In the Company of Strangers

• Writer - Terry Kavanagh
• Penciler - Steve Skroce
• Inker - Bud LaRosa
• Inker - Rob Hunter
• Lettering - Richard Starkings
• Colorist - Mike Thomas
• Editor - Jaye Gardner
• Editor in Chief - Bob Harras

Summary

  In Egypt, Mr Sinister is disturbed to learn that Apocalypse is still alive. Later, he sends the Marauders to recapture Threnody. She defeats her assailants, but Sinister himself confronts her and tells her that she must "harvest" Nate Grey. Meanwhile, in the X-Men's mansion, X-Force are guarding Nate. Nate explains to Domino how, in his timeline, she and Caliban were assassins. Soon, however, Sinister attacks the mansion in person. He explains that Nate showed Onslaught how to enter the physical plane, and is thereby partly responsible for what is happening. Prepared for a battle with Nate, Sinister waves his hands, and Nate falls unconscious. Sinister declares that Nate's power is rightfully his.

Summary

  Note: this is part of the Onslaught crossover, Phase 1.

  Sinister finds Apocalypse's empty sarcophagus in Egypt.

  Nate is with X-Force in Westchester, watching a video of Xavier as Onslaught defeating the X-Men. He doubts he could ever fit into a team. Threnody is holed up in the cathedral of St. John the Divine, when the Marauders ambush her. She defeats them, but then runs into Sinister. He then goes to collect Nate, knocking his way through Siryn and Caliban.

  X-Force arms themselves from Cable's cache, but guns have no effect on Sinister, and he turns off their mutant powers, too. Nate remembers the AOA Sinister and realizes he created him. Sinister says Nate is the one who taught Onslaught to act in the physical plane (iss. 10), and he knocks him out, planning to control his near-infinite power.