Two Sides of The Same Coin Volume 2: The New Dawn

Chapter 20 - The Path I Tread

Professor Khurram/Cryosphere
"Don't stay up too late dear. We have work in the morning and we can't afford to be late", my wife walks out of my office as I nod in assurance while the television plays in the background. Seems Yama has finished giving his speech and is introducing the overseers of the training facility. Times have changed and people of my age are left to play catch up as new heroes and villains pop out of nowhere, there's not much I can do but try and upgrade my cryogenic powers to stay on the same playing field as our various enemies. My throat feels parched as I head to the kitchen and take out a drink, the sliding glass door leading to the backyard is open, must've been the kids who forgot to close it when they came back from playing outside. Heading back to my workshop I close the door and turn around to notice two figures standing in my office as they look at the Cryo suit, dashing towards the alarm I'm stopped by a man wielding a spear as I'm pushed back into a chair.

The cloaked figure continues to look at the suit, "Don't make any stupid moves Professor. I would hate to see your wife get hurt by your attempt to be a hero".

Jumping out of my chair I try to grab him but I'm stopped once again, "Don't you dare hurt my wife"

"I just came here to talk. Take a seat professor", the figures pulls up a chair and brightens the lights a bit revealing his identity in plain view.

"Azrael..."

"It's been a while Professor. We got a lot catching up to do. How's the family?"

The air is tense as I grip the arm rest, "They're doing good my wife—"

"I'm not talking about your work family. How's the Phantom Strikers? It's been quite a while since I've seen all of them together", he sits back, "Going through a rough patch?"

"No, everything is alright. We've just decided it'd be better if we learned to coordinate without everyone present in case of emergencies. Now tell me why are you here?"

Azrael looks at the television and back at me, "Same as you I suppose. I'm striving for a better tomorrow".

"We have very different views of what is a better tomorrow".

Azrael nods ever so slightly, "Indeed, I actually move towards providing practical solutions to the city's longest problems while everyone else is still figuring out whether criminals deserve rights or second chances".

My finger goes under the arm rest and presses a button, it should send a frequency to the team in order to get some reinforcements, "Isn't that the point? That such discussion takes place in order to better facilitate and rehabilitate said criminals to be functioning members of society right?"

Azrael leans a bit forward, "Does that include the terrorists who slaughtered thousands in France? Does that include the people that gunned down Muhammad Akel? How about Hearthstone whose wars of conquest have left thousands without a home? It seems to me that these people are past being redeemed in any way". Silence covers the room as the television continues to transmit Yama's presentation, Azrael looks back at the television, "Isn't technology great? Look how far transmission technology has advanced. The ability to transmit signals from far away with this little remote", he pulls a small remote from his pocket and flicks open the switch, it's bright red and blinks each second, "There's about 200 people in the audience right? I know you called for help, so go ahead and be the hero you need to be and say everything is fine", he tosses a phone at me and sits back.

My hands shake as I punch in the number and begin to call, the line rings until Padmini answers, "Professor! Grey Knight and Dark Archer are suiting up and are about to head—".

"There's no need of that Padmini. I accidentally pressed the emergency button as I was tinkering in my office. Im alright there's no need to worry".

Padmini pauses and answers with a hint of doubt in her voice, "You sure Professor? We'll still send them to go—".