| Synopsis
| - On flames, the SWORD starship is in its death throws. As a result, Agent Brand orders the launch of the Splinter, a smaller vessel which erupts from the larger one and darts toward the Breakworld at a faster velocity. However, though manned by all of the crew, save Agent Brand and the X-Men, the vessel is just a diversion to draw the attention of the Breakworld Bruteships, which do indeed give chase. By the time they have made preparations, including a short briefing, the Brand and the X-Men are about to be attacked once again by Breakworld ships. However, this time Brand orders the ship’s destruction, which sunders the vessel in two. The two sections actually serve as lifeboats for Brand and the X-Men, who have split into two groups. One group, composed of Cyclops, Emma, Brand and the Beast arrive on the planet’s surface fairly unscathed. However, the other section impacts a satellite and begins to break apart. Kitty and Colossus survive by relying on Kitty’s phasing power until the strain becomes too great, then relying on Colossus’ invulnerability to survive. Meanwhile, Wolverine makes use of Hisako’s psionic exo-armor to help her survive reentry, though he himself is badly burned by the friction. As he heals, Hisako has a brief bought of panic at their situation, but Wolverine appeals to her sense of responsibility and duty. In this spirit, she heartens, as well as chooses her codename: Armor. Meanwhile, Powerlord Kruun, absolute ruler of the Breakworld, coordinates the planet’s response, specifically considering the prophecy relating to Colossus destroying their world. As he orders his men to interrogate the SWORD agents that have been captured, he decides to personally question the “synthetic” entity called Danger. Elsewhere, Cyclops’ team arrives at their destination, the recently excavated tomb called Attur-Hei. Therein, they discover an immense mosaic impossibly old. It depicts Colossus’ sun in one hand, maniacally destroying the Breakworld, which he holds in the other.
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