X-Factor#60(1990)

In Genosha, President Madame Reneau visits the monstrous cyborg Cameron Hodge, who boasts about Warlock’s death and the international consequences of Genosha’s actions. The Genegineer, Dr. David Moreau, angrily objects to the President’s public threats, pointing out that Warlock’s death was accidental and that several captives have escaped. Reneau reminds him that his duty is to create the mutates who sustain Genosha’s economy, while Hodge privately plots to use Wolfsbane to recapture the fugitives and destroy X-Factor, the X-Men and the New Mutants. Meanwhile, W-ARC News reports on the growing crisis, with the United States breaking diplomatic relations with Genosha. Network producer Paul Burton orders reporter Henshaw to obtain a live reaction from Washington, D.C., while assigning Sam Mellon to investigate the kidnapped mutants and their families. At the same time, X-Factor travels to a secret government facility, where Dr. Valerie Cooper explains that Genosha considers Jenny Ransome, identified as Mutate 9817, to be property. She makes clear that the government will not prevent the mutants from attempting a rescue, although it will deny any involvement should they be captured or killed. Back at Ship, Cannonball, Sunspot, Banshee and Gambit prepare equipment for the coming assault. Their grief over Warlock’s death is compounded when W-ARC broadcasts a cruel interview with Boom-Boom’s drunken father. X-Factor soon returns, and Cyclops says goodbye to his infant son, Nathan Christopher Summers, before the team launches for Genosha. After landing on a remote coastline, the mutants begin their forty-mile march toward the Citadel. As they enter a natural amphitheater, a Genoshan mutate reports their position, adding that they have arrived “just like Mutate 7875” predicted. The Magistrates and Press Gang then ambush the mutants. Jean recognizes Wipeout from Madelyne’s memories and quickly incapacitates him before he can suppress their powers. Cyclops is attacked by a Magistrate capable of firing powerful plasma blasts, only to discover that his opponent is his brother Alex Summers, Havok. Alex has no memory of Cyclops and believes himself to be a loyal Genoshan Magistrate. The brothers battle one another, their powers proving ineffective against each other, while Scott desperately tries to make Alex remember their relationship. Alex briefly begins to question his memories, but ultimately rejects Scott’s claims and calls for Pipeline to evacuate the Genoshan forces. Elsewhere, Wolfsbane remains imprisoned in the Citadel, mourning Warlock and fearing Hodge’s vengeance. Boom-Boom escapes through the air ducts, Rictor makes his way through the sewers, and Storm attempts to flee disguised among the laundry. After overhearing two mutates discussing the prisoners, however, Storm decides to remain behind and find a way to help her teammates. Following the battle, Cyclops realizes that Havok’s presence proves the conflict is more than a simple international confrontation. Cable confirms that the Genoshans tracked them through satellite surveillance, while Forge provides technology to counter it. Cyclops therefore orders the mutants to abandon their cautious approach and move directly against the Citadel. Meanwhile, Hodge watches the mutants from his laboratory, confident that the conflicting agendas of Genosha’s leaders will ultimately serve his plans. He reveals that he deliberately manipulated Havok’s defeat, believing that Alex’s determination to prove his loyalty to Genosha will lead the other mutants directly into his hands.