E-42 Place of Hope

Our One Great source of Hope (Updated Earth-42)
“Detective, how are you?” Harrison Wells said from the 'entryway' to STAR Labs.
“I'm alright, Dr Wells, thank you. I was hoping I could enlist that huge science brain of yours to solve an annoyingly enigmatic case of mine, and catch a killer in the process.”
“Are you asking me because I'm a scientist or because I'm the biggest enigma you know?”
“Both actually. He is...one of the wild-world of weird cases we've been busy chasing down.”
“The reason you don't want Barry on the case taking down this particular bad guy with us?”
“The case is the murder of Nora Allen...Barry's mother.” All calm and humor evaporated from Well's face. It actually took a few moments for him to speak again. “Why don't we get to the science-y part of this building. We've some things we need to discuss.
Wells led Detective West into the anteroom of the facility he built. Within an hour Joe West and Harrison Wells were consumed with analyzing the physical evidence, and implications of a murder that had brought Joe's family together...and led to the Particle Accelerator and the meta-human hero known as the Flash.
“Someone or something impossible killed Nora Allen that night. He killed more than just Barry's family actually. And yes, my accelerator created the meta-humans we deal with on a daily basis. These freaks were my fault, I can't deny that and I haven't. But my work is not the only source of trouble for this city, and not every wild and weird story comes out of my experiments.” His voice took on a dangerous edge. “I am fairly certain that monster had nothing to do with me, no one knew who I was yet.”
“The timing is more than a little suspicious don't you think?” Joe said is a deliberate, slow tone, openly challenging the genius who wormed his way into their lives without a word of his own origins. A challenge that was met with a steely glare.
“Ask the man in yellow for why he showed up when he did, outta the blue. He thinks for himself and changed the world overnight. Whatever the heck drew him here, why we've never even seen him since...” Harrison Wells took a physical step back. “Yeah, the timing is less than coincidental. But if you're looking for explanations for it, I don't know the why...and as far as the how I'm as in the dark as you are.”
Detective Joe West stared at the normally unflappable man who had unraveled before him. There was not a lot that could rile a self-possessed professionally restrained man like Harrison Wells. It was one of the reasons he'd felt safe coming to the man with his suspicions, that he knew sounded like accusations. Somehow he had a feeling that it was something way more personal than Joe's rush to judgment that had animated him so completely.
“You've seen him too.” Detective West realized aloud.
“Fourteen years ago.” Harrison replied sadly. “He's why I moved to Central City in the first place. Meting him that night is why I created started the foundations for STAR Labs when I did. What he took from me, is why it took 14 years to achieve my life's dream.” Sinking into a desk chair Wells put his hands over his face. When he did look up, Joe was staring at him with an expression he'd never shown the man before: a look of compassion. “Joe, Barry doesn't know my story. He has enough on his heart, he's been through enough trying to catch up with this creep. And I know him well. The fact that my masterpiece cause more suffering and more monsters is something I have to live with every day. But THIS monster, he's the one pulling the strings and I want answers as badly as you do. But I don't have them Joe. The sum of all my answer, my entire life and attitude, my reply to this is summed up thusly: If your chasing the man in Yellow, you cannot find a stronger ally than me. If you want answers about MY life story, look up Tess Morgan. More specifically, look up where she was December 15^th 2002. Then decide if I have a good enough reason for keeping my past to myself.”
When Detective Joe West walked into the Cortex at precisely 7:03 pm that evening, he looked like he wanted to bury his head in a bag of potatoes. He didn't sit down, only tapped on the door-frame to signify his presence. Wells waved him in but did not verbally acknowledge his presence, until Joe placed a box of very expensive Irish Whiskey on the table.
“I take it you're not here to make more accusations.” Wells said briskly..
“Doctor Wells, I don't know what to say. I looked up Tess Morgan...I'm sorry I had no idea. When you mentioned adapting and evolving to a new life before...you weren't talking about after the accelerator exploded; you meant losing her, your wife.” Wells sat back in his chair, motioning for Joe to take the seat beside him. “Something must have created this monster, and the accelorator created a lot of them. I...I'm not trying to make excuses I just...I hope you understand why I squirel-brained. Finding answers based on what little information I do have...it's in my job description, as a cop...”
“And finding answers to life's greatest mysteries is in mine...as a scientist.” Wells offered. “I understand the need to understand everything Joe. Detectives who follow leads and geniuses who need answers both have a tendency of getting obsessed. But this was personal for you. And however little emotion I show in my daily life...I do understand trying to keep your family safe.”
“What was she like?”
“Strong, brilliant, had the most musical laugh. We were married to the work as much as to each-other. Making a facility like STAR Labs was something we were thinking about anyway, we just couldn't find a place to put down roots that wouldn't turn into a media-government circus if we ever got it up and running. I later learned the car accident...wasn't an accident. Someone or some...thing really wanted me out of the way and tried to kill me. She died instead. So I decided to move here. The best place I can think of to build our dream...even if she couldn't see it.”
“You're chasing him to.” Joe said stoically.
“Ironically enough I think if I ever met him I owe him a thank you. If I hadn't moved here, I wouldn't have been around to help take care of Barry. I wouldn't have had Sisko and Caitlyn with me to help build the accelerator, I would never have had a team to help make that dream a reality...or two awesome friends to stand beside me when it fell down like a house of straw. Until the accelerator exploded Barry was the only person to believe in the impossible. And now because of my failed experiments, the world has a man in red to help deal with the crazy. Ultimately though, unless the man in yellow was messing with Tachyons there's no way he could have originated from my work, from something we...I...hadn't even built yet.”
“Okay...what's that look on your face?”
“Tachyons, little bits of time-travel THAT'S how he did it! I...Barry and I need to find this creep and kick his speedster ass. Failing that we need to train him, Barry I mean, to be the hero this city needs right now. Are you with me, Joe?”
“Taking down meta's who abuse their powers, help innocent humans deal with getting them, that's pretty much what I signed on for. It's my job and my duty. Raising a hero for people to look up to, making him fast enough to kick this evil speedsters ass if we ever see him again? That's a bonus!”
Doctor Wells, can I talk with you for a minute?
I'm always here to help Barry, what's up?
You seem different, like something's weighing on your heart that wasn't there before. And if this is because of Ronnie...what happened to him.
Barry, Ronnie's death was a noble sacrifice and a freely given choice. I don't feel anything for him other than he should be an example we all aspire to emulate given the opportunity. But before he...the last conversation we had together was very different...and, well you know how people regret 'never having the chance to say things' or to 'take them back'. Because of his death, I will never get the chance to tell him I actually heard what he said!
Do you mind telling me what it is he DID say?
The people who died or were changed in the accelerator are my fault. Even if I couldn't have seen it coming. But there is one death that can be placed ENTIRELY at my front door, from long before you and I ever met. Ronnie found out my 'deep dark secret' and told me to stay away from you. Something I admire him for when it comes to it, he wanted to protect you. I can't help thinking...he had a weird sort of a point.
Not realizing the situation, Barry intoned. “I'm the one who decides if I want you in my life Harrison. And I want you in my life. If YOU want to leave fine. But don't do it because someone who barely knows you thinks you don't belong here anymore.”
Fully cognizant of the irony of the advice, and with as much composure as he could create Wells replied. “One day I might. And if I do, I just don't want you to think I'm leaving you out in the cold.”
As he turned to walk away Barry Allen paused and replied. “You do what you gotta do Doctor...Just do it for yourself and no one else, a'rigte? Later.”
“We did it...It's over.” Barry Allen sighed with relief.
“Not yet. You still need to end it.” Harrison Wells said from behind him. Barry turned around and saw the man he'd called his mentor standing beside him quiet and still, with his hands at his sides in a gesture of surrender. For a moment he didn't know what to think.
“What are you doing?”
Harrison actually seemed surprised at the question. “You said when this was over and the city was safe, you'd kill me. And I promised I wouldn't fight you. I wasn't lying when I said I cared about you Barry, and I know what I've done. If this is what you need...” To Barry's lasting shock Wells actually lowered himself to his knees. “Then finish it.”
“Why, why would I do this?”
“I'm pretty sure that would be stating the obvious and I don't think either of us need the reminder...That's not what you meant is it?”
Vibrating his right hand Barry Allen, a hero known as The Flash, approached his nemesis. “I want to hear you say it.” He said strongly and softly.
“I killed your mother and I've done nothing to free your father. This may sound ironic coming from me but I'm tried of running, of trying to forget or deny my past. For the past 3 years I've done what I could to make you better than the Rival and stronger than Zoom. After this you will be.”
“...You're wrong about that.” Barry said lowering his hand and his voice. “Killing you wouldn't make me better than zoom it would make me the same as him. Killing anyone in cold blood would just make me as petty and self-absorbed as the Rival. I refuse to be either one. Get Up.”
Later Harrison Wells stood in the cortex, standing alone in front of Sisko Ramon, Caitlin Snow, Detective Joe West and young Eddie Thawne, his partner on the Central City police force. He didn't seem willing to say anything more, he just stood there as The Flash filled his friends in on what he'd learned, and what happened 17 years earlier. “There's one thing more I need to show you...then we can finally be out of each-other's lives. “Gideon, bring up file ninety-four-thirty-one Zed please.”
“Of course Doctor Wells.” A soft, feminine voice spoke from literally thin air. A film projector, or the screen for one appeared and pages of information scrolled down the 'page' two fast for anyone but Barry to read. “Download complete Doctor Wells, will there be anything else?”
“You get to fulfill your original purpose now Gideon, Barry Allen will need your help.” He pulled a thumb drive from the interface. “This is a future database, I discovered when we first laid the ground-work at Star Labs. It seems to deal primarily with a hero called the Flash and his two closest allies: The Arrow, and the former villain Frost. When I first found it, I started following the history it presented like a script, trying to make sure the world had these heroes. It's why I fast-tracked the Particle Accelerator, why it blew up in everyone's face, why I'm so convinced Killer Frost will one day just be a part of you Caitlin and...it's why I see such hatred in your eyes right now Barry. Seeing the man in the yellow suit kill you mother as a child...it's what inspired you to investigate the impossible and come a hero not a criminal like the other meta-humans when you got your powers. The world doesn't need another speedster, it needs the Flash. that's what Gideon told me. I didn't realize what she meant until I started working with you. Please understand and believe me when I say that every time you looked at me and I looked away it wasn't because I was afraid of my feelings, but because I was afraid of yours.”
“Prism, Firestorm, Robin's Heir, Cicada, Overlord, Pestilence...Is there any reason we haven't heard of any of those bad guys yet?” Sisko Ramon asked in his traditional lightly sarcastic voice.
“You're not there yet. The record covers 10 years of heroism and equality, we're only on year three. And firestorm's not a bad guy, just messed up, ironically another victim of my hubris.”
“One question Harrison,” Joe West said peaceably. “What have you been doing since then?”
“I stopped following the pages like a script and started seeing them more as guideposts and mile-markers. Until one of these creeps showed up I tried not to rely on it too much...dwell on it too much. From what I understand that ship might have belonged to The Reverse Flash...it's where I got the suit.” He waved his hand in front of himself, indicating the yellow suit he wore, very much made to speedster specifications.
“Okay time for the obvious question, who the hell were you talking to?!”
“Why don't you ask her, she's interactive you know?”
“Ma'am...Gideon did he call you?” Eddie said uncertainly. “Who are you?”
“I am Gideon, an interactive artificial consciousness.” The soft female voice that had sounded once before answered almost instantly. “Forgive the otherworldly effect of my disembodied voice, the visual circuits of my matrix were damaged beyond repair in the crash. Doctor Wells has done his best to repair me..”
“Just tell them your manufacturing origin Gideon.”
“I've never understood your reluctance Dr. Wells. You are a genius by the human standards of this time. But in response to your prompt: Star Labs, research and development March 18^th 2024.”
“You mean to say what...seven years from now, Doctor wells invents you, here at Star Labs?”
“Incorrect Mr. Allen, You do.”
“In Gideon's original records I died tonight, supposedly helping you fight your newest 'big bad'. But I knew that was just the official story, a cover-up. I knew you'd killed me, for what I'd done to you. Anyway six years from now you discover something called the time vault and within it purely theoretical plans from an inter-active artificial consciousness that takes you less than a year to bring into reality you call her 'Gideon'. The ship I found had a copy of her program.”
“And you integrated her into the Star-Labs mainframe.” Caitlin said in a strange voice.
“I figured it would be helpful having a future computer around, help interpret and analyze any threats, meta human or otherwise we come across. You can do the same thing if you want. Can we get down to it: What happens to me?”
“We record your confession and get my dad out of prison, burn your house to the ground, make an official report that you were inside at the time, with the explanation that one of your experiments literally blew up in your face, you leave Central City and NE-VER come back.” Allen said as calmly as if he were discussing the afternoon weather and as forcefully as if he were willing cordial behavior into the room. I imagine he felt as though he were rewriting history by sheer force of will. Harrison seemed to think it.
“Doctor Wells, I read Gideon's original report. Clariss was supposed to have dropped a truth bomb on me about your involvement ion my mom's murder and I would have killed you in blind anger and cold blood. Are you going to try to tell me you didn't out yourself earlier today exactly to spare me from that epic-mistake? The kind not fixable except by screwing with the timeline?” Wells didn't respond verbally, but nodded slightly. “I can't forsee myself ever wanting to see you again. But I'm not ready to go all judge-jury and executioner on you either, if that's what you were worried about.”