Astonishing X-Men #8

In "Children of the Brood Part 1," the Beast recruits a team of X-Men to assist SWORD in containing a deadly Brood infestation aboard Pandora's Box, a remote space facility where Abigail Brand and her crew are now under siege. With the facility overrun and the threat spreading, the X-Men must navigate the claustrophobic corridors of the station, facing an enemy that turns allies into hosts.

In "Children of the Brood Part 2," Agent Brand stands firm against the X-Men’s urge to destroy the Brood, arguing their place in the larger cosmic balance. As the team grapples with the threat, Storm, Beast, and Colossus fall victim to the infection, forcing the remaining mutants to confront the growing danger—both from within and beyond.

In "Children of the Brood Part 3," the X-Men fight to hold onto their minds and bodies as the Brood's infection spreads, clinging to their resolve even as their instincts turn toward assimilation. With the help of a rare young Brood who has broken free of the hive's programming, they strike at the heart of the infestation—targeting the Brood Queens before the infection takes full hold.

In "Whispering Machines," Danger leads Emma Frost on a daring mission aboard the Secret Avengers' quincarrier to rescue an elusive electronic soul. What they find is Machinesmith, trapped in a digital realm and using the psychic link to manipulate both mind and machine—testing Emma’s resolve and pushing Danger to confront the cost of her own choices.