In the days following the September 11 (2001) terrorist attacks on America, Steve Rogers is working as part of the team sifting through the rubble of the World Trade Center, searching for survivors. There are few small victories as the dust of the ruined buildings hangs heavily in the air and Steve reacts bitterly to the fanaticism that claims to do this in the name of God. Nick Fury arrives and tosses Steve a bag with his Captain America outfit and orders him to go to Kandahar. Steve responds by hurling Fury aside and pointing out that those who may still be alive need him more. As he heads home later Steve meditates on how the world has changed overnight and he stops to look at this shield and finds it shining as a beacon in the gray city. Moments later, a man who lost his daughter in the attack tries to stab an Arabic man but Captain America intervenes, explaining how the people of America have to be stronger, better now or else the terrorists will have won.
Centerville, seven months later: a typical American small town is attacked on Easter morning by the fall of a multitude of small bombs. On his way to the site, Nick Fury gives Cap a CATtag, a high-tech tracking device which will signal if the holder is killed. Cap tosses it on the floor as he leaps from the plane to confront the terrorist led by the monstrous al-Tariq. On the ground, Cap surveys the devastated town, noting there are no bodies or signs of carnage. He realizes that the townspeople are hostages and this time he is not too late to make a difference….