Two large asteroid fragments are
falling to Earth, one in a populated area in Ohio. The Avengers are
on the scene: Captain America and Dr Druid are evacuating the
projected impact area, the latter by using mass hypnosis to steer
shoppers out of a nearby mall. Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau) and
Thor are in space breaking up the larger chunks so they will burn up
in Earth's atmosphere as are She-Hulk and Black Knight piloting the
Quinjet. The jet is disabled by a crash and Thor has to catch it
before it hits the ground, steering it to safety. National Security
Council agents arrive and lay claim to the asteroid fragments, which
are unusually magnetic and appear in places to be man-made....
In the Soviet Union, a railroad
automatic switching system malfunctions and a train derails with
another hurtling toward it. The Soviet Super-Soldiers are on the
scene: Vanguard stops the speeding train, Darkstar contains a fuel
explosion, Titanium Man extinguishes the fire while Ursa Major rights
the damaged cars. Crimson Dynamo arrives to help but the others
distrust him as a KGB spy. CD explains that the railway disaster was
caused by an EMP emitted by an asteroid fragment falling to Earth and
appeals to them to join him on a mission to avenge the Soviet
people....
Several X-Men are enjoying a holiday at
the seashore: Rogue goes swimming, Dazzler dances, Wolverine soaks up
the sun but Havok broods over Magneto's presence, Storm misses her
powers, and Magneto hears about the asteroid fall on the radio.
Wondering if the fragment that came down in Kampuchea could be part
of his demolished Asteroid M base, Mags secretly heads off to the
site, unaware that Logan saw him go. Logan checks the ship's computer
to learn what Mags was looking for and summons the others; they are
concerned about what Magneto might do if something from his criminal
past has survived....
The Avengers learn from the NSC that
the asteroid fragments contain the remains of Magneto's base and that
the CIA leaked the info to the KGB and the latter agency is plotting
to assassinate Magneto. After filling in Dr Druid (and the readers)
on Magneto's supervillain history, they decide that the right thing
to do would be to arrest Magneto and put him on trial....
Magneto arrives in Kampuchea, searching
for the asteroid; the Avengers show up and try to place him under
arrest; the X-Men appear and challenge the Avengers for Magneto;
enter the Soviet Super-Soldiers demanding they turn over Magneto or
they will arrest everyone....
X-Men: Storm, Havok, Rogue, Wolverine,
Dazzler, Magneto
Avengers: Captain America (Steve
Rogers), Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau), Black Knight, Dr Druid,
She-Hulk, Thor
Soviet Super-Soldiers: Vanguard,
Darkstar, Ursa Major, Titanium Man (Gremlin), Crimson Dynamo (Dmitri
Bukharin)