Nomad: Girl Without a World (2009 series) #4

Nomad (Rikki Barnes) is a prisoner of Professor Power who is carrying out an experiment in mass brainwashing by turning her high school classmates into a self-righteous movement which is now rioting in the streets. He reports to his masters in the Secret Empire to recommend halting their plans since mindless violence was not part of the plan but, to his surprise they insist he proceed with the program. While he is distracted, Nomad recovers her mind, thanks to the blood rushing to her head; she slips her bonds and strikes at Power and his henchman Mad Dog, dashing out at the earliest opportunity—and into the control room where she sees the riot on the view screens….
The agitators, led by ex-slacker Matt Surman, confront the police riot squad, which is reluctant to fight back against kids. Most of the original supporters of Desmond Daniels’ campaign are now shocked by what has happened, including John Barnes. John goes to confront Surman, hoping to talk sense into him, but the newly empowered slacker won’t listen. Meanwhile, Nomad has arrived with the Young Avengers and attempts to calm the storm but they soon discover that they can’t stop the violence without hurting someone….
Back at the villain’s base, the Secret Empire orders Professor Power to burn the building and report to headquarters with the gathered data to be punished for his failures. Power and Mad Dog don’t like that idea, choosing instead to destroy the facility and its precious contents….
Nomad has Desmond Daniels address the crowd, telling them that his call to activism was never meant to be an excuse for violence and he resigns as class president. A shot is heard and Nomad rushes to the parking lot to find that John has been gunned down by Surman….
Weeks later, Rikki visits John’s grave to report that Surman is in a mental hospital and Power managed to escape. She blames herself for what happened to him but suddenly Captain America (Bucky Barnes) is standing with her, assuring her that it wasn’t her fault, that John died standing up to evil. He encourages her to continue as Nomad but denies having sent her the costume. Watching the scene through binoculars, the Black Widow smiles quietly….
At a rural convenience store, a disguised Professor Power stops in to make some purchases. The clerk reveals himself to be an agent of the Secret Empire and draws a gun. Outside, Mad Dog heads for the woods….
Nomad delivers a televised message to the Secret Empire that she is out to hunt them down, then takes off into the night. Alone as she was at the beginning she now has a new purpose to help her cope with her situation….