issue summaries

Uncanny X-Men 479 The Rise & Fall of the Shi'Ar Empire Part 5 of 12 Writer: Ed Brubaker Penciler: Billy Tan Inker: Danny Miki and Allen Martinez Colorist: Frank D'Armata Letterer: Joe Caramagna Assist. Editor: Sean Ryan Editors: Nick Lowe & Mike Marts Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada Date: December 2006

Korvus is shown the Blade of the Phoenix by Vice-Chancellor K’Tor. Korvus has an implant in his brain that will kill him if he tries to harm a Shi'ar.

The sword belonged to one of Korvus’ ancestors, Rook'shir, who was a Shi'ar who became the Phoenix and an intergalactic outlaw. The first Imperial Guard was formed to stop Rook'shir from destroying the Shi'ar Empire. An infinitesimal piece of the Phoenix Force was transferred to Rook'shir's sword, which could only be carried by one of his blood descendents. Korvus is the last of them.

K’Tor reminds Korvus of their agreement that will buy Korvus his freedom after years of imprisonment.

Weeks later, the X-Men are still slowly traveling towards Shi'ar space. Nightcrawler and Warpath are on the command deck and Warpath comments about how boring space is. It has been weeks since they have seen anything and all he is doing is helping train Darwin. They're still months away from the Shi'ar capital. James misses the ground and grass. Kurt suggests Rachel could telepathically create the allusion of it for him, but James replies that may work for Scott and Emma, but it isn't the same for him. And he thinks Rachel would be to busy working with Professor Xavier any way.

Elsewhere on the ship, Rachel is working with Professor Xavier. She gets frustrated and tells him to stop. Xavier explains that he is just trying to help increase the subtly of her telepathy, but she insists that he stop.

He asks her what is wrong. She argues that they aren't working together, she’s using her and constantly wanting to link up telepathically and it’s overwhelming her.

He stands up and says he didn't realize she felt like that. He walks out, dejected, saying he will leave and Kurt could use a break.

Rachel apologizes, telling him she is just grumpy. She’s concerned about their Shi'ar passengers, since they are blocking her from reading their thoughts. She knows they are up to something. Also, for the past few days, the brand on her back that the Shi'ar Death Commandos place on her back in Uncanny X-Men 467 has been burning. She assumes the Shi'ar know she is in their territory and are tracking her.

Korvus' jumpship approaches the X-Men’s ship and is able to get into the loading dock.

On another part of the X-Men ship, James talks to Darwin about their training session. Darwin feels useless since he was only brought alone since he spent a few days inside Vulcan’s mind watching his friend go insane.

The two Shi'ar passengers walk by, acting suspicious. James thinks they are up to something.

Suddenly, an alert sounds that there is a breech in the docking bay. James goes to investigate and tells Darwin to follow the Shi'ar passengers.

As James makes his way to the docking bay, he is joined by Kurt, Alex and Lorna. They wonder what is going on and their questions are answered when they see Korvus standing there with the Blade of the Phoenix. Korvus tells them that the only one he means to harm is the "girl touched by the Phoenix".

James lunges right at Korvus and Korvus swings the sword at him, hitting James with Phoenix energy that knocks him out.

Elsewhere on the ship, Rachel is sent flying and cries out in pain. The brand on her back glows brightly.

Lorna attempts to take the sword from Korvus, but that’s no use. She’s hit hard by the energy from the sword. Kurt suggests to Alex that they try "Plan 9". Alex blasts Korvus while Kurt teleports, but the blade takes both of them.

As Korvus walks past all of them lying on the floor, he tells them that he didn't want this to happen.

From the cockpit, Xavier tries to contact Kurt, but can't reach him. The two Shi'ar come in and pull a gun on him. They know who he is.

Rachel is still on the floor, reeling from the energy that hit her and wondering out loud what that was. Korvus enters and says it was him and his sword.

The brand on Ray’s back has burnt through her costume, leaving most of her back exposed.

She gets up, telling him that the Shi'ar have underestimated her again by sending only one. She telekinetically blasts him and he blasts her with energy from the sword that knocks her to the ground and blood drips from her nose and mouth.

As he holds the sword over her, preparing to deliver a killing blow, he says he apologizes. He swings, but Rachel catches the blade with her hands.

Their minds merge and they share each other’s memories. Korvus explains that generations of his family have been killed and Rachel recalls the Grey family massacre. Korvus remembers being tortured by the Shi'ar as Rachel recounts her life as a Hound.

Korvus pulls the blade away as Rachel’s energy signature turns blue. He examines the blade, saying it has been weakened. Rachel replies that the Phoenix Force in the blade took to her because it knows and likes her. She takes hold of his head. The implant is about to blow up, but she disarms it.

Korvus sheathes his sword and is shocked that Rachel saved him after he tried to kill her. Rachel explains that she has seen into his mind and knows he couldn't have lived with himself if he had gone through with his mission. Korvus agrees and remarks about how similar they are.

An alarm sounds that a ship is leaving the docking bay. Korvus’ ship is taking off and he doesn't know how that is possible, considering the other X-Men’s condition. As they race to the docking bay, Rachel tries to telepathically contact Professor Xavier, but can't. Xavier is gone.

On the back of Korvus’ stolen jumpship, Darwin hitches a ride.