Cat and Mouse
Ray studied the remote for his ATOM suit for a moment before adjusting the controls one more time. Then he told Sara, “If the suit controls are still acting up, you’ll have to use this remote to bring me back to normal size.”
He showed her which button to press. Sara frowned.
“It’s not going to blow you up to gigantor size is it? I’m pretty sure that would be a bad thing inside the Waverider,” she said, holding the remote like it might explode at any moment.
The kitten nuzzled the remote before Sara handed him to Snart.
Ray assured her, “The supersize option isn’t included on that remote. Don’t worry, I’ll just return to my normal size.”
He continued, “So, once we test the suit’s sizing capabilities, I can work on the viscosity of the engine thruster lines. It’s so much easier to work in there when I’m miniaturized. Did I tell you what happened...” he didn’t get to finish the sentence before Len punched the green miniature button.
The kitten squeaked and clambered on top of Len’s head. The remote flew in the air and Sara caught it, fully expecting Ray to supersize through the ship. For an instant everything was quiet and then a small, squeaky voice said, “At least you could have waited until I had my helmet on.”
Ray, the size of a cupcake, stomped across the lab before flying up to view the readouts on his computer screen.
“Ow!,” Len muttered, reaching up for the kitten. The cat had sunk its claws into his scalp as it leaned forward, watching the flying suit closely.
Sara noticed the evil grin that spread on Len’s face.
“Don’t...” she didn’t finish the thought before Len had put the kitten down. It began to slowly stalk the unsuspecting ATOM. Sara rolled her eyes. At least Ray was safe as he hovered a few feet off the ground.
She realized she was so wrong when the kitten suddenly launched into the air, batting the tiny flying man.
Ray yelped as he spun through the air. He struggled to right himself and it looked as though the feline had damaged his thrusters as he flailed for a bit before landing in a small heap. He stood up and shook his head in time to see the kitten squat and wiggle his bottom, preparing to launch again.
“Sara!” he called.
Sara reached for the remote but it was gone. She gave Leonard a furious look while he just grinned.
“Snart!” she snarled.
Ray tried to fly up but flew instead under the leaping kitten. He spun around helplessly and landed between two toolboxes. The kitten pounced, reaching a paw into the small space.
They heard the squeak, “SARA!”
“I am so going to kick your ass,” Sara told Snart.
“So a win-win for me,” he told her laughing.
Sara reached for his pockets as Ray flew over the kitten’s head and landed, running for his life. Sara grabbed the device but accidently hit one of the buttons. Horrified, she looked, expecting the worst, but saw Ray actually became even smaller. Now he was insect size. That didn’t seem to deter the furry terror at all.
Sara held up the device but the kitten had landed on the flying ATOM, holding it under his tiny paws.
“What are you waiting for?” Len asked, amused.
“It might hurt Furball,” Sara said.
Len snorted.
Kendra joined them. “Has anyone seen Ray? Rip wants an update on the engine repairs.” She scooped up the kitten, then gasped at the tiny body laying on the floor.
Sara punched the green button and Ray returned to full size, but lay groaning on the floor.
“Bad kitty,” Kendra said. “Bad, bad kitty!”
The kitten butted her chin with his head and purred.
The three crewmates gathered around Ray.
“Are you all right?” Kendra asked.
Ray sat up and shot Sara a hurt look. She pointed to Snart. Ray’s eyes narrowed.
“Lucifer,” Ray muttered, standing up.
“Thank you,” Len said.
“I meant the cat,” Ray said. “Although if the shoe fits...”
The cat reached a paw toward Ray and meowed.
Ray leaned forward and said softly, “I don’t care how cute you are. You are a menace to science.”
Kendra laughed and hugged the kitten. “But he’s so cute.”
“Unless he’s ten times bigger than you and thinks you’re dinner,” Ray said.
“Bad little Lucifer,” Sara said.
She and Kendra looked at each other. “Lucky!” they said in unison.
The kitten meowed loudly.
“He likes it,” they said.
Kendra patted Ray’s arm. “I’m glad you’re okay,” she said. He looked a little less cranky. “Rip wanted to know how the engine repairs are going,” she added.
Ray considered. “I just need to test one piece of equipment,” he said, watching Snart leave the lab. He fired a tiny light beam toward Snart’s ass just as the doors closed. They heard the howl in the hallway.
Ray chortled. He reconnected the cable the kitten had dislodged and tested his thrusters.
“Ready,” he said and nodded to Sara. “Let’s take a look at that engine.”
Kendra and Sara laughed as they heard Snart promising retribution while he stomped, albeit gingerly, toward the med bay.
“I would love to hear him explain this to Rip,” Sara said.
“I bet Gideon’s already told him,” Kendra said.
“It’s in my new protocols,” Gideon answered.
“New protocols?” Ray asked.
“To notify Captain Hunter whenever teammates use advanced weaponry on each other. Although he naturally assumed it would never involve Dr. Palmer,” Gideon said, sounding amused.
“Do you blame me?” Ray asked, sounding put out again.
“Not at all Dr. Palmer. In fact Captain Hunter has a message for you.”
“What’s that?” Sara asked.
“Nice shot,” Gideon said.