Synopsis / Summary / Plot
The distinction between flashback and current events is blurred in this final issue. We start where last issue's flashback left off, then progress forward in time up to the 'present' and beyond.
72 hours ago Sub-Mariner meets with Iron Man and asks that SHIELD now lift its blockade of Atlantis. Namor stopped the rogue Atlantean sleeper cell from committing its 2nd terrorist act, and dealt with them. And en route he suffered the violent loss of 2 of his 4 ankle wings. He also claims to have withdrawn the other sleeper cells in the US.
Iron Man counters that the terrorists still committed their 1st atrocity. The US has no reason to trust that the other cells are gone. And it was an act of aggression to install the secret cells in the 1st place.
The US military wanted to invade and occupy Atlantis. Tony Stark talked them out of that. But Atlantis must become a regular country with passports and border controls, and must abide by International Law. The Prince objects that Atlantis is not a country it is a civilisation, and will not be bound by surface laws.
In that case the blockade stays. Namor leaves in a huff, and refuses to discuss matter with his Councellor Banara. Stark equally brushes Maria Hill off.
48 hours ago Subby draws back from a war that would devastate both sides, despite being urged on by Argos. He considers the real problem is that the surface world knows that Atlantis exists and where it is. They were better off when humans thought they were a myth.
He proposes a bold plan to the Council - the Atlanteans will abandon Atlantis and disperse. They won't just spread out across the oceans. Instead the civilians will use sleeper cell technology to become air-breathers and hide amongst the humans. (So much for withdrawing the sleeper cells.) (He has another plan for the army.)
The populace has 48 hours to gather their belongings to carry with them and escape. They will leave via the old tunnels we learned about last issue. Banara objects at leaving their art and technology behind for the surface-worlders. But Namor says he'll deal with that.
A grand exodus begins through enormous tunnels.
24 hours ago Sub-Mariner sends Argos and the soldiers guarding Kamar and Nitro to help control the evacuation. He gasses the prisoners unconscious. When Kamar awakes he is in the throne room dressed in Subby's normal uniform. And Nitro is held in a forcefield nearby being pumped full of energy. The SHIELD fleet detect the energy build-up but don't know what it is.
Namor chains his son to the throne and gives him the royal trident. He explains that at some point Nitro will have too much energy to contain, and the explosion will raze Atlantis to the seabed. He then leaves Kamar to die on the throne he coveted. And Atlantis explodes, leaving the scene SHIELD found in #1.
Now Iron Man and SHIELD are exploring more of ruined Atlantis. They discover the escape tunnels.
In an epilogue we see Atlanteans coming ashore all over the world and blending in to surface society.
In another epilogue we see Sub-Mariner and the Atlantean army reaching Latveria where they are welcomed by Dr Doom.