The Paragons

Chapter 9: Answering the Call

"So you three got a call from Giorgio Carlisle recently, too?" Carla asked the heroes. "I also got one from him a while back as well.....that can't be a coincidence. He also somehow I knew that I was Nightclaw.....kind of a shifty figure, if you ask me." 

"Correction: the boss and The Viper got a call from Giorgio Carlisle. I didn't get one because I don't have a phone," The Crawler repeated once more. 

"Well, as far as we know, Carlisle does appear to have the country's best interests at heart," Duncan responded. "He works at the U.S. branch of the Global Defense Council, and wishes to gather the country's superheroes under one banner.....so we've been traveling the States to recruit them." 

"Yep," The Viper added. "You're the first of three. Once we're done here, we'll move on to Seattle, Washington, then Jacksonville, Florida. So.....what do you say? Would you like to join us? You'd get to work with me more....."

She said the last line in an almost singsong tone, like a temptress. 

Carla chuckled. "Is this even a question? I've admired you for years.....all the way back from when you first began operating in Mercury Heights! A chance to fight crime alongside a valiant, selfless hero like you.....I'd be a fool not to accept!" 

"Well, think about it now, Carla....." Duncan reminded. "If you come with us, you may get to travel across the country and see a lot of new places outside of Los Angeles, and have the opportunity to join forces with us against evil.....but it's highly likely you won't see your family again for a little bit." 

The dark-haired girl frowned. No matter how brutal or ruthless she was as Nightclaw, her immense love for her family remained unchanged. Ever since her late mother, Martha Rosenblood, had passed away from cancer when she was three years old, she had become painfully aware of the fact that life was fleeting, and that it was important to cherish every possible moment with your loved ones. Still.....she had a chance to fight for a cause bigger than herself, those close to her, or even Los Angeles, for that matter.....and perhaps she might make a few new friends along the way. 

Soon, she came to a decision. 

"Come on!" Carla said as she walked out of the alleyway and beckoned The Viper, Duncan, and The Crawler to follow. 

"Where are we going?" The Crawler asked curiously. 

"I'm going to take you to see my family!" she responded. "My father, Dave Rosenblood, and my younger brother, Murray Rosenblood! They're going to be so excited to see the hero---and former villains---of Mercury Heights in their own house!" 

The Viper laughed nervously. "Uhhh.....hahahaha.....no thank you, we really don't have time for---"

"Sign me the heck up!" Duncan interrupted, much to the heroine's chagrin. Their difference in opinion was likely due to their contrasting reputations amongst the country's citizens; The Viper was already very well-known in a positive way, and tended to be hounded by ignorant fans left and right; visiting a family in such an informal situation, when they had not even sent an emergency call, nor were they even from her city, seemed like a major inconvenience to her. 

Duncan, on the other hand, had earned a lot of notoriety across the States for his almost world-ending actions a couple of years prior, and to him, any opportunity to connect with others and repair his standing would be gladly welcomed with open arms. And as for The Crawler, he was forever loyal to the doctor, and therefore would go with whatever he decided. 

Carla left the area and began walking down the sidewalk, not noticing that The Viper, Duncan, and The Crawler were still momentarily hesitating. 

The heroine leaned in and whispered in Duncan's ear. "This is a bad idea. We have other things we need to be doing right now."