Today marks the beginning of the second half of Marvel’s epic and highly controversial event Secret Empire. The gist of the story is that Captain America has had his history rewritten to where he has been an agent of Hydra from the beginning.

The buildup to the series had been in the works for a few years (Check my Road to Secret Empire blog post).

In today’s part 1 I recount the events of the first 6-issues of the story (#0 – 5). Part 2 will look at and try to connect the different one-shots, minis, and stories from the regular titles as to how they fit into the overall story. Part 2 (or Part 3) I will also give my thoughts about the overall story and how well it works.

So with out further ado…

Secret Empire #0

The issue begins in Japan, 1945. Captain America is fighting his way through a blizzard in the mountains when he encounters the Kraken in the opening to a cave. They make their way down a staircase while going over Steve’s accomplishments as a Hydra spy within the Allied forces. The Kraken reveals they have reached the source of Hydra’s power. Together with a man identified as Hydra’s Father, Kraken reveals Captain America the Allies are going to use a Cosmic Cube to rewrite reality itself and win the war. A chained up old man casts in a pond images of the future, explaining that the Red Skull will recover the cube and will use it to restore Steve back to his reality before the Allies interfered, and he must do all that is necessary to restore the world that

was once that happens. The Earth suddenly rumbles and Kraken orders Steve to jump into the pond to protect himself explaining once he awakes, he will find himself in the altered version of reality.

Kraken encourages Steve as reality begins to fade away.

—

In the present, Captain America, the new director of S.H.I.E.L.D., is on the Helicarrier’s bridge as Commander Sharon Carter approaches him, giving sitreps on the three critical situations that have arisen all at the same time:

The Chitauri invasion: Trillions of these Chitauri aliens are approaching the Earth as the Planetary Defense Shield has been taken down by a Hydra bomber. Cap dispatches Alpha Flight, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Ultimates protect the Earth while the Tony Stark A.I. (in the Iron Man armor) and Ironheart are trying to fix the Shield’s damage.

New York has been attacked by the Army of Evil: The supervillain ex-prisoners of Pleasant Hill as well as other supervillains that weren’t imprisoned at Pleasant Hill attack Manhattan. The Defenders and several other vigilantes such as Spider-Woman, The Uncanny Avergers (Unity squad) and Doctor Strange confront the villains.

Helicarrier Crescent: The S.H.I.E.L.D. falls off the radar over Sokovia, and six S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarriers approach the war-torn nation’s airspace ato investigate the disappearance of The Crescent

On all fronts, the heroes are dealt critical blows.

Alpha Flight and the space heroes find themselves being slowly overpowered by the alien hoards, with numerous heroes being taken down, including Quasar and Hyperion, while attempt to repair the shield takes a turn for the worse

Nitro causes an explosion in Manhattan which levels an entire block as well as it defeating the Defenders.

These events cause the United States government to designates a full state of emergency, thus putting Steve in immediate command of national security,

Cap rallies the heroes one more time.

Almost suddenly, the defense systems auxiliary lines go back operational, enabling the armor-clad heroes to activate the Shield. In space, the Chitauri continue to

advance, plowing into the Shield. In New York, the villains appear to retreat after the Avengers Unity Division arrive to help out.

Elsewhere the other Helicarriers make contact with Crescent, which the turns out to be on a collision course with the Helicarrier Illiad, after the systems

fail to respond and employ evasive actions.

After the impact, Illiad is boarded by Hydra foot soldiers. It’s discovered all crew aboard the Crescent were under the control of Doctor Faustus. Captain America steps in the line of

fire and utters a sign that identifies himself as Hydra’s Supreme Leader.

Sharon is perplexed by the situation and is then taken away under Rogers’ orders. Cap orders his subordinates to use Iliad’s comms deck to broadcast Faustus’ brainwashing message to the rest of the fleet to take over the Helicarriers.

Alpha Flight continues to fight the Chitauri fleet while back down on Earth, Iron Man and Ironheart discover the Shield is no longer responding. Iron Man theorizes that the Hydra bombing

simply caused superficial damage to hide the fact the Shield’s systems were being tampered with and failing on purpose. As they continue to figure out the situation, they are surrounded by

Hydra agents.

Back in space, Carol alerts Steve the Shield isn’t responding to her attempts to open a portal back to Earth. He soon reveals that he intends to leave her, Alpha Flight, and the other heroes trapped between the upcoming Chitauri waves and the Shield.

Iron Man and Ironheart escape from Hydra, having figured out the plan of whoever was in control of the Shield, to use the Chitauri forces as a bait to lure a lineup of first responders

heavy hitters while the Shield was down, and then lock them out.

Iron Man sends out a distress call, he realizes the next place to be hit would be New York.

On the coast of Manhattan, Baron Zemo uses the Darkhold to boost Blackout’s powers and have him isolate half the island in a Darkforce dome. Once Iron Man and Ironheart get the reports of what has occurred in the Big Apple,

he calls any on any hero available to where he believes will be the next target, Washington, D.C.. He turns out to be correct just as all of the Helicarriers taken over by Hydra are now hovering above the White House.



—

Secret Empire #1

Hydra has taken over and their influence has spread to various facets of American society. Captain America and the Hydra High Council now rule the country.

The new rulers have made laws to keep those who would oppose them in check

Inhumans now must submit for registration as soon as their powers manifest or face arrest.

In Greensboro, young Jason McAllister is dropped by his older brother Brian at school, the Daniel Whitehall Elementary and Middle School. Before leaving the car, Jason comments on the fact his classmate Marcus Festerman stole his lunchbox. Brian promises to get him a new one, and Jason asks for it to be a Captain America lunchbox, much to Brian’s annoyance. Jason leaves for class while Brian looks up a lunchbox on his phone.

Once Jason arrives in the classroom and the bell rings, the students make the Hydra salute before starting the lesson. During lesson, the teacher Ms. Peters comments that Hydra has been burning history books to fit with Hydra’s vision of past events, delving into the fact that during WWII the Allies allegedly rewrote reality, but Captain America returned to his true self and

Brian rushes is helping the world do the same. A discussion abruptly starts between Jason and Marcus when the latter accuses the other’s brothers of being a freak. At the McAllis Brian rushes

into the inside from his car, and disgorges an entire Captain America lunch box, having apparently created it after looking an image of it.

After knocking onthe door, Hydra soldiers break into the house and apprehend Brian for failing to register as an Inhuman.

—

Las Vegas

Meanwhile, A hacker named Rayshaun Lucas arrives at a train station in Las Vegas.

He has been entrusted with key data by Rick Jones, who worked for S.H.I.E.L.D. befor being arrested once Hydra took over the United States.

Jones told Rayshaun that he needed to get the data to the Underground that proves the truth about Captain America and how his past was altered. Lucas successfully makes contact with the Champions who have Ironheart and Falcon II in their group. The Champions lead him to a base in Las Vegas housing various heroes who make up the underground heroes who are fighting the resistance against the HYDRA regime. The Resistance consists of Hawkeye, Ant-Man, Black Widow, Giant-Man, Hercules, Quicksilver, Rescue, Stingray, Thing, Tigra, Wonder Man, and others which Cap considers to be Primary targets and threats to Hydra’s plans

Outer Space

T outside of the Planetary Defense Shield, Captain Marvel desperately tries to punch her way back to the planet while an S.O.S. message she sent to outer space plays

back as Alpha Flight is still being bombarded by armies of Chitauri soldiers with no end in sight, and their defenses are all but broken.

Las Vegas

Back in Las Vegas, the kid is being chased by Hydra soldiers. Members of the Underground, namely Spider-Man, Hulk, Viv, Falcon and Wasp, observe Rayshaun Lucas from the distance to make sure he is the person they arranged a meeting with and proceed to rescue him. Before he can identify himself as Rayshaun Lucas, Ironheart alerts them about Dreadnoughts approaching their location. Riri picks them up in a

Riri picks them up in a Fantasti-Car MK II, and they fly away.

—

Denver, CO

In Denver, Captain America confronts Krigorrath, a monster from the depths who has returned from the depths to demand a sacrifice to satiate his appetite. Captain America attempts to

get him to leave by threatening him, but when Krigorrath brushes off his warning, Steve has his Hydra loyal “Avengers” kill the monster.

—

A newsreel showcases the effects of Hydra’s take over of America. Citizens are celebrating the victory of the Avengers; crime has been reduced by 75%; the exchange market is hitting new

heights due to Hydra’s works program, which involves the generation of new job opportunities with the creation of projects such as a Dreadnought-manufacturing facility; a new trade agreement has been signed between Madripoor and the U.S.; and an estimate of twenty people are set to be executed for treason.

At a meeting with Hydra’s High Council, Doctor Faustus addresses the use of mind-altering substances in water supplies across the entire country, mentioning a new formula of Fluoride is being created to increase the people’s docility and receptiveness. When reporting on intelligence, Kraken observes the mutants displaced to the sovereign nation of New Tian are not trustworthy. Viper talks about the opening of two new detention facilities to double the amount of Inhumans held in indefinite custody.

Before Captain America can end the meeting, Arnim Zola informs him about the incident in Nevada involving the Underground.

—

Nevada

Back at The Mount, the Underground has managed to evade the Dreadnoughts after fixing the Fantasti-Car’s boost drive. A video of this event made its way to Internet and goes viral amassing 50 million views before the Hydra state censor took it down. Steve suggests issuing a statement, but his allies agree that other actions need to be taken, due to the increase of Underground activity in the area.

—

Zola reproaches Rogers for having let all the rebel fighters free in the so-called “Day of Peace.” Steve replies that he doesn’t want to oversee a prison state, and instead wants to unite its people. With the exception of Baron Zemo, the other members of the Council are in the same line of thinking that Hydra should actually demonstrate their power by crushing the resistance before it’s too late.

—

Nevada

Back with the young heroes, the Fantasti-Car arrives at The Mount, and are greeted by The Thing and Black Widow. Hawkeye scolds The Champions for the exposure they garnered during the outing. Natasha and Clint then confront Rayshaun, who reveals to have acquired an alleged vital piece of data from Erik Selvig on how to fix Captain America from none other than Rick Jones.

–

Captain America, the hero-turned-Hydra-leader is trying to have dinner with Sharon Carter, who remains outraged and indignant at him no matter his attempts to appease her. He

tries to convince her to join him for the sake of the good they could do together, but Sharon retorts that even if what he’s doing seems to work on the surface, it’s not good because it’s

corrupted at the core. When Captain America insists he’s the real Steve Rogers, Sharon demands him to prove it by doing at least one thing that would remind her that he is the man she loved, by sparing the life of Rick Jones.

In a prison cell, Rick Jones’ singing is interrupted by the arrival of Captain America. Rick had been relocated there after violating protective custody in his apartment after stealing the

phone of a guard and using it to hack in and steal valuable files in Hydra’s possession.

Captain America tries to convince Rick to at least pretend to show loyalty for Hydra in order to be spared, to which Rick meets his request by continuing singing. As Steve leaves the cell, Rick promises to never give up hope, knowing Cap will endure whatever Hydra did to him because he’s his hero. Rogers shows remorse as he walks away.

—

Nevada

Back at the Underground’s base, Rayshaun is led by Giant-Man to the A.I. Tony Stark’s lab. The A.I. Tony is using a pair of armor gauntlets to allow for physical contact so he can work on fixing equipment. Rayshaun gives him the device containing Rick Jones’ information, which Tony completely ignores, preferring to focus on the matters at hand, namely fixing the base’s air

conditioning.

Rayshaun questions Tony’s reaction, bringing up the fact Steve and Tony were supposed to be best friends, but Stark replies that was the case until Cap betrayed them. Tony then

recounts two other instances in which trying to solve Steve’s situation ended in tragedy. Stark also suggests the data is false, arguing that Rick was under arrest even before the take-

over started. Rayshaun tries to get to Tony one more time, telling him he can’t give up because he’s a superhero, leading Tony to shut him down, claiming that the Underground aren’t heroes, simply fugitives who remember a little too well. As the situation is now, all they can do is survive. In the upper levels of The Mount, Hawkeye and Black Widow are observing the rest of the

In the upper levels of The Mount, Hawkeye and Black Widow are observing the rest of the resistance. Natasha cherishes Clint’s accomplishments by organizing and keeping the Underground afloat.

—

Inside a study room, Madame Hydra is using her powers to counter Doctor Strange’s attempts to break free from the Darkforce surrounding Manhattan. Steve comes in and they proceed to talk over tea. Steve shares his concerns for Zola and Faustus’ traces of disloyalty. She brushes them off, reminding Steve of the plan to find the Cosmic Cube and use it to restore the world to their vision, suggesting Rogers show how he stands apart and above, indicating it’s time he reclaimed what is rightfully his, control of Hydra

—

While Captain America is broadcasting an announcement, Rick Jones is taken to a firing squad and executed, his last words being “Avengers Assemble.” Meanwhile, back in Nevada, the

Las Vegas

Meanwhile, back in Nevada, the Underground is alerted when three Hydra Helicarriers descend from the sky and open fire on Las Vegas.



—

Secret Empire #2

Las Vegas

Following Hydra’s assault on Las Vegas, the Underground mobilizes rescue efforts in the many damaged areas where very few people survived. Black Widow, observing the atmosphere of despair, declares that Captain America has to die.

Manhattan, NY

The scene shifts to inside the Darkforce dome over Manhattan.

Luke Cage, Iron Fist, assisted by Jessica Jones, are looting a pharmacy for supplies when they find themselves surrounded by demonic creatures. After grabbing the supplies, they head to a hospital where Claire Temple is helping nurse the injured and ill. There is an entire wing of patients is afflicted with typhoid due to water supply contamination and hepatitis A has broken out due to poor sanitation.

In the bubble surrounding Manhatten, there’s no power or communication with the outside world, food, drinkable water is becoming scarce. Dagger, of Cloak and Dagger, is the only source of light for the entire island, using her Lightforce abilities to cast light for hours at a time, but her ability to maintain the light is fading, barely enduring for four hours when she used to reach twelve in the beginning.

In another part of Manhattan, a group of armed men attempts to ransack a church for the medical supplies. Kingpin intervenes, killing one of the would-be robbers and offering his protection to the church, with the sole condition that once the crisis is over, they remember it was him who kept them safe.

—

Nevada

Back at The Mount, the heroes have barely returned when Black Widow calls their attention with a gunshot. She seeks out volunteers to help her assassinate Steve Rogers, claiming they have no other choice left. The Tony Stark A.I. interrupts her in order to reveal a recording from Rick Jones, taken from the data disk given to him by Shaun Lucas. In the posthumous video message, Rick unveils the cause of Captain America’s change of sides, explaining Kobik and her involvement with the Red Skull. Jones also explains that once Kobik had been turned back into Cube fragments, Erik Selvig scattered the shards to keep them from Hydra.

Before being forced to cut off the video, Jones reveals he has attached all of Hydra’s intel on the search for the fragments to the video. Rick encourages the heroes not to lose hope, and the transmission ends.

Hawkeye back ups Tony’s idea of looking for the fragments, whereas Black Widow opposes it.

When Hawkeye argues that the real Steve Rogers would oppose killing, Natasha, before leaving, counters with the argument, that if the real Steve knew what he was being used for, he would beg them to kill him.

—

After giving a speech in light of the attack on Las Vegas, Captain America meets with Baron Zemo in private. He reveals that he didn’t order the attack and he had actually given Madame Hydra the power to do it. The other members of the High Council are unaware of that, for which their dissension has been quelled. Zemo additionally commends Steve’s decision, claiming that it’s a display of his strength as a leader, capable of having the devotion and faith he gives to the people he loves returned to him. When they touch on the topic of the Cosmic Cube fragments, Captain America

When they touch on the topic of the Cosmic Cube fragments, Captain America tasks Baron Zemo with locating the pieces whatever the cost.

—

Nevada

Back at The Mount, Hawkeye comes up to Black Widow. They attempt to discuss their differences and reflect on how the recent deaths of Bucky Barnes’s and Bruce

Banner’s death affected them both, although no reflection on why the two characters with alliteration names are the dead ones. Clint asks Natasha to give him one more chance, she tries to make him promise that if his plan doesn’t work, he’ll do it her way. When he hesitates, and replies that he can’t help who he is, the two kiss, and Natasha knocks Clint out and runs away on a motorcycle.

Once he wakes up, Clint alerts A.I. Tony that Natasha has left to go kill Cap and they need they need to move faster if they plan to save Steve. Tony reveals he has devised a way to track down the Cube fragments and has assembled a group of volunteers to find them: Hercules, Ant-Man, Quicksilver and Mockingbird. When Clint comments on the fact that Selvig couldn’t have hidden the fragments within Hydra territory, Ant-Man suggests seeking help with a certain someone in order to get out of the country.

When Clint comments on the fact that Selvig couldn’t have hidden the fragments within Hydra territory, Ant-Man suggests seeking help with a certain someone in order to get out of the country.

—

Colorado

A day later, Black Widow arrives at a safe house in Colorado and notices that Spider-Man (Miles Morales) has been following her. Natasha questions if Miles has followed her to stop her, he states that she won’t do it, bringing up the fact that according to Ulysses Cain’s vision from Civil War II that he’s the one to do it.

Miles admits that he’s through with running from this possible destiny, and wishes to confront it and let whatever might happen, happen. The young members of the Underground have followed Miles, and decide to join Natasha, but object the prospect of killing. Black Widow proceeds to welcome them to the Red Room.

Montana

In Montana, A.I. Tony’s team arrive at a truck stop, where Scott Langs directs them to the person that could help them cross the border, Sam Wilson, who is no longer wielding Captain America’s shield or fighting Hydra as Red Falcon.

—

Limbo

Somewhere else, in the middle of a forest, a young woman is running away from three members of the Serpent Society, they catch up to her and proceed to beat her up. A shadowed figure

appears from behind and confronts the villains, effortlessly defeating them.

The woman reaches for his hand, asking for her rescuer’s identity. He identifies himself as Steve Rogers, wearing a torn WWII army uniform, and states that he’s trying to get home.

—

Secret Empire #3

Limbo

The issue opens where issue #2 left off in a forest with the mysterious man who identified himself as Steve Rogers. He helps the woman he saved from the Serpent Society walk through the forest where ever they are.

The woman asks to rests, and Steve notices that she was poisoned during the fight earlier, and she doesn’t have much time left. The woman asks Steve how did he end up where he is, but he doesn’t remember. He can only remember a few aspects of his life, as the panel flashes to his days in basic training prior to receiving the Super Serum.

He states he has the feeling there’s somewhere he has to go, that someplace needs him. Steve then picks up the woman and sets out to carry her to safety.

—

Outer Space

In outer space Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon and Groot have a meeting with the Galactic Council, debriefing them on the situation on Earth, and asking for their help against the Chitauri invasion. The members of the Council react negatively to the request and the members of the Guardians are forced to retreat while ducking from their attacks. Star-Lord calls Captain Marvel, who is dealing with another Chitauri attack, informing her that things turned out not so great.

After dealing with the wave of Chitauri, Captain Marvel and Spectrum notice how the attacks have increased in frequency, now arriving one after another in a matter of hours and how the Alpha Flight Space Station is barely holding together, and the injured are piling up and their only hope, Quasar, remains in a coma.

—

Newark, NJ

Natasha Romanoff meets up with Maria Hill through Boomerang. The best piece of intel Hill could provide Natasha was Captain America’s social calendar. Natasha questions Maria Hill’s terrorist methods to confront Hydra’s threat and the way she’s facing this situation, and Maria retorts bringing up the fact that Natasha was recruited young heroes into her cause.

Speaking of which, The Champions find themselves in a confrontation against Viper, who threatens to destroy a theater full of civilians with nanosized fission bombs that are in her bloodstream. Even though the heroes fail to stop her and she detonates, the situation turns out to be a Red Room training simulation, one of the many the young heroes have failed. Natasha arrives, and points out that they have always failed because they don’t consider killing as a solution. The kids remain adamant about not resorting to murder, but Natasha argues when the time comes, they will have to be willing to do it. She laments the world the old guard has left them, but states that if they are to survive, they need to give up on childish things.

—

Montana

The members of the Underground chase Sam Wilson outside the bar, trying to convince him to help them get out of the country. Sam has renounced super heroics, after becoming disillusioned during his time as Captain America, and argues everybody has quit fighting. However, the heroes get to him after informing him about the Cosmic Cube shards, and their role in Steve Rogers’ current allegiance.

—

Washington D.C.

The scene changes to Captain America and Sharon Carter attending a science fair at the National Mall. Cap is called to an emergency briefing where he is informed about the Avengers’ current incursion on a holy Atlantean temple in order to retrieve one of the Cube fragments. The fragment is discovered to be a fake. In retaliation for Namor’s meddling in his search for the shards, Rogers has Hydra destroy the temple. When he’s informed about a new lead, Captain America decides to take matters into his own hands.

—

Montana

Sam is leading the Underground task team to the frontier. Everybody believes their next destination is Brazil; however, the Tony Stark A.I. reveals to Mockingbird he has kept the true location hidden to prevent anybody from losing their nerve.

It turns out the location is the base of operations of Ultron, who is notified by a robotic version of Edwin Jarvis about the detection of multiple airships. He decides not to activate the perimeter defenses, having decided to give his “family” a warm welcome.

—

Limbo

Back in the mysterious forest, Rogers and the blonde woman have arrived at a waterfall and Steve rests the woman on the shore. Insisting he remain by her side, she realizes that she is dying. The woman encourages Steve and passes away. Steve places her body in the water and walks away after lamenting for her.

—

Newark, NJ

Boomerang wakes up and walks to his bathroom only to find a bomb attached to the mirror. It explodes, but he survives. While trying to get back on his feet, Boomerang is stepped on by a mysterious man who demands him to give him information about the reunion between Natasha Romanoff and Maria Hill.

The man is the Punisher, sporting Hydra’s logo as part of his vest, and enunciating the Hydra salute.

Secret Empire #4

Limbo

The issue once again opens in the mysterious forest as Steve Rogers continues making his way through the mysterious forest, Steve Rogers is attacked and put on the ropes by Whirlwind, Batroc the Leaper, and the Living Laser.

Two travelers come to his aid and help him take down the villains. They offer for him to join them in setting up a camp, but Steve declines, commenting on his unshakeable feeling that he is on a mission. The two strangers offer him to join his journey, arguing he could use friends.

—

Baltimore

At the Punisher’s safe-house, Kraken approaches Frank Castle. Frank reminds him he doesn’t answer to him, so Steve Rogers makes his appearance in the form of a holographic call and urges Frank to find the Black Widow.

Meanwhile, inside a motel bathroom, Black Widow is torturing a Hydra soldier for information. The Champions implore her to stop, arguing he’s young and doesn’t even have a rank. Natasha reveals he’s been assigned to work at the rebuilding ceremony of the Capitol Building, so he has intel. The young heroes keep insisting, and Black Widow gives in. Riri Williams suggests using a device of her own invention to induce him short-term memory loss so he doesn’t become a loose end. However, as soon as she begins to untie him, the Hydra soldier unsheathes a concealed knife and lunges at her. Black Widow shoots him down and grumbles because they’ll have to move out. Black Widow and the kids subsequently get on their van and prepare to leave.

—

Alaska

While approaching Alaska on their transports, the Tony Stark A.I. and Captain America debrief their respective teams, the Underground and the Avengers, on the situation they are about to face. They are moving towards the Ultronic Territories, an array of robotic cities full of Ultron Sentinels built by Hank Pym (who is now merged with Ultron), with the sole purpose to wait for humanity’s eventual self-destruction. Even though Hydra denies its existence, Ultron and Hydra have an agreement, as Pym has come in possession of a Cosmic Cube fragment.

Inside the Ultronic Territories, a robotic Jarvis informs Hank that the intruders have arrived. Upset by the current state of his former teammates, Pym exults at the prospect of “fixing” the Avengers.

As the Underground puts their infiltration plan in motion, Ant-Man comes across Black Ant while shrunk inside the facility’s mainframe. Each member of the Underground subsequently clashes with a different Avenger. A monumental battle montage eventually breaks out.

Iron Man and Captain America come face to face, and prepare to battle, but from above, Ultron blasts the fighters into unconsciousness.

When they wake up, the Underground and the Avengers find themselves sitting across a dinner table, restrained, inside an Avengers Mansion replica. Ultron appears, wearing an apron, commenting on how different his guests are.

In addition to disclosing the Cosmic Cube-induced changes on Steve, Tony mentions that the Scarlet Witch has been possessed by Chthon, that Vision has been infected by an A.I. virus, and that Odinson has aligned himself with Hydra for his hammer. Ultron clarifies his comment, revealing he was talking about Tony, wondering what happened the charming charismatic figure back in the day, that has been replaced by a manic, nervous, overreaching mess of a man.

Ultron clarifies his comment, revealing he was talking about Tony, wondering what happened the charming charismatic figure back in the day, that has been replaced by a manic, nervous, overreaching mess of a man.

Hank interrupts his prisoners as soon as they begin to verbally clash with each other, and shows his disapproval for the current predicament of his peers, observing that they are in a constant state of internal conflict. He admits to building the Ultronic Territories because he saw the heroes were tearing each other apart, so seeing his enemies destroyed became only a matter of waiting.

Pym reveals his dinner charade is meant to help the heroes reconnect with what they have lost, but he again berates them when the bickering resumes, demanding the heroes to acknowledge his importance. Tony lets out a laugh, and mocks Hank, ultimately accusing him and his attack on Wasp as the starting point of the Avengers’ fracture.

Hank enlarges and attacks Tony, and defends himself with his positive contributions while rubbing Tony’s failures in his face.

Ultron prepares to destroy Tony, but Ant-Man implores him not to. Scott Lang soothes Hank, expressing his appreciation for Pym as the role model of a person that didn’t let their failures stop him. He finally appeals to him by asking why would Wasp want him to do. After a moment of silence, Hank shrinks down and invites his hosts with dessert, giving Scott the Cosmic Cube fragment in his plate.

Later, Ultron bids farewell to the members of the Underground as they leave. Hank apologizes to Tony for their altercation and suggests that the ongoing conflict might be beneficial in the end and have a cleansing effect. When they disappear in the distance, Captain America walks up to Ultron reminding him that they had a deal. Pym reveals that he gave the Underground the fragment in part because Hydra’s consolidation is a recipe for peace, which wouldn’t be in Ultron’s interests if his wish is to see humanity destroying itself.

Six hours later, the Underground members are still on their jet returning to their base. They soon see on the news that Namor has willingly given Hydra a Cosmic Cube shard in his possession, albeit solely to ensure the safety of his people. This news strikes the heroes hard and brings down down their spirits. Mockingbird encourages them, assures it’s not the end of the mission, but rather an indication they have to work faster.

Following Namor’s visit, Baron Zemo ensures Steve that Hydra will not allow the Underground to abscond with what is rightfully his. Rogers tells him not to worry, because after all, Hydra has an inside man in the Underground.

—

Secret Empire #5

Washington D.C.

Inside a Hydra base in Washington, D.C., Viper is doing business with a group of men who are being given briefcases brimming with money. A henchman calls her attention, prompting her to apologize and leave the room. Viper soon comes face to face with Black Widow, who is chained to a chair after being captured while trying to steal a Hydra transport ship, as the henchman reports.

While Black Widow is interrogated by Viper and her henchman, the Champions infiltrate a Hydra facility as part of a rescue mission. Viper soon realizes something is off as soon as Natasha discloses that she’s planning to murder Captain America. Natasha points out that she knows of Viper’s unsanctioned narcotics operation, pondering what would Rogers do if he learned of it. Natasha offers Viper the chance to join her enterprise in exchange of keeping her dealings under wraps, additionally pointing out that Rogers’ death could give Viper the chance to take the reins of Hydra once again.

Viper gives in, kills her two escorts, and agrees to help Natasha. Meanwhile, the Champions break into a secure room using an access code and a hand scan taken from Viper. Ironheart says they are looking for the person that Natasha says that would win them the war. The person they find turns out to be a fragile old man in a hospital bed. Falcon doubts they found the person they’re looking for, but Natasha assures him they have.

—

Limbo

In the mysterious forest, Steve Rogers has continued his journey accompanied by the two strangers he met previously, whom he has now befriended.

—

The Underground

Aboard the Underground’s transport, Ant-Man is sending his daughter Cassie updates on their quest for the Cosmic Cube fragments, recounting their visit to the Savage Land. And that their next stop is Wakanda, where he expects they’ll get the shard with ease.

—

Wakanda

Tony Stark A.I. has an audience with Black Panther, T’Challa denies him the fragment, arguing that because the shard came to Wakanda, it’s rightfully theirs. When Black Panther rejects Tony’s claims that he’ll fix the situation, Stark remarks that unlike them, Hydra will not stop raiding Wakanda until they get the fragment. Black Panther makes a counter offer, proposing Tony to surrender all of the shards when they finish collecting them. Stark refuses and walks away.

Scott’s recount continues, revealing the later days of their quest saw the heroes come out empty handed, following adventures which involved fighting the High Evolutionary and breaking into vaults.

—

Madripoor

The Underground makes their way through an army of Hand ninja being controlled by Hive, Iron Man knocks out Hive, leaving only Gorgon standing. Hercules, who has been severely hurt from their previous missions, lunges at Gorgon, and manages to knock him down before being turned into stone.

It turns out the person they are rescuing is Shang-Chi, who was being held prisoner by Hydra and supposed owner of a Cube fragment. However, he reveals he doesn’t possess it anymore, and he can’t even remember who stole it.

Cue flashback scene showing Emma Frost taking the fragment from an unconscious Shang-Chi.

In light of another failure, Sam Wilson holds a vote to decide whether to continue or return to The Mount, making emphasis on the previous six dead ends they encountered over the past weeks. Iron Man concedes when most of his teammates agree to desist, but remarks that they’re not only giving up on a mission, but also on Steve Rogers.

—

Washington D.C.

= Captain America meets up with New Tian ambassador Beast in the site where Mjolnir lays still. Beast wonders why did he leave the hammer there, Steve answers the weapon’s inscription states “whosoever,” so anybody is welcome to try to pick it up.

Rogers gets to the point of their meeting, revealing that Kraken has reported New Tian is in possession of something that belongs to them, implying the Cube fragment.

When Beast asks for a clarification, Steve turns to Mjolnir, hinting at the destruction he could bring to New Tian with it.

Hank questions if Steve is threatening him, and Rogers denies the accusation, simply explaining that he wants Hank to remember his compassion and spare his people of destruction. A helicopter lands on the scene, and as Captain America proceeds to leave, Beast wonders how difficult must it be for him to resist the urge to pick up Mjolnir and play god. Steve replies that’s hardly the case, as he doesn’t need the hammer for that.

Aboard the helicopter, Madame Hydra gives Steve an update on Hydra’s Avengers.

Scarlet Witch remains in Chthon’s control, though slightly unhinged;

the virus designed by Arnim Zola continues keeping Vision under Hydra’s control, with occasional attempts to break free.

Odinson, he’s praying to Odin, sharing his troubles and aware of the evil posed by the Hydra’s regime, but they have promised him the chance to save Jane Foster from the alternate dimension where she has been left stranded, as well as the restoration of Midgard’s connection to Asgard. Furthermore, he’s confused by Rogers’ ability to wield Mjolnir, even when he couldn’t.

Now aboard a Hydra Helicarrier, Madame Hydra comments she and Doctor Faustus has tried to subvert Odinson to no avail, as he’s still a god. Steve prepares to leave, but not before Elisa shows her support for him once again, commenting that even if she could never replace his mother, Elisa has always regarded him as a son.

—

Nevada

Iron Man’s team eventually returns to The Mount, reuniting with the rest of the Underground. They give Hawkeye the news that their mission was unsuccessful, much to his dismay. Iron Man returns to his lab and encounters Giant-Man trying to build a time capsule, which he intends to bury, so in the far future when Hydra’s regime eventually falls, it can send a warning to the past.

When Rayshaun turns the conversation to the result of the mission, Giant-Man and Iron Man reveal that in reality they never had a Cosmic Cube-tracking device, and were simply following Rick Jones’ best leads, hoping the search was going to be precise so to foster hope among the heroes.

Tony is interrupted when he detects hostiles and rushes to get the base’s shields up.

Mockingbird is revealed to have been Captain America’s person on the inside, giving the Hydra forces the signal to strike. In the horizon, three Hydra Helicarriers appear and open fire on the base. Zola notes that according to their intel, the blasts won’t be enough to bring down their defenses, so Captain America prepares to unleash their secret weapon.

—

Back in the mysterious forest, Steve Rogers and his allies are walking through the forest when he notices a set of wires. He can’t warn one of his companions in time, causing a net to swoop him away. The other man is taken out by a poisoned dart. Before he can properly react, Steve is knocked down from behind with a club. The attacker reveals himself to be the Red Skull, though he claims he’s Rogers’ salvation, and that he’ll free Steve from this place.

—

Back inside the Hydra Helicarrier, Zola walks Captain America to the door of a vault, commenting that their subject is awake but disoriented, and that whichever procedure they’ve done is only temporary, which will cause his condition to degrade quickly. Rogers brushes off Zola’s concerns, guaranteeing they only need their subject for a short time to bring down the Underground.

As the doors of the vault open, the person revealed to be on the other side is none other than Bruce Banner.

—