X-Force # 1 - Angels & Demons, Part 1 of 6

Overview

There are lines that the X-Men have sworn never to cross. But after the shocking events of “Messiah Complex,” Cyclops realizes that some enemies need to be dealt with permanently… and the X-Men can never know about it. Enter WOLVERINE, WARPATH, X-23 and WOLFSBANE…X-FORCE.

At Angel's Colorado Rocky Mountain retreat, Wolverine is visited by Cyclops and Wolfsbane. Cyclops tells him that seventeen hours ago, the leader of the Purifiers, Reverend Matthew Risman, turned himself in to S.H.I.E.L.D. It turns out the Purifiers had a mole inside and they ended up killing sixteen S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. This is the first time they killed humans. The plan was to steal something deadly that could be used against mutants. Cyclops wants Wolverine to re-form X-Force and put a stop to them, permanently. He's tired of sitting back watching mutants die on their doorstep. When Wolverine says he's impressed and asks what Emma thinks about this, Scott replies that she doesn't know about it.

At Camp Verde, Warpath is preparing a burial for Caliban. He regrets that he died trying to save him. He swears a blood oath that the Purifiers will die for this.

Wolverine tells Scott that Warpath may be able to make the decision to be on X-Force but Laura doesn't. His whole reason to bring her to Xavier's was so she could learn to be a person. Scott tells him he already asked her. At that exact moment, X-23 is inside the S.H.I.E.L.D. facility checking out the scene. She sees the surveillance footage and gets Risman's scent. She radio's Cyclop and asks what her next move is. Wolverine decks Scott saying she's his responsibility and he should have asked him first. He also says that Rahne can't be in this either. Rahne insists that she needs answers.

The Purifiers are tracked to the North Dakota Church of William Stryker. Inside they have the body or Nimrod and Bastion. They join the body of Nimrod with the head of Bastion. When it is activated, it immediately detects mutants. Wolverine, X-23, and Warpath are outside.

It's a slash-fest inside. They soon discover that Risman has Rahne held captive. He tells them to stand down as he holds a gun to her head. Laura says he's bluffing. Before Wolverine can stop her, she makes a move. Seconds later, a gunshot is heard...