You don’t tug on Superman’s cape, spit into the wind, or mess with Scott “Slim” Summers. The X-Men’s leader has reminded people of that for decades and they still don’t get it. He defeated Magento in his prime, beat alien armies with a handful of teammates, and so much more. Yet, the O*N*E (Office of National Emergency) still hasn’t gotten the hint.
In issue No. 10 of Jed MacKay’s X-Men, they may finally learn the consequences of trying to kill and imprison Mutants. More importantly, Scott tells O*N*E’s Agent Lundqvist what happens if he's killed.
X-Men No. 10 creative team
- Writer: Jed MacKay
- Artist: Netho Diaz
- Cover Artist: Ryan Stegman
- For more, tap here.
After returning from their fight at Graymalkin Prison during the Uncanny X-Men/X-Men crossover “Raid on Graymalkin”, the O*N*E is sent to the mutant's home in Alaska. Rather than fight them, Cyclops starts the Hellion Protocol. You’re probably wondering what that is. Well, it’s when a new Hellions team (King Bedlam and his little brother Jesse, Fantomex, Locus, and Boom Boom) destroy O*N*E bases until their leader calls off their attack on the X-Men’s home.
Agent Lundqvist says that if Cyclops doesn’t call off the attacks, the U.S. Government will declare war on mutants. Scott tells him that’s mutually assured destruction. He asks Agent Lundqvist what would happen if the X-Men dropped the Juggernaut from orbit or if Xorn took his mask off and exposed the sun that makes up his head. Scott goes on to mention the chain of events that would occur during the mutant/human war.
"So, yes, I will threaten to destroy every institution of this nation, if that's what it takes to get you to listen to me. Because I'm looking out for you. All of you."
Of course, that isn’t enough for the O*N*E to call off their mission. All it does is force Agent Lundqvist to do something foolish. He puts a gun on Cyclops’ head and threatens to kill him. Scott tells Lundqvist what would happen if he pulled the trigger and it isn’t pretty. He says that the news of his death would get to his wife, Jean Grey, and with her comes the Phoenix Force and he doubts Earth survives. That was more than enough to scare off the O*N*E agent. However, he says this isn't over. To which Cyclops responds, "It never is."
After Lundqvist leaves, Quentin Quire goes to Cyclops and asks him if the Phoenix would burn the world. Scott says he wouldn’t rule it out. But, like always, Cyclops has a plan. He says that Quentin being an omega-level telepath and former host of the Phoenix Force would have to stop her. He leaves Quentin saying, “Come on, Quentin. Why do you think you’re on my team?” And, for the first time in history, Kid Omega is left speechless.
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