*Tricity has informed all X-Men to meet in front of the Danger Room for training and updates. So chitty chat up with other members until she arrives.*

Raphael stepped into the Danger Room. A place he had not been regularly since the facility incident. He was almost relieved to see that he was the first to arrive for the X-Men meeting. Better early than late, a item of note that he always attempted to do. He looked around the empty room, and decided to do some warming up on his own, at least until another member arrived.

"Computer, begin kick-boxing program, level five," He said as he stripped off his over shirt and began stretching. He was slowly working his way back to the higher levels of the training programs. This one was a fairly simple 'kick the target' type of program, one designed to enhance accuracy and form than really teach the hard and rough of kick-boxing. The latter he would do later, possibly after the group session.

Or you could work on your agility again... which is what you should do. He scolded himself as he still needed to build himself back to where he was before. He had not practiced his own personalized style since getting kidnapped. He gave a shake of his head and looked at the targets. "Computer, bump it up to level 6 and start program."

He waited for the split second to pass and the new targets to appear, and then went to work putting his foot through each in turn, practicing while waiting for others.

Tricity was looking down at her clipboard when she opened the door to the Danger Room and sat down at one of the leather chairs in front of the massive computers. As she looked up from her notes, she saw Raphael was practicing down in the simulation room. Tricity tapped on the microphone and paused the simulation. "Hey, you. Trying to wear yourself out so soon? Come up so I can get your measurements before the others arrive."

Raphael looked up at the observation room as the simulation paused and Tricity spoke into the microphone. He gave a shake of his head in response to her question. While he had worked up a sweat in his short and active practice, he was far from tired. His stamina had caught up with his changed body first, and his strength was slowly building in suite. He left the practice room and came around the corner into the observation chamber.

"Mornin' Miss Tricity. Just warming up, I don't get tired quickly any more, thinkin' my stamina's worked itself back into motion." He smiled and walked over to where she sat. "Alright, it's been a long time since I last had measurements taken for a tailored suit... what's first?"

Zeke was walking down the hallway of the school when he passed the Danger Room. He had always wondered what it would be like to practice with the massive computer, but he had been very busy and his schedule had sort of kept him out. Checking his watch, he realized he had plenty of time until his next class. He reached into his pocket and grabbed his cell phone which he liked to call Felixar. "Felixar on..."

The computerized cell phone kicked into action and spoke, "Good day sir."

"Hello Felixar. I hope you are good today."

"Fine sir, I need a little tuning maybe. Something to jar my batteries."

Zeke chuckled a little at the AI spontanuity of the phone. "Yes, I'll charge you up back at the room. Take a message..."

"Yes sir." Hummed Felixar.

Zeke held the phone up and spoke directly into the microphone. "This is Professor White. I'm training down in the Danger Room this afternoon. If you need me you can find me there. Remember, exams Friday. I hope you all have a great afternoon."

"Message taken sir." The computer chimed with a digital bell in the background.

"Thank you Felixar. Have a good rest."

"Thank you sir." With a soft whir, the computer went to sleep. Zeke slipped the phone back into his pocket and continued to chuckle. Boy did he love technology.

Shaking the thoughts of world religion from his mind, and moving on to more interesting subjects like engineering and meteorology, he allowed his mind to wander as he pushed his way through the door of the Danger Room. Stepping inside, he saw Raphael and Tricity conversing over on a set of leather chairs. Smiling, Zeke walked up. He was unaware of anything happening today, and normally the headmistress would not be found in the Danger Room. Odd...

Zeke smiled at the two and said, "How are you both today? Is there a training session or something going on in here? I haven't seen you around this machine in the few weeks I've been here Miss Tricity. By the way, how's the baby doing?"

"Hey, Zeke. Yes, the X-Men are training in here today," she answered taking her tape measure that was wrapped around her waist and pulling Raphael's arms up in a horizontal fashion. "And the baby's doing fine, thank you. How are you?" She stretched the tape across Raphael's left hand, across the chest, and to his right hand, taking down the measurements. Tricity then patted the inside of his knees so he would spread his legs.

A little training session for the X-Men. Fantastic. Zeke had only been here a little while, but he already loved the people here. Most of them were kind, strong, and smart, and Zeke really longed to be a part of their little fellowship of warriors. If only she had a chance to see what I can do. I've been here for several weeks, she knows me pretty well... I've helped more faithfully than most. I wonder if I could join the X-Men...

But Zeke pushed the thought from his mind. Not right to be so forward about it. He figured that if she needed his help on the team, she would realize his use and ask him for it at this point. Maybe later on he would ask, but for now he would wait and see if she offered. "So, you mind if I atleast sit in on your training session. Maybe I can learn something... or maybe I can take part?" Maybe a little too strong... but atleast it would show Tricity that Zeke's heart was in the right place. He sincerly wanted to help people out, the school in particular, and it had showed these past few weeks.

He waltzed over to Raphael's side and chuckled. "How are you today man?" Then turning back to Tricity, "That's pretty cool about the baby. You must be due really soon... I wish you the best, and I firmly believe he will be a healthy and strong little baby!"

Then he turned the conversation, "I'm great thanks. My teaching has been going well, and my dreams haven't acted up too much lately. Seems like Nightdream is going easy on me. I'm thrilled that I don't have that inconsiderate Deathstar in my class yet though... I couldn't see teaching that girl. She's very arrogant and full of herself. But anyways... I have faith she can improve. Class is going well though, and I'm fairly certain that each student is doing well enough to pass the class, with over half of them getting A's. It just pleads the question which is the brighter, the students or the teacher..." He chuckled at his own joke with a gleam in his eye.

Tricity smirked. "Yea, Deathstar...is complicated it seems." She put the top of the tape to Raphael's shoulder and then dropped the other end to the floor to wrap under his legs. Tricity cleared her throat and looked up at Raphael as she was about to pull the tape measure between his legs and up his back. "Pardon the intrusion," she said sarcastically.

After taking that measurement she turned to Zeke. "Well, you can certainly sit in to watch. I can't have you participate in the training session though. Intrested in joining still?"

"Yeah. All of us mutants have had difficult lives our entire lives... but I guess some handle it better than others." He frowned and lowered his head a little as he thought of how rough it had to be to be Deathstar. Never liked because of the way she acted, so she had to act even worse to get attention. Must be tough on her...

He jerked his head back up to Tricity when she mentioned the session and joining. Wow... she's the upfront one... "Thanks, I'd be thrilled to watch. That's all right about participating. I can watch as good as any, give me a little feel for how the computer reacts. It will help me when I get inside there. I figure it's always better to know your enemy." He smiled, "Yes, I'm still interested in joining if you want me. I heard that a mutant named Kaine left the team a couple days ago, after the raiding party returned, so I don't know if there's any openings."

Zeke gave the idea some thought. Maybe if he offered something they didn't have. The X-Men needed people with expertise, not just fighters. Maybe if he offered his particular skills it would up the ante and give him a better shot at a position in the ranks. "You know," he spoke softly but confidently, "I studied engineering in Jerusalem for several years while I was ministering. I thought the tool might come in handy someday, and maybe it could. I understand engineering probably better than anyone in this entire facility. Need a bomb rigged? I can do it. Need something well thought out and created? Done. If you need someone to walk you through a complicated structure and explain its weakness and strengths, that's my strong suite." He took a short breath and continued, "I can do anything that deals with the topic of engineering... from constructing a high tech fighter plane to explaining or helping bypass the transfer of heat between the components of tough security system that needs getting past."

Again, another breath. This time it was longer and more relaxed. He hadn't yet mentioned his expertise to Tricity, but she might have use for it. "So yes, I would like to be an X-Men if you need me or want me... but I don't want to be pushy about it. I figure when you need me, I'll be waiting. No rush if you're not comfortable with it yet."

Good comeback Zeke... good job. He felt like he had displayed his case upfront and rightly. He had done the right thing and wasn't pushy. He felt good about it.

Tricity's eyebrow raised when she heard Kaine had mentioned leaving the X-Men. Zeke continued on with his experience, but her mind had been locked on the previous matter. She immediately stood up and turned to face him as she stopped with the measurements. "Wait, when did you hear about Kaine leaving?"

Hmmm... I thought it was well documented that Kaine had left, and I would think that Tricity would atleast know when one of her own was gone. He's been gone for a few days after all... Better explain, "I thought you knew about Kaine... I was informed by the Doc a few days ago. It seems that he was laying on the operating table and decided he was done with the X-Men. Got up and left... wierd. He just got off the table, turned into a shadow, and disapeered."

He realized that Tricity was a little distracted by the sudden discussion of Kaine.

Wire had abruptly come in on the conversation and tripped over his own foot. He laughed uncomfortably and then cleared his throat. "Actually, yea. The Doc Prof told me yesterday and he wanted me to tell you at the meeting today, Tric. He figured now would be a good time since we are doing updates and all. He stabbed one of the medical workers in the arm and then turned into shadow like Zeke said."

Dominic plopped down into one of the leather chairs and swung side to side. "He said something like, 'he wants to join people like him', or something." Wire could see this was upsetting to Tricity as he watched her expression change. 'Wish I didn't have to be the one to break the news. Seems like someone else beat me to it anyway. Rumors fly so quickly around this place,' he thought, biting his nail.

Zeke was a little suprised to see someone walk in and steal the conversation away from him. He didn't usually like people interrupting him, but he figured he'd let it slip this time. It wasn't that big of a deal anyways. He hadn't met this mutant before, probably an X-Man. Zeke walked over and held out his hand...

"Ezekiel White... I'm a Prof here at the school. I don't think I've met you before." After shaking the mutant's hand he walked back to Tricity's side. "Well... what can say? If there's anything I can do about it... please let me know..."

"Dominic this is Zeke, Zeke meet Dominic. Dominic or Wire, is one of the members of the X-Men and has been for quite some time," she said, shaking her head to Zeke. "Don't worry about it." Tricity sat back down in the leather chair, but then stood back up when she realized she hadn't finished with measurements on Raphael. "Thanks, Dom. I wish the Doc would've told me before...but I have been busy. You always seem to be my messenger of ill news."

"Hi Dominic!" He smiled at the man good naturedly, then turned back to Tricity.

After hearing her comments on ill news, he grimaced a little, "Sorry to have to break it to you that way. You've been under a lot of stress recently, but I was under the impression that you already knew. Please forgive me for speaking of it so casually... my misunderstanding and mistake." He sighed a little and then took a seat on one of the chairs. "Meanwhile, Miss Tricity, did you hear what I said about the engineering? What'd'ya think?"