Synopsis
In Juneau, Alaska, Nomad, with baby Bucky on his back, sneaks aboard a Russian ship in search of the weapon everyone has been fighting over. He discovers it is a cybernetic super-gun, one that fires according to the wielder’s thoughts. He plugs in the software and has time to alter the weapon’s commands before his is caught by soldiers led by Major-General Sokolowski. He hurls his throwing discs at the guards and makes a break for freedom—but runs into Captain America on the dock outside. Cap reveals that he has been ordered to bring Nomad in since he is a security risk. Nomad puts the baby down safely and the two former partners square off. Cap easily knocks down his foe but the sneak kicks Cap in the crotch and runs—into the hands of government agents led by members of the Super-Powers Commission. In desperation, Nomad holds a gun to baby Bucky but is unable to keep up the bluff so he surrenders. Aboard the ship, the Commission members leave Nomad in the hands of General Sokolowski and his American counterpart and make their exit. The two generals explain to the captive hero that Elia Arriguez was shot (issue #1) to prevent her from jeopardizing the deal. The US set up the deal to trade drugs to the Soviets (who wanted them to keep rebellious masses pliable) in exchange for the weapon, and behind it all was Umberto Safilios, who didn’t die in the truck crash in issue #1. He wants the gun to sell to Cuba, a Soviet ally. And now the Russians will leave so the American military can silence Nomad. Meanwhile, Commission psychiatrist Andrea Sterman, realizing the ruthlessness of the group she works for appeals to Captain America to rescue Nomad. They return to the ship where Cap sneaks aboard and frees Nomad, taking the opportunity to tell him his methods were no different than those of his enemies, and he must learn to do the right thing in the right way. They rescue baby Bucky and deliver her to Andie Sterman for safekeeping before returning to stop the bad guys. After taking out most of the soldiers aboard, they face the American general with the weapon—but it fails to work, as Nomad had reprogrammed it. Nomad seizes the weapon and guns down Safilios and all the Soviets. Wracked with guilt he destroys the weapon and Cap promises to help him get away. Nomad takes the baby and heads off into the night.