NOTE: This story-arc takes place before the events of Avengers #17

After General Lewis Haywerth retired, he moved to a house in a small town where he could be left mostly to his own devices. He spent his days reading, watching some television and occasionally going hunting.

But on this day, Haywerth found himself in for a surprise as he sat on his porch and sipped his morning coffee. He could see something in the sky, some sort of aircraft. It came closer and lowered down on his front lawn.

The craft was of a sophisticated design, not a standard helicopter or small plane. But what really caught Haywerth’s eye was the insignia on the side of the craft. It was a stylized eagle, the symbol he knew to represent SHIELD.

The craft opened and a young woman with long blonde hair stepped out. She was dressed in a standard blue and white SHIELD uniform. The man who came with her was instantly recognizable by the red, white and blue costume he wore as well as the shield strapped to his back.

The pair approached his house and Haywerth met them halfway. The woman saluted. “General Haywerth, I’m Agent Carter of SHIELD. And this is—”

“That’s alright, Agent Carter, this is one man who needs no introduction,” said Haywerth. He extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Cap.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Captain America, shaking Haywerth’s hand.

“What can I do for the two of you?” asked Haywerth.

“I have some questions for you regarding your tenure as Director of the CSA,” said Captain America.

Haywerth raised an eyebrow. “Really? Such as what?”

“Operation: REBIRTH, the program that created me,” said Captain America.

“All the files on REBIRTH are located at the Commission’s headquarters,” said Haywerth. “Can’t see how I’d be more useful than they are.”

“Correction General, they were located at the Commission’s headquarters,” said Sharon.

That caught Haywerth’s attention. “I beg your pardon?”

“The files were stolen,” said Sharon. “And the current director wasn’t aware of what was in them.”

“Please General, you’re the only lead I have,” said Captain America.

Haywerth shrugged. “I wish I could help you, Captain. But my memory isn’t quite what it used to be, and it’s been years since I read those files. I’m sorry you had to make the trip all the way out here.” Haywerth started to walk back towards his porch. He took another sip of his coffee, hoping that the explanation he gave would be sufficient enough.

“Weapon I,” said Captain America.

Haywerth stopped in his tracks. He knew that designation, it was given to Isaiah Bradley, the first recipient of Emil Erksine’s Super Soldier Serum. Haywerth was worried this day would come at some point. He sighed and slowly turned to look at the Living Legend.

“Obviously you know more about those files than you let on, Captain,” he said.

“So do you, sir,” said Captain America. “But I don’t know nearly enough. And I need you to fill in the blanks.”

Haywerth nodded. “I think you two had better come inside.”

SENTINELS OF LIBERTY

Part III: Truth

By Dino Pollard

Little Mogadishu

An area of Brooklyn which had become a side effect of gentrification. When corporations invested in Princeton Walk, turning it into an upscale community, the crime and poverty elements were pushed out. The result is a war zone that has been nicknamed Little Mogadishu, or the Mog.

Since he obtained the files from the CSA on Operation: REBIRTH, Jack Monroe has spent his free time in the Mog. It started out when he investigated the current residence of Isaiah Bradley, the first Captain America. The man called Nomad noticed something interesting—a young man came to visit Bradley then left shortly after.

The man bore a strong resemblance to Bradley and he was in great physical shape. Enough to rouse Nomad’s interest. The former super soldier followed this man into Little Mogadishu where he unearthed more of the man’s life.

This man had single-handedly worked to preserve what little peace there was in the Mog. Everyone seemed to respect to him and certainly, he had an air of authority about him that Nomad had only seen in Captain America himself.

Nomad would have to make contact with the man soon. If he didn’t, he was worried that both their lives would be in danger if the people after him discovered why he was following this man.

At the Haywerth residence, Captain America and Sharon Carter both sat with the retired General Haywerth at his kitchen table. All three of them held a cup of coffee. Haywerth seemed nervous and when Captain America had asked him about Weapon I, it caught him off-guard.

“How much do you know?” asked Haywerth.

“Not much,” said Captain America. “I know that Nomad discovered a record of around sixteen super soldiers, all created by something called Weapon Plus. He said Bradley was Weapon I. He also mentioned a Weapon 0.”

“Weapon 0 was the start of it all,” said Haywerth. “When Hitler really came to power in the thirties, some of us knew it was only a matter of time before a war broke out. The politicians tried to fight it as best they good, but those of us in military intelligence knew better. The top minds from Europe were fleeing to the U.S. in record numbers and they offered their services to put a stop to Hitler.”

“You’re talking about the development of the atomic bomb,” said Sharon.

“Yes and no,” said Haywerth. “Nuclear weapons were just one aspect of the research and development the government was conducting at the time. We were also working on developing numerous other weapons. Improving on existing weapons and vehicles as well as designing new ones such as jet-packs. It was all stuff right out of the pulps and all of it extremely top secret. Even today, I’m not sure how much of it is known by anyone but those with the highest levels of security clearance.”

“I’m more interested in Weapon Plus,” said Captain America.

“That’s what I’m telling you about,” said Haywerth. “Weapon Plus was the name of the organization that was dedicated to the research and development of these devices. The super soldier aspect of Weapon Plus came about because of a man named Phineas Horton.”

Captain America recognized the name. Horton was the scientist who had created Jim Hammond, the original android Human Torch. “Doesn’t make sense. The Torch was an accident, General.”

“Yes and no. Weapon Plus created the Torch because we felt having android soldiers would be a benefit over sending humans into combat. But when Horton unveiled the robot and it burst into flames, we were all shocked. None of us were sure what to make of it at first. And when the Torch rebelled, that’s when we stepped in.”

“You’re the ones who had him incased in concrete,” said Sharon.

“Artificial intelligence was deemed too risky. But the idea of the super soldiers was extremely appealing. That’s when Erksine presented us with his formula to enhance human physiology. We would get our super soldier, but it would be through biology and not robotics.”

“But first you needed a test subject,” said Sharon.

“We did, and Isaiah Bradley was the only successful result,” said Haywerth. “Weapon I.”

Little Mogadishu

“Josiah al hajj Saddiq.”

The tall, chiseled black man wore a kufi and a pair of round sunglasses. He turned to face his new companion, Nomad.

“Name’s a mouthful,” said Nomad.

“Josiah X is fine,” he said. “You have me at a disadvantage. You know my name but I don’t know yours.”

“Just call me Nomad.”

“What can I do for you, Nomad?” asked Josiah.

“I noticed that you bear a striking resemblance to someone we’re both acquainted with.”

“And who would that be?”

“Isaiah Bradley,” said Nomad.

Josiah clenched his fist in response to this. Nomad noticed the reaction and smirked. “I thought you preached nonviolence, padre.”

Josiah took a step towards Nomad and when he spoke his voice had dropped an octave. “You want to tell me what sort of game you’re playing right now.” He removed his sunglasses. “Before I get angry.”

Nomad nodded. He straightened his arm and something slipped into his hand. He quickly whipped out the battle stave from his coat sleeve and swung it at Josiah, striking the Muslim’s jaw.

“What did you mean when you said Isaiah was the successful test subject?” asked Sharon.

Haywerth sighed. “Weapon Plus recruited dozens of young black men and gave them Erskine’s serum. Many of them ended with disastrous results. It was only once we used the vita-rays to stabilize the serum’s progression with Bradley that we were successful. After that, Weapon Plus picked their candidate for Captain America.”

“Me,” said Captain America.

“You were Weapon II,” said Haywerth. “After you vanished before the end of the war, we thought the serum was lost to us. But then a man claimed he had found the formula.”

“The man who would become the Grand Director,” said Captain America.

“We gave both him and Jack Monroe the serum and installed them as the new Captain America and Bucky,” said Haywerth. “Weapons III and IV.”

“From what Nomad told me, Weapon Plus is still active,” said Captain America.

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” said Haywerth. “Weapon Plus took a dark turn from what I can remember and almost completely vanished off the ma—”

Haywerth’s body suddenly went rigid. He coughed and blood started to pour from his mouth and he fell face down on the table. Sharon immediately went to examine him and she looked at Captain America.

“He’s dead,” she said.

Little Mogadishu

Josiah recovered from Nomad’s strike and reflexively delivered an uppercut. He grabbed Nomad’s stave and pulled it free, then kicked his attacker in the chest. Josiah held Nomad down to the ground, holding the stave against his throat.

“Now, do you mind telling me what this is all about?” he asked.

“Had to be sure,” said Nomad. “You passed the test, Josiah.”

“What test?” asked Josiah.

“You’re him alright, the genuine article,” said Nomad. “The son of Isaiah Bradley. Weapon VI.”

“What are you talking about? Who sent you?” asked Josiah. He pressed the stave harder against Nomad’s throat. The former Bucky gagged and Josiah relaxed just enough to let Jack explain himself.

“I’m… like you,” said Nomad. “Weapon IV, I was injected with the Super Soldier Serum. I was Bucky after World War II.”

“So the government sent you?”

“No, I’m working against them… trying to get at the truth,” said Nomad. “Need… your help…”

Josiah stood up and offered his hand to help Nomad up. He accepted and pulled himself to his feet with Josiah’s aid. Josiah handed him his stave back. “Nice moves, by the way,” said Nomad. “Guess they didn’t skimp on your training.”

“What do you know about me?” asked Josiah. “About my past?”

“You were a test tube baby, born from the Bradley’s genes and carried to term by a surrogate,” said Nomad. “Other than that, not much.”

“You said I was Weapon VI and you were Weapon IV, who are the others?”

“I don’t know all of them, just a few,” said Nomad. “The files only covered the Weapon Plus subjects who were part of Operation: REBIRTH. That means all those who were given the Super Soldier Serum. I might have a lead on a location where we can find the information, but I can’t do it alone. I want your help, Josiah.”

“Then I’m sorry to disappoint you, Nomad,” said Josiah. “But I’m not about to reveal my existence to the United States government. It’s far too dangerous for me, but more importantly, it’s far too dangerous for the Bradleys.”

“This might be your only chance to discover who you really are,” said Nomad.

Josiah smirked. “My friend, I don’t need some files locked up in a bunker to tell me who I am, I’ve already discovered that for myself.”

“Suit yourself,” said Nomad. “The offer’s on the table if you change your mind.”

Captain America slid the famous disc-shaped shield over his right arm. The kitchen window was open and Haywerth had been shot. A sniper, obviously. Somebody didn’t want Haywerth to say too much.

“Stay here,” said Captain America.

“Like hell,” said Sharon. She drew her gun and came to Captain America’s side. A part of him wanted to smile at her determination and stubborn attitude, but for the moment Captain America was all business, focused on the mission at hand.

The pair moved from the back door of Haywerth’s home. Just past the yard was a forest, obviously where the sniper was hiding. With any luck, they would be able to catch him before he got too far away.

Captain America took point, leading the way into the forest. Sharon held her gun at the ready. The two soldiers both kept all their senses on alert, waiting for the slightest notice that could alert them to the killer’s location.

However, neither of them was prepared for an overt signal. A large branch fell from the tree it was attached to, and both Sharon and Captain America leapt for safety. Captain America flipped back to his feet and looked at the branch. No way it simply could have fallen like that, something broke it off.

That something came up behind the Living Legend, slamming into his back like a battering ram. Captain America flew across the length, but he recovered from the attack and rolled the instant he struck the ground, moving to a crouched position with his shield at the ready. He heard a gun cock and saw Sharon standing next to him, aiming at the target.

Their attacker had a large, muscled frame. He wore army pants and boots, but was shirtless. His hair was styled in a military cut and his face had a tattoo of the American flag over it.

“Nuke,” said Captain America.