At the Howling Commando reunion two weeks ago, it was Gabe Jones’ duty to remember their comrades in arms who were no longer with them: Clay Quartermain, Dino Manelli, Pinky Pinkerton, Junior Juniper….
The disabled Helicarriers had crash-landed in a valley in China and the Howling Commandos made their last stand. Lord Gorgon led the hordes of Hydra onto the field and the Howlers were ready for them. Dum Dum Dugan was knocked unconscious in the assault and Gabe Jones ordered Jasper Sitwell to take him to safety; Jasper reluctantly complied, even though it meant leaving his comrades to die. In the battle that followed the Howling Commandos were killed to a man with Gabe Jones being decapitated by Gorgon’s sword….
The sole survivors, Dugan and Sitwell, testify before a secret meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Dugan can see the global map showing Hydra bases around the world, and tells them they are powerless to fight this shadow war. He then puts his finger on the real reason for the hearing: they want to know if Nick Fury will fight this war for them. Dugan warns them that Fury is no politician and they will not like his attitude…or his methods…. The meeting adjourns. US Ambassador White returns to her office to find Senator Robert Ralston, former Howling Commando, waiting for her. She is able, in guarded terms, to reveal that the UN will draw on the services of Nick Fury through further meetings with Dugan and Jasper, who will be held "in custody" for the time being….
In a bar at Fury’s secret base, Steve Rogers sits with Fury and asks him if he is in over his head. Fury declines to answer and Steve acknowledges that Nick Fury is the kind of man who will deal with a problem that no one else sees and not give up until it is done and who knows it never ends. And he tells Fury that he, not Steve, is the "One Man" (see last issue). Alone, Fury sits brooding over the pictures of the Howling Commandos who have died, a larger number than it was two weeks ago….