Uncanny X-Men, The (1981 series) #238

In the Genoshan Citadel, the Gengineer and the magistrates watch a psychic transcript from when their telepath attempted to probe Madelyne Pryor’s mind last issue. In it, they see Madelyne as a little girl, before the telepath, presented as the Genegineer, attempts to question Madelyne. The Phoenix Force flares in her eye and the telepath commands the magistrates, representations of his own psi-power, to shoot her! Madelyne transforms into the Phoenix Force itself and crashes down upon the Citadel, the whole place going up in a massive explosion! When the smoke clears, the telepath is the only one left alive, dressed as Mr. Sinister. Madelyne makes her presence known again, now in an entirely new outfit and persona. She then issues a warning to his masters, telling them to be careful when they strike a match, because they might just ignite…an inferno! The video ends, and it’s confirmed that all of that took place in just 13 seconds! The Genegineer demands that they learn more about Madelyne and goes to question her in her cell himself. Madelyne has no memory of the incident and debates with the Genegineer about the flaws in Genosha’s way of life, comparing them as little more than nazis. The magistrate commander dismisses Madelyne’s critiques and tells the Genegineer they have word on his son.

In the highlands of Genosha, Rogue (as Carol) and Wolverine walk around a settlement zone where the mutants are sent back to at the end of each day. They show Phillip how his country really operates and Phillip admits he never realized how bad things were. He was always taught that mutants liked serving and preferred the company of their own kind. As they continue to reveal the truth to Phillip, all three of them are captured once again by magistrates. They’re flown back to the Citadel, while they tell them that ordinary citizens are not permitted to know what Phillip has discovered. As they land at the Citadel, the magistrates notice some bad weather approaching, and Rogue and Wolverine slyly think that it’s bound to get worse! Down in the holding cells, Madelyne tries to comfort Jenny Ransome before she’s taken to complete her modifications. As they taunt her, a dark look comes over Madelyne and she whispers to herself that she’ll see them all burn! Rogue, Wolverine, and Phillip are led to the Genegineer, who tries to make his son see the merits of their way of life, arguing it’s for their country’s survival! Phillip doesn’t want to hear it, however, and denounces his father and the way he does things!

At the main gate, a shift change of magistrates takes place under a heavy downpour, allowing Havok, Dazzler, and Longshot to sneak in wearing magistrate disguises. Back inside, Wolverine’s had enough and pops his claws, even through the pain, so that he and Carol can break free! With some of the X-Men now in the squad bay, Dazzler blinds everyone with a massive flash and Havok blasts a huge hole in the wall, allowing Storm, Psylocke, and Colossus in as well! Back upstairs, Wolverine decides that if he’s dying, he’s going to take out as many as he can first and leaps claws first at a group of stunned magistrates! In the squad bay, the magistrates flee through a door and Dazzler blasts it down allowing Colossus to throw it, taking out the last of their enemies. Psylocke reveals that the whole place is shielded against psychic powers, meaning they’ll have to search the traditional way.

Havok goes looking for Madelyne but runs into Phillip instead, looking for Jenny, and they decide to search together. Madelyne, meanwhile, with the baby that started this whole thing, finds the creche where the new mutant babies are grown, and is quickly confronted by the Genegineer. Madelyne taunts the Gengineer, and just as he’s about to shoot her, he’s stopped by Phillip and Havok. Outside, everyone finally regroups, with Storm carrying a dying Wolverine, wounded from his intense battle. Carol threatens Wipeout to help them reverse his process, and Psylocke accesses his powers in order to restore Rogue’s and Wolverine’s powers to them! With his healing factor back, Wolverine will be just fine and suggests they kill everyone in charge so the country can start anew. Phillip wants to try a more diplomatic way to change things and though Wolverine thinks it’s a mistake, they allow him that chance. Storm orders Havok to destroy the Citadel and for Genosha to listen to what Phillip proposes. Psylocke uses her powers to make sure they’ll be forgotten once they leave, and suggests that Phillip come with them for now, as his case should initially be made elsewhere. Wolverine tells the Genegineer to hope that Phillip succeeds, or they’ll be back to finish things for good!