24 Seconds

• Writer - Chris Claremont
• Penciler - Chris Bachalo
• Inker - Jon Holdredge
• Inker - Jaime Mendoza
• Inker - Victor Olazaba
• Inker - Sandu Florea
• Inker - Rob Hunter
• Inker - Sean Parson
• Inker - Norm Rapmund
• Inker - Tim Townsend
• Inker - Al Vey
• Lettering - Joe Caramagna
• Lettering - Virtual Calligraphy
• Colorist - Studio F
• Ass't Editor - Sean Ryan
• Associated Editor - Nick Lowe
• Editor - Mike Marts
• Editor in Chief - Joe Quesada

Summary

  Note: this is a Decimation issue.

  To the Shi'ar, the Phoenix represents the end of all that is. Jean was the Phoenix; she had a daughter. Shi'ar commandos in the woods analyze the defensive capabilities of the Grey house (none) but are unable to isolate their prime target, so they just start slaughtering Greys. Rachel is a combat-trained telepath, but even she didn't sense them coming; instead, she just screams, out loud and telepathically, alerting the X-Men.

  The following occurs in 24 seconds.

  John is the first victim, exploding in a ball of flame; Rachel thinks about his life and the lives of each of her relatives as they die. Kurt teleports in right away, carrying Kitty and Betsy (dressed only in a robe). He tries to go back for more help but hits a force field: they're trapped there, now.

  After 10 seconds, Greys are dead by spear and gun, bug and blast and gas. But Rachel has gathered her wits, blasting Devo's flesh-eating bugs but too late to save Terry, who was unable to protect his kid brother.

  Betsy faces off with Warshot. Kitty grabs a baseball bat and puts it to Devo's head. Rachel tells Betsy to guard Elaine; she says she has her but is partially encased with Shell's rock. Rachel blasts into Krait; Offset locks Kitty solid and impales her, to feed on her. Hypernova stands above Betsy, ready to use an energy blade, but Betsy forms her own and fights back. Kurt teleports Kitty to safety on the roof, but she insists on returning to the battle, but then Rachel and Krait fall on them both. Betsy fells Hypernova but gets punched by Blackcloak.

  Only Rachel is standing; Blackcloak holds her down and uses acid to mark her back with a stylized bird, so she'll never be able to hide again.