X-Men Unlimited # 5 - Hard Promises

The X-Men receive an Imperial summons to witness the assimilation of the Kree Empire into the Shi'Ar Empire. Once they arrive on the Kree home world of Hala, however, they quickly learn that although the Kree have been defeated, they have not yet been conquered. A strong resistance movement to Shi'Ar rule exists, and the X-Men find themselves swept up in the conspiracy. The X-Men and the Empress Lilandra quietly work together to broker peace, while Deathbird, the Empress's bloodthirsty sister, strives to crush the rebels. In the end an unhappy resolution is reached, one that sadly demonstrates the vast gulf that has come to separate Professor Charles Xavier and his regal love.

Written by John Francis Moore and penciled by Liam Sharpe, Hard Promises is a well told though somewhat depressing tale of Interplanetary intrigue.