The man who wasn't there

• Writer - Scott Lobdell
• Penciler - Joe Quesada
• Script - J.M Dematteis
• Inker - Al Milgrom
• Lettering - Richard Starkings
• Colorist - Glynis Oliver
• Editor - Kelly Corvese
• Group Editor - Bob Harras
• Editor in Chief - Tom Defalco
• Finisher - Cliff Van

Summary

  The Acolytes attack a hospice in Wauntaugh, Virginia, wantonly killing and maiming "in Magneto's name" for no apparent purpose. X-Factor is brought in to investigate. Scanner observes them, especially Pietro, and reports to Cortez, who is based aboard the wreck of the Leningrad (see Uncanny X-Men 150, X-Men 1).

  Spoor had been captured, and X-Factor interrogate him. He is defiant until Pietro enters, whom he reveres as "the only begotten Son" (of Magneto). X-Factor learn of a planned Acolyte attack on Cape Hayden, in Kentucky (which is inland and therefore has no capes), an obscure army base. Val takes Pietro and the bounty-hunter Random there, and Alex follows against orders with the rest of the team. They are interdicted by Exodus, who pauses, then flies off without a word.

  Val finds Kelly on base, which turns out to be a facility for government-sponsored Sentinels (Project: Wideawake). Alex and team arrive, and all are outraged by the government's new stance against mutants. But Pietro insists that humans have the right to protect themselves against mutants like his father.

  The Acolytes break in, and while they fight X-Factor, Kelly orders the evacuation of the Sentinels. Jamie is attacked by Mellancamp and creates a dupe inside him, gruesomely killing him. Frenzy confronts Kelly, and Rahne saves his life, then threatens him, giving him two things to think about.

  Cortez offers Pietro leadership of the Acolytes as heir of Magneto, and although he turns it down, the thought remains. Voght ports the Acolytes away.

  Val spits up a horror which the Acolytes had used to control her mind since issue 87. The team is still angry at her lying to them, and a rift is created.