Captain Atom (Volume 2) #36 is an issue of the series Captain Atom (Volume 2) with a cover date of December, 1989.
Synopsis for "The Secret Origin of Everyone!"
The alien being known as the Silver Shield explains to Captain Atom and Major Force of who and what he is. The being lived in the Quantum Field before he came upon a hole and, out of curiosity, went through it and discovered that he was not the same as the Quantum Field. His consciousness became limited which tipped him off as he felt that it "mattered." Upon the new universe he was in, he felt naked until he found someone like it. That alien taught the being how to shape and form into something new, in which he had designed himself almost identical to a spaceship. While "swimming" again in the new universe he discovered Earth and was attracted to it. However, the gravitational pull brought the Silver Shield down to the planet and was immobilized for years while desperately crying for help, until now. With Silver Shield taught to copy a humanoid shape after having connected with Captain Atom and Major Force, he can now be free to "swim" again.
Nate tries to explain to the being that there are a few answers they want to know and voicing his uncertainty of whether Silver Shield should be exploring. But an impatient Major Force try to violently force Silver Shield to remain, but the being is left unfazed. Silver Shield appreciate Nate's concerns before making his leave within the blink of an eye. Captain Atom and Force flies after him, as the former telepathically asking Silver Shield to know more from his past. At the same time Dr. Sarrok explains to General Eiling and the others of his discovery of the being.
When Sarrok, Megala and the Longs discovered Silver Shield, the being developed a telepathic connection with Sarrok and attempted to properly contact him. But when Damon Long stabbed an X-Ionized knife into Silver Shield, the being felt pain for the first time and was rendered into a coma. Consequently, the pain was also transmitted to Sarrok and rendering him insane before he had realized Silver Shield was a sentient entity. Furthermore, Silver Shield inadvertently unleashed a fatal burst of radiation that killed Damon Long and inflicting Megala with radiation poisoning.
Following the incident, Megala and Ashana Long brought in the military to handle Project Silver Shield and using the federal money to build the Damon Clinic, where Sarrok became its first patient. Ashana was also strained by the loss of her husband and subsequently ended her friendship with Megala. Then Colonel Eiling had Ashana transferred to a top-secret facility to develop the X-Ionizer during the Vietnam War while her son Babylon was left in Megala's care. In 1969, Ashana and the X-Ionizer were in a plane that was shot down over Cambodia, where she was killed and the X-Ionizer was lost until Captain Atom recovered it. Megala continued his work, using robotic appendages to make up for his failing limbs, and using X-Ionized instruments to safely shave pieces off Silver Shield to build a cocoon used to turn Nathaniel Adam and Clifford Zmeck into Captain Atom and Major Force, respectively.
Silver Shield soon arrive in Las Vegas and attempt to "connect" with the locals. Nate also share his and Zmeck's stories to the being. Silver Shield apologizes to Nate and Zmeck for jamming their access to the Quantum Field, as he was disoriented and frightened when he woke up before Sarrok calmed him. Though Silver Shield is freed, he explains to Nate and Zmeck that he is unable to return to the Quantum Field because his form is only useful on Earth and since he was damaged (the pieces shaved off by Megala) left him incomplete which is not allowed in the Quantum Field.
Nate then decide to help the Silver Shield from falling under General Eiling's clutches, so he and Zmeck trick Eiling into believing they couldn't capture Silver Shield from escaping into outer space. Nate provides Silver Shield shelter at the former office of the Yarrow Detective Agency.
Unbeknownst to everyone including the Silver Shield, his brothers in the Quantum Field has heard his cry for help and are preparing to rescue him, and will destroy whatever caused him pain.
Appearing in "The Secret Origin of Everyone!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Silver Shield (Flashback and main story)
- Babylon
- Homer Lockleed
- Heinrich Megala (Flashback and main story)
- Anton Sarrok (Flashback and main story)
Antagonists:
- Major Force
- Wade Eiling (Flashback and main story)
Other Characters:
- Damon Long (Flashback and main story) (Dies)
- Ashana Long (Flashback and main story)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
See Also