As heroes gather for a funeral for a friend, they relive the recent days' events which led them here. The nefarious Red Skull had hijacked the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier and obtained launch codes for the US's nuclear arsenal (see X-Men Annual (1999) and Captain America (1998 3rd Series) #41 respectfully). The only thing that could stop this madman from starting WW III was the Sentinel of Liberty. But, was this Cap's last hooray? Who else's funeral could draw together prominent members of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the super-hero community?
