Caitlin walked into the lab, her clipboard in hand, prepping to run a few baseline tests on Bette.
"So… this is what you do now?" Bette asked, reclining on the exam table. "Testing people like me?"
Caitlin gave a half-smile. "More like trying to help people like you. Though honestly, this isn't what I expected when I took the job."
She picked up a syringe. "Aside from Dr. Heart, you're actually the first metahuman we've tested."
"Metahuman?" Bette repeated, frowning.
Before Caitlin could explain, the lab's proximity alarm blared. Red lights flashed. JANUS flickered onto a nearby monitor.
JANUS: "Multiple vehicles approaching perimeter. Military-grade. Ground forces deploying."
JANUS displayed security footage: army trucks surrounded S.T.A.R. Labs. Soldiers moved in.
In a blur, August sprang into action. Within seconds, the suit mannequin vanished, the cortex and labs transformed into a research facility, and all nonessential tech hidden. He whisked Bette into the pipeline.
"Stay here till the General's gone," he said, sealing the door.
Moments later, August reappeared in the cortex, wearing a lab coat and examining research notes.
Dr. Wells rolled to the main lobby to meet General Eiling and his squad.
"Harrison Wells. How the mighty have fallen," Eiling sneered.
"General," Wells greeted calmly as soldiers fanned out to search.
"S.T.A.R. Labs used to matter. What does one do after such a spectacular public failure?"
"One adapts. Evolves. Refocuses," Wells answered.
"Still the idealist."
"A trait I picked up from good friends."
August approached, playing the part of a dedicated lab assistant. "Dr. Wells, we need to run simulations on that equation."
"I'll join you shortly, August."
Eiling eyed August. "What's your name, son?"
"August Heart. Nice to meet you, sir," August said, shaking his hand.
"You look sharp. If you ever want real work, call me." Eiling handed him a card. "It's a step up from this place."
"Thank you sir, but I'm happy here."
"Loyalty's admirable, especially to a failed scientist. You could've made a real difference in the military."
"I prefer to help the country move forward sir, not by taking lives."
Eiling dismissed the comment and turned to Wells. "Where's my weapon?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Don't lie to me, Harrison. This has your fingerprints all over it. Hand her over, or I'll tear your little palace apart."
"Wade, Wade, Wade…" Wells shook his head.
Eiling signaled his men and walked past them. "We could've changed the world, you and I. But I guess you're content being irrelevant."
"I wanted to punch him for the way he talked to me," August muttered.
Wells chuckled. "Part of me wanted you to. But Eiling's well protected. There are enemies even you can't fight."
"So how do we stop him without giving up Bette?"
"I'm working on it."
***
The next day, August entered the cortex and saw the team gathered somberly.
"Hey, what's going on? Did Eiling find us?"
"No," Bette said. "Caitlin was just about to give me the not-so-good news."
"The shrapnel in your body has merged with your DNA," Caitlin explained.
"The tech needed to separate it... doesn't exist yet," Dr. Wells added.
Bette's expression dropped. She struggled to stay composed. "Roger that. I just need a minute. Pretty sure I can cry without blowing anything up."
She walked off, leaving the team in silence.
"What now?" Cisco asked.
"What about the dampening bracelets I built?" August offered. "They can hold her powers back for 12 hours before needing a recharge. But they can only be charged here, so she has to stay at S.T.A.R. Labs."
"It's a temporary fix," Wells said. "Her presence puts us all at risk."
"From Eiling?" August challenged.
"He's dangerous. You don't want him as an enemy."
"And we're just going to hand her over to become a lab rat?"
"What alternative is there?" Cisco asked.
"Time will tell," Wells interjected. "Let's configure the bracelets."
***
Hours later, August walked toward the cortex, excited to show Wells some research, but paused when he overheard a conversation.
"Cisco?" Bette called out.
"He went home," Dr. Wells replied, rolling closer. "I think he has a bit of a crush on you."
"Not sure I'm date material anymore," she said.
"Change is hard. The same accident that changed you put me in this chair."
"Sorry. I didn't know."
"I tell you to make a point," Wells said. "I'd do anything to get back what I lost. And so would you."
"I would. I just don't know how."
"Mr. Heart built bracelets to suppress your powers—but they're not permanent. You soldiers call yourselves Sheepdogs, right?"
"Happy and normal… until someone attacks the flock," she said.
"Well, now people like August, like you—they're your flock. And Eiling will never stop until he gets you. Unless you stop him first."
"You're saying I should kill him?"
"One last mission. Then go home."
August, hidden nearby, was stunned. He understood the logic—but coming from Wells, it rattled him.
***
The next morning, August entered the cortex and saw Caitlin comforting Cisco.
"What happened?"
"Bette's gone," Caitlin said.
"She didn't say where," Wells added.
"I think I know. JANUS, access the military feed. If Bette's out there, Eiling won't be far."
JANUS tapped in. "They've deployed to the waterfront. Eiling got a call—Bette's turning herself in," Cisco said.
"No. She's not. She's going to end this," August said, grabbing the spare suit.
He arrived at the waterfront in seconds, seeing smoke, unconscious soldiers—and Bette, walking toward Eiling.
He stopped in front of her.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Stopping you. There's a difference between war and cold-blooded murder. Don't let Eiling turn you into a monster."
A gunshot rang out. Bette collapsed.
"No!" August shouted, lightning flaring in his eyes. In a flash, he knocked Eiling out and rushed to Bette's side.
"I'm sorry. I didn't see the gun."
"It's not your fault. I'm glad you stopped me," Bette said weakly, smiling.
"Hang on. I'll get you to Caitlin—"
"August… Dr. Wells, he…" she tried to speak.
"I know." August nodded. Bette smiled… and went still. Then, her body began to glow.
"Guys, we've got a problem," he said into his comm.
"Is she okay?" Cisco asked.
"No. She's dead. And she's glowing. I think she's going to detonate."
"A mass that size—" Caitlin began.
"—Would be devastating," Wells finished.
"You have to get her away from the city," Caitlin urged.
"I won't make it in time… unless…" August looked at the water. "Can I run on water?"
"At your weight? You'll need to generate 450 pounds of force per step… about 700 mph," Cisco calculated.
"And you have to outrun the blast, or you'll die too," he added.
August nodded, steeled himself, then took off—running across the water with Bette in his arms. At a mile offshore, he released her.
The blast erupted underwater, forming a towering plume. A tidal wave surged behind August as he raced back. He pushed harder, feeling the same energy he tapped into on the cosmic treadmill.
"RAHHHHHHH!" he screamed, breaking the sound barrier and crashing safely onto shore.
"August! Are you okay?" Caitlin called.
"I'm fine. I'm coming back."
At S.T.A.R. Labs, the team watched the news.
"Nothing out of the ordinary occurred. Just a military weapons test," Eiling lied to reporters. "Central City is safe. I guarantee it."
August watched silently. His eyes flashed red—something only Wells noticed.
"Powerful men avoid consequences," Wells muttered.
"Bette's death won't be in vain. Eiling will get what's coming," August said.
"You okay?" Caitlin asked.
"I'm fine." He grabbed his jacket and walked to the elevator. Wells followed.
"I heard everything you said to Bette," August said without turning. "You sent her on a kill mission."
"I told her the truth," Wells replied calmly. "I thought it would protect you."
"Protect me?" August repeated. He turned to face him, eyes still sparking with residual lightning. "I understand… but I don't trust you anymore Dr. Wells… or perhaps I never did."
Wells gave a knowing nod. "That's wise. Trust must be earned."
"She's dead because of all of us. Because we didn't give her another choice."
"There was no other choice."
"That's the problem," August said, stepping into the elevator. "Next time, I'll make one."
The doors closed.
Wells sat in silence for a moment, watching the empty corridor.
Then, almost to himself, he whispered, "You're becoming exactly who I need you to be."