Chapter 7: Marooned & Mirages
The Waverider, a marvel of temporal engineering, hummed around Adam like a giant, very expensive, and slightly temperamental, pet. He was getting used to the temporal shifts, the subtle lurches that signaled another jump through history. Today's destination: 1975, again. Specifically, the Chronos building, where the Legends planned to infiltrate and disrupt Vandal Savage's finances. "Because nothing says 'stop an immortal warlord' like a good old-fashioned corporate espionage mission," Adam mused.
[SYSTEM: Temporal Jump Complete. Destination: 1975 (Chronos Building). Objective: Infiltration. Suggestion: Utilize Enhanced Stealth protocols.]
"Enhanced Stealth? System, you flatter me. I just call it 'being really, really good at not being seen, unless I want to be'," Adam thought, a grin playing on his lips. He watched as the Legends, a well-oiled machine of varied talents, prepared to breach the building.
He slipped in ahead of them, a phantom in the hallways. Chronos guards patrolled, looking suitably stern and oblivious. "Time for some psychological warfare, nanotech style."
Adam focused on a pair of guards rounding a corner. Shimmer. To their eyes, their partner suddenly transformed into a grotesque, multi-eyed monster, complete with dripping fangs and a penchant for interpretive dance.
Chaos. Pure, unadulterated chaos. The guards shrieked, firing wildly at each other, convinced they were battling abominations. Adam, hidden in plain sight, stifled a laugh.
[SYSTEM: Illusion deployed. Target Perception: Affected. Outcome: Enemy Disruption.]
"See? Why fight when you can just make them fight themselves? Efficiency, System. It's all about efficiency."
He continued through the building, creating minor illusions – making a security camera briefly show a loop of a kitten playing with a ball of yarn, making a keycard reader briefly demand a secret handshake before granting access. Just enough to slow down the Chronos forces and give the Legends an easy ride.
He found himself observing Snart, who was dealing with his father, Lewis Snart. It was a tense, emotional scene, a rare glimpse into the man behind the cold façade. Lewis was a piece of work, and Adam felt a flicker of genuine sympathy for Leonard.
As Snart navigated a tricky conversation with his father, a Chronos guard burst into the room, gun raised. Snart, momentarily distracted by the emotional weight of the conversation, was slow to react.
Adam, without thinking, subtly nudged a loose floor tile with his powers. The tile shifted, causing the guard to stumble just enough for Snart to regain his composure and cold-gun the threat. It was a tiny, almost imperceptible assist, but it was enough. Snart glanced at the floor, then at the empty space where Adam was, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.
"You're welcome, Captain," Adam thought, a silent nod of respect.
Later, the mission winding down, Adam decided it was time for the main event. He found Sara Lance, alone for a moment, looking out a window. He materialized beside her, a casual lean against the wall.
"Still fighting the good fight, I see," Adam said, his voice soft, devoid of its usual sarcastic edge. "Or, you know, just admiring the 1975 skyline. It's… surprisingly brown."
Sara didn't flinch this time. She just sighed, a small smile playing on her lips. "You know, you're really bad at being subtle."
"It's a work in progress," Adam admitted. "But hey, at least I'm persistent. And I don't give up easily. Especially when it comes to charming highly trained assassins into going on a date with me." He held out a hand, a single, perfectly formed, glowing rose appearing in his palm. It shimmered with nanotech light. "So, about that disco-themed milkshake? Or, you know, just dinner. Anywhere. Any time. I'm flexible."
Sara stared at the rose, then at him. Her eyes, usually so guarded, held a flicker of genuine amusement. She took the rose, the light from it reflecting in her eyes. "You really are something else." She paused, then, with a roll of her eyes that was more affectionate than exasperated, she said, "Fine. One date. But if you make any more puns about 'time' or 'destiny,' I'm phasing my fist through your face."
Adam's grin was immediate and triumphant. "Deal! And I promise, no puns. Unless they're really, really good. And even then, only a few. Maybe."
[SYSTEM: Achievement Unlocked: Successful Flirtation with a Highly Trained Assassin. Reward: New Ability - Energy Blasts ("Magic Missiles").]
[SYSTEM: New Ability Acquired: Energy Blasts ("Magic Missiles"). Energy Cost: Moderate. Limitation: Drains power quickly.]
Adam almost did a little dance. "Yes! Finally! Energy Blasts! And a date with Sara! This is the best day ever. Take that, rogue popcorn kernel!" He gave Sara a final, beaming smile. "I'll pick you up… whenever. I'll figure out the temporal logistics. Don't worry your pretty little assassin head about it."
He teleported away, leaving Sara with a glowing rose and a bewildered expression. "What have I gotten myself into?" she wondered, but a genuine smile spread across her face.