1940: Hydra agent Steve Rogers has been
assigned to assassinate Dr. Abraham Erskine; his first plan is to
enlist in the army but he keeps getting turned down because of his
health. His back-up plan is to become a dishwasher at the diner that
Erskine frequents. There, Steve comes to the attention of General
Phillips who recognizes him as the boy who keeps trying to enlist.
Erskine want to know more....
The Council finds Maria Hill guilty on
all counts; as she is escorted out, Captain America (Steve Rogers) is
asked to stay behind. He gives a strong endorsement of Sharon Carter
to become the new Director of SHIELD....
Elsewhere, Sharon meets with a top
Senator who explains his reservations about the SHIELD Act which
would make SHIELD Earth's first line of defense against any attacks.
Sharon responds with a strong defense of the Act and suggests that
Captain America would be willing to take political revenge against
any legislator who would oppose the Act....
Back at the Helicarrier, Maria Hill
overpowers her guards and escapes; Cap and several Agents pursue but
she makes it to her flying car and away. She heads to the Alpha
Flight space station where she is admitted by a reluctant Captain
Marvel. Hill offers Carol a gift: the planetary defense shield....
In secret Steve Rogers presents himself
before the Red Skull via hologram. The villain is angry with Cap for
letting Maria Hill escape, especially with the planetary defense
shield. The Skull is also disappointed in Cap for allowing Jack Flag
(Cap''s injured partner) to live. Steve meets with Eric Solveig who
tells him that Jack may recover—and offers Steve a hypo containing
an undetectable poison....
1940: Steve explains to Erskine and
Phillips how he wants to be part of something bigger than himself.
When a thief steals a co-worker's pocketbook, Steve pursues him out
the door....
As Cap stands over Jack Flag's comatose
body, preparing to inject him with poison, Cathy Webster (Free
Spirit) thanks him for coming, speaking highly of Jack's admiration
for Cap. She reveals that Jack has been pronounced terminal and they
are planning to take him off life support. Steve goes over to see
Sharon where they hear the news that the SHIELD Act is expected to
pass. She tells him they offered her the position of SHIELD
Director—and that she turned them down. The world is in too much
turmoil and the only one they can trust to keep the USA safe is Steve
himself....
1940: Steve Rogers returns to the
diner, beaten and bloody, but having recovered the purse. Dr Erskine
decides to use Steve in an experiment he is planning....