A Blink in Time

• Writer - Chuck Austen
• Penciler - James Calafiore
• Inker - Mark McKenna
• Colorist - Transparency Digital
• Lettering - Dave Sharpe
• Cover Art - Mizuki Sakakibara
• Ass't Editor - Cory Sedlmeier
• Ass't Editor - Stephannie Moore
• Editor - Mike Marts
• Editor in Chief - Joe Quesada

Summary

  The news reports the same story as the past 25 days: Hyperion has taken over New York, massacring its heroes, and demanding control of the country or he'll kill a hundred hostages a day. Pres. Osborne is meeting secretly with other heads of state, while the Invaders, the Republican Guard, and even nuclear weapons are being considered.

  Calvin doesn't want to kill any more (Illyana points out he's a day late on that count), but Clarice's and Gambit's Tallus agree that having two teams of reality fixers was a mistake and all but six must die. Heather notes the Tallus is a construct of their collective unconscious; T.J. wonders if they're doing this to themselves. Clarice points out there's seven in the room.

  Spider hasn't found the Exiles yet; Hyperion hasn't heard from the president, so he plans to start the executions.

  Illyana tries to convince Morph to ambush the others; he says heroes don't kill and tells her to stick to the plan: T.J. is to possess Hyperion. Clarice wonders if they can trust Illyana, but Kevin says she hasn't killed any of them yet. Clarice: "Yet?" Kevin is still angry at Calvin over Mariko (iss. 37), even though it was the Brood's fault.

  Illyana, T.J., and Heather teleport away. Gambit insists on going with the others: payback for Hyperion taking his arm.

  Hulk and Firestar are strung up with webs in Times Square; frightened civilians have assembled, too afraid to refuse Hyperion's summons but expecting the worst. He arrives, calling them forward, claiming to be ready to release them. Firestar tries to convince Spider to stop the insanity, that they're supposed to fix realities not ruin them, but he just mocks her.

  Atop a nearby skyscraper, Illyana still wants to kill the easy targets while Heather and T.J. while they focus on the planned attack. Illyana attacks, and Heather takes the hit; T.J. blasts Illyana, but she ports away to Hyperion, to ally with him. Kevin looks on in shock as she tells Hyperion their plan, and he kills her anyway, breaking her neck. Satisfied the Timebroker really isn't sending replacements, he blasts Hulk; Firestar, refusing to sit still and be killed, breaks free and explodes herself, killing Spider as well. Hyperion notes that two more, and they move on to another reality; Ms. Marvel thinks that could be fun.

  Kevin, winged, with spikes all over his body and with Calvin as backup, swoops down to attack.