West Coast Issue 18
"Graduation"
The office smelt like drywall mud and fresh carpet glue.
Still, it was immaculate. Forge and his workforce was incomparable. The Cafeteria and the Administration Building were rebuilt in only three days. In keeping with his skill set, as per the Professor's request, Forge upgraded the Security Systems of the West Coast School. Forge actually made a breakthrough on the targeting systems and built in a defense against Robert James technique so he could not control any of the WCS systems anymore. The Professor had him on route to Westchester to install the upgrades on the Mansion.
Jon and Drake walked into the large office, sitting in two of the five chairs pulled up around the desk in a semicircle. Lexis Dante sat behind the desk, blinking profusely.
"How do they feel, Sis?" Jon walked around the desk, staring at her eyes.
Lexis had many scars around her eyes, but they were nothing compared to the implants Forge had installed in her eyes. "Still getting used to it."
They were like gears, spinning with red and blues, layered upon each other. Each time she looked at something, her implants moved forward and backward, focusing.
Opening, the glass door to the office moved to the presence of the girls. Karinn, Valerie, and Britnie walked in, looking around and then settling their eyes on Lexis's eyes.
"How are you feeling, Ms. Lexis?" Val asked, sitting in chair.
She nodded. "I'm doing very well, thanks for asking." Lexis smiled, her scars unable to deter from her genuine happiness. "Let's get started here. There is so much to happen and we have precious little time."
Everyone sat, locking eyes on the telepath. She cleared her voice and began.
"Tomorrow, we will hold the first graduation at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters West Coast. You five will be our first class." Lexis paused to let it sink in.
They all looked at each other, then back to Lexis. Jon spoke up.
"Are we ready? Or is this because of our survival a few days ago?"
"Both." Lexis held her hand to her chest. "The Professor, Dr. McCoy and I all agree that it is in this school's best interest to graduate and promote you five into full X Men status."
"May I ask why?" Drake leaned forward on his knees.
Lexis nodded. "The Professor will be here in a few moments. He has something he wants to discuss. As far as this is concerned, any objections to graduation?"
The room was silent with nods and smiles.
The door opened once more, and Dr. McCoy and Professor Xavier went behind the desk with Lexis Dante. The Professor was smiling, looking at each of the five with designated happiness.
"Are we all excited about graduation?"
Everyone nodded, still unsure about what was happening.
"Well enough." Xavier reversed and motioned to Dr. McCoy. "Hank."
"Professor." Dr. McCoy stepped forward, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Students. How are you faring?"
Uneasiness abounded.
Britnie spoke. "A little unsure as what is happening, Doctor."
"Rightly so." He nodded. "Before the Professor explains what is happening, I would like to extend my greatest apologies and offer my sincerest apologies to you on behalf of our fallen teammate. Loren Perez was phenomenal as a mutant and as a person. The world is at a disadvantage now that she is gone."
Dr. McCoy placed his hand on Drake's shoulder. The boy was swallowing hard, eyes glossy.
"Second, I want to say that this school could not have asked for a better group of individuals to represent our first graduating class. Without the combined efforts of you youngsters, the fate of this school, Lexis and my lives included, would have a cloudy prediction. For that, my hat is off to you."
Jon glanced at the girls to his left. Britnie and Val were crying, Karinn wiping tears away as she composed.
"Last, I want you five to know that I respect you. To stand where others would have fallen, where others defected, is a testament to your character and integrity. Be vigilant in the days ahead. This is just the beginning." Dr. McCoy bowed with his head and waved motioned to the Professor.
Xavier leaned forward in his chair. "Hank has spoken for the both of us, myself included."
Jon bounced his eyebrows. The Professor's statement hit him deep. At the Westchester School, before he transferred out here with Lexi, Jon felt the Professor thought of him as a "Bad Egg" so to speak. The remark made Jon feel a part of something greater.
You will do great things, Jon Dante. Of that I am sure.
Xavier's voice in his head made Jon look down, out of the window behind the desk he was gazing through. He hadn't noticed the Professor's gaze staring at him.
"With the new titles as X Men, you five, if you choose it, will be offered an opportunity I doubt you will turn down." Professor X sat back.
"What opportunity?" Karinn turned heads as she asked what the five were thinking.
Xavier's expression turned stern, his brow flattened and eyes concentrated. "When someone attacks any one of my students, it is someone attacking my family. Since the incursion in Arizona a little over a year ago, I have been tracking Robert James's movements. A day before his attack, his signal disappeared. I assumed he had rebuilt his Psychic Defense earpiece. Learning of a few students betrayal at this school and their ability to hide their intentions from your headmistress here, my speculations were confirmed."
"My deepest apologies, Professor, but we have been through a lot. Can you get to the point?" Karinn turned heads again. Jon smirked.
So did the Professor.
"I am devoting my resources, along with the team in Westchester to tracking down and apprehending Robert James."
"Is this an act of vengeance, Professor?" Drake looked blankly at the floor.
"I believe Robert James is the attempting to start a war between humans and mutants, along with mutant to mutants." Xavier sighed. "The fact that he is a terrorist and a powerful mutant adds to the urgency."
Britnie cocked her head to the side. "What part do we play in this?"
"I believe you five would make great additions to three teams I am assembling to track, seize and apprehend James." Xavier nodded. "Your experience and talents would compliment my own groups'."
"When you say, 'group', you mean?" Jon motioned with his hands for the Professor to elaborate.
"If you choose to accept, you each will be added to the three teams I have organized, under command and including senior members of the X Men in New York."
Jon, Britnie, Drake, Karinn, and Valerie all turned their heads and nodded yes at the same time. There was no hesitation, no delay, no confirmation that the others in their class were in agreement.
"That is what I was hoping for." Xavier smiled. "After graduation, you will leave immediately for the Mansion and begin training with your respective teams. Deployment will happen in one month. We are pressed for time and much will be demanded of you. I am sure you can handle what is coming, however."
"Professor?"
"Yes, Jon?"
"Let's go get those Mother-Fuckers…"
~o~
"And remember, be vigilant in the days ahead… this is just the beginning." Dr. McCoy spoke at the lectern atop the stage on the lawn in front of the Administration Building. The fresh sod was odorant and crisp. The entire West Coast school was there. The days ceremonies had gifted a few lower classmen with medals for Acts of Courage. One student, Janette Newart, was given a special commendation for pulling multiple students from harm in the attack.
"Congratulations, and welcome to the X Men." Dr. McCoy started the applause, cascading from the crowd to the five sitting next to him in cap and gown tradition.
He and the Professor motioned for them to stand and individually handed a diploma to them. As the crowd quieted, Dr. McCoy returned to lectern, one diploma in his furry hand.
"And this, to observe our fallen sister, our loss, is awarded to Loren Marie Perez, who's sacrifice has made all this possible. We congratulate you, Loren." Dr. McCoy started a second clap.
It was exponentially louder than the prior.
Drake stepped up, his blue gown flowing in the wind. Hugging Beast, Drake stepped to the lectern to say some words.
"In respect to the most beautiful individual I have ever had the privilege of meeting, let us offer a moment of silence as we unveil the plate commemorating this new Administration Building in her name."
Drake turned to Lexis and she nodded, illuminating eyes blinking. She turned to the building behind them and waved her hand. The white covering fell from the front showing a large brass plaque with "Loren Marie Perez Building" inscribed in the mirrored-metal. Above the large double doors, the same text was painted in embossed lettering.
No clapping was heard as everyone looked to the memory.
Drake would not peel his eyes away.
~o~
The crowd had moved indoors, to the Dining Room in the second story of the Cafeteria. Many finger foods and beverages were provided for all in attendance as everyone mingled, speaking. Jon and Drake stood aside the crowd.
"Its funny."
Drake turned to Jon. "What is?"
"This is almost like a circus in here, all of us mutants and all."
They shared a pathetic chuckle.
Jon squeezed his friend's shoulder. "How you doing today, Brother?"
"This is it, she's gone. And it's not right." Drake finished his cup of cranberry juice.
"I know man. I know. But with this new gig, we are going to get those ass-wipes back. For real." Jon consoled.
"Sure as hell, we are." Drake clenched his fist, turning the cup into plastic shards and his hand filmed over the black of his ability, like he had dipped his fist in the blackest ink.
"Jon! Drake!" The Britnie came over from the crowd.
Jon raised his eyebrows. Under the gown was a strapless dress, shimmering black with a large pink flower down to her knees. "You look amazing, Britnie."
"You cleaned up nice too, Jon." She blushed for a second, but recovered and skipped over the two of them.
Britnie wrapped her arms around Jon's neck and kissed him. She got down off her tiptoes and looked to Drake. "We will fix this the best we can, Drake."
He nodded and Britnie hugged him tight.
"Hey guys!" Val emerged from the people, Karinn behind her.
Britnie squeezed both of Drake's hands and then turned to hug Val and Karinn. "I can't believe we are X Men!" The three of them held hands in a circle and hopped once.
"You still have a lot of training."
The voice was stern, deep and commanding. A tall man, over six foot with a broad chest walked over. His hair was combed back and he wore ruby sunglasses, even inside. Behind him, equally commanding and strong, an African American woman, almost like royalty, strode over, vibrant hair a striking platinum.
"Be considerate, Scott. It is their day. You were in their shoes once." Her voice was also dense, with years of experience in every tone.
"Yes, Ororo. But Scott is also correct. Much is to be accomplished." Another man, tall and pretty, walked over. A hunch protruding from his back made him look deformed. Unlike the first man, his hair was bright and gold.
"Ah, just the group I wanted to see getting acquainted." Dr. McCoy lumbered over, Professor Xavier and Lexis Dante close behind.
"These are your new teammates." The Professor addressed the three. "Scott Summers, Ororo Munroe, and Warren Worthington the Third, meet Jon Dante, Drake Ramsey, Karinn Smallwood, Britnie Terrance and Valerie Nelson."
"Excuse me, Professor." Beast ducked out, seeming to avoid an awkward situation.
A casual nod among the acquaintances was exchanged. Xavier turned to the five.
"These are your Squad Leaders. Scott, or Cyclops, is head of Team Alpha, Ororo or Storm, Team Beta, and Warren, or Angel, Team Gamma."
Everyone studied each other.
The ting like a bell cut through low conversation and the silent exchange of body language in the Dining Room. Near the front of the room, Dr. McCoy tapped a glass.
"I would like to offer a toast."
Jon smirked at Cyclops, Angel and Storm before turning to the front of the room.
Beast raised his glass.
"To the Graduating Class and their future! Be strong! Be safe!" He drank the champagne.
"Cheers!"
Many voice were quieted in the drinking of agreement.
"Well," the Professor's wheelchair turned around and faced his X Men. "Shall we begin?"
The story continues in "X Men: Redemption" coming soon...