Dum Dum Dugan has just rocked the meeting of the United Nations Security Council with the revelation that most of the Howling Commandos died in the raid on the Hydra base in China. Jasper Sitwell suggests that China covered up the story as they were more interested in recovering technology from the damaged Helicarriers. They recall the assault on the base two weeks ago: as the Helicarriers laid down fire as a distraction, the Secret Warriors Black Team with several of the Howlers went through the front door, fighting their way to the main lab. There they discovered Hydra was transforming more captives into the tentacled hive creatures. They planted explosives to destroy the base and departed in haste….
At the Howling Commandos reunion, the old soldiers regale themselves with stories of how Captain America stood up to a Nazi commander and they defeated a much larger enemy force. They toasted Steve as the One Man who held them together. Later Dugan met with Nick Fury to tell him the Howlers were placing bets on which battle cost Fury his eye. The leader declined to reveal the info.
Aboard the Helicarrier, Alexander Pierce asked Dugan how Fury knew the base was there. Dugan replied that he had to learn to trust Fury just as Dugan did during the War. As the two ships are in flight suddenly six Hydra dreadnaughts de-cloak around them and open fire. The Argonaut is disabled and sent crashing to the ground; the Iliad, with Dugan aboard, is damaged. Dugan gives order to stand their ground and be ready to rescue their comrades. The enemy leader is revealed to be Lord Gorgon.