BoH: The Guests Arrive

[x-wolfcub.livejournal.com]

Professor Xavier takes the stage for his opening remarks to the graduation ceremony. But he is sudden cut off by a surprise couple of guests.



Professor Charles Xavier wheeled himself onto the stage, placing himself behind the podium and offering his audience a warm smile.

"This has not been the most auspicious occasion, between heat and power outages, but thank you for your patience. I assure you, I won't take up too much of your time."

There was a smattering of chuckles, plus some relieved-sounding murmurs.

"First of all, may I extend the thanks of Xavier's to the Salem Centre Theatre Group for allowing us use of their hall at very short notice." Following Charles' lead, the audience gave a brief round of applause, the director of the group standing up briefly and nodding his head in acknowledgement.

"This is the fourteenth such ceremony I have attended, since the school opened in 1986," he continued. "And I never cease to be amazed by the calibre of the young people who I am proud to call graduates of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. 2010 is no exception - before you stand exceptional students, who have overcome the obstacles pitched against them to be here today, with their families and their friends, to celebrate their successful completion of high school.

"It has been a turbulent school year. The world has changed more in the last twelve months than any of us could have imagined. But something that has not changed is the need for people with conviction, with the courage to stand up for what they believe in. More than ever, the world needs integrity, and I believe that the class of 2010 has that. No matter what they individually choose to do from here on in, I have great faith that they will change the world, for the better."

Applause broke out and Charles raised his hand with another smile.

"Ladies and gentlemen, families, friends, staff and students, join me in congratulating the class of 2010." He raised his hands to begin to clap, but he had barely brought them together once before he flinched back, hand going to his neck where a brightly-coloured feather tuft protruded. He glanced around to backstage, mouth opening, but before he could say anything, he pitched forward out of the wheelchair, unconscious.

From the top of the ramp came a cold voice.

"Nothing to be alarmed about good people." Donald Pierce said as he reached towards the companion at his side. With a tap on the man's wrist, the riffle in his hands was lowered as Pierce wrapped his hands behind his back. "It's just that I really do hate long winded speeches."

Risman scoffed slightly, he'd never known the cybernetic freak to be short-winded, but then again, the abomination was just a means-to-an-end. He whistled and his men, pure humans all, hustled into the room with rifles held on the crowd.

Despite the chaos and running of participant around him, Risman remained cool. Still with his hands behind his back, Donald begins pacing forward. "Ladies and gentlemen, many of you came here to observe with your eyes what you were told or perceive to be the future." Sweeping his hands to the side, Pierce gestures towards the stage as he spins a small circle. "Mutation."

As he continues forward, his hands return to his back. "But, I am here to tell you that mutation is not the future. But cybernetics." A smile on his face he points towards the back of the room where a dozen men dressed in Kevlar vests have formed a small row across the back of the room. "Allow me to present a demonstration."

"Boys." Came out with a sick smile. "At the ready." With one final spin around, he looked over the hectic scene he and Risman had already caused.

“Attack.”