Synopsis / Summary / Plot
#1 started off 3 problems in different parts of the world and since then each issue has concentrated on 1 of the problems, though they're all still ongoing. This issue cycles back to the AIM Island story, but is actually more to do with Manifold.
Captain America and Maria Hill are still coordinating from the SHIELD helicarrier Iliad. They've now called in Iron Man to go persuade Avengers team member Manifold to help.
Meanwhile Bruce Banner's SHIELD science team (not the ones from the Indestructible Hulk series) are tasked with finding a way through AIM Island's barrier forcefield. 1 of them asks why they don't just get Manifold to teleport agents inside. Banner thinks it's a bad idea to expect superheroes to solve all your problems.
By now the Golden Avenger has reached Manifold in the middle of the Australian Outback. He explains that AIM's forcefield is designed to be teleport-proof. But that Eden Fesi isn't a normal teleporter - he doesn't just jump through space, he bends space-time.
But Manifold claims that he can't reliably teleport anymore, ever since the war with the Builders (in Infinity). The Aboriginal hero has come home to commune with the universe, seeking an answer. So Tony Stark leaves him to it.
But when Eden opens his eyes again he finds himself in an ornate building floating among the stars, and Captain Universe is with him. She says that this is her version of the Dreamtime. She also explains his failing superpower. As we learnt in Avengers #3 the system of the multiverse is broken. Manifold is intimately connected to his universe, and as the system breaks down so does his power.
She also says that each universe has a Manifold, and each Manifold's power only works in his own universe (as we learned from Black Swan in New Avengers #2). So, strangely, she takes him to another universe. Where she reverts to her bewildered alter ego Tamara Devoux before she can explain why.
The Earth they are now on is suffering an incursion (see any issue of current New Avengers). It is under attack by Sidera Maris troops (1st seen in NAv#6) and defended by a load of Human Torches. Manifold gets injured saving helpless Tamara from a blast. In her dreamlike muddled way she points to the other Earth in the sky and says she thinks that's home. 1 of the Earths starts to break up and Eden finds himself back in the star-palace.
Back on the Iliad Bruce Banner rushes to tell Cap and IM that his team has found a way to get pass AIM's forcefield. But then Manifold appears and says he can do it now. And Bruce sags in disappointment.
Now we actually get to visit AIM Island, where 4 members of its ruling council (Graviton, Jude the Entropic Man, the Scientist Supreme and Superia) are discussing strategy. Andrew Forson is content to sit behind their forcefield as their technology from the future makes them more and more powerful. The others are not so happy. They have a whole network out in the world that they are ignoring. And the Avengers are sure to come to rescue the 3 members AIM captured (Cannonball, Smasher and Sunspot in #2).
Forson isn't worried. Not only do they have their advanced forcefield and other future tech, but also they have transformed Smasher into their Messenger. And Forson has seen the future.
On the last page we see Manifold with Captain Marvel, Hyperion and Thor.