Later, back at the base, Snap was beginning to feel a little bit underwhelmed at the helpfulness of her groupmates. First she headed to Mio's lab, where he examined her (with WRider's help) and took a blood sample.
Then it was to WRider's lab for more tests. Then back to Mio's lab.
Finally, she sat down on the library steps in the telepad bay, the scientists and inventors gathering around her, discussing her "condition". They were interrupted when a figure in a suit and hat showed up in the doorway and crossed quickly to their little group.
"Professor Lovecraft!" Snap smiled warmly. "Good to see you."
"Hello, Snap," he returned. "I was led to understand that you were having issues with a...oh, good lord!" he exclaimed suddenly, peering over WRider's shoulder to see her lengthened form hunched over on the steps.
"...with a serum, yes," Snap completed for him. "This is Mionas, who created the serum, and WRider, who is helping him look for a cure."
"Umm...hello," Mio said nervously.
"I like your hat," WRider supplied.
"Ah...thank you. Good to meet you." Professor Lovecraft turned back to Snap, raising his eyebrows. "If you'd be so good as to explain...?"
She nodded her head in Mio's direction. "I asked that idiot there to help me increase my healing abilities and he made me tall instead. He was probably daydreaming about his girlfriend or something."
"I see...well, it is because of that issue that I am here," Lovecraft asserted.
"Oh crap!" Mio yelled suddenly, clapping his hand to his forehead. "Ali! Our date tomorrow! I totally forgot! Uh, I gotta go-I need to pick up my new outfit from Icon! Later!"
The speedster dashed out of base, leaving the group behind him looking slightly startled.
Professor Lovecraft was the first to regain his composure, clearing his throat to gain the attention of the remaining Teamsters.
"Right, well...where is the formula for this, ah, serum?"
WRider pointed in the direction Mio had taken. "In the tome that Mio just left with..."
Now it was Snap's turn to facepalm. "That idiot!"
Mio came speeding back through the base. Just as he was about to step foot on the telepad that would take him to Steel Canyon, they all yelled his name simultaneously, prompting him to skid to a halt, then dash back to them.
"I went to the wrong place by accident...what's up?"
"The tome?" Lovecraft said solemnly, holding out his hand.
"Oh! Yeah, yeah....here." Reaching into his jacket, Mio pulled out a slim, ancient book and placed it in Lovecraft's hand. Before the professor could thank him, the young man was off again.
Lovecraft sighed and turned his attention to the book. As he opened it, several pages of looseleaf paper fluttered out, covered in scribbles. Snap bent to retrieve them, handing them back to him. "I think these are Mio's notes..."
"Ah, yes. Very helpful." As Lovecraft turned to pore over the notes, WRider hanging at his shoulder and pointing various things out to him, Snap sighed and stood. "Well, I'm going to go find Ali...I need to borrow some clothes from her. It's a good thing my battle gear changed sizes when I did, but I can't just wear this all the time. Good luck, and...thank you, for working so hard to find a way to fix this."
As she left, Lovecraft raised an eyebrow at the wall behind her empty seat. "You can come out now, Blackrazur."
The towering mutant faded into view, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. WRider jumped, emitting a surprised noise, but 'Razur focused only on Lovecraft. "Can you fix it?" he asked softly.
"Yes, I think so," Lovecraft nodded, returning his attention to the book in his hand. "Given the time, and the right ingredients...and once I finish deciphering your young friend's notes."
"Good," 'Razur growled.
"I'll need someplace to work, though...preferably, someplace quiet, and out of the way, where I won't be disturbed."
"Use my desk...I'll show you where it is."
"Lead on..."
As they exited, WRider watched after them a moment, wondering, then shrugged it off and returned to his lab.