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In the flight from Australia to New Jersey, Dinah had Very Important Business to take care of.

This involved: - a side quest to a motorcycle dealership to uh, borrow a Suzuki and a small fortune in accessories. - customising said bike to her specifications right in the middle of the Aerie One's main bay, and finally - a long hot shower to get the oil off herself.

Now wrapped in fluffy dressing gown and turban, she comes into Babs' control suite to some very disturbing news.

"What do you mean 'not there'?"

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"I mean it's not here. Metropolis." Barbara has her glasses set on the table in front of her and is rubbing her face tiredly. "The city isn't here. What's more, there's no sign that it was here and was destroyed. It's just... like Metropolis never happened."

Dinah frowned, rubbing her toweled head irritably.

"Do we know of any worlds which don't have a Metropolis?"

Disbelief is for people who haven't been superheroes for over a decade.

"A couple," Barbara frowns, "But they're generally characterized by more significant differences. I mean, this is for all intents and purposes the same New Jersey we have back home. Just... no Metropolis." She runs a hand down her face, "Just a tiny little town where it should be."

"And the Apocalypse," Dinah fills in helpfully. "I think the apocalypse is kinda big."

"Well," Babs manages a small smile, "I suppose that's significant."

Dinah turns away from the incomprehensible computer screens, only to set a hand on Babs' shoulder.

"So you think we should try somewhere else? Star City, maybe? D.C.?"

It hasn't been that long since Babs said she wasn't going back to Gotham, and Bludhaven has it's own associations.

Barbara lets out a long exhalation, "Depends on how much time we have before we run out of fuel. I might be able to find a somewhat safe place to land if I can get another hour with the satellites in the area."

"Zinda," she calls toward the cockpit, "How much more air time do we have?"

"Not much." Zinda's looking less than perky, possibly because none of her instruments are showing anything useful and it's buggin' her somethin' awful. "I can getcha a couple hours before we're gonna need to refuel again, and that'll be the last of the gas we took."

"Okay," Barbara thinks for a moment. "Zinda, pick a military base somewhere nearby, your choice. Those are less likely to have been moved, I hope. We'll head that way while I see if I can find us a better destination, but we definitely don't want to run out of fuel up here, and ditching the Aerie One isn't going to be an option for the foreseeable future."

"Ditchin' her ain't an option at all!" Zinda insists, even though she's aware it might have to be. "I love this bird."

"I know," Barbara smiles slightly. "I do too, as it turns out."

She shakes her head, "Lay in that course and we'll see whether I'm fast enough to find us somewhere to land before we have to."

"You got it, Boss."

Zinda grins at her, cheered, and disappears back into the cabin to console the Aerie One some more for the rough treatment.

Half an hour dancing with military encryption schemes and negotiating with satellite systems is all it takes before Barbara starts muttering to herself. "This doesn't make any sense. What would it be doing in the mid-west? That's..."

She lets face drop onto the desk in front of her and takes a deep calming breath. Then another one.

"Zinda? Do we have enough fuel to make it to Kansas?"

There's some muttering in return in the cabin.

"Nope," Zinda says, after calculating. "Why do we wanna go there?"

"Because, apparently, that's where Metropolis is."

There's a few moments of silence.

"...skipper, you feelin' all right?"

"No, I am not 'feelin' all right'," Barbara sighs. "I've got imagery from three different satellites with clear shots of the Planet's globe. In Kansas. And no less than five military response plans citing its location in the midwest."

"You know the worst part? I can't even make a lame 'I don't think we're in Kansas anymore' joke!"

Zinda can't actually think of a response to that one.

"...We got flat land below. I'll land, refuel, and I guess we're clickin' our heels three times after that."

"Don't I get a say in this?"

Dinah is, for the most part, joking.

"What if I don't want to go to Kansas?"

"Did we say we were takin' you, smartypants?"

Zinda smirks at her, affectionately.

"Okay, Dinah," Barbara lifts a teasing eyebrow. "What's your brilliant plan?"

"Uh..." Dinah hesitates, and scowls at Barbara.

"Fine. Let's go to Kansas."

"You sure?" Babs smirks. "I mean, if you've got a better idea..."

Dinah throws up her hands, just in time to catch the towel as it falls off her head.

"Just take me anywhere with people so I don't have to put up with you two forever."

"Yes ma'am," Barbara laughs. "Zinda, find us some fuel."

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