"You know that could have been dangerous," Cap called back to the young meta-human.

"Not really," Speedball answered. "My kinetic shield protects me from everything."

"I wasn't talking about to you," Cap returned. "The drivers could have been startled and had a accident and on this highway that could mean a lot of injuries or even deaths."

"Oh," Speedball said softly obviously ashamed of himself.

Once Cap was safely in the city he pulled his motorcycle to the curb.

"Look," he said sternly. "You need to be more careful. I already have more to deal with than I can handle and I don't know if I can help you."

Speedball stared at the ground in disappointment.

"However," Cap continued, "you're obviously to dangerous to leave unchecked. So I'm going to bring you into my little group and hope that the more experienced members can make up for my short comings."

Cap was about to continue when he was interrupted by his JLA communicator.

"Iron Man to Captain America."

"Cap here," he responded.

"We have a situation on our hands."

"What's going on?"

"A group of unknown terrorists have attacked the city," Iron Man explained. "The rest of the League are already responding to other attacks throughout the city. I'm en route to one myself. Unfortunately, I just heard that we have another one over on Yancy Street."

"I'm not far from there now. I'll check it out," Cap replied.

Cap broke the radio communication.

"What's going on?" Speedball asked with anticipation.

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with," Cap returned. "I'll be in touch."

"Maybe I could lend a hand," Speedball insisted.

"Or maybe you could get in the way," Cap said in haste and he drove away.

"I should probably just stay here," Speedball said to himself. "If I got in his way he might change his mind about me. Then again if I actually helped him I could prove my worth. I may be considered one of the more experienced members by tomorrow. Besides it never hurts to help."

So, without a second thought, Speedball bounced along after Cap.

Cap had heard the threat before.* It almost sounded as if it was a practiced speech.

*(Captain America #1)

The terrorist stood on an office building at the lower end of Yancy Street. He had some sort of auditory device that allowed his voice to carry across several blocks.

"What company is he talking about?" Cap asked a police officer as he approached the scene.

"We don't know," the officer replied with a shrug. "That building only rents offices to other companies so it could be any of them."

"Do we at least know the name of these terrorists?" Cap inquired.

"That's the crazy thing," the officer responded. "These guys have been attacking the city for months but everyone we capture refuses to speak*. We have no idea which company they are attacking or why. It's as if they have no true organization at all."

*(See issues #1 and #2)

"Until today anyway," Cap returned. "They're attacking the entire city."

Captain America stepped back as the terrorist parroted his earlier claim.

"If this company doesn't agree to stop polluting the community with it's toxins then it's going to be removed. I have a bomb here that will level this building."

"Captain America to Hall of Justice," he spoke into his communicator.

"Batman here," the answer returned. "How can I help you, Cap?"

"I just wondered if we've found a connection to these attacks," Cap asked.

"The companies themselves are not connected in any way," Batman replied.

"Why do you have a feeling that you're about to give me a but?"

"Because I am," Batman returned. "But the Bat computer did find something interesting."

"Which was?" Cap asked impatiently.

"All of the companies that have been hit in the past have been competitors of Lex Corp."

"Anything else?"

"Yes. Until today all of their attacks have been bluffs. Fake bombs and guns loaded with experimental rubber bullets."

"Until today?" Cap asked with concern.

"Today the attacks have been very real," Batman said solemnly. "The League has managed to contain them so far but we're spread thin one more and they might actually succeed. Do you have your situation under control?"

"Not yet, but it sounds like I'd better start moving."

"Just let me check on my mother and then we can head to the theater," Connor told his new friend. "Besides my mother would like to meet you."

"Sounds good," Vance agreed.

"My mother works in that building over there," Connor pointed. Then he saw him.

"If this company doesn't agree to stop polluting the community with it's toxins then it's going to be removed. I have a bomb here that will level this building."

"Oh no," Connor stated. "Not again."

"Are you wearing your costume under your clothes?" Vance asked.

"Of course," Connor responded. "Are you?"

Vance nodded. "Let's get to it."

Connor did his best not to smile but found that he could not. "I think you enjoy this just a little to much."

"Whatever do you mean?" M.O.D.O.K. replied.

"This was not part of the arrangement."

"Then you should have paid me."*

*(#3)

"How long do you think it's going to take those Leaguers to put this together. It's bad enough that we no longer have a leash on them. Now I have your mentally controlled drones all over the city."

"Unless you are ready to send me the balance that you owe me this conversation is over."

"Do not come any farther!" the terrorist warned.

"Just calm down," Cap spoke. "No one has to get hurt here."

"One step closer and I shake things up," the terrorist declared and opened his coat to reveal six large bottles strapped to his waste.

"What are those?"

"Nitro-glycerin," the terrorist boasted. "So if you have any plans of jumping me, you'd better find a way to do it without shaking these."

"I may be able to help there," a squeaky voice responded.

Cap turned around to see Speedball approaching timidly.

"What are you doing here?" Cap demanded.

"Saving the day," Speedball declared and he rushed the terrorist.

"Speedball! NO!" Cap screamed as the young hero grappled the terrorist and the two went over the side of the building. He rushed to the edge expecting the worse. Instead he saw the pair land on the ground and bounce. Then Speedball up-righted himself and landed on his feet.

The terrorist starting jumping up and down trying to cause the Nitro to react.

"Looking for these?" Speedball crowed triumphantly and he displayed the six bottles.

"Cap here," he responded.

"You're two wards just took down another terrorist for us," Flash replied. "I would have never gotten there fast enough."

"They entered a situation without contacting me?" Cap said in disbelief.

"I get the impression they've been working without for awhile, Cap," Flash mused. "It's tough to let them go when they grow up."

"Well, they're not as grown up as they think they are," Cap growled.

"Still, they did good," Flash returned.

"I'll take that into consideration," Cap smiled. "I still have a situation to handle here. Cap out."

Cap smiled knowingly as he approached the young would be hero. "You got lucky," he declared. "That stunt you just pulled could have went very badly."

"I was only trying to help," Speedball replied timidly.

"I know. That is why I'm going to help train you along with the others."

"You mean I'm going to be a hero?" Speedball bounced happily.

"That's remains to be seen," Cap stated wryly. "However you are far to dangerous to continue unsupervised." Then he smiled. "Come I'll introduce you to some of the others."

"Hello, Mod, old buddy," Lex Luthor growled. "It appears I now have the ace up the sleeve."

"What do you want, Luthor?"

"That's simple. Make Captain America disappear and then I will restore your power."

"Very well," M.O.D.O.K. replied. "Very well."