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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

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Call in the Big Gun
Deep space, where it is 0699 hours, Standard Galactic Time. The year is Epsilon something-or-other – also known as 2021 if you're from Earth. Nathan Summers a.k.a. Cable is here, inside the vessel known as Graymalkin II. He has been away for a while, taking a long nap – of the dirt variety. But, someone else is due for their wake-up call today, Graymalkin II itself. Between the stealth cloak and the “Bodyslide” translocation tech, both decades ahead of anything in this era, Graymalkin gets very shaky on approach. Even so, if Cable gets any closer to this planet nearby, they will spot Graymalkin II, and if that happens, Graymalkin II will be space junk. Cable knows that the people of this world really like to break things – which is why it is called the Breakworld. But Cable is okay with that, as he likes to break things himself.
Cable talks to his artificial intelligence called Belle, instructing her to seal the inner air lock membrane. Belle appears as a tattoo riding a bullet on Cable's bionic arm, and she asks 'Have I mentioned that this is way beyond what the shield arm was ever tested for?' 'Duly noted – duly ignored' Cable responds, telling Belle that it was designed to withstand heavy combat, and if it can't handle this, he wouldn't have it in the arm-ory. Belle rolls her eyes and tells Cable that “heavy combat” is fighting drone tanks. 'You're about to flight a planet, Nathan -' Belle begins, but Cable interrupts her and declares that he is about to beat one. 'Burst outer air lock membrane!' he instructs Belle. The outer membrane makes a pop, like pouch snap opening. Cable thinks that is fitting as he is propelled into space, wearing a mask over his mouth to enable him to breathe. 'What do I keep in the pouches? Bullets' Cable thinks to himself.
Graymalkin II vanishes behind Cable, he knows it will translocate out before the next scanner sweep. Wearing massive jet boots on his feet, Cable tells himself that they will get him up to around ten times maximum terminal velocity – the ultimate HALO drop, without the LO part. 'High altitude, hard acceleration. HA HA' Cable thinks to himself, as the boots self-destruct to reduce drag, and he knows that at this speed, he will hit atmosphere in about an hour – and thirty seconds after that, thry will explore how his shielding handles an impact that would atomize most of Rhode Island – nothing to do until then but fall – and remember the briefing.
(one hour ago)
'This'll be my second demonic invasion this month' Cable frowns as he sits in a chair on the Peak for his first official briefing as SWORD security chief. He remembers the Peak just how it was when he was a kid – by their timeline, that was only days ago. Station Commander Abigail Brand tells Cable that the Dread Dormammu is more an extra-dimensional sorcerer, but it is the same principle – he is using shock troops, Mindless Ones, to attack five magically significant planets – and if he takes them all, it is game over. Brand adds that SWORD is fighting to prevent that – as part of the new Galactic United Front. Cable decides that Brand is still working out how she feels about the “new old him”. Cable tells himself that looking back, it is obvious - “Kid Cable” was a political appointee to keep the influential Summers family sweet, and decades of combat and experience later, he is finally the security chief that Brand needs. 'But here I am, quite literally twiddling my thumbs' Cable tells Brand, adding that he assumes there is a plan. 'There is' Brand scowls.
Cable glares at Brand, he knows that the trouble is both he and Brand like to be the ones in control. 'So now she's counting the cooks in the kitchen. And so am I...' Cable tells himself. Brand removes her glasses and smirks at Cable, telling him that it is not her plan, but that she contributed to some necessary intel to make it work. 'You're working with someone now? Now I know this is serious. Who's the genius in question?' Cable asks, frowning. Cable decides that it should have been obvious – it would need to be one of the greatest tacticians of all time. 'This guy!' a voice calls out. Rocket Raccoon, wearing a blue suit, enters and introduces himself to Cable. 'And yeah, I know – I'm a raccoon-like individual and that's weird for you 'cause you live on a mud ball. Go ahead, muscles – get it all out of your system' Rocket tells Cable. 'Sir. This will be an honor' Cable declares as he stands to attention and salutes Rocket, who is at a loss for words, before muttering 'What the flark – I'll take it'.
It is upon seeing Rocket that Cable knows for sure – bounce through time long enough, you get one of these moments: “where were you when...?” Cable then asks Rocket what the plan is. He already knows, but he wants to hear Rocket say it. While Brand flicks a control device that brings up a holo-screen in front of them, Cable thinks to himself that Ranger Rocket was a galactic folk her in his era, even on Earth, and people tell stories – he is remembered like Alexander the Great crossed with Jesse James. Brand reports that Dormammu has possessed Ego the Living Planet, his beachhead and anchor point in this dimension. Rocket tells Cable that no ship gets close, as Dormammu has got an infinite Mindless Army, plus his own magic – and Ego is no pushover, either. 'Fighting them fair...that's not gonna be possible. So we ain't gonna. We're gonna cheat' Rocket declares. 'He's a legend. And today is the reason why' Cable thinks to himself, as Rocket tells him that is where he comes in.
(now)
As Cable hurtles towards the planet, he thinks to himself that legends lie, and futures change – there is nothing stopping his dying right here. Atmospheric friction begins to charge Cable's shield arm with thermal energy, and he uses that to overclock the defense field while he makes like a speeding bullet at 1,700 miles per hour, and thanks to the field, Cable floats in a state of zero inertia – the perfect cushion against catastrophic impact – unless the field burns out – which it does, and Cable begins to free-fall towards the planet. He tells himself that there is no need to panic, and decides that even at this speed, there is seven seconds to impact. He pulls his cybernetic thumb from his cybernetic hand, and counts down – before he strikes the ground, creating a large explosion which sends rubble into the air.
When the dust settles, Cable emerges from a crater that formed in the ground upon impact. He tells himself that any landing you can walk away from is a good one. His cybernetic arm is destroyed, half of it is missing. He realizes that rebooting in time to save him has fried every circuit. 'Jettison scrap' Cable remarks, deciding that it was better his arm was destroyed than wasting time being dead. Cable then initiates a hard light holo-prosthetic, which manifests when the remains of his cybernetic arm are disengaged and fall to the ground. Cable thinks to himself that mutants get second chances now, but missions don't. Besides, he came with a backup. No matter what happens on an op – he is always heavily armed. His holo-prosthetic is fully formed, and a devil tattoo, the Nicky combat suite, appears on the holo-prosthetic. 'Nate! Baby! Long time no see! Are we gonna see some excitement today, or what?' Nicky asks.
Cable reminds himself that Nicky is a combat-tuned AI, less of an all-rounder than Belle, but he fits the situation. Cable informs Nicky that their entrance was noisy and so Breakworld troops will be on the way. 'So bring 'em on! Auto-targeting's got your back, babe!' Nicky replies. But Cable isn't relying on Nicky alone. He holds up a seed and begins to dig a hole in the dirt. Making planetfall was just phase one. Phase two is to assemble the team. A Krakoan portal grows quickly from the seed planted in the thin Breakworld soil – essentially, Cable can carry every mutant on Krakoa with him in a single pouch – but he only needs his tight five. Five mutants step through the portal – Sam Guthrie a.k.a. Cannonball (for air support), Tabby Smith a.k.a. Boom-Boom (for demolition and explosives), Takeshi Matsuya a.k.a. Wiz-Kid (for tech support), Khora of the Burning Heart (for stealth combat and power augmentation) and Lila Cheney (for long-distance teleportation).
'Sam Guthrie reporting for duty, sir. Like old times' Cannonball smiles. 'I know, right? I even wore the old gear!' Boom-Boom grins, before boasting that X-Force is back – and it is kickin' rad! Wiz-Kid points out that X-Force is taken, and suggests they call themselves the All-New X-Terminators. 'Extermination? Perhaps you Krakoans aren't so soft as you appear' Khora remarks. Lila looks confused as she asks if they can take a gate here, why was she called in. 'Bit coals to Newcastle, yeah?' she asks. Cable reminds himself that Cannonball is a family man, but still the man he trained – steadfast, courageous, nigh-invulnerable while blasting. Boom-Boom is another of his former students, and Cable knows that despite her frivolity, he can always rely on her – to blow things up, at least. Cable knows that Wiz-Kid is a technopath, and the secret sauce of the SWORD station. 'When I was young, I thought he was a rock star' Cable recalls. He realizes he has never met Khora, but he knows that she has been at war for her entire life – so they have that in common. Lila is an actual rock star, with an interplanetary fan base – but that is not the talent he needs today.
In answer to Lila's question, Cable tells her that everyone here has their role to play. 'Including them...' his voice trails off, as Breakworlders appear, hovering over the mutants on some alien hover-platforms. 'Aliens! Surrender yourselves now!' one of the Breakworldians calls out. Cable decides that they are right on schedule to investigate the impact site, although he is a little surprised their shooting hasn't started already. 'Those who resist us will die! The weak and the damaged will die! Those we deem strong will fight – in the areans of Powerlord Barrn!' one of the aliens calls out. Cable realizes that this explains it – a new ruler with some new rules. He guesses they got tired of waiting for Colossus to return. 'This is a world of warriors, then?' Khora asks. 'It is indee-' one of the aliens responds, before Khora hurls a dagger at them, which lands in their head. The other Breakworldians look on in shock: 'Commander? There's a knife in your face' one of them utters.
'Khora -' Cable begins as the alien falls from the hover-platform to the ground. 'What? I took him at his word' Khora replies. Cable instructs Khora to wait for his signal next time, and reminds her that she is not a solo operator anymore and that surprise attacks work better if they are not the ones getting surprised. 'Kill them! Kill them all!' one of the Breakworldians calls out. 'That's your issue? She's killed that fella without even thinking -' Cannonball begins as he flies past Cable, frowning. 'When in Rome, son. That said...' Cable replies, before glancing at is Nicky tattoo and instructing Nicky to select nonlethal ammo, as they need the hover-platforms intact. 'Already done, babe!' Nicky replies, waving at Cable. As Cannonball blasts into two of the aliens, knocking them off their hover-platforms, called “skimmers”, Cable tells himself that they do need the skimmers, but that the truth is, Cannonball's idealism tends to rub off on him not to mention they are guests on this planet. 'I'd hate to be rude' Cable tells himself. 'None for the arena, then! Kill them all!' one of the aliens calls out to the others. 'Bo-ring! Tick, tick, tick -' Boom-Boom calls out before she hurls one of her time-bombs towards the aliens. Cable notes that itthe explosion manifests concussion-sized, and is sure that it looks worse than it is.
'I claim this one! Smile, stripling – it's your day to die!' one of the Breakworldians exclaims as they hover over Wiz-Kid. 'Dying on a mission? Please. Do I look like a poser to you?' Wiz-Kid replies, looking up at the alien, before remarking 'The new hotness is a ripe old age...and some very big guns'. Wiz-Kid uses his powers to throw up a shield in front of him that blocks the alien's weaponsfire, before manifesting two large guns on either side of his wheelchair. 'No!' the alien utters, shocked, before Wiz-Kid opens fire, knocking the alien off of the hover-board. The hover-board also falls to the ground, and Cable tells Wiz-Kid that was very flattering. 'You did hear me say we needed their transport intact?' Cable asks. 'It really has been a long time for you, huh?' wiz-Kid replies, reminding Cable that he used to know to let Wiz-Kid work. Wiz-Kid places a hand over the fallen skimmer and points out that there is some pretty interesting flavors of alien tech in it, but he thinks he can improve on them. Energy glows over the skimmer, as Wiz-Kid's powers change it. The skimmer returns to the air, as Cable and the others gather around, and Cable tells Wiz-Kid 'That's the plan'. He then instructs the X-Terminators, including Cannonball, to mount up, as they are riding into town.
Shortly, three skimmer speed through a city, several feet above the ground. Khora and Wiz-Kid, including his hoverchair are on one, Cannonball and Lila on another, and Cable and Boom-Boom on the third. Cannonball tells Cable that he knows why he wanted him riding this thing instead of flying himself. 'There ain't a soul here. Nobody in sight. If I started blasting I'd be heard for miles' Cannonball remarks. Lila tells Sam that he does get a bit loud. This causes Cannonball to blush. 'My days, you've gone red! I was only messing!' Lila exclaims. Cannonball's other ex-girlfriend, Boom-Boom, watches them and she frowns as she tells Lila 'Guthrie's just, like, this total wife guy now. It was cute at first'. Lila smiles as she remarks that Sam was always a bit of a delicate flower, very proper, before asking how his wife, Izzy, is doing these days. 'I don't think I've seen her since the wedding' she adds. 'Aw, you know. I'm a mutant, she's a Superguardian, we're raising a kid in Shi'ar space... it gets complicated' Cannonball points out.
Cannonball then remarks that it is nice to have an old-time X-Force adventure, as Nostalgia is fun once in a while, before adding that he doesn't ever want them “good old days” back. 'You don't miss the past? Before all the diapers?' Tabby smiles. Sam tells her that the past is written, that there ain't nothing you can do with it but live it again – the future, however, that is something else, something possible, something that grows. 'I guess I'd rather be growing' Sam explains. Cable listens to Sam's speech, he tells himself that sometimes Sam's idealism gets a little rose-tinted – and the future he remembers didn't have much in the way of possibility. 'But then, that's what I've always fought for – a better tomorrow' Cable reminds himself, deciding that he doesn't need to worry about whether the future can change, it always does – what worries him is whether he can change to meet it.

Cable readies his large gun and tells his team to stay sharp, and that using the skimmers means they can get close without arousing suspicion – but only so close. 'Too true, old man. This is ambush territory – I can sense it. This is not a city people live in. it's a blind. A trap. A weapon' Khora calls out as she crouches low on her skimmer. Cable decides that he will need to work with Khora again, as she is good. 'Less of the “old man” Cable frowns, before telling Khora that she is right – this is not a living space. Cable then informs his team that this place is a factory, fully automated to build itself into what it needs to be – a self-evolving machine – and that it houses the weapon they are here to steal, and even with this flying stealth, it will detect them in less than a minute. 'Weapons hot' Cable tells everyone. Wiz-Kid appears lost for words, before asking Cable if he is only briefing them on this now. 'You can't give up what you don't know. Even under torture' Cable replies. 'Gross' Boom-Boom mutters.
Cable reports that the Mark I was as big as the moon – and this is the Mark II, a more compact model. 'But I think you'll find it stands up' Cable points out as the X-Terminators look on in shock as from the city around them an enormous robot takes form, rising from the various structures around them. 'I meant what I said before, Cable. Resurrection or no – I'm not dting for the glory of Krakoa' Wiz-Kid frowns. 'And damn sure not for the glory of you' Wiz-Kid adds. Cable is stung by Wiz-Kid's words, and assumes that Taki still seems him as a gung ho kid. But Cable knows that Wiz-Kid is right – even if they do live again, their lives and their pain are not a resource – so he won't spend them needlessly. Holding two large guns, Cable tells Taki that when they are done they will all be going home. But, Cable knows that war unfortunately has a way of making you lie, and you tell people what they need to hear to keep going – even yourself – especially yourself.
As the large weapon walks towards the mutants, firing an array of explosive devices towards them, Cable tells the X-Terminators to for up and link the skimmers together. He instructs Cannonball to wait for his signal and then tells Khora that she is up, and to get ready to share her power. Khora appears as a skeleton as flames glow around her. 'As you wish, commander. But no warrior of Arakko would ask for hel. It would insult them if I -' Khora starts to say, before Wiz-Kid interrupts her: 'Yeah. I used to think that way myself. You'll grow out of it' he smirks. Cable tells his team to save the backchat and do it, and instructs Khora to link with Boom-Boom, as he wants her at double her full power. 'Tabitha – you know what to do! Fifteen second fuse!' Cable calls out. Khora leaps over to Boom-Boom and puts a hand on her shoulder. Tabby goes wide-eyed as she exclaims 'I – I can feel the fire burning – I thought I knew bombs – but those weren't bombs! Because this! THIS IS A BOMB!' Tabby screams as she creates a massive time-bomb.
Cannonball and Lila look at the massive bomb in awe. 'That's a bomb, all right' Cannonball utters, before asking 'How many seconds again?' as the bomb is shunted over to him and he holds it overhead. Cable tells Cannonball that he is on delivery and to get the bomb where it needs to go. 'And remember – I said we're all going home. That's an order' Cable adds, hoping Cannonball takes the hint. 'Don't worry about me, sir. I'm a lot better at this than I used to be. And I'm still nigh-invulnerable when I'm -' Cannonball calls back as he blasts towards the massive robot, pushing past missiles as he delivers the enormous bomb straight into the robot's face – resulting a huge explosion, which causes the robot-weapon to stumble backwards – and Cable to hope that Sam doesn't make him a liar. The now headless robot is slumped over in the city, while the X-Terminators look up in shock. 'Sam...' Lila utters, before, suddenly, from the flaming wreckage, a figure emerges. 'He's alive!' Lila calls out, as Sam smiles at his teammates and salutes them. 'All right!' Boom-Boom grins. Cable tells his team 'That's enough! He did his job – we've got ours' while he secretly smiles to himself and thinks 'Good boy'.
Cable then announces that it is time to finish this and tells Wiz-Kid to get going, and instructs Khora to go with him. 'Why? With his power level, he doesn't need me' Khora replies. 'Ugh, that again?' Wiz-Kid asks as he rides his hoverchair, with Khora clinging to the side of it, down into one of the now open neck cavity of the destroyed robot. Wiz-Kid tells Khora that if it makes her feel any better, he doesn't need her – he could come down here by himself, find the nearest access terminal, reach into the facctory's systems and in two minutes could find the exact subroutines they need, activate them and put them in control – in two minutes. 'Or with a boost from you – I could do it in two seconds. So why wait?' Wiz-Kid asks, looking at Khora as they hover in front of a monitor station. Khora puts a hand on Wiz-Kid's shoulder as Wiz-Kid reminds her that she is on the team, and that teamwork makes the dream work. Khora switches to her flaming form and Wiz-Kid is energized by her power, which then transforms the remains of the large robot into a massive gun. 'Now I have a planet-sized super-gun. Ho, ho, ho' Wiz-Kid smiles.
Cable and the others are also now inside the transformed massive gun and Cable turns to Lila, asking her if she needs a boost herself. Lila glows with energy as she declares that she can steal big things as easily as little ones. 'If you wanted me to take it across the street, I might need help...but interstellar distance is what I do – in a heartbeat. Welcome to Port Prometheus, Mars' Lila boasts as the enormous glowing gun suddenly arrives on Port Prometheus, Mars. Cable tells his team that they did good work. 'You as well, Nicky – I should use you and the others more often' Cable adds, looking at his tattoo. 'De nada, babe' Nicky replies. Cannonball and Boom-Boom high-five each other, while Cable thinks that this is faint praise – there is a war on – he can tell his team how proud he is later. Cable is proud – days like this, even his future seems bright. He feels like the world is his oyster – or maybe his pouch.
Cable accesses a holo-screen from a panel on his wrist and Brand's face appears. 'Brand – the X-Terminators have done our part. How's yours?' Cable asks. Brand is with Rocket and she infrorms Cable that it took most of their remaining mysterium, but that with Rocket's help the engineering went without a hitch. 'You've brought us the gun...we have the ammunition' Brand declares as she looks over to a massive bullet which is positioned near the newly-arrived gun. 'And what do I keep in the pouches?' Cable thinks to himself, while Rocket points at the bullet and utters 'Blam'.


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Believe it or not: The Banshee!
Captain America and the Falcon have fallen at the hands of the Moonstone in his hideout. The villain gloats and intends to murder them, when a bespectacled man in a white suit forbids it. Moonstone identifies him as the boss. The man reminds him to call him Quent and tells him to not even think of killing those two. No matter what sort of ad campaign they ran afterwards, their deaths would make them martyrs, meaning heroes to a large segment of the American public. What do they do then? Moonstone asks. Quent tells him to call the media, the ones with a bias to their side. But do it somewhere else.
Moonstone takes his two unconscious prisoners to Central Park, where several of the Secret Empire’s guards are waiting. He orders them to guard the heroes, while he makes some calls. It shouldn’t be too hard. They have guns, after all.
The guards mock him behind his back, figuring leaders are all like this now: nothing but ego and power hungry. Guys like MacArthur and Eisenhower knew they were guys like you. But these new fellows think they are little tin gods.
In the meantime, Cap has regained consciousness and attacks. Having taken them out, he wonders where the Falcon is. He is unaware he has missed one of the guards in the bushes who is about to shoot him. Luckily, the Falcon takes out the sniper. Only a moment later, though, both are shot at by another sniper. The man is attacked by Falcon’s pet Redwing, allowing the two heroes to flee.
Nearby, Moonstone is waiting for the press to arrive when he notices a shuffle in the bushes. Cap and the Falcon run past him out of the park, not wishing to risk fighting his powers again.
Moonstone doesn’t chase them. He dare not be seen losing to them in public. He remembers the reporters coming and lashes out at the guards for their failure. He tells one of them to hit him from behind. He needs proof to explain to the journalists that Captain America attacked him from behind.
It has begun to rain when Cap and the Falcon finally reach Harlem. Once in Sam Wilson’s apartment, they discuss how to fight back. Cap recalls that sometimes Moonstone dropped references to Country music. And just before he nailed Falcon he said “that museum moon rock” had given him laser powers. And which city known for country music also has a museum with a genuine moon rock? Falcon agrees and suggests they go to Nashville. Hesitatingly, Cap warns Falcon this might become dangerous. There’s a lot of power behind this conspiracy. Sam pragmatically suggests he take a raincoat.
And soon the two of them hitchhike. They luck out. A truck driver bound for Little Rock takes them in and Nashville is on his way. He finds the two men somewhat suspicious but says nothing.
Finally, they arrive in Nashville and the very relieved driver lets them go. Sam tells Cap to lighten up. He nearly drove that guy into paranoia. Then he’d be just like him, Cap replies glumly, except he knows there are people out to get him.
Half a block ahead is another man who should be in hiding. Instead, he has just gotten a ticket for the Merle Haggard concert. He tells himself what could be safer, for who would believe an Irish-born Banshee to be a fan of American country music?
He bumps into Steve and Sam, and sees the Captain America costume under the coat. He has heard Cap is a criminal and figures he is out to take the Banshee down. Banshee drops his coat, revealing his own costume and vows they’ll never take the Banshee alive.
Cap and Falcon don their masks. They have no idea what Banshee is on about. Banshee emits an ultratrasonic scream at them, but Cap’s shield takes the brunt of the attack. Cap distracts Banshee with the toss of his shield and then hits him in the face.
Cap demands an explanation, to which Banshee threatens to blast him to kingdom come. However, he finds he cannot scream with his bruised jaw. He uses the little sound he can produce to float upward but Cap catches his ankle.
Falcon is somewhat embarrassed to be climbing a lamppost but the jet tips on his glider wings can’t lift him unless he already has some speed. He heads towards the Banshee and uses him like a trampoline to bring him down. Banshee angrily wishes that his jaw had time to recover. He sends a sonar scream at the building behind them, which almost collapses on them. The next sonic attack goes directly against them and they feel like their heads are about to burst. They try to reach him but collapse beforehand.
Suddenly, a blast almost hits the Banshee. He looks up to see his attacker is Cyclops of the X-Men. Cyclops shouts that he doesn’t want to hurt him but his optic blast can come much closer if he tries to make another run.
Not listening to Cyclops’ explanation, Banshee dodges him and then attacks with a sonic scream. Cyclops stumbles to his knees. For a moment, Banshee seems to be torn between running and staying but he runs.
Falcon and Cap recover. Suddenly, they are levitated by an invisible force. They fly east towards open country, until Marvel Girl sets them down before her and Professor X.
Xavier introduces himself and Marvel Girl to the Falcon. Cap angrily demands to know why mutants have declared open season on them. Jean begins to protest, but Xavier interrupts that he understands Cap’s anger. What happened today was the reverse of what he thinks. Banshee fought them as he fought Cyclops, because open season has been declared on mutants. All of his other X-Men, many of his allies and enemies, have been captured by a group bent on destroying them. It is difficult to tell friend from foe. Banshee mistook them and Cyclops for the latter.
Cap doesn’t want to seem unconcerned but he has his own problems now. If it’s help they’re after— Xavier explains that he believes they are being hunted by the same group. If that’s true, they’ve got all the help they can give, Cap promises. Tell him more…


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[Assistant]
The Sins of the Secret Empire!
Captain America and the Falcon have just met what’s left of the X-Men – Professor X, Cyclops and Marvel Girl – who claim they may be able to help destroy the trumped up murder charge against Cap… However, before he can recover from that shock, he finds they are surrounded by SHIELD troops, led by Nick Fury himself.
Fury tells him they didn’t come for him but, once they saw him, they decided he would come along, too. Cap wonders what SHIELD is actually here for, if not him. Fury gives him a last warning.
The Falcon reminds Cap that he is innocent and suggests they fight. Cyclops announces the X-Men have their own reasons for wanting Captain America free. They stand with them. Cap thanks them, then gives the order. He throws his shield and Cyclops fires his optic blast. Xavier makes himself invisible telepathically and Marvel Girl levitates the Falcon. He glides down and takes out several SHIELD agents. However, there are too many agents. Xavier has a plan. He gives a telepathic command to Cyclops, who blasts the ground causing a wildfire effectively cutting the SHIELD agents off. The heroes flee.
Fury orders his people to douse the fire. Silently, he admits to himself this is a nasty job. He doesn’t like that cornball Avenger, but arresting him is something else. Still, even though he didn’t really buy what the Committee to Regain America’s Principles was selling, it is strange that Cap showed up here, right now…
The X-Men lead Cap and Falcon to a deserted mine tunnel. Once they feel safe, Xavier continues his story.
Xavier’s narration:Xavier narrates how Magneto put the X-Men in hypnotic comas. He planned to do the same to the Scarlet Witch and therefore lured in the Avengers, but proved unequal to the task he had set himself. However, this raised another puzzle: During their confrontation with Magneto, the Angel had been missing and Magneto had not taken him. They tried to find him by making contact with former X-Man Beast. Yet they could not locate him either. Then, Cyclops, Marvel Girl and Iceman jetted to the southwest to check on Havok and Lorna Dane. Lorna had gone to find Havok months before and had not returned. They’d figured Lorna had stayed with Havok instead of bringing him back. However, Havok’s cabin was long deserted.
After that, Xavier sent his three remaining X-Men on separate missions, scouting for other mutants, even their enemies. Cyclops and Marvel Girl reported finding no one. Iceman never returned. Xavier fears a silent, subtle and sinister war has been declared on mutants.
Desperate for allies, they finally found the Banshee. But he was suspicious and fought both Cap and them.
Present:Which brings them up to the present, Cap finishes. But how are their problems connected to his? Xavier replies that the few clues they have point toward their enemies being the Secret Empire. It is dedicated to domination without people being aware. They often use advertising or propaganda – produced by their agents on Madison Avenue, one of whom the underworld grapevine reveals is Quentin Harderman. The man who engineered his frame, Cap states. He promises his support.
Xavier reveals that he has some leads he could not follow until now, because their foe knows too much about them. The Beast, in his alter-ego, had a girlfriend whose actions aroused his suspicions. Her name is Linda Donaldson.
Dallas, Texas:Linda Donaldson leaves the Brand Corporation building. As she drives away, she muses about the year she had. First she joined the Secret Empire and was ordered to string along that fool Hank McCoy. While doing that, the Beast appeared and she was eventually able to deliver him to the Empire’s mutant-hungry jaws. McCoy, undoubtedly petrified by all the strange occurrences at Brand, dropped his research and disappeared, so she managed to get reassigned to Dallas, where she spends her time playing up to the top three government analysts here. Not bad for a working girl.
She figures the road is secluded enough and takes out a comm. device to contact her masters. Identifying as Agent Nine, Linda explains that she is still unable to steal Brand’s new electron-gyro. Security is proving difficult to breach. However, she is told that two mutants – Banshee and Cyclops – were spotted downtown this morning. Her superior remarks that they already have that information. Do not attempt to divert them from her failure. They order her to get that gyro. Linda bristles and swears.
Later in the afternoon, she returns home missing Hank McCoy. At least he was good for some laughs. A moment later, she is captured by Cyclops who tells her the X-Men want to talk with her.
The Falcon and Captain America, in civilian disguises, appear that moment, shouting anti-mutant slurs at Cyclops and attacking him. Cyclops fires his eyeblast but deliberately misses. Linda uses the opportunity to free herself with a judo throw. Cap saves Linda from Cyclops’ eyeblast and Cyclops then flees.
The Falcon introduces them as Will Samuels and Roger Stevens and makes it clear that they are down on their luck and looking for jobs. Linda becomes intrigued.
Dusk, and Cap and Falcon are waiting in a cheap motel. Cap feels pangs of the conscience, wondering if maybe the girl isn’t involved at all. Sam points out for someone with a guilty conscience he sure laid it on pretty thick.
A moment later, there is a knock on the door. They open to a hooded character, the number 13 stamped on his hood. He introduces himself as representative of the Secret Empire. He offers them ten thousand dollars cash for a night’s work. Five thousand now, five thousand on completion.
What is he talking about? Who is he? Sam asks. Number 13 warns him questions can be dangerous. Ask only, if they need money and steady work. They do, Sam presses. They are told that the Brand Corporation has an electro gyro. The Secret Empire wish it stolen but are unable to do it themselves, due to the risk of capture and exposure. Under no circumstances must the American people learn of their existence yet. But if the men succeed, they will be well rewarded. Here is the plan…
Once he is gone, Sam happily exclaims they took the bait. Less enthusiastic, Steve points out the gun in 13’s pocket, in case they’d have turned the offer down. Make no mistake, they are just now getting to the tough part.
At midnight, they enter the Brand Corporation building in uniform. Cap explains they have to get the gyro if they want the Empire to trust them and, since they are fugitives, they can’t just ask Brand to loan it to them. But not everyone thinks they are murderous vigilantes yet, so if they are caught tonight, he can only pray it is by someone who still believes in Captain America.
They sneak inside, past the guard and reach the room with the gyro. As they are about to grab it, two guards stop them having been alerted by an electronic alarm. The two heroes jump over the guards and flee. More guards arrive firing their guns.
Cap throws his shield upwards, slicing through the sprinklers, thus keeping the guards busy as even more guards arrive. Falcon grabs Cap’s hand and jumps through a window with him.
They are still in firing range and the guards prepare to fire, but suddenly Mr. Black, the factory boss, forbids it. He explains that he found a note by Captain America in the gyro room, saying he needs the gyro desperately and will return it unharmed. Black believes him. A guard protests Cap is a killer, so why not a thief? Mr. Black refuses to hear any more about this. And neither will the police and the newspapers. In his book, Cap’s no criminal. Period.
Left alone, the guards think their boss is crazy. A newscast on the radio by the Committee to Regain Americas Principles reminds everyone that Captain America and the Falcon are criminals and to be reported immediately.
Three a.m.:In their disguises, Cap and the Falcon have brought Number 13 the gyro. He is pleased and decides that men like them are needed in the Secret Empire and orders them to follow him outside. He fires a device at a boulder to reveal his carefully disguised scoutcraft. They fly into the desert. There, Number 13 touches a certain cactus and reveals the hidden entrance to the Secret Empire’s ultimate lair. Through here, pass the future leaders of the world and he invites them to become two of them. They follow him down.
As the tunnel mouth closes over them, Cap worries if they can deceive a crew capable of all this for much longer.
Soon, a second jet lands nearby and the X-Men disembark, having followed Cap’s secret tracing signal. Now they need only wait. Wait, Xavier announces darkly, that two mortal men deceive an Empire on its home territory, risking exposure and annihilation. They wait, perhaps forever, because Captain America and the Falcon may never come out of this alive...


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[Assistant]
It’s Always Darkest…!
The secret underground HQ of the Secret Empire:Disguised as two jobless wanderers, Captain America and the Falcon have just passed their initiate test and are being led into the group’s hidden lair beneath the southwestern desert. Cap wonders how he got into this situation. Maybe if he had been more vigilant, less trusting…
Flashback:But he couldn’t believe the massive ad campaign to discredit him would sway public opinion. He should have known better. Suddenly, they capped their campaign by framing him for murder. He protested his innocence but, by then, plenty of people had lost their faith in him. And he only looked worse when he was jailed by Moonstone. Everywhere he turned for proof, he was framed, even when the Falcon came to help. His enemies were always one step ahead.
Moonstone’s drawl sent them to Nashville but they got sidetracked into a battle with the mutant Banshee. At least that led them to the X-Men and Professor X’s theory that Cap’s foes and the X-Men’s were the same – The Secret Empire.
This one lead forced Cap and the Falcon to disguise themselves as prospective flunkies for the Secret Empire and, to prove themselves, they had to steal the electron gyro from the Brand Corporation.
Present:Cap still feels guilty about the theft and prays the people will believe the note he left.
The hooded Number 13 leads the promising rookies into a cavern and greets their leader on a throne with a ‘Salaam.’ He informs Number One that he brings the electron gyro and two recruits.
Number One muses it is their final component needed for the conquest of America.
America is reeling from continuous blows, Number One announces. First the toppling of its greatest symbol, next the fortuitous Watergate scandal. How much simpler that has made their work! The Committee to Regain America’s Principles has been swamped by support! The public is anxious for an untarnished hero – their Moonstone! He interrupts his soliloquy and gives orders for the recruits to be led to their quarters.
Number 13 remarks they must have impressed Number One for him to talk so freely. He leaves them in their room and locks the door. Suddenly, Falcon has a hunch and tells Cap to quickly change into costume. Cap protests that they are her to spy on these guys. Falcon asks him to trust him. They gotta get out! He touches a vent, only to find it electrified. They find a panel in the wall and Cap tears it off. Falcon tells him to hurry. They climb inside the hole behind the panel, just as they hear footsteps.
They enter the shaft and look behind into their room to see lasers striking everywhere, lasers that would have killed them. Number 68, Linda Donaldson and another man enter. The man is Mr. Black, the Roxxon man who claimed to believe in Captain America’s innocence when he found Cap’s note, which tipped him off. Number 68 finds the shaft and they sound the alarm.
Cap and Falcon find an exit and hear the alarm. Cap figures it’s bad enough they stole the gyro, but he’d hoped their reputation would survive. Still, it is no wonder Number One told them his plan. He was mocking them. They almost run into some Secret Empire soldiers but manage to hide.
Meanwhile, the three X-Men are up above. Professor X learned of Black’s treachery and telepathically warned their friends, which led to the Falcon’s hunch, but now everything is happening so fast.
Down below, Cap and Falcon are confronted by a giant red robot. Afraid it will alert the rest of the Secret Empire, they attack. From the air, Falcon sees a circuit panel on its back. He distracts the robot, while Cap throws his shield at the panel… and the robot is down.
Cap suggests they get out of here. Falcon reaches for a door handle. Not yet, he replies. Another hunch is tugging at him. He wants to open the door the big bouncer was in front of. Cap hesitates, then admits Falcon was right before. He wishes he’d explain those hunches.
As they open the door, a new voice announces that he can. It is Professor X. He and Cyclops are levitated and lowered by Marvel Girl’s telekinesis. He explains that, once they discovered this airshaft, it seemed the best method of helping Cap and Falcon, after he asked them to open the way. Was that him rapping in his mind? Falcon asks. Xavier informs him it was and adds that his reception of Xavier’s urging marks him as a man with a paranormal mind. Falcon asks if he is a mutant. Not necessarily, Professor X replies, although he has heard of his unusual rapport with his hawk. They can discuss this later. For now, follow him. He knows where his missing mutants are held.
In the meantime, Moonstone is in a talk show and is asked how it feels to be America’s latest idol. It is no bed of roses, Moonstone claims, your life being constantly in danger but, considering his first arrest was Captain America after he disgraced them all when he collapsed into a murderous frenzy, it’s worth it.
The blonde at his side, Miss Kearney, snuggles closer to him. Just sitting next to him gives her goosebumps. Red, white and blue all over, she coos. Just doing his job, Moonstone announces. With Captain America and Watergate pulling this nation apart, that’s all any of them ordinary Americans can do to keep the ship of state afloat.
In the wings, Quentin Harderman grins as he notes how everyone is lapping Moonstone’s words up. In a few short days, his advertising did what the Secret Empire hired him to do - make people trust this stranger in their midst. His old partner, the Viper, merely wanted revenge on Captain America, but soon the Empire and he shall go far beyond that!
In the lair of the Secret Empire, Professor Xavier has led the heroes to a door and orders them to open it. Inside, they find the missing X-Men past and present (Angel, Beast, Havok, Iceman, Lorna Dane), as well as several mutant villains (Blob, Mesmero, Mastermind and Unus), all lying unconscious and all wired to some hideous machine.
Xavier announces his mental probe reveals the machine is siphoning their brain energy. They quickly free the mutants but find they are still dazed and probably unable to walk for the next ten minutes. Still, Xavier believes he can put that time to good use. He begins by probing Angel’s mind to learn how he came here. That’s what brought the X-Men into this deadly puzzle in the first place.
Flashbacks:Angel was relaxing at their school when he was attacked by Magneto, who stole his energy-absorbing costume. Sometime later, Angel awoke, now dressed in his original X-Man uniform, the one Marvel Girl and Cyclops have re-adopted by now. He went looking for the other X-Men, unaware that Magneto had spirited them away. But, as he flew away, he was struck by an ambush.
Next, Xavier probes Beast’s mind to learn he was loping toward the job his alter ego held at the Brand Corporation’s Long Island complex when he met the same fate.
Present:His probings show similar stories for all these men and women, even those who call themselves evil mutants. Cap guesses they ran into someone more evil.
And so have they! a voice announces. It is Number One, flanked by Linda Donaldson and more armed Secret Empire agents.
Cap and Falcon lead the attack against them but, as Cyclops notes, reinforcements are coming. Marvel Girl joins the fight and Xavier warns that the other mutants are still too groggy to help.
The four heroes struggle and soon Linda tells Number One that the heroes are wiping the floor with them. He orders her to tell Number 68 to bring the Atomic Annihilator.
Number 68 enters and fires at the heroes, all of whom sink down. All dead! Number One exclaims. Nothing survives the Atomic Annihilator! And with them gone, America shall soon follow!


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[Assistant]
…Before the Dawn!
The mysterious Number One, leader of the Secret Empire, stands triumphantly over the fallen heroes – Captain America, the Falcon and the X-Men. He gloats that the power of the Atomic Annihilator has slain them all. He praises Number 68 for firing and killing their enemies. When he rules America, he shan’t forget him.
The bodies are carried away and dumped in the lower trenches like garbage. However, Cap is merely unconscious and, as he comes around, he hears voices. He sees two hooded members of the Secret Empire and wants to attack. However, they assure him they are his friends. Like Brutus to Caesar! Cap snarls, identifying one of them as Number 68. They take off their hoods to reveal their true identities: SHIELD agents Gabe Jones and Cap’s old friend and onetime lover, Peggy Carter.
Gabe quickly explains that he tricked Number One by setting the weapon at a non-lethal setting before firing at the heroes. He continues that SHIELD has had a file on the Secret Empire for a long time…
Flashback and Gabe Jones’ narration:The Secret Empire like AIM were originally an arm of HYDRA and broke away from the big guys to try and conquer the world on their own. But they were third-stringers. Then their agent Boomerang had his mission aborted by the Hulk and that led to their downfall. The old Number One took control of the Sub-Mariner’s mind to have him attack the Hulk. Afraid of the Hulk’s revenge, he set a bomb for the monster and blew himself up by mistake.
In the meantime, the other members were getting by with one of their own: a power-hungry member named Number Nine, not the current one, Linda Donaldson. Another member of the inner council fought and beat him – Gabe. That’s when he learned to infiltrate them. That finished them off but, last year, when SHIELD heard they’d regrouped under a new Number One, Nick Fury sent Gabe against them.
Present:Cap realizes that was why Fury was in Nashville. Gabe continues that they need to act fast, now that the Empire has the Electron gyro, but he will give Cap and Peggy a few minutes. Gabe isn’t aware he is not doing Cap a favor, as Peggy doesn’t know he is in love with her younger sister Sharon, not her. He has to tell her the truth if he survives the rest of the day, Cap silently decides.
A little later, not far away the recaptured, unconscious mutants are lowered into what looks like a flying saucer. Indeed, Number One refers to it as a saucer craft and asks Number Three if it will fly. He is told with the electron gyro for steering and with the X-waves their machines derive from the captured mutant brains for power, this ship shall serve them well.
It better had, Number One replies. The Secret Empire has worked hard for this moment. They’ve spent months plundering the minds of scientists for the necessary knowledge to construct this craft with attack capabilities. Quentin Hardermann, sparked by the Viper, discredited Captain America for them and convinced much of America to accept Moonstone in his place. Lastly, they captured nine mutants for their mental energies.
They watch as the mutants are carried aboard. He enters the ship. It rises into the air and Number One announces this is the day they conquer America!
In Washington DC, Moonstone has been to a Congressional hearing that went well for him. Thanks to Hardermann’s skill, his position as America’s Number-1 hero seems secure. Moonstone quotes him that lies are neat, the truth is messy. Maybe the truth got out on Watergate, but that’s the excep—
He is interrupted by a noise from outside. They look outside to see the saucer landing on the White House lawn. Journalists and military begin to show, then Number One exits and demands immediate and unconditional surrender.
The soldiers fire. However, a forcefield created by the mutants’ brainwaves prevents their shots from hitting true. One of the soldier asks where the president is. At his retreat, the White House says, a fellow soldier replies. He’s supposed to be flying in.
Number One shouts that their leader is far away. Their so called superheroes are in New York or some other distant place. No one is here to protect them. He is their fate!
That moment, Moonstone flies in. In front of the cameras, he shouts that, in the name of America, he challenges him.
Number One accepts and sends a masked strongman, Number Two, out of the saucer to confront Moonstone. Number Two warns Moonstone that his helmet grants him the same capabilities the ship demonstrated. Moonstone flies at him and attacks but then is hit hard. On the ground, Moonstone moans that somehow his foe neutralized the powers he got from the moon rock. Absorbed by his helmet, is the reply. Number Two orders Moonstone to rise and walk into the saucer, where Number One and he shall discuss the terms for the surrender of America.
Once they are out of sight, the two villains praise each other’s performance. Moonstone gloats that everybody saw the tin god they trusted brought down like a child.
A little later, Moonstone comes out of the saucer again and somberly informs the media that there is no hope. He has felt the power of the Secret Empire, seen the weaponry in the saucer and he has heard Number One’s shockingly perfect plan for the subjugation of America. They are already defeated.
Number One gets out behind him, claiming his agents are planting atomic explosives in public places all over America. The nation has thirty minutes to surrender or he’ll order the destruction of every major city. Do not force his hand!
Inside the ship, Gabe Jones and Peggy Carter now release the heroes they smuggled aboard: Captain America, the Falcon, Cyclops and Marvel Girl, all fully recovered. They attack the master control room and quickly take out every body inside. Cyclops begins destroying the machinery that leeches the captive mutants’ brain energy. Marvel Girl informs Cap they’ll back his play of course but the rest of the show is his.
Cap tells Falcon to clean out this rat nest and make someone tell him where those bombs are being planted. Where will he be? Falcon asks. Outside! Cap shouts grimly.
Outside, Number One still rants about his nightmare vision for America when Cap runs into him and smashes him down. The Falcon and the X-Men join him to inform him they got the bomb sites and will inform SHIELD.
Moonstone, in the meantime, confronts Cap, announcing the renegade vigilante shows up to join his Secret Empire friends. Cap shouts that this the last lie Moonstone will tell about him!
The two fight hard, and it is Cap’s determination that wins the day despite Moonstone’s powers. When Moonstone lies on the ground, Cap orders him to talk – without the lies!
Harderman joins them, claiming Moonstone duped the Committee. Moonstone refuses to take the rap and reveals the Committee was always a front for the Secret Empire. Harderman took his idea of ruining Captain America and sold both the Empire and Moonstone on it. With the cameras running, Moonstone reveals the whole story of how Cap was framed. He talks taking everyone down with him, even the Viper, whose hatred for Captain America indirectly began all this. In time, every living member of the Secret Empire will join the Viper in prison.
The heroes are relieved and Cap finally allows himself to smile. However Number One, who they still believe to be unconscious, makes a break for it and runs into the White House. Cap catches up to him in the Oval Office and brings him down. He tears off the hood and is horrified when he sees his foe’s face. But he’s… he’s… Cap stammers. Exactly! comes the villain’s reply. High political office didn’t satisfy him. His power was still too constrained by legalities. He gambled on a coup to get him the power he craved and it appears his gambit has failed. He’ll cash in his chips then.
Cap tries to stop him but is too late. Number One has shot himself.
Cap leaves grimly, not wanting to talk. He trusted the country of his birth despite its flaws. He trusted in its basic framework. Now he is crushed inside. Like millions of other Americans, each in his own way, he has seen his trust mocked. And this man is Captain America.


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The Replacement
The Commissions on Super Human Activity offices, where, in a grand chamber, five very important and powerful humans sit at their respective positions and look down at the costume and shield lying before them. A very special costume and shield - they belonged to a nation’s greatest hero - Captain America! ‘Well, this is rather unexpected’ one of the CSA remarks. ‘Unexpected? It’s outrageous - a combat veteran like Captain America refusing to serve his country!’ another replies.
‘Just who does this Steve Rogers think he is?’ asks another. ‘Telling us that he can’t work with us because he represents the American dream! He represents what we say he represents!’. Another member of the CSA points out that they are the U.S. government - the boys who gave Steve Rogers the super-soldier formula that made him what he is - not to mention the uniform and shield - in fact, the very name and concept of Captain America. ‘How dare he say no to our directive that we coordinate his official activities! How dare he turn in his shield and uniform…!’.
Suddenly, the voice of reason shines through - Dr. Valerie Cooper, world expert on mutant affairs, and the only female member of the CSA, declaring that, firstly, they are not all boys, and secondly, they are not the government, but a presidentially-appointed commission charged with the task of managing America’s superhuman resources. Mr Yates tells the sultry blonde that he takes her point, before announcing that the floor is open to suggestions as to how they proceed from here.
General Lewis Haywerth declares that they should begin with court-martialing Steve Rogers for failing to live up to his military obligations. Nasty piece of work Henry Peter Gyrich cleans his glasses while replying that he is not sure court martialing Rogers is possible, for technically, he is not part of the military rank and file. However, Gyrich points out that, at the very least, they can impose strict sanctions on Rogers and his activities. Gyrich remarks that although Rogers has turned in his shield and uniform, there is nothing to prevent him from fashioning duplicates.
Gyrich goes on to propose that they get a court injunction prohibiting Rogers from calling himself Captain America, or wearing any uniform that is red, white and blue. Gyrich continues, suggesting they notify the Avengers and inform them that, unless they terminate Rogers’ membership in their group at once, they will prohibit the team from operating freely on U.S. soil. But Mr. George Mathers reminds Gyrich that it is their responsibility to coordinate superhuman activities, and points out that they cannot do that if they turn one of the nations most dependable superhuman teams into outlaws. But Gyrich declares that they can use Rogers to bring the Avengers into line. ‘They have to know we mean business!’ he asserts.
Dr. Cooper announces that she is more concerned with finding a new Captain America than taking punitive measures against the old one. Valerie tells her colleagues to face it - the administration does not need more bad publicity now. ‘And if it were to get out that the original Captain America was forced to resign…’ her voice trails off, before declaring that they have to get a new Captain America out there as soon as possible, performing some high-profile activities to win public approval.
Mathers asks what would happen if Rogers goes public with his version of the story before then, to which Valerie agrees that it always a possibility, but that Roger’s dossier suggests that he is not likely to go out of his way to give any administration a black eye - nor to present himself to the public as a victim of anything - including bureaucracy. Yates asks Gyrich to investigate the sanctions they can impose on Rogers, before declaring that they can now discuss their options for Roger’s replacement.
Yates turns to General Haywerth, remarking that he was involved in the most recent Super-Soldier project, and asks if there were any results. Haywerth replies that they had two promising results - the first being code-name Nuke. Haywerth explains that Nuke was the recipient of their latest efforts to recreate the precise formula that Rogers was given back in World War Two. Haywerth informs his colleagues that their attempt was successful to some extent, but without the “vita-rays” to stabilize the process, the subject became psychotic and made a mess in Manhattan.
Haywerth continues, announcing that the second candidate was a product of a totally different programme, developed independently by an L.A. contractor. This one was code-named G.I. Max and was forty times stronger than human. Haywerth explains however that G.I. Max, unfortunately, before he was fully trained, was accidentally shot by his immediate superior. Haywerth adds that, perhaps not coincidentally, Rogers was in the vicinity when both candidates met their demises. Haywerth adds that they may be able to get another G.I. Max, but that would take months.
Mathers holds up a photograph of Jack Monroe a.k.a. Nomad, and asks what about him, as his file says he was a recipient of a reformulation of the Super-Soldier serum and that he has been trained by - Gyrich suddenly interrupts, informing everyone that Nomad is a friend of Rogers, and therefore it seems unlikely he would accept a job that his mentor would not. Mathers holds up a photograph of Sam Wilson a.k.a. the Falcon and supposes that they can also rule him out, as he is another of Roger’s friends, and also ex-partner. He adds that he doubts the country is ready for a black Captain America anyway.
Gyrich holds up a photograph of Nick fury of SHIELD and remarks that he has an excellent service record. Gyrich suggests that Fury may even be tired of international espionage and want to serve differently. But Yates remarks that he cannot imagine Fury relinquishing the authority he has as head of SHIELD to permit them to determine his actions. ’Besides, Fury’s too old to be a viable Captain America’.
Haywerth boasts that he has gone over all the intelligence they have on all of America’s known super human beings and that as far as he is concerned, none of them is man enough for the job. Mathers rubs his brow and agrees with the General, remarking that it is pointless to consider any of the established costumed vigilantes, as they need someone new, someone young - someone hungry for the “big time”. ’But who? And how can we find him?’ Mathers wonders. Suddenly, Valerie holds up this morning’s copy of The Washington Post, whose headline reads “Monument saved from terrorist by vigilante hero!”. ’Gentlemen. Did any of you happen to read this morning’s paper?’ the good Doctor asks.
Meanwhile, at that moment, elsewhere in Washington: ‘So, tell me, mister…uh, Super-Patriot, how does it feel to be the hero of the hour?’ asks talk show host Katy as she sits across from the red, blue and white clad new hero. Super-Patriot pauses before replying that the sudden acclaim he has received is gratifying, but that he does what he does not for glory, but because it’s the right thing to do. ‘To do any less would be to squander my God-given talents’ he adds, before declaring that they have all been put here on Earth for a purpose, and his is to help the people of this grand country.
‘That’s quite a purpose’ Katy remarks, before asking Super-Patriot to forgive her for being blunt - ‘But before this incident, I can’t say I was even aware of your existence. Are you new to the “hero biz”?’ she asks. ‘You could say that’ Super-Patriot replies, explaining that he only began operating a few months ago, and this is just the first time he has had the opportunity to tackle something this big in public. ‘Big is the word for it’ Katy exclaims, before announcing that they will go to their exclusive News 6 footage of yesterday’s mayhem at the monument.
(Shown with flashback images)
As told by Katy, the excitement began 24 hours ago when a heavily armed terrorist calling himself Warhead apparently parachuted onto the Washington Monument and announced that unless America declared war on somebody, he would detonate a nuclear device. ‘The authorities didn’t know how to deal with the dangerous fanatic - then Super-Patriot arrived’. Katy explains that, working independently of the authorities, Super-Patriot stole inside the monument and made his way to the top. There, under the most precarious of circumstances, he stormed Warhead’s perch.
Somehow, Super-Patriot managed to make it to the top without being blown away in the wind and rain, where he grappled with the heavily-armed terrorist - a struggle that ended when Warhead plummeted from his platform. However, Warhead never hit the ground in one in piece, choosing instead to perish in a massive explosion of his personal arsenal.
(Present)
Katy concludes by announcing that Super-Patriot brought the nuclear device down from the monument, and the authorities deactivated it with almost six hours to spare. Katy tells Super-Patriot that she has watched the news footage a number of times now, and that it continues to take her breath away to see him face danger like that. ‘How did you have the guts to do what you did?’ she asks, intrigued. ‘Born with them, I guess’ Super-Patriot replies, explaining that he spent a lot of time training himself to the peak of his abilities. He explains that he knows what his body is capable of, and calculated the risk as best he could, deciding it was worth it.
Katy asks Super-Patriot what the authorities reaction to his assistance was, to which Super-Patriot replies that they were glad to have the nuclear weapon down from there. ‘But I got chewed out pretty bad from certain officials I won’t mention’ he reveals. Katy informs Super-Patriot that she has one last question, and asks the handsome hero if he is any way associated with America’s other patriotic hero, Captain America.
‘No way, Ma’am. That fuddy-duddy is America past. I’m America’s future!’ Super-Patriot boasts, before exclaiming that what this nation deserves is a strong, decisive national hero, ready to put his all on the line every single day. ‘You didn’t see him up there yesterday, did you?’ Super-Patriot asks. ‘No, Super-Patriot, we sure didn’t’ Katy replies, before announcing that A.M. Washington will be back right after the following messages….
Super Patriot makes his way through the studio, accompanied by one of the staff who tells him that he was marvellous and exclaims that they seldom get guests as powerful as he. Super-Patriot thanks the woman and tells her that she will have to make sure he is invited back sometime. Exiting the studio, Super-Patriot’ manager, Ethan Thurm is waiting for him. Super-Patriot greets Ethan and asks if he saw him. ‘You bet your crew-cut I did!’ Ethan replies, telling Super-Patriot that he was fabulous, over the top.
Ethan then informs Super-Patriot that he received a phone call from a prominent business man who wants to front the bill for the damages to the monument. ‘Great!’ Super-Patriot exclaims, when suddenly, two men dressed in black suits approach him. Holding out their I.D. badges, they introduce themselves as Farber and McNulty, FBI, and inform him that a presidential advisor wishes to speak with him. ‘Can you come with us?’ they ask. ‘An adviser - not the president himself?’ asks Thurm.
But Super-Patriot declares that if his government wants to talk, he will listen. ‘That’s the kind of American I am’. Thurm declares that he should go too, but as the FBI agents hustle Super-Patriot along, announcing that the invitation is just for Super-Patriot. Super-Patriot looks back at his manager and tells him that he will see him back at the hotel. ‘Don’t forget to make my dinner reservations!’ he adds.
Half an hour later, in Valerie Cooper’s office, the stylish Doctor greets Super-Patriot, telling him that she is pleased to make his acquaintance. ‘The pleasure’s mine, Ma’am’ Super-Patriot replies politely. The both sit down as Super-Patriot asks Val how he can help her. Valerie replies that she would like him to tell her everything there is to know about him. ‘Excuse me for asking, but am I in some kind of trouble?’ Super-Patriot replies. ‘Not at all’ Valerie assures the handsome hero, before revealing that she has the opportunity of a lifetime to offer him - providing he is the right man.
Super-Patriot wonders if this is a ruse to get him to reveal himself so the government can keep tabs on him, before deciding that he refuses to believe a high-ranking official of the good ol’ U.S.A. would be party to such trickery. ‘Well?’ Valerie asks when Super-Patriot doesn’t respond. The hero clears his throat, before taking off his mask, and telling Valerie that, as she may have guessed from his slight drawl, he is from down South - Custer’s Grove, Georgia to be precise. ’The name’s John Walker’. John reveals that his parents are farmers and that he had an older brother and sister.
(Shown with flashback illustrations)
Super-Patriot explains that his brother, Michael, has a lot to do with what he is today, revealing that Mike was a soldier - a chopper pilot - in Vietnam. ’He came back home in a box in the Summer of ’74’. John tells Valerie that his parents could not have been prouder of Mike, and he wanted to live up to his brother’s memory, serve America the way Mike did. ’I enlisted, but after the war was over, it became a lot harder to become a hero’ Walker remarks as he recalls that he spent more time peeling potatoes than anything else.
Walker continues, revealing that after serving his stint, and still not making anything of himself, a service buddy of his heard about a fellow named the Power Broker, who claimed he could turn men into super-men. ’We signed up for the works!’ John exclaims, before revealing the process the Power Broker put them through delivered the goods, and that he could now lift over ten tons with his bare hands - except, before he could do anything to make his parents and country proud of him, he had to pay the Power Broker for the treatment.
Walker reveals that he was planning to try out for the Unlimited Wrestling Federation, when he met someone who had a batter idea - his name was Ethan Thurm and he then became John’s manager. John explains that they decided to forego the commercial wrestling route and plunge right into what he wanted to do - be an all-American hero like his brother. John adds that Ethan rounded up financial backers, helped him design his costume and mapped out the strategy that would make Super-Patriot a national hero.
(Present)
Super-Patriot informs Valerie that they toured the country, held patriotic rallies, did community service projects, things like that - then Warhead came along. He concludes be stating that he is a simple guy, and tells Val that is his whole story, before asking her, if she doesn’t mind, why she wanted to know all this. Valerie holds up Captain America’s shield as she places it on her desk and asks Walker if he recognizes it. Super-Patriot replies that it looks like a replica of Captain America’s shield.
Valerie assures Walker that it is authentic, and informs him that the man who originally played Captain America was recently asked to serve his country in an official capacity once again, but he refused, so they stripped him of his shield and uniform. ‘He - resigned?’ asks Super-Patriot, confused as to why anyone who says they love their country would do a thing like that. Valerie remarks that is irrelevant, and tells Walker that what is important is that they find someone new to be Captain America. ‘We’re considering you’ she announces. ‘What? Me - Cap?’ Walker replies, astonished, before he begins laughing. ‘If this doesn’t beat all!’ he exclaims.
‘What…is so funny?’ Valerie asks, to which Walker reveals that he has been one of Captain America’s most outspoken critics, that he has felt obliged to publicly mention that he didn’t think Captain America was cutting it as a symbol of their great country anymore. Valerie ignores that comment and asks Walker if he is interested in her proposal. Walker gets to his feet and reminds Valerie that, as he said, a true patriot heeds his country’s call, no matter what. However, he feels that with all the time and effort he invested in making the Super-Patriot a name to be reckoned with, it would be strange to give it up.
‘I couldn’t just do the job without changing my name and costume?’ he asks. ‘No’ Valerie replies straight-out, stating that Captain America is a tradition that goes back decades, and they want to preserve it. ‘Well?’ she asks. A pensive Super-Patriot pauses, before declaring that if Uncle Sam wanted him to be Mickey Mouse then he would do it. ‘I’m that kind of American - the kind you can count on. When do I start?’ he asks. Valerie shakes Walker’s hand, explaining that they will have to run a background check on him first, and asks him to let her know where he can be reached. Leaving Valerie’s office, Walker puts his mask back on, and, smiling, thinks to himself ‘Me - Captain America! I can’t believe it!’ while wondering what Ethan will say.
He doesn’t have to wait long for to answer that question, for back in his hotel room shortly, ‘You - Captain America!?’ asks a wide-eyed Ethan. Sitting on the edge of his bed, Walker replies ‘Yep, providing my background checks out - which I know it will’ he asserts. Thurm exclaims that there must be a catch, as the original Cap’s no dummy, they must have asked him to do something pretty far-out for him to fold his cards. ‘Or maybe what I’ve told him finally sunk in: He’s a has-been!’ Walker suggests.
Thurm suggests that they wait to hear all of the terms, then drive a hard bargain of their own. ‘No can do, Ethan. I already agreed to it!’ Walker announces as he stands up. ‘You…nincompoop!’ Ethan exclaims, before realizing what he said, and quickly apologizing, before seeing the unimpressed expression on Walker’s face, he quickly sits down, and tells Super-Patriot that he probably made a smart move, showing them what a swell guy he is. ‘Sell them on you - then hit ‘em with your demands’ Ethan suggests.
Thurm then remarks what could their non-negotiable demands be, before deciding that he should be put on the federal payroll as Walker’s personal manager. ‘A hundred thousand a year should do nicely…’. Walker begins changing out of his costume into a tank top and small running shorts, while Thurm mutters his second demand - that Walker should get a one-year release option in case things don’t work out right. Staring off into nowhere as he continues to prattle on, Thurm suggests that thirdly, Walker should get great health and insurance benefits. ‘Yeah, you should be insured for a million dollars. I’ll be your beneficiary’.
‘What else?’ Thurm wonders, exclaiming that, fourthly, he wants a big office, overlooking Capitol Hill, and fifth, they should get a piece of all Captain America merchandising - at least twenty percent. ‘Sixth, we can’t forget your pals, the Buckies - make the Feds hire them as back-ups’ Thurm declares, before beginning his seventh demand, when he realizes Super-Patriot has got changed and is heading out of the hotel room. ‘Where you going?’ Thurm asks. ‘Exercise’ the buff hero replies, pointing out that he has got to stay in shape now, more than ever. ‘Wait - you didn’t hear all my -’ Thurm begins, but Walker isn’t interested, and slams the door on him.
Running past the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, Walker thinks that Dr. Cooper’s agency will not go for Thurm’s demands, wondering what he should do about that, as Ethan has done so much for him. John wonders why the original Cap threw in the towel, deciding that it sure would be nice to know before he gets locked into it. Passing a payphone, Walker realizes he could find out be contacting Captain America through his national hotline service.
Picking up the phone, Super-Patriot rings the number and states that he heard what happened to Cap, and claims that he wants to talk to him about it. ‘No jive’ he assures Cap, asking him to meet him at the Lincoln Memorial, Wednesday at midnight, signing off as ‘Super-Patriot’. Walker hangs up the phone and decides that ought to do it, before wondering if the hotline becomes his when he takes over as Captain America.
Wednesday, at midnight, Super-Patriot checks his watch. ‘Okay old-timer, come out, come out wherever you are’ Walker thinks to himself. But, forty-five minutes later, Captain America is still a no-show. Super-Patriot decides that if Cap was going to show, he would be here by now, so obviously, he’s not going to show. ‘This is very odd, not like Captain America at all’ Walker decides, before wondering if, perhaps, he cannot make it. ‘Maybe he died in battle and -!’ Walker stops those thoughts, telling himself he is letting his imagination run away with him, for his government wouldn’t mislead him. ‘If he were dead, Miss Cooper would have said so’.
Super-Patriot decides to return to the hotel, when suddenly, out of the shadows, leaps someone with a big white star in the middle of their chest - ‘Where do you think you’re going, supes?’ he shouts, leaping at Super-Patriot, who, confused, turns - ‘Huh? Captain America?’ he asks, before the newcomer smacks into him, kicking him hard in the chest as he forces him to the ground. Super-Patriot begins rolling down the memorial steps, while the apparent Captain America follows him, ‘Come back here! I’m not letting you get off that easy. I want to hear you cry uncle…Uncle Sam!’.
>
Suddenly though, Super-Patriot gains the upper hand, ‘You really had me going there, man!’ he exclaims as he smacks his attacker hard in the face. ‘Aww! Nasty uppercut you got there, supes’ Walker’s friend mumbles as he rubs his smacked jaw. Super-Patriot grins, admitting that, for a moment, he thought he was the real Captain America, and not a Bucky. ‘And where there’s one Bold Urban Commando - can the others be far behind?’ Walker asks, as, indeed, the other two sneak up upon him, but Walker is ready for them, and flips one of them over him.
However, the third Bucky exclaims ‘Behind you a hundred percent, Johnny’ as he smashes into Walker’s back, knocking the hero to the ground. ‘Monkey pile on the Super-Patriot!’ Lemar Hoskins exclaims, to which one of the others asks ‘You say “Patriot” or “Pay-Toilet”, Lemar?’. ‘Don’t get wise with me, man’ Lemar replies, while they continue to punch Super-Patriot. Johnny just laughs and tells his allies that they have had their fun. ‘Now help me up before I accidentally hurt you all!’ he jokes, before asking his friends - who all wear masks and head coverings similar to Captain America’s, except theirs have a large white “B” on them - when they rolled into town.
Lemar replies that they got in a couple of hours ago, to which Johnny asks if Ethan told them where they could find him. ‘Yep - and that ain’t all he told us!’ Lemar adds, asking if it is true what Thurm said - that the feds have tapped him to be Captain America now that the first one “punked out“. ‘That’s the gospel truth’ Walker replies, before telling his friends not to worry, as he is not leaving them behind. ‘Wherever I go, you guys go too!’ he assures them.
Two days later, Super-Patriot enters the Commission on Super Human Activities large chamber, where the five CSA members are in their seats, he looks around, ‘Wow. This is where the agency Miss Cooper works for meets? You could play football in here!’ he exclaims, impressed at the size of the chamber, before realizing that this is where they tell him if his background meets with their approval or not. Mr. Yates addresses Super-Patriot formally, as “Mr. Walker” and thanks him for his punctuality.
Super-Patriot thinks that it is odd being called that while wearing this uniform, before Yates announces that they have good news for him, explaining that their investigation has shown him to be a most exemplary young man. ‘Your scholastic and military records, your personal references, your courage - all most commendable’. Cutting to the chase, Yates tells Walker that, the bottom line is, if he wishes to become Captain America, then the assignment is his. Wide-eyed, Johnny exclaims ‘It…really? Er, yes sir, I’m your man!’.
Walker then remarks that, with their permission of course, he would like to make a few requests. ‘You see, I have this manager, and he -’ Walker begins, until Yates interrupts, ‘This would Mr. Thurm, eh?’ he asks, before telling Walker to give him the list and they will see what they can do. Walker thanks Yates as he hands him the list, before Yates addresses him as “Captain” and asks him to accompany Ms. Cooper who will take him to be fitted. Valerie smiles at Walker as he approaches her, while thinking to himself ‘”Captain”…he called me “Captain”!’.
Soon, elsewhere, Valerie takes a Captain America uniform from a locker and hands it to Walker, asking him to try it on. ’Sure thing’ Walker replies, before asking Valerie if she would mind turning around. Valerie does so, and Johnny takes off his Super-Patriot costume, before replacing it with the Captain America uniform - pants, top, gloves, boots, and finally - mask. ’I’m done!’ Walker announces, to which Valerie, carrying the shield behind her back, asks him how it fits. ’Quite snug’ Walker replies, adding that it is a bit strange, before asking if they can have it modified a bit, as it itches having his whole head covered up.
‘Afraid not’ Valerie replies, before handing Walker the glistening shield, which Walker admires, ’What a piece of work!’ he exclaims, while recalling that the last time he felt it, Captain America threw it at him. Valerie asks Walker to come with her, as they will start his training. Entering another room, three costumed individuals are waiting, and Valerie introduces Walker - calling him Captain - to three of the Freedom Force operatives - Avalanche, Pyro and Blob. Shocked, Walker exclaims that he has heard of these “fellows” - ‘They’re criminals!’ he declares.
‘Ex-criminals’ Valerie corrects him, explaining that the former Brotherhood of Evil Mutants members have been pardoned as long as they continue to work as special government agents. Valerie remarks that Walker’s records say he is quite a capable fighter, and explains that the Freedom Force members will simulate combat conditions and help him get used to using the shield. ‘I’ll see you at lunch’ Valerie smiles as she leaves Walker alone with her Freedom Force cronies, despite the fact that Walker objects, ‘But -’ he begins, except Valerie has gone.
Johnny smiles sheepishly at the hardened criminals and tells them, that, as Miss Cooper probably already has, he is the new Captain America. ‘So, what do we do first?’ Walker asks. ‘Ha-ha, what a bodgie!’ Pyro laughs. ‘This oughtta be a riot!’ the Blob bellows, while Avalanche calls Walker “Captain America Junior” and tells him that what they do first - is beat the stuffings out of him! With that, the Greek mutant unleashes his powerful abilities to create seismic shocks, which ripple through the floor, knocking the new Captain America back.
Walker is forced to leap over some fireballs which Pyro shoots at him, before once more being knocked off his feet. Unable to get his footing, he wonders what these bozos are trying to do to him, before deciding that if rough is the way they want to play, then that is fine by them, and he leaps towards the Blob, holding his shield adjacent to his body, ‘Okay, fellows, you asked for it!’ Walker shouts. ‘Wrong, little man - you asked for it be agreeing to take the place of one of the biggest saps I ever met!’ the Blob exclaims, before Walker rams into him, only to bounce right back due to the Blob’s immense blubber.
Walker dodges more rings of fire from Pyro while the Blob tells him to stop hopping around like a bullfrog and take his lumps like a man. ‘No thanks!’ Walker replies, only for the ground to rise beneath him, smacking him over, Walker realizes that these three have worked together before. ‘One sets me up, the other bushwhacks me!’. Walker grips his shield, grimacing, he tells himself that he has never fought anybody who could do the weird stuff that these guys do, and wonders what he should do now, before realizing that he wasn’t given this shield because it matches his uniform, and he tosses it at Pyro, smacking him in the stomach, causing him to stop unleashing fire upon Walker.
Walker decides that there is now one down, but regrets losing his shield in the process. Avalanche raises some more of the floor under Walker, who is seriously annoyed and decides that it has to stop. Leaping over the rising floor, Walker uses the force from his leap to drop down on Avalanche, kicking him in the stomach and knocking him over. Walker turns to the Blob, ‘Okay, big man, now it’s one on one!’ he exclaims. The Blob snarls at Walker, ‘Hope you enjoyed your beginners luck boy scout - ‘cuz it just ran out!’ he boasts.
Walker tells himself that he will plant himself firmly this time, and let the Blob face the full force of his augmented strength. But it does nothing to the Blob, who grabs Walker by the neck and holds him up above the ground. ‘Nice try, but I’ve shrugged off punches from the Hulk hisself!’ the Blob boasts. Walker is clearly anxious about being trapped by the Blob, who exclaims ‘Now lemme show you what we do to wimps who can’t cut it! Nighty-night, boy scout!’ he remarks, when suddenly, Valerie storms into the room and orders the obese mutant to put Captain America down.
Begrudgingly, the Blob does as he is told, dropping Walker, who coughs as he gets his breath back. Valerie asks Walker if he is okay, to which John replies that it is hard to swallow. Valerie explains that she was monitoring his performance. ‘Swell’ Walker mumbles, before collecting his shield, while Val asks him if he learnt anything from the exercise. ‘Yes’m, that those guys only play for keeps!’ Walker replies. ‘I was hoping you’d learn what an asset that shield is’ Valerie replies. ‘Right’ Walker mumbles, before Val tells him to report to the archive library and start studying the footage they have of the original Captain America in combat. Val informs Walker that she will be by in two hours to quiz him. ‘Yes…ma’am’ Walker replies.
Later that night, Walker stumbles into his hotel room. ‘Hey, look who’s back - the greatest American hero himself!’ one of the Buckies remarks as the three of them play poker with Thurm. Walker’s manager asks him how it went, to which Walker replies that he got the job. He takes off his jacket as he walks towards his bed, while Thurm asks if the CSA agreed to all their demands. Walker replies that they said they would look into them, before flopping down on the bed.
‘What do you mean “look into them”?’ the tubby Thurm asks, reminding Johnny that he told him not to do anything without a written contract. ‘Lay off man, I’m really beat. I need rest’ Walker replies, before Lemar asks him if they didn’t even let him take the costume home. ‘No, not yet’ the exhausted hero replies.
Three days later, the new Captain America stands before the CSA once more, as Yates informs him that they wanted to get back to him on his list of requests as soon as possible. Yates tells Walker that, after careful consideration, he must report that they cannot grant all of his wishes. ‘In particular, you’ll have to drop Mr. Thurm as your manager, and two of the three men you propose to assist you do not meet with FBI approval’ Yates declares, before asking Captain America if he has any problems with this. Walker pauses, and looks to the ground, before assertively replying ‘No, sir’….