In Cuba, a mysterious American questions a drunken derelict as to the whereabouts of Sam Wilson, the Falcon, who vanished in the country. The drunk fears to get involved as Sam is connected with the powerful Rivas crime syndicate; the American switches from bribe money to threats of violence. The drunk gasps out the words, "Alphabet City, " and his interrogator drops him, leaving some cash in his lap and stepping back to reveal the red-white-and-blue costume of Captain America….
Several hours earlier Steve Rogers was in the office of Joe "Robbie" Robertson, editor of the Daily Bugle, trying to get a line on the Falcon’s whereabouts. Seems Bugle reporter Leila Taylor (and Sam Wilson’s former lover) had been investigating the Rivas drug cartel in Cuba when she discovered something in one of their labs. She tried to smuggle it into the USA and was caught and imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay. The Falcon went down there and busted her out and now they are missing, and Robbie was the last person Sam spoke to before he left. Now Steve wants to know what it was Leila found, and he has 24 hours to get to them before the authorities take over, but as far as Robbie is concerned, Captain America is the authorities….
In Cuba, a strangely sadistic-looking Captain America arrives at a stormy Alphabet City where he finds a shack guarded by criminal types. He fights his way in where he questions a thug about Sam and rescues a woman and child held prisoner….
Hours earlier, Steve confided in the Scarlet Witch how he had encouraged Sam’s idealism and now wonders whether it has gone too far, violating national security….
In Alphabet City, the woman captive gives the dark Cap a lead on where to find the Rivas crime family and Sam Wilson. He won’t take her along because of the danger and she kisses him goodbye….
In Florida, Steve was told that with the coming hurricane, all flights were grounded and he would not be able to go to Cuba….
At the Rivas Estate, Sam Wilson as the Falcon holds the mobsters at gunpoint, announcing his plans to take the captive Leila with him—and Manuel Rivas too, to face justice in America. It’s all about principles. Meanwhile, as the storm grows in fury, Cap enters the estate, leaving a trail of injured thugs in his wake. Falcon tells Rivas, there’s good news and bad news. The good news: Captain America is on his way. The bad news? At this point, Cap enters, picks up an automatic weapon and calmly kills Rivas and his henchmen, then removes his mask to reveal a dark-haired stranger. "That guy ain’t him."