Cap realizes that the entire complex will collapse soon, and the young boy confirms MODOK’s claim that the cosmic energy is building to critical levels. All across Boca Caliente, explosions of cosmic force burst from the island. Nearby, an earthquake buffets Widow, Hercules & Giant-Man. Suddenly, the island’s façade falls away, revealing its true form: a giant, metallic construct. Quicksilver & Crystal join them, just as a power surge opens a transdimensional warp. Theorizing that the warp leads to the dimension of the Cube’s origin, MODOK enters the warp. While Falcon, the Avengers and Snapdragon evacuate the villagers, Cap discovers that the boy is an Adaptoid, who has been gravely injured. Superia appears and offers a cure for Cap’s recent debilitating illness, in return for an undisclosed future favor, but Cap rejects her offer. Skull arrives and confiscates the cure, then blasts Superia and teleports away. Cap carries the Adaptoid up a stairway, intending to seal the breach, but the cosmic rays overwhelm him. Touched by Cap’s heroism, the Adaptoid transforms itself into a containment wall, sealing the breach and losing sentience in the process. Weakened, Cap falls from the stairway, but is rescued by Falcon and Giant-Man.