- War Path is leading a group of students on a team building exercise, not much difference from what we knew in the preview earlier. Brood attack. We do get a data page which helps flesh out War Path's desire to teach and how it's a result of his loneliness and loss of family
- We return to the confrontation between Cosmar's group and Rahne. Rahne and Tempo attempt to chastize them for what they're doing with gabby's body. However Cosmar's gang rightly points out that for all Rahne and Tempo's platitudes... clones haven't been resurrected. Also during the confrontation, Rahne is broken out of her mind control from the Shadow King. By No-Girl pointing out all the inconsistincies in Rahne's behavior
- While this is going on, Karma meets with Dani and brings up that she's noticed Rahne being erratic and volatile and that she's been in close contact with Farrouk. Karma feels a bit guilty in her theorizing because she feels she's not giving Farrouk the same grace she chose to give her brother. Dani says that she trusts Karma's intuition and that at worst it's all a big misunderstanding, but them need to confront the Shadow King.
- The five decide to resurrect Gabby without going through standard procedure nor permission from the Council, choosing to do so in secret at the time. Gabby launches at Rahne, however is stopped by Proteus and she explains that she doesn't remember much of anything, but remembers Rahne being a big part of why she died. Rahne has a heart to hear with Gabby and apologizes for what she's done, even if the details are poor on her end. She just knows The Shadow King is a big part of it. She also apologizes for her actions harming the younger gen and that she needs to make amends
- Another Data page from the Five requesting that Individual clones be allowed to be resurrected on the basis that they are their own individuals. We don't get an answer on the decision from the council's side
- Warpath manages to crush the Brood once they actually manage to harm one of the students and soon after he and the kids are met by Broo. His conversation with Broo on the side leads to the revelation that brood under Broo's control are splintering... it's only a small faction at this point, but it is concerning
- Dani and Karma meet with magik and tell her about their concerns and suspicions. Magik bluntly tells them that they'll confront the Shadow King, She's a Captain, comes with the territory. Dani initially protests due to needing a softer touch when they don't have definitive proof and then Rahne shows up and provides them with the information they need, giving magik all the info she requires for the new Mutants to hunt down on the Shadow King.
- Issue ends with Farouk pleased, seemingly having wanted this confrontation from the very beginning
Overall, I really enjoy this issue. I still think Vita has a strong hand with character voices and dynamics. My only major gripe is that the War Path section lacks as much impact as it could because the students he's training are by and large faceless and that's only partially offset by the character moments it gives him. Another issue, that I'm certain others may have, that I do not, is the pacing of the storyline. With the exception of the Brood, most of this book is focused on the Shadow King Plot with the idea that this'll need at least two more issues before it's done. I've no personal problem with this, but I'm sure other comic readers do.
It also leaves the discussion of how Krakoa/Quiet Council feels about clones open ended as the Five opt to skip procedure for Gabby's sake. Which I can see some considering a cop out, myself included, unless we get some definitive word on their status one way or another.