The Flash... Lost His Speed?

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

Zhang Tianran was not only learning from Felicity, but 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 soon discovered that the source was actually Felicity's office.

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

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

"Sorry. Looks like I've caused trouble for your company."

Zhang Tianran had noticed Ray Palmer the moment he arrived.

But he hadn't paid him any attention. Only after his own problem was mostly resolved did Zhang Tianran pretend to have just noticed him and apologize.

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

As Felicity's suitor, he naturally had to appear magnanimous. Besides, a little network resource usage was hardly any 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 really was rather awkward, but Felicity wasn't merely an ordinary employee, and Zhang Tianran himself didn't care at all, so the matter was quickly put to rest.

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

Though Zhang Tianran wasn't particularly proficient with computers, he was outstanding in other areas, especially his research into Dwarf Star Alloy.

Of course, the Dwarf Star Alloy Ray Palmer and Zhang Tianran were discussing now wasn't the kind Ray Palmer would use after becoming The Atom.

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

Unfortunately, Ray Palmer had only completed the armor's design plans so far. The crucial Dwarf Star Alloy had yet to be mined.

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

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

After returning to S.T.A.R. Labs, Zhang Tianran received some news. Barry Allen had successfully captured Steel Man, but the method left him utterly speechless.

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

Even if you didn't bring a rope, couldn't you at least hold a club?

Still, Zhang Tianran didn't say much this time. After returning to S.T.A.R. Labs, he buried himself in his private laboratory.

Most of the difficult parts had already been resolved. While it was impossible to recreate an artificial intelligence like Gideon, making an inferior one shouldn't be a problem.

The technological gap was too vast. Even a Speedster couldn't accomplish everything in one step.

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

Out of personal habit, Zhang Tianran's laboratory wasn't open like the other two. Anyone who wanted 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 and opened the door to his private laboratory.

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

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

Listening to Caitlin's explanation, Zhang Tianran immediately remembered what had happened. This time, The Flash's enemy was a Metahuman capable of absorbing lightning. Although the Speed Force had unusual properties, it was still lightning.

Thus, during their fight, the Speed Force inside The Flash had been "stolen."

Barry's super speed had completely vanished, which was a blow to everyone.

After all, S.T.A.R. Labs' purpose up to this point had been to assist The Flash and deal with metahuman crime caused by the Particle Accelerator.

If Barry truly lost his super speed, then everyone's goal would be lost as well.

Thinking of this, Caitlin couldn't 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. Based on my research, supernatural abilities caused by the Particle Accelerator don't disappear that easily," Zhang Tianran said calmly.

Noticing Zhang Tianran's calmness, Caitlin's panic gradually subsided.

After watching Caitlin leave, Zhang Tianran closed the artificial intelligence development interface. He pulled up a blueprint on his computer and sent part of its component designs to Cisco.

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

Naturally, this blueprint wasn't for a simple diagnostic device. Zhang Tianran had specifically developed it 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. There was a password set up, but Wells clearly had higher access privileges.

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

As for security? There was no truly safe place in this world.

"Didn't you hear what I said?" Anger colored Wells's voice, but it quickly vanished.

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

"Don't worry. My Speed Force hasn't disappeared," Zhang Tianran said unhurriedly as he continued working.

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

He knew there was no problem, but the altered future in Gideon still worried him.

"We have to recover the Speed Force as soon as possible... It's important!" Wells reminded him again. Then, without waiting for Zhang Tianran's response, he turned his wheelchair to leave.

The next moment, an arc of electricity burst across the wall. Then all of S.T.A.R. Labs lost power. Though the backup power quickly came online, most of the equipment still stopped functioning.

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

Sometimes, what machines could do, humans themselves could also accomplish. They merely needed time and a little help.

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

Wells knew exactly why S.T.A.R. Labs had lost power. At a time like this, he needed to find a way to deal with this minor problem.