Forge has a particularly difficult job when the X-Men regroup. He can help them escape a technological nightmare, but afterwards he is also the person expected to work out wheth…

Forge has a particularly difficult job when the X-Men regroup. He can help them escape a technological nightmare, but afterwards he is also the person expected to work out whether its damage can be undone. Genosha leaves him facing both sides of that responsibility. His contingency plan during X-Tinction Agenda is a good example of how he operates. The rescue attempt goes wrong, yet an automated bomb remains in play. New Mutants #97 explains that Forge deliberately put himself into an unconscious state to keep that plan hidden from mind scans. When the device explodes, the distraction gives the prisoners another chance against Hodge. That choice has a physical cost. Hodge tears away Forge’s prosthetic hand and leg while he is unconscious. His usefulness does not remove his vulnerability, and his preparation has to keep working when he can no longer direct it himself. The plan depends on other people recognizing an opportunity and using it. In Uncanny #273, he and Beast are dealing with Wolfsbane’s condition. Storm has recovered from the mutate process, but Rahne has not been fully restored. Forge believes his inventive ability can help reproduce the necessary technology, while warning that the changes may become harder to reverse as time passes. The laboratory scene gives the reunion an unfinished obligation. The heroes can leave Genosha and still owe someone sustained attention. Forge has expertise and a possible approach, but he does not yet have a successful treatment to announce. His place in this team includes that quieter work. Someone has to understand the equipment, anticipate failure and keep trying when survival has not solved the original problem. Wearing the same uniform as the others puts him visibly beside them, while the work on his screen shows how much remains to be done.