Beachhead

• Writer - Chris Claremont
• Penciler - Salvador Larroca
• Colorist - Liquid!
• Lettering - Tom Orzechowski
• Ass't Editor - Lynne Yoshii
• Editor - Andrew Lis
• Editor in Chief - Joe Quesada

Summary

  Shaitan, his wounds tended to, is furious that Khan has been captured. He interrogates Remy, who says he can't beat the X-Men, but Shaitan says they've conquered many worlds.

  The White House is on alert: aliens have invaded, and their tower is solidifying at 22,600 miles high. The Avengers say this will let them put things into geosynchronous orbit. It's all protected by a force field, and the Madripoor air force is easily destroyed while the X-Men observe. Ororo: "Bishop – clean up my sky." He and Neal shoot down alien craft while Rogue and Heather collect prisoners and rescue humans including Shanna Cho, from the local media. Sage notices an alien looking strangely at Khan.

  Ororo uses fog and rain for cover, impressing Khan, but it doesn't stop Viper, who shoots the prisoners, by her country's rules. Ororo punches her and zaps the pistol out of her hand, and then convinces Khan of her honor so he'll cooperate.

  Alien troops find their massacred fellows; Madripoor forces ambush them; Shaitan comes to their aid.

  The X-Men realize the aliens are professional warriors, and they have to handle it alone till the rest of earth's superheroes can break through. Ororo realizes Khan is more than a foot soldier and wants to persuade him to stop the invasion. Shaitan finds and attacks them; he's learned from their last battle and injures Red Lotus (who didn't transport with them last iss.). Ororo calls retreat; Viper scratches her with poison and attacks Khan, who knocks her out and retrieves fallen Ororo. He wants her as his queen.