The issue begins with Charles Xavier in the midst of a
fitful, recurring dream he’s been having. Dreams of a climactic, violent space
battle between two forces of alien ships. Then, as always, a single scoutship
manages to escape the destruction, and Charles feels drawn to the figure
within, awaking with a start just before he can see the figure’s face.
Moira MacTaggert finds the shaken Xavier, still affected by the dream, as he admits
that he’s worried he’s going mad. We then cut to Rio Diablo, where we find Alex
Summers, alias Havok, and Lorna Dane, alias Polaris, where they live while
studying for their doctoral degrees. Alex heads out while Lorna tidies up
before hearing a suspicious knock at the door. Lorna opens the door, only to
get struck down by an unknown figure. Alex hears her scream and rushes back,
only to get taken out himself by a now brainwashed Lorna, while their
mysterious captor reveals that he plans to use them to assure Xavier’s death!
Days later, some of the X-Men gather at Kennedy
International Airport to see Professor Xavier off as he leaves for his
vacation. A returned Jean Grey dotes a bit on the Professor, which he
sarcastically rebukes, before telling her to inform Nightcrawler not to misuse
the image inducer gifted him, a device used to make him appear more normal in
public. After Xavier boards his plane, Havok and Polaris suddenly appear at the
airport, surprising Cyclops. Jean tries to warn Scott of their ill intent, but
is blasted by Polaris, as Havok also attacks Scott. The pilots of Xavier’s
plane see the commotion and decide to get out of there, as Havok and Polaris
take pursuit. Nightcrawler and Colossus chase after the two, with Nightcrawler
managing to tackle Havok, causing his energy blast to go wild and completely
destroy another nearby unoccupied plane in an enormous explosion, as Xavier’s
plane manages to escape!
The X-Men look upon the chaos, stunned, while Cyclops
angrily asks his brother what he thinks he’s doing. The man giving their orders
then appears as well, revealing himself as Erik the Red, leaving Cyclops
utterly shocked, as Erik the Red was a persona he himself adopted once when
going undercover! As the X-Men engage with the villain, Storm attempts to get
Jean to safety, but is intercepted by Polaris. Meanwhile, Cyclops tries to
reason with Havok and break him free from Erik the Red’s control. Havok blasts
a wall behind Cyclops, covering him in debris, but allowing Cyke to sucker
punch Havok when he goes to check on his brother. Meanwhile still, Nightcrawler
and Colossus engage Erik the Red, with Nightcrawler teleporting behind him so
they can attack him from both sides!
Back with Storm, she and Polaris seem to be at a
deadlock, when Polaris says they’ll have to put this little game on hold.
Storm, furious at Polaris for calling trying to kill them all a mere game,
delivers an epic lightning zap to Polaris, taking her out and sending Havok
into a rage. Just then, Banshee and Wolverine arrive as reinforcements, as Erik
the Red decides to make a strategic retreat, grabbing Havok and Polaris and
flying away. Cyclops threatens to blast them but can’t bring himself to strike
down his brother and lets them escape, earning him some ire from Wolverine, who
calls Cyclops a coward. This, in turn, prompts Cyclops to deck Wolverine, who
is stopped by Storm before he can retaliate. As Cyclops walks away, we see that
the whole encounter was being watched over a video screen by Steven Lang, who
in turn is being watched by another mysterious figure!