastering coffee shop choreography.
"I try not to be late on my second day," Kara replied, tying on her apron and immediately falling into step beside Iris with the easy coordination that had developed between them over their brief acquaintance. "Though I have to admit, I'm still getting used to the whole 'regular human job' schedule."
"Regular human job," Iris repeated with amusement, pausing in her pastry arrangement to give Kara a curious look. "That's an interesting way to put it. What did you do before this?"
Kara felt a momentary panic as she realized her phrasing had been more revealing than intended. "I meant regular job. As opposed to... irregular job? Like freelance work, or..." She gestured vaguely, hoping to convey the concept of non-traditional employment without having to invent an entirely fictional work history.
"Freelance journalism?" Iris suggested, clearly trying to be helpful despite Kara's obvious verbal stumbling.
"Something like that." Kara seized on the explanation gratefully, noting that it was technically accurate even if it omitted certain details about her previous activities involving flight, super strength, and the occasional need to prevent global catastrophes. "What about you? I know you mentioned being in the journalism program, but this seems like it would be pretty demanding alongside coursework."
Iris's expression grew more complicated, a mixture of frustration and determination that suggested the subject carried personal weight. "I was supposed to be finishing an internship at Central City Picture News right now. Instead, I'm here because I made some choices that my supervisors didn't appreciate."
"What kind of choices?"
"The kind where you prioritize the people you care about over professional advancement." Iris began loading coffee beans into the grinder with slightly more force than necessary. "My best friend was in a coma for nine months after the S.T.A.R. Labs explosion. I spent more time at the hospital than I did at work, and when my editors told me to choose between my career and sitting by his bedside..."
She shrugged, the gesture carrying a defiance that suggested she didn't regret her decision despite its professional consequences.
"You chose your friend," Kara said quietly, recognizing the kind of fierce loyalty that reminded her of her own family relationships.
"I chose Barry. And I'd make the same choice again, even knowing how it would turn out." Iris's voice carried absolute conviction. "Some things are more important than career opportunities."
The simple statement hit Kara harder than she'd expected. Here was someone who had sacrificed professional advancement for personal loyalty, who had chosen love over ambition without apparent regret. It was exactly the kind of moral clarity that Kara had been struggling to find in her own life.
"Is he okay now?" Kara asked, beginning to help with the evening prep work while processing this new information about Iris's personal connections. "Your friend?"
"Barry's doing much better. He woke up about two weeks ago, and he's been staying at S.T.A.R. Labs while he recovers." Iris's expression brightened considerably as she talked about her friend's progress. "Actually, it's kind of amazing how well he's doing. The doctors were worried about muscle atrophy, cognitive impairment, all the typical complications from extended coma. But he seems stronger and sharper than ever."
"S.T.A.R. Labs," Kara repeated, her pulse quickening as she recognized the connection to the facility she'd been researching. "That's where Dr. Harrison Wells works, right? The man responsible for the particle accelerator explosion?"
"The same. Barry's living there now, along with another student who was affected by the explosion." Iris paused in her work, studying Kara's face with the kind of journalistic attention that suggested she'd caught the significance of Kara's interest. "Why? Is S.T.A.R. Labs relevant to whatever story you're working on?"
Kara weighed her response carefully, trying to balance her genuine investigative interests with the need to maintain her cover. "I've been researching the long-term effects of the particle accelerator incident for a journalism assignment. The official reports seem... incomplete."
"Incomplete how?"
"There's a significant gap between the number of people who were reportedly exposed to the dark matter wave and the number of people who received follow-up medical care." Kara began wiping down tables, using the mundane task to disguise the intensity of her interest in the subject. "Plus, there have been reports of unusual incidents around the city that seem to correlate with the explosion timeline."
Iris set down her cleaning cloth, her expression shifting to something that looked like professional recognition. "You're talking about the enhanced individuals."
"You've heard the reports?"
"I've been investigating them myself. That's actually part of what got me in trouble at the internship." Iris moved closer, lowering her voice despite the fact that the coffee shop was nearly empty. "My supervisors wanted me to stick to assigned stories about municipal budget hearings and local business profiles. But I kept asking questions about the increase in unusual incidents, the patterns in emergency response calls, the way certain stories seemed to get buried or dismissed."
Kara felt a surge of excitement at finding someone who shared her investigative instincts. "What kind of patterns?"
"Enhanced strength, impossible speed, people describing figures in costume or armor intervening in dangerous situations." Iris pulled out her phone, scrolling through what appeared to be extensive notes and documentation. "The official line is that these are hoaxes, social media pranks, mass hysteria following a traumatic community event."
"But you don't think they're hoaxes."
"I think something happened during that explosion that the authorities either don't understand or don't want to acknowledge publicly." Iris's voice carried the conviction of someone who had spent months researching a story that others preferred to ignore. "And I think there are people in Central City who have been fundamentally changed by their exposure to whatever forces S.T.A.R. Labs unleashed."
The conversation was moving into territory that made Kara both excited and nervous. On one hand, Iris clearly had access to information and sources that could be invaluable for understanding Central City's enhanced community. On the other hand, her investigation was getting uncomfortably close to truths that could compromise the very people she was trying to help.
"Have you been able to make contact with any of these enhanced individuals?" Kara asked carefully.
"Not directly. But Barry..." Iris paused, seeming to weigh how much to reveal. "Barry was affected by the explosion in ways that go beyond just the coma. He's different now. Faster reflexes, better physical condition, more aware of his surroundings. Nothing dramatic enough to be obviously superhuman, but definitely enhanced beyond normal human capabilities."
"And he's living at S.T.A.R. Labs with Dr. Wells."
"Along with Karan Matthews, another student who was in a coma for the same length of time. From what Barry's told me, Karan's recovery has been even more dramatic." Iris's expression grew more thoughtful. "Actually, if you're serious about investigating this story, you should meet them both. Barry's always been interested in scientific mysteries, and Karan apparently has a background in mythology and archaeology that might provide useful perspective."
Kara felt her breath catch as she processed this information. Iris was offering to introduce her to the golden-armored hero she'd worked alongside that very afternoon, completely unaware that she was talking to someone who already knew far more about Central City's enhanced community than any journalist should.
"You think they'd be willing to talk to me?" Kara asked, trying to keep her voice casual despite the racing of her heart.
"I think Barry would be fascinated by your research, and I think Karan would appreciate talking to someone who takes the mythological aspects of these stories seriously instead of dismissing them as fantasy." Iris began gathering her notes, clearly warming to the idea of collaborative investigation. "Plus, they both seem like they could use more social connections outside of S.T.A.R. Labs. Living in a research facility can't be healthy for anyone long-term."
"What's Dr. Wells like?" Kara asked, recognizing that she needed to understand the dynamics at S.T.A.R. Labs before she agreed to any direct contact.
Iris's expression became more complicated. "Brilliant, obviously. Genuinely concerned about Barry's welfare, at least as far as I can tell. But there's something about him that makes me... not uncomfortable, exactly, but cautious." She paused, seeming to search for the right words. "He's the kind of person who always seems to be analyzing everything around him, like he's constantly gathering information for purposes you can't quite identify."
The observation was more perceptive than Iris probably realized, and it confirmed some of Kara's suspicions about the man behind S.T.A.R. Labs' enhanced individual program.
"That does sound like someone worth being cautious around," Kara agreed. "Especially if he's in a position of authority over people who are dealing with significant life changes."
"Exactly. Which is why I think Barry and Karan could benefit from having contact with people outside of Wells' immediate influence." Iris looked directly at Kara, her expression carrying genuine concern mixed with investigative determination. "People who understand what they're going through but aren't invested in any particular outcome for their development."
As their shift continued and the evening crowd began to trickle in, Kara found herself thinking about the unexpected convergence of circumstances that had brought her into contact with someone so closely connected to the people she'd come to Central City to investigate.
Meeting Barry Allen and Karan Matthews through Iris's introduction would provide perfect cover for establishing the kind of ongoing contact that her mission required. It would also allow her to assess their situation and support systems without the complications that would come from revealing her own enhanced status.
But it would also mean potentially deceiving people who seemed genuinely committed to helping others, people who deserved honesty about the motivations of those offering friendship and guidance.
The coffee shop's evening rush provided welcome distraction from these ethical complexities, but as Kara worked alongside Iris to serve customers and maintain the familiar rhythms of normal human employment, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was standing at a crossroads that would determine not just her own future, but the future of Central City's emerging hero community.
The question was whether she was prepared for the responsibilities that came with that kind of influence.
---
Hey fellow fanfic enthusiasts!
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Whether you loved it, hated it, or have some constructive criticism, your feedback is super important to me. Feel free to drop a comment or send me a message with your thoughts. Can't wait to hear from you!
If you're passionate about fanfiction and love discussing stories, characters, and plot twists, then you're in the right place! I've created a Discord (HHHwRsB6wd) server dedicated to diving deep into the world of fanfiction, especially my own stories. Whether you're a reader, a writer, or just someone who enjoys a good tale, I welcome you to join us for lively discussions, feedback sessions, and maybe even some sneak peeks into upcoming chapters, along with artwork related to the stories. Let's nerd out together over our favorite fandoms and explore the endless possibilities of storytelling!
Can't wait to see you there