Sage Betrays Her Own

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In issue #9 of the X-Force series, penned by Geoffrey Thorne and Marcus To, the X-Force squad confronts their latest adversary, La Diabla. But this comic isn’t just about the battle against La Diabla; it also serves as a connection to the ongoing “X-Manhunt” crossover event. In this storyline, Professor X has managed to escape from Graymalkin Prison, assaulted Rogue’s X-Men, and subsequently sought out Storm to escort him to Utopia in San Francisco, all because his daughter, Shi’Ar Empress Xandra, was attacked. Earlier in X-Factor #8, we learned that Professor X was in San Francisco for a specific reason: to retrieve the last Krakoan resurrection egg. With Cyclops’s X-Men and X-Factor on his tail, Professor X reaches out to an old ally within X-Force – Sage – for assistance. Instead of maintaining her vigilance over her team, Sage chooses to help Professor X.

The connection between Sage and Professor Xavier dates back to a time predating the establishment of the X-Men. Over the years, Sage has consistently held trust and admiration for Xavier, working alongside him in secret endeavors. Sage’s betrayal of X-Force on behalf of Xavier carries significant weight and is deeply rooted in their longstanding relationship.

Sage Was Xavier’s Secret Agent in the Hellfire Club for Years as Tessa

Born as Teresia Karisik in the Balkan region, Sage later had to abandon her home village due to prolonged invasions and conflicts. When her latent mutant abilities surfaced, these powers transformed her mind into a highly advanced computational device. With an unrivaled memory of all she’s encountered and a knack for processing information like a computer, Sage managed to endure the chaotic environments she navigated through during wartime.

In time, much like other mutants, Sage crossed paths with Charles Xavier, but their encounter was unlike any other. Instead of finding Xavier in a traditional setting, Sage discovered him amidst the Hindu Kush mountain range, where he had sustained injuries during a battle against an extraterrestrial being named Lucifer. Utilizing her powers, Sage managed to rescue Xavier, and he chose to take Teresia under his wing, teaching her how to harness her mutant abilities effectively.

At approximately this period, the initial team of X-Men came into being. Xavier’s dream was embodied in two distinct aspects: the X-Men and Sage. The X-Men served as the public embodiment of his vision, tackling dangers posed to both humanity and mutantkind with the intent of convincing humans that mutants were not monstrous. On the other hand, Sage represented the hidden, more covert aspect of Xavier’s dream, utilizing her abilities discreetly to accomplish what was necessary.

Xavier recognized Sage’s potential as a spy and dispatched her into the Hellfire Club, where she assumed the identity of Tessa. As Shaw’s assistant, Tessa proved invaluable due to her mutant powers, all while relaying information back to Xavier. For years, she maintained this cover within the Hellfire Club, but eventually chose to join the X-Men and has since been a dedicated ally working alongside mutants for their protection.

Sage and Xavier’s Bond Has Proven Unbreakable

Over the years, Sage has consistently demonstrated her abilities, such as her tenure with X-Force during the Krakoa Era and eventually ascending to lead the mutant CIA. Throughout this time, she remained steadfastly loyal to the team, despite struggling with alcohol addiction, and tirelessly worked to bring Xavier’s vision to fruition. Their unique bond stems from a mutual act of salvation; if Sage hadn’t joined Xavier in his escape from the mountains, he would have perished with crushed legs, and if Xavier hadn’t rescued Sage from certain death in the mountains, she wouldn’t be alive today. This debt of life compels Sage to drop everything and assist Xavier whenever necessary.

In a strategic move, Sage enlists John Wraith, who has a complicated past with Wolverine, for a crucial mission: transporting Xavier and the last Krakoan egg from San Francisco. Abandoning her current duties in an instant, Sage chose to aid Xavier, marking the first time she’s gone against X-Force since joining during the Krakoa Era. Xavier was convinced that she would assist him unconditionally, and Sage believed this act of help would settle all the obligations he owed her. The strength of their bond, as resilient as adamantium, has always been noteworthy; it will be intriguing to observe how this betrayal influences Sage’s position within X-Force.

X-Force #9 is on sale where ever comics are sold.

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2025-03-23 23:42