"Go ahead, Captain," Vance whispered.

"We've located Cap," Captain Marvel said. "He's in a building outside of town. According to our records it's owned by A.I.M."

"That would explain all of the A.I.M. guards running around," Vance replied.

Vance Astro, Connor Hawke, Elvin Holliday, and Robbie Baldwin all stood just out of sight of the secret A.I.M. Headquarters of New York City. Though might be better known as Justice, American Eagle, Rage and Speedball. The team had followed a telekinetic signature to this location in hopes of finding their mentor, Captain America.

"What?" Captain Marvel asked. "What are you talking about, Justice?"

"We're way ahead of you, sir," Vance explained. "We're standing outside that building now. We're about to go in."

"Stand down," Captain Marvel ordered. "This is League jurisdiction."

"I can't do that," Vance replied. "Justice out."

Vance disabled his communicator and turned to look at his three companions. "This is your last chance to back out, guys," he said.

"Are you kidding?" Speedball replied.

"I'm in," Rage grunted.

Vance turned to Connor.

"Do you really have to ask?" he said with a smile.

"Then let's do it," Vance replied and he took to the air.

He was about to move in when a hand grabbed his leg and pulled him back down. When he looked back he saw that the hand belonged to Rage.

"What are you doing?" Justice demanded. "How did you get through my TK shield?"

"I don't know," Rage shrugged. "He told me to." He pointed to Connor Hawke.

"What are you doing?" Vance asked. "Why did you stop me?"

"I thought it might be a good idea to come up with a plan first," Connor responded. "Flying in without thinking things through is just going to prove that Captain Marvel was right when he told us to step down."

"Fine," Vance agreed. "Just tell me how Muscle boy got through my TK shield."

"You didn't put one up," Connor said. "You were in such a hurry, you were making mistakes before you even started."

"Oh."

"Now here's what I think we should do."

"So what do you think?" Connor asked his three companions.

"I think if we pull this off it will be a miracle," Speedball replied.

"Stop being so negative," Connor said.

"I think it will be an awesome miracle," Speedball offered.

Rage suppressed a laugh. Even Vance had to struggle to keep from smiling.

"You don't have to do this," Connor said to Speedball.

"None of us have to," Speedball said with a shrug. "What else am I going to do, today? I did get an offer to be the stunt double for the basketball but I'd rather hang with you fun guys."

Connor shook his head.

"Let's get this show on the road." Speedball said.

M.O.D.O.K. floated in front of him in his hover chair. His over-sized head made his smile seem more threatening. He spoke to the communicator in his chair as if Cap wasn't even there.

"I have the Captain. Now restore my power!" M.O.D.O.K. demanded.

"I'm afraid I'll need proof," a modulated voice said.

"I'm sending you an image now."

"How do I know that's not your precious Super Adaptoid?" the voice asked.

"Luthor, don't force me to turn this into a war," M.O.D.O.K. growled.

"Luthor?!?" Cap exclaimed. "Lex Luthor is that you? I should have known you were involved in this. Wait til I get my hands on you."

"Now that is proof," the voice determined. "Your power will be restored momentarily. As for you Captain. Can you really be sure that this is Lex Luthor? I know you, boyscout. You won't act if you don't have proof."

"I'll get proof, Luthor," Cap warned.

Rage ran at the gate at full speed. The guards fired their beam weapons but they were deflected. Vance Astro trailed behind Rage holding a TK shield over both of them. Rage grabbed the chain link gate and pulled it free. The four guards pulled back to the front door.

Rage ran to the right tower. Once he was under it and out of range of the tower guards, Vance broke off to go after the hover craft. The guards in the opposite tower took aim at Rage.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," a voice behind them said.

They turned to find Speedball smiling. He jumped at them and pulled them against his body and the momentum forced them out of the tower.

Meanwhile Connor quietly crept to the edge of the building where the chain link fence met it. The stealth was unnecessary given the noise his companions were making. He waited for a few seconds while Rage made his move.

Rage grabbed one of the tower corner posts and pushed against it with all his might. It snapped like a toothpick.

While all eyes were on the falling tower, Connor ran at the fence and using his quarter staff to pole-vault over. He hated leaving his staff behind but he had no choice. He could never clear the fence otherwise.

Now came the gamble. Vance, Elvin and Robbie made their way to the center of the compound and waited. The entire plan hinged on the guards moving toward them. The three heroes in training raised their hands like they were surrendering. The guards approached them carefully. It worked.

Connor slipped in behind them and into the building. Now he had to figure out where Cap was while the others kept the guards busy. It wouldn't be long before reinforcement hit the compound. He hoped they could handle it. At least until the JLA showed up.

Then the wild card came into play. Connor turned the corner and ran into Danny Chase and Jericho.

"It will do you no good to make empty threats, Captain," he said.

"I believe you will find my threats aren't so empty," Cap replied.

"Please," M.O.D.O.K. returned. "You are bound. I know there is nothing that you can do to me now."

"But I know something that you don't," Cap said.

Cap smiled as he remembered his capture. He went to investigate a mutant in trouble and had been attacked by a pair of agents. Cap still didn't know which agency they worked for but he knew it wasn't A.I.M. He also knew that the agent, Jericho, who had taken control of his body hadn't wanted to do it. He was just following orders. Cap also knew that those orders included bringing him here but not making certain that he stayed. Which is why Jericho had flexed his muscles while Cap was being bound. Which was why now that Cap was relaxed those bonds were loose and Cap had already worked his way free.

"What could you possibly know?" M.O.D.O.K. mocked him.

"That I'm not bound," Cap said with a smile and he stood.

M.O.D.O.K. fled out of the room in haste. "Guards! Help!" he called in panic but there was no help because the guards were dealing with a problem at the front of the building.

Contact

Jericho entered Connor's body and took control. He checked on Danny to make sure his partner wasn't in critical condition. Then he began moving down the halls. He knew why Connor was there because he could read Connor's mind. So he moved Connor's body toward the Captain. As long as Jericho wore this form no one would know that he helped Cap escape.

Connor didn't fully understand his captor's motivation but he was glad they were on the same side. At least Jericho knew where Cap was being held. That would save time and his friends outside were counting on speed.

As they ran down the corridor they saw M.O.D.O.K. fleeing past them. It was as if he didn't even notice them. Cap came after him in pursuit. He stopped when he came to Connor.

"Connor, what are you doing here?" Cap asked.

Connor shrugged.

"Speak up," Cap demanded.

Connor shook his head and moved his pinky drawing a 'J' in the air.

"Jericho?"

Connor moved his index finger to his lips telling Cap to be silent. Cap wasn't sure what was going on but he didn't have time to figure it out. He wanted M.O.D.O.K. M.O.D.O.K. had the proof he needed that Lex Luthor was involved in all of this.

Then the announcement came over the loud speakers. "Self destruct sequence started. This building will be destroyed in one minute."

Connor looked at Cap with concern.

"Let me guess. Connor took out your little buddy before you captured him."

Connor nodded.

Cap released a deep sigh. "Let's get out of here. M.O.D.O.K. and Luthor will have to wait for another day. Lead the way."

The two ran for the exit. When they reached Danny Chase, Cap threw him over his shoulder and they continued to run. Once they were outside Jericho released Connor. He took Danny from Cap and ran in the opposite direction. Cap let him go.

"What were you thinking?" he demanded. "You were ordered to stand down and let the League handle things."

"We had no way of knowing you were safe, Cap," Connor responded.

"We didn't know how much time we had," Robbie added.

"And I owed you," Vance offered. "For the time you saved me."

"This is a lost cause," Cap said. "I thought if I took time to train you that you would be responsible. You four are no better than Young Justice. I leave you alone for a few minutes and you are out of control."

The four heroes in training stared at the ground sullenly.

"Go home," Cap said. "This is over."

They walked out in silence.

Still angry Cap walked into the control room where Captain Marvel was still on monitor duty.

"Kind of rough on them, weren't you?" Captain Marvel said.

"Stay out of this," Cap warned. "This has nothing to do with you."

Captain Marvel stood and forced Captain America into a chair. He placed his hand firmly on Cap's shoulder and wouldn't let him stand.

"I am not one of your children," Captain Marvel stated. "So you are going to listen to me."

Captain America regained his composure and calmed down. "I'm listening."

"I think you've forgotten what it's like to be a kid. How many decades ago was that?"

"It has been awhile," Cap agreed.

"Yes, it has," Captain Marvel continued. "Just think back. Now add all of the things that kids have to face today that you didn't have to. Then add powers that you don't fully understand. You were already an adult when you gained your powers. You didn't have to face adolescence with them. These are good kids and in case you didn't notice they risked their lives to save you. Then you are not only ungrateful but disrespectful to them as well. All they want is your approval."

"You're right," Cap said. "I've been wrong. Even about Young Justice. I never put myself in their shoes. Not once."

"Then what are you going to do about it?"

"I have an idea," Cap said. "Would you like to help me?"

"I thought you would never ask."

"Come on in, boys," Captain America called from within.

"Is this for us?" Elvin asked.

"Yes," Cap answered.

"I thought we were finished," Speedball said.

"Would that have stopped you?" Cap asked. "Any of you?"

None of them answered but they all looked at Cap mischievously.

"I didn't think so," Cap said. "My guess is that you've already decided to work together without me anyway. Am I right?"

"Yes, sir," Connor replied.

Cap nodded. "Look guys. I was hard on you the other day. I worry about you. I forgot that you actually handled yourself well. Which is why I'm providing you with this facility."

"So you're going to keep training us?" Elvin asked hopefully.

"No," Cap responded. "I don't think there is much left for me to teach you. If you guys need help I'll always be there for you but I believe you four will do better on your own. Here's the keys. Just don't wreck the place. I'll be watching."

Cap took one more look at the four young heroes.

"Be good," he ordered and walked out the door.