Warning: Spoilers for X-Force #44!Long reduced to a pawn in his brother's schemes, Colossus has unveiled at the end of X-Force #43, when Mikhail, Colossus, and his X-Force comrades found themselves all traveling together through an uned Krakoan Gate, during the Mutant Massacre on Krakoa.
X-Force #44 – by Benjamin Percy, Robert Gill, GURU-eFX, and VC's Joe Caramagna – finds team member Sage, one of the few not trapped alongside her teammates, putting together the pieces of the Rasputin' conspiracy.
This issue dedicates a page to her logbook, where she analyzes the true ramifications of Colossus' betrayal.
Sage Breaks Down Colossus' Betrayal In X-Force #44
In X-Force #43, when Colossus lead his unassuming teammates into a trap, Domino was able to warn Sage that Colossus couldn't be trusted after finding the dead body of his girlfriend buried on his farm. Sage stayed behind, and while in hiding, she used her logbook to try to put the pieces together. In collecting evidence of Colossus' betrayal, Sage pointed out that he had instructed X-Force to remain off-site, leaving the gathering unguarded. Unbeknownst to Sage, this was a part of Mikhail's plan to leave Krakoa wide open for him and his people to take over the island. It was a tragic coincidence that Orchis beat him to the punch.
Mikhail Rasputin Is One Of Mutantkind's Worst Enemies
While it may be debatable as far as how much of a difference the X-Force's presence would have made, if they were on-ground for the Orchis attack, but it certainly would have been an improvement over the defenseless shape the island was in. That is not to say that the X-Force may have completely prevented the Orchis attack from happening, but there is a chance there would have not been as many casualties as there were that night, if the X-Men's intelligence agency was on hand to scout and defend the area. Colossus removed that option from the Gala, making it even easier for Orchis to commit genocide.
Currently, most X-Men think Firestar is the mutantkind's biggest traitor, after being unveiled as a double agent for Orchis. However, Firestar's betrayal is in fact a ploy. Jean Grey has influenced Orchis leaders' memories, making them think Firestar has been working for them the whole time, allowing her to be a mole for the X-Men. In due time, Firestar's true allegiance's will be revealed, but Colossus' fate remains a major question mark. Brainwashed or not, Colossus practically opened the door for Orchis' attack. Even if the Krakoa era continues after the Fall of X, most X-Men may not be so forgiving to the Quiet Council member, putting his future in jeopardy.
X-Force #44 is available now from Marvel Comics.
