Flash... Lost His Speed?

Felicity and Zhang Tianran's discussion quickly grew more and more animated.

Not only was Zhang Tianran learning from Felicity, but he was also giving her considerable inspiration. By the end, the two had even begun using Palmer Technologies' computers to verify each other's theories.

For a time, the entire company's network resources became strained, alarming Ray Palmer, who was focused on developing a Dwarf Star Alloy suit in his secret lab.

At first, Ray Palmer thought his company was under a hacker attack, but he later discovered that the source of it all was actually Felicity's office.

After notifying the other employees to continue working, Ray Palmer headed to Felicity's office alone.

Pushing open the door, he found the two of them hard at work. Considerately, Ray Palmer did not interrupt them and instead searched for information on Zhang Tianran on his phone.

"Sorry. It looks like I caused trouble for your company."

Zhang Tianran had noticed Ray Palmer the moment he arrived.

However, he did not pay him any attention. Only after his own problem had largely been resolved did Zhang Tianran pretend to have just noticed him and offer an apology.

"It's fine. I haven't seen Felicity this happy in a long time," Ray Palmer said unconcernedly.

As Felicity's pursuer, he naturally had to appear magnanimous. Besides, a little network usage was hardly any kind of loss.

"Getting caught by the boss during work hours, and even causing some damage to the company. This is definitely one of the most embarrassing things that's happened to me this year..." Felicity complained helplessly.

The situation was indeed rather awkward, but Felicity was not merely an ordinary employee, and Zhang Tianran himself did not care in the slightest, so the matter was quickly dropped.

After investigating Zhang Tianran's identity, Ray Palmer began considering keeping him at the company and started discussing academic matters with him.

Although this guy was not particularly proficient with computers, he was outstanding in other areas, especially in his research on Dwarf Star Alloy.

Of course, the Dwarf Star Alloy Ray Palmer was discussing with Zhang Tianran at this point was not the kind he would use later after becoming The Atom.

Zhang Tianran was quite interested in Ray Palmer's Atom Suit.

Unfortunately, Ray Palmer had only completed the armor's blueprints for now. As for the most crucial Dwarf Star Alloy, it had yet to be mined.

In the end, Zhang Tianran was invited to attend a dinner with Ray Palmer and Felicity. After playing third wheel all evening, he concluded his trip to Star City.

In truth, Ray Palmer and Felicity had not officially begun dating yet, but Ray Palmer had already launched an enthusiastic pursuit.

After returning to STAR Labs, Zhang Tianran received some news. Barry Allen had successfully captured Iron Man, but the method left him utterly speechless.

As a Speedster, even if he had not yet mastered any other skills, wasn't fighting steel with nothing but his fists a little reckless?

Even if he did not bring a rope, he could at least have brought a club!

However, Zhang Tianran did not say much this time. After returning to STAR Labs, he plunged straight into his private laboratory.

Most of the difficult parts had already been more or less resolved. While it was impossible to replicate an artificial intelligence like Gideon, making an inferior version should not be much of a problem.

The technological gap was too great. Even a Speedster could not achieve everything in one step.

"Dr. Zhang, something happened. Barry's speed is gone..." Caitlin's hurried voice came through the monitor, interrupting Zhang Tianran's work.

Out of personal habit, Zhang Tianran's laboratory was not open like the other two. Anyone who wished to enter had to notify him through the monitor first, and could only come in after receiving permission.

After saving the code, which was only fifteen percent complete, Zhang Tianran stretched lazily and opened the door to his private laboratory.

"Don't panic. What happened?" Zhang Tianran asked Caitlin unhurriedly.

"Just now, Barry encountered a..." Caitlin hurriedly began explaining.

Listening to Caitlin's explanation, Zhang Tianran immediately remembered what had happened. Flash's enemy this time was a Metahuman who could absorb lightning. Although the Speed Force had special properties, it was still a form of lightning.

As a result, during their battle, the Speed Force within Flash had been "stolen."

Barry's Super Speed had completely vanished. This was a blow to everyone.

After all, STAR Labs' purpose up to this point had been to assist Flash and deal with the metahuman crimes caused by the Particle Accelerator.

If Barry had truly lost his Super Speed, then everyone's goal would be lost as well.

Thinking of this, Caitlin could not help recalling that night when she had lost everything.

"I see. Go calm Barry Allen down first. I'll prepare something and make a small device to examine his body. Don't worry. According to my research, the supernatural abilities caused by the Particle Accelerator do not disappear so easily," Zhang Tianran said calmly.

Noticing Zhang Tianran's composure, Caitlin's panic gradually eased.

After watching Caitlin leave, Zhang Tianran closed the artificial intelligence development interface. He found a blueprint on his computer and sent some of its parts to Cisco.

After receiving the blueprints, Cisco quickly sent back a message, saying he could start making it immediately...

Naturally, this blueprint was not for a simple examination device. It was something Zhang Tianran had specifically developed for Speedsters to test the source of the Speed Force.

"Tianran, we have a problem! The future has changed..."

Wells, seated in his wheelchair, barged directly into Zhang Tianran's private laboratory. Although there was a password, Wells clearly had higher access privileges.

"Wells, it's very rude of you to barge in like this," Zhang Tianran complained without even turning around.

As for security? There was no such thing as a safe place in this world.

"Did you not hear what I said?" Anger colored Wells's voice, but it quickly vanished entirely.

White lightning flashed in Zhang Tianran's palm, naturally reflecting in Wells's eyes as well.

"Don't worry. My Speed Force hasn't disappeared yet." Zhang Tianran continued working at an unhurried pace.

Seeing the Speed Force again, Wells's mood eased somewhat.

He actually knew there was no problem, but the future that had changed in Gideon still worried him.

"We must recover the Speed Force as quickly as possible... This is important!" Wells reminded him again. Then, without waiting for Zhang Tianran to reply, he turned his wheelchair to leave.

The next moment, an arc of electricity burst from the wall. Immediately afterward, the entire STAR Labs lost power. Although the backup power came online quickly, much of the equipment still ceased functioning.

"You really know how to make trouble for me..." Looking at the half-finished device, Zhang Tianran could only activate the Speed Force and complete the final adjustments and shaping by hand.

Sometimes, what machines could do could also be done by humans themselves. It simply required time and assistance.

Watching Zhang Tianran freely use the Speed Force, a trace of envy flashed through Wells's eyes. He then wheeled himself away...

Wells knew exactly why STAR Labs had lost power. At a time like this, he needed to find a way to deal with this little problem.