Three weeks after the events of "Ultimatum," Hawkeye reports that Captain America has "gone rogue." A flashback to the previous day shows that the two had been fighting a group of A.I.M. terrorists, who had just raided the Baxter Building of powerful technology. After defeating a majority of the terrorists, Captain America encounters the Red Skull, who reveals that he is Captain America's son. Hawkeye jumps to Captain's rescue as the A.I.M terrorists escape with a stolen Cosmic Cube. Later, Hawkeye tries to convince his partner that the Red Skull was lying, but Captain America violently abandons the team, attacking S.H.I.E.L.D. agents in the process. Nick Fury later confirms that the Red Skull is, in fact, the illegitimate son of Captain America and Gail Richards. It is further revealed that shortly after his birth, the Red Skull was taken by government officials and raised at a secret facility where he, having inherited the abilities of his father, was trained to become a super soldier. He eventually rebelled and escaped the facility after killing 247 workers and mutilating his own head. Fury suggests that Carol Danvers initiate "Project Avengers" and recruit a team of superhumans to find Captain America. Fury meets with Gregory Stark to discuss and observe the new team of superhumans tasked with apprehending Captain America. These "Avengers" include Black Widow/Monica Chang (Fury's ex-wife), Red Wasp, the former Insect Queen of the Liberators, War Machine, and an intelligent clone of the Hulk/Nerd Hulk. The new team soon tracks Captain America down and a fight ensues. After a fierce battle, the team plans an attack on the A.I.M. However, the Red Skull has already used the Cube to kill the A.I.M agents guarding the facility by ordering them to eat each other. Meanwhile, Captain America manages to steal a teleporting aircraft before confronting the Red Skull. He manages to arrive at the exact location where the Red Skull is standing and impales him through the chest. The Red Skull is taken to a hospital and kept alive long enough for Gail, his mother, to say goodbye. The Red Skull explains to Fury that all he wanted to do with the Cosmic Cube was simply turn back time and lead a normal life, rather than the one he was given. Red Wasp then enters the room dressed as a doctor and shoots Red Skull in the head, killing him.