Uncanny X-Men #384

Cover: Salvador Larocca (pencils)

Title: Crimson Pirates (24 pages)

Writer: Chris Claremont
Pencils: Adam Kubert
Inks: Tim Townsend with Larry Stucker
Colors: Richard Isanove
Letters: Richard Starkings and Comicraft
Editor: Mark Powers
Editor in Chief: Bob Harras

Feature Characters: Gambit, Phoenix IV, Cable, Storm, the Beast (all next in X-Men #104)

Guest Stars: Wolverine, Rogue, Nightcrawler (all next in X-Men 104), Tessa (next in X-Men Unlimited #29), Forge (all last in X-Men #103)

Supporting Characters: Colonel Alexiei Vazhin, Major Debra Levin

Villains: Killian, Bloody Bess, Broadside, Sea Dogs (first appearance of all; as the Crimson Pirates, all but Bloody Bess next in X-Men #104); Tullamore Voge and his hounds; Stryfe (behind the scenes; last in X-Men 2000)

Other Characters: Dimitri (Russian Minister of Defence; first appearance)

Cameo Appearances: Onslaught

Note: This story continues into X-Men #104

Still in Russia, Major Levin and Gambit interrogate the slaver Tullamore Voge but he won't talk. Phoenix enters the astral plane and is met by Wolverine who is using to Cerebro in an attempt to contact the other X-Men about the abduction of the residents of Salem Centre. While they compare notes about recent events Voge attacks them. Phoenix forces Wolverine back to reality and then is confronted by another evil presence. Cable enters the astral plane to investigate Jean's collapse and his body is taken over by Stryfe. Meanwhile a group of mutants calling themselves the Crimson Pirates abduct the Russian Minister of Defence to bluff their way into the old KGB base used by Vazhin and Levin to free Voge. The X-Men are able to beat back the Pirates until Cable, under the influence of Stryfe takes Gambit and Storm by surprise and knocks them out. The Beast is forced to take the semi-concious Jean and with Levin flee the building.

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