File:Astonishing X-Men Vol 3 24 001.jpg

Description
Having taken the prison and captured Powerlord Kruun, Cyclops sets upon the next step of his plan. While the agents of SWORD hold the facility, distracting Breakworld forces, one team is to attack the Retaliator weapon, while the other led by Cyclops is to try to convince Kruun to abandon his attack, or face the Breakworld’s destruction by Colossus. Unfortunately for Cyclops’ team, Ord arrives, forcing Colossus to enter the power source of the planet, from which the prophecy says he will destroy the Breakworld. Almost to his surprise, he is joined by Aghanne, who has been planning for Colossus to do so the whole time. Outside the sphere, Powerlord Kruun is freed by Ord and his soldiers. Gloating, he tells the X-Men that the Retaliator is about to fire. Meanwhile, in orbit, the rest of the X-Men, along with Brand and Danger, succeed in making their way to the Retaliator, though Brand takes a fatal shot in the process. Reaching the weapon itself, Danger can find no way to disarm it, forcing Kitty to phase within. However, to her surprise, she finds no wires or controls, only metal, save for a hollowed-out point at the top. At that moment the Retaliator fires, taking Kitty along with it. The lack of thrusters on the weapon quickly leads to a realization by the Beast. With no guidance systems or engines, just a rod of metal hollow at the front. It is not a missile, but a bullet.