Classic X-men, good story
To me, this issue of Uncanny X-men is a forgotten gem. This issue was never published in Dutch (where i come from) so I just read it recently.
The Story in short.
The story starts with senator Kelly expressing his concern about mutants, and how they should be known to the general authorities (maybe a first step to the registration act). The X-men fear that their files, whom are known to authority's already, because of professor Xavier, whom worked together with the government, could endanger the X-men. Thus a plan is made to erase the data of the X-men. Problem is, these files are inside the Pentagon.
With help from X-men ally and former Avenger Carol Danvers (a depowered Ms. Marvel) , Wolverine (dressed as a general) and Storm make their way into the Pentagon.
All seems to work out, until Carol accidentally bumps into Rogue, whom strangely also walks in the Pentagon. Carol has a grudge against Rogue, since she was the reason that Carol lost her powers. A battle erupts where Rogue is first fighting Carol, then Wolverine and Storm. Storm tries to distract Rogue and the bystanders so Carol can sneak out to the Pentagon computer to erase the X-men files, so this covert operation would not be a total loss. Carol is almost shot dead by Mystique, who was also at the Pentagon posing as a government operative, but Carol manages to subdue Mystique and take her into custody. What Rogue and Mystique where doing there and how they got in was not revealed in the issue.
Wolverine and Storm try to beat Rogue, but eventually just get rid of her through a tornado Storm calls on, throwing Rogue a couple of yards out of the Pentagon.
The X-men all remarkably exit the Pentagon without being noticed and safely return to the manion.
The Verdict
Although maybe a lesser known saga, this issue is great. It features the first fight between Rogue and the X-men after her appearance in Avengers Annual 10, and before she joins them a few issues later. It's shows exactly why the X-men are so angry at her and hesitate to bring her in when she asks to join them. She is portrayed as a real villain here, whom was willing to hurt whatever came in her way. The story reminded me of the first two episodes of the X-men Animated series from 1994, in which the X-men must also erase files about mutants for the seemingly coming of the registration act. A solid read, but that is a non-giving in the best days of Clarmont's X-men run.
I give this issue 4 out of 5 stars.