Cyclops and Storm engage in an impromptu workout in
the mansion’s gym, playing a game of handball using their powers, with Storm
scoring another point. The two competitive leaders are at a dead heat, even an
hour into the game. Cyclops pulls a tricky maneuver to score another point as
well, tying the game up once again. The two decide to call it a draw, both
exhausted from their workout and neither willing to concede defeat. Meanwhile
in space just off Saturn, we find Corsair, captain of the Starjammers, making
his way to Earth with haste. He contemplates his complex feelings about
returning to Earth, until he is found by his pursuers, a Shi’ar battle cruiser!
We then take another interlude to Magneto’s former
island base, which the X-Men have appropriated for their own use. Colossus
unloads their cargo, accompanied by his sister Illyana. Nightcrawler teleports
in after having perused the island, wondering if it’s safe for them.
Professor X picks up on his thoughts and admits concerns as well, but due to the growing
anti-mutant sentiments in the States, feels that the mansion is no longer safe
for them. Elsewhere on the island, Carol Danvers mourns the loss of her powers
and memories, feeling lost, empty, and depressed. Wolverine joins her in an
attempt to console her, but is interrupted by Kitty Pryde, sent by Xavier to
find him. Back in space, Corsair is forced to put his pilot skills to the test
as he speeds towards Earth, narrowly avoiding his enemies’ fire!
Back in Westchester, Cyclops and Storm eat lunch and
discuss their roles as team leader, both uncertain which of the two of them
they want to continue the role. Just then, they hear a roaring sound as
Corsair’s ship crash lands into the pond outside! The two rescue Corsair, who
is then plagued by dreams of losing his family and the attack and capture of
the other Starjammers, leading him to head to Earth for help. He awakens and is
immediately accosted by Scott, who finds Corsair’s dog tags and picture of his
family, recognizing the children as himself and his brother Alex. Corsair
admits to being Scott’s father and Storm backs up his statement. Before Scott
can ask any more questions, they’re attacked by an alien race of bounty hunters
called the Sidri, there to stop Corsair! They fight the Sidri through the
house, until Storm whips up a tornado, which only serves to throw them off
balance. Corsair considers that the Sidri must have been hired, while Scott
wrestles with his feelings of the recent revelation. Storm decides to stay back
to hold off the Sidri, giving Cyclops and Corsair time to reach the Blackbird,
planning to draw the Sidri away from civilians and rendezvous with the other
X-Men. Corsair accuses Scott of uncaringly leaving Storm behind and Scott gives
him a well-deserved punch, stating they’re both doing what’s necessary.
The Blackbird takes off, Scott noting the mansion has
now been completely destroyed, and the Sidri all combine into one large ship to
follow them. The Sidri chase them through the city, Scott doing his best to
avoid populated areas, and they realize they’ll need to combine their powers to
disrupt the Sidri’s energy matrix and separate them. Storm creates a cyclone
around the Sidri ship, as Cyclops hammers away with his optic blasts from all
sides. Eventually, enough damage has been done to disrupt the matrix, and the
Blackbird punches right through the ship, separating it into the individual
Sidri once more. They land in a petroleum storage facility and Corsair ignites
the whole thing, destroying the Sidri, regardless of the possible risk to
civilians. Cyclops and Storm decry his actions, but Corsair states he’s also
doing what he needs to. He reveals that Lilandra was kidnapped by unknown
persons, who made their way to Earth. The Shi’ar are already in Earth space,
willing to do whatever necessary to rescue their Empress, even destroy the
Earth if needed, and Corsair is there to make sure that doesn’t happen! To be
continued!