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Uncanny X-Men #294  (PART 1 of X-CUTIONER'S SONG.)

Written by: Scott Lobdell

Illustrated by: Brandon Peterson.


The issue starts off with Warren Worthington taking his date Charlotte to Central Park where mutant singer Lila Cheney is hosting a free concert to promote diversity between humans and mutants. Professor X is due to be a guest speaker and as a result several of the X-men, including Bishop, Rogue, Gambit and Storm are on security parameter to protect the prof. from any assassination attempt, though Bishop points out that it's next to impossible with around 75,000 people there.




Meanwhile, underneath the stage, someone is planning an assassination on the prof....




In Salem Center, Westchester, Scott Summers and Jean Grey are hanging out at a bar known as Harry's Hideaway ('the danger pub' to Xavier's students). Scott is pondering on how he almost lost Jean and then spots a poster on the wall of a scantilly clad bather. He imagines the swimmer as Psylocke whom he dated after Jean's 'death'. Unsurprisingly the telepathic Jean isn't too pleased about what's going on in her husband's head, but Scott points out that he's a man and she (Psylocke) was an exceptionally gorgeous woman, but that he has loved Jean since the moment they met and they shouldn't let jealousy come between what they have together.

They make up...




....Only to be attacked by Caliban as the horseman of death.



Meanwhile, Iceman (Bobby) and Colossus (Pete) are shopping for Pork rinds for Wolverine. Bobby discusses his relationship with Opal Tanaka, specically the fact that she "needs time alone to think things through" which, according to Bobby is womanese for "We're broken up and I don't want to tell you".

Back at Central Park Gambit reassures Storm that she is better off without Forge. Ororo wants to know how Remy was aware of her recent 'estrangement' despite the fact that the two of them have hardly spoken to eachother since he joined the 'Blue Team'. It turns out that Jubilee can be one nosy mutant. 

They end their conversation by waltzing together to rock music, the reason being that it's the only dance that Gambit knows.


Back at the store with Bobby and Pete, the two leave with their goods only to see...





Unfortunately they are attacked by the other Horsemen of Apocolypse...




At the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Manhatten X-factor (Strong Guy, Multiple Man, and Quicksilver) are hanging out, watching the prof's speech, though Madrox seems more interested in doing the conga with his duplicates.

Back at the park, Professor X begins what he hopes will be an inspiring speech to bring humans and mutants together. Unfortunately (and unsurprisingly really) it isn't going to plan...




Suddenly Cable makes his move...



At Harry's Hideaway, though they put up a good fight, Caliban makes quick work of Scott and Jean. Caliban can draw strength from fear now - the fear of commitment for example.



Iceman and Colossus manage to fend themselves against the Horsemen who are forced to retreat when their master calls them. The two mutants search the debris, but discover no sign of their team mates. It doesn't take them long to realise that the battle with the Horsemen was merely a distraction while Caliban kidnapped Scott and Jean...
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