In the Savage Land, Sharon Carter
invades the mad lab of Count Nefaria, joined by Captain America,
Matthew Plunder, and Zabu, battling the monstrous guards. Sharon is
preoccupied, though, unable to stop thinking about Cap's surprise “I
love you” (back in issue #19). Her anger is checked only when
Matthew suddenly collapses; removing his helmet he is revealed to be
aging rapidly and he dies before their eyes. The angry Sharon pushes
Cap on and they break into a second lab where they find Ka-Zar,
Shanna, young Matthew, and the entire human population of the Savage
Land in suspended animation....
Later Cap and Sharon learn from Ka-Zar
how Count Nefaria was extracting DNA from the captives and it is the
creatures created by that means that Cap and company encountered.
Ka-Zar also insists that Nefaria be left behind to face the local
justice system. Cap and Sharon begin the long trek to the outside
world. After a while, the two talk over their rocky relationship,
which comes from her being afraid of losing her identity by dating a
living symbol of patriotism. He begs to know why she is so afraid of
love. They lean in for a kiss—and Nick Fury arrives with
transportation out of the place....
At a classy New York restaurant Connie
Ferrari is fuming about being stood up by Steve Rogers when he
suddenly appears with flowers and a charming excuse. They dance,
bonding over their love of 1940s pop culture, including the Midnight
Racer. Outside, Nick Fury finds Sharon Carter waiting for Cap, but
deciding not to interrupt to tell him that she is the new head of
SHIELD....
Epilogue: A.I.M. leaders set Protocide
against three battle droids and he destroys them in record time.
Next: a living target....