The Falcon, D-Man, Nomad (Jack Monroe), and Vagabond arrive in Washington (State) searching for the missing Steve Rogers. They discover his van in the crevice in the back road and see that Steve and his motorcycle are gone. D-Man exerts all his strength to toss the van out of the hole and the group decides to wait there knowing Steve will return sooner or later….
Meanwhile in Las Vegas, four disguised figures enter a casino, kill a guard and head to the basement. From there they emerge in costume as four serpent-themed villains, Fer-de-Lance, Copperhead, Puff Adder, and Black Racer. They strike down the guards and take several VIPs hostage, forcing the manager to open the vault for them….
Back in Washington, Cap’s ex-partners are sitting around pondering what Steve should do next (and helpfully summarizing the issues for readers) when Steve arrives on his motorcycle. He recounts his battle with Brother Nature (last issue) whom he has just dropped off at a hospital. Steve tells them he has decided to adopt a new identity to continue his mission; D-Man, knowing that a court injunction bars him from wearing red, white, and blue, offers him a similar costume in red, white, and black. Steve also tells them of his decision not to war against his own government….
In Vegas, the serpent criminals have their loot and are trying to leave the casino when they run into a company of armed guards. They retreat to an elevator which takes them to a penthouse where they inform the authorities they have hostages….
Steve and company hear of the incident on the radio and take a plane to Vegas where, suiting up, they offer their services to the local authorities. The police, not recognizing any of them—especially The Captain in his new costume, reject the suggestion. Cap decides to defy the authorities and take action anyway: he has Falcon fly them up to the penthouse where they crash through the window. As Cap, Nomad, and D-Man take on the deadly villains, Falcon flies the hostages to safety. After the battle, the police threaten to arrest the four heroes; Cap decides to abide by the penalty, as they did indeed break the law—but this leaves him thinking that once a person decides to disregard the law, hw will he know when he’s gone too far?