Chapter Sixty-One: Graduation Season

Satellites are a massive undertaking; even with the previous semi-finished satellite and the assistance of Red Queen, Michael still needed a great deal of time. While Michael was working, Gwen called.

"Hey, genius, have you forgotten something?"

"What?"

"The graduation ceremony."

Michael was momentarily stunned; he didn't recall anything about that. Gwen sighed helplessly, "You've been cooped up in the lab for a month. Of course you don't know anything."

Michael thought back—he hadn't really attended any classes this semester, the total time spent in class wasn't even a month. With such attendance, was the school really going to issue him a diploma?

"Hurry up, I'm waiting for you to take graduation photos together."

"Wait for me, don't be impatient." Michael removed his lab coat, grabbed a pair of rectangular glasses, put them on, and drew a portal straight to the school's grove.

Even at this hour, young couples lingered here, seemingly savoring their last moments of high school. Michael shook his head; these youngsters just didn't understand. College life was far better—wouldn't it be wiser to save their energy for university?

He made his way to the track and found Gwen.

"Hi, Gwen."

"How are you here so quickly?" Gwen was a bit surprised.

Michael smiled, "I just opened a portal and came through."

"Put this on first." Gwen handed him a mortarboard and gown, dressing him up. Michael was surprised—wasn't this just a high school graduation? Why so formal?

"And this too. Is high school graduation always this ceremonious? How far along are we?"

"Our class is up for photos soon, and then the excellent graduates will give their speeches."

Michael glanced around and saw some classes had finished their group photos, while others clustered with close friends for snapshots; Peter hadn't arrived yet.

"Here, let me give you a pair of glasses." Michael took out another pair and placed them on Gwen.

"What are these for? I don't need glasses." Gwen put them on anyway, and instantly a flood of virtual images appeared before her eyes.

"Hello, Red Queen is at your service."

"Oh my god, what is this?" Gwen stared at Michael in astonishment. Michael explained humorously, "A household sprite. Very practical."

"What can it do?"

"Anything your phone can do, it can do."

"Then why did you make it?"

Soon, their class's turn for photos arrived. With MJ urging him repeatedly, Peter hurried over. Uncle Ben and Aunt May watched their 'child's' graduation from the crowd.

"Isn't that girl the one from Peter's computer? Why is she dating someone else?"

"Which one?"

Uncle Ben pointed to Gwen.

"Oh, but who's that girl next to Peter?" Aunt May wondered.

"No idea."

The two shared a glance, unable to help but marvel at how complicated kids' lives had become.

After the photos, Gwen went on stage to speak as an outstanding graduate. Michael stood below, her loyal audience. Peter returned to Uncle Ben and Aunt May, handing them his diploma.

"Wait a second, Peter, I have something to ask you."

"What is it?" Peter looked at Uncle Ben.

"What's going on with you and that girl?"

"Which girl?" Peter assumed they meant MJ and feigned ignorance.

"The one giving the speech. I've seen her photo as your desktop background. What's your relationship?"

Peter didn't know how to explain.

"No relationship. We're just classmates."

"Unrequited love," Aunt May cut straight to the heart of it.

Peter replied awkwardly, "If you insist, then yes."

"Oh, we had no idea. You haven't even started dating and you're already heartbroken."

Seeing their worried faces, Peter felt even more embarrassed, wishing he could disappear.

"Stop teasing me. I actually have a girlfriend now."

"A girlfriend?" Uncle Ben and Aunt May exchanged a look, unable to hold back a comment, "Young people sure change fast these days."

"Since that's the case, we won't worry about you anymore."

Michael watched Peter Parker. Although he was now Spider-Man, Michael still wasn't sure if Peter truly understood what it meant to be a hero. After all, Ben Parker was still alive; he could only hope Peter would prove reliable.

While Michael was lost in thought, Red Queen spoke up.

"Sir, we've received an order from the military."

Michael smiled, "I know."

Gwen finished her speech, ran down, and embraced Michael. The two kissed passionately.

The homeroom teacher approached with a white-haired old man, interrupting their kiss. Michael recognized the old man as the school principal, though he honestly couldn't remember the teacher's name.

The principal smiled, "Hello, Michael. May we take a photo together?"

"A photo? What for?"

The principal continued, "I'd like to hang it in our school's hallway, to show everyone that you're one of our outstanding graduates."

Michael was speechless. He'd only spent a few days at this school, and now they wanted to hang his picture on the wall? No wonder they were issuing him a diploma—Americans sure have their tricks.

For Gwen's sake, Michael agreed to the photo.

Then, hand in hand, Michael and Gwen went to the company.

"You haven't told me yet—are you going to keep studying?"

"No. Wishing you a wonderful university life."

Gwen was a little disappointed, but she understood Michael was genuinely busy.

Michael headed to his office and found Colonel Rhodes sitting inside, which left him a bit disappointed; he'd thought it was a big order.

"Colonel Rhodes, what brings you here? As far as I know, aren't all the military contracts given to Hammer?"

Rhodes stood and looked at Michael.

"Is Tony's health failing?"

Michael smiled, "Your relationship is closer than mine. You shouldn't be asking me."

Rhodes wanted to say they had fallen out.

"Tony's been giving away his fortune lately, put Potts in the CEO seat, even gave me the Iron Man suit. I'm worried about his state."

"Don't worry. He's found a new element to replace palladium. You should worry about tonight."

"Tonight?" Rhodes was puzzled. Wasn't tonight Hammer Industries' Iron Expo? Did Justin Hammer have some scheme?

"As far as I know, Hammer recruited Ivan Vanko to make his Iron suits—the same man who attacked Tony on the racetrack."

"Oh, shit."

Rhodes got up to leave, paused at the door, and turned back to Michael. "If you know anything else, you'd better tell me now."

"Good luck," Michael said, spreading his hands.

Rhodes slammed the door and left.

During Justin Hammer's expo, Ivan Vanko remotely controlled an army of unmanned armored drones, attacking Iron Man alongside War Machine. Later, after Black Widow stormed Hammer's headquarters and disabled the remote control, Vanko donned his whip-armored suit to fight Iron Man and War Machine, overpowering both with his formidable defenses.

Frankly, Justin Hammer's act of inviting trouble into his own house is not something to be encouraged.