Captain Atom (Volume 2) #47 is an issue of the series Captain Atom (Volume 2) with a cover date of November, 1990.
Synopsis for "Sons and Traitors"
Nathaniel is debrief by General Eiling and Cambodian representative Moha Sihanouk about a revolutionary cult that is growing in prominence in Cambodia led by a religious figure The Kru. The trouble began with the U.S. Army creation of Burnt Sienna, a chemical derived from Agent Orange, that was not used in the Vietnam War due to being far more lethal than Agent Orange and pose a significant threat to U.S. soldiers. Instead, the chemicals was disposed in a waste site sold by the Cambodian government near the village of Shih. Unfortunately, the waste site was unable to prevent Burnt Sienna from leaking and contaminating the village's water supply. The Kru, who was a minor charismatic leader of a religion focus on anarchy and "purification by fire" which he preached through ritual and propaganda, got into possession of the toxin and somehow using it to convert thousands into his cult, and leading them to attack neighboring villages to spread his revolution. Eiling is interested in not only stopping the cult's spread but also securing the Burnt Sienna solution.
Nathaniel is left disgusted by Eiling's intentions to use Burnt Sienna for America's interests and demanding Eiling to leave his son Randy from participating in the mission. But Eiling refuses as he rebukes Nate that Randy is a grown man that he had raised by himself and he wants his stepson's expertise in dealing whatever it is unnatural that they might be facing. Also Nate cannot go alone as Captain Atom due to geopolitical ramifications. So Nate and Randy and along with Moha serving as their guide are sent to Cambodia. Unknown to them, The Kru has detected their presence and intentions through some form of telepathy apparently amplified by his consumption of Burnt Sienna.
During their trek, Randy and Moha falls under the control of The Kru's powers, but Nate is left unaffected due to his physiology. The Kru manipulates Moha and Randy in turning against each other and Nate until the latter knock their senses back. They are soon found by cultists in which they douse the intruders with lime; Randy escapes unscathed, but Nate is left temporarily blinded and Moha is covered in lime. Nate turns into Captain Atom and finishing off the cultists, but he couldn't save Moha from being shot. Nate and Randy continue on their mission while the former resolved in having his son's help to guide him. They reach Shih and finding The Kru's temple built on the waste site and its toxins heavily guarded. Nate implement a unorthodox plan: by having Randy pretending to be converting to the cult and bringing his father to be dispose in a pyre. Just as The Kru is welcoming Randy and preparing to serve him Burnt Sienna, Captain Atom burst from the pyre and acting out as a vengeful god before the cultists, claiming Kru for "the shame against [his] ancestors" and telling everyone to leave the waste site before destroying the toxins and taking Kru into custody while hoping his acting is convincing enough to end the cult.
Upon returning to the States, Kru is left in maximum isolation to be examine of his powers. Eiling is angered over the loss of the Burnt Sienna. Nate and Randy are unfazed by Eiling's tantrum before heading for Moha's funeral rites.
Appearing in "Sons and Traitors"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- The Kru
- Wade Eiling
Other Characters:
- Moha Sihanouk (Dies)
Locations:
Items:
- Burnt Sienna
Vehicles:
See Also