| Synopsis
| - Nathaniel has since severed his ties with General Eiling and the United States government following his debacle with Major Force. Although Eiling threatened to ruin Nathaniel's life by revealing the truth of the Captain Atom Project to his children, Nathaniel countered with the truth of Major Force which would be catastrophic for the government. Despite resigning from the Air Force, Nathaniel is left unemployed and alone in his home while his children and friends are out for the holidays.
Eiling brood over Nathaniel's defiance as he spends his Christmas vacation with his father and step-children at a cabin in the Colorado Rockies. Eiling Sr. regale a tale to his family about his service in World War I regarding his encounter with the German air ace, Hans von Hammer. He attempted to battle Von Hammer in spite of his plane that was leaking fuel but ultimately fell prey to his opponent. Rather than gunning him down, Von Hammer follow his code of honor to let Eiling Sr. live because he refused to shoot down a disabled plane. This enraged Eiling Sr., who futilely shoot von Hammer's vanishing plane with his sidearm to no avail. It took a lifetime for Eiling Sr. to understand Von Hammer's code of honor and for why he let him live. The lesson he tells his audience is that winning or losing doesn't matter when their lives are on the line. But the younger Eiling refuse to accept his father's life lesson.
Meanwhile, a man named Chester King is hired to burn down a condemned hotel to rake the insurance money. After setting up the incendiary device, Chester spends his time at a pub where it is also being attended by Nathaniel. A bystander soon barges in and yelling that the hotel is on fire, including the squatters whom Chester wasn't even aware of. Chester tries to save one of the squatters who is burnt badly alive and realize he is the same beggar, Bubba, whom he earlier generously gave him money. Nathaniel transform into Captain Atom and manage to save the squatters, all of them except for one - Bubba, who died from the burns. Chester, guilty for directly killing a man, sullenly gives away all his money paid by his employer to charity.
The pub patrons celebrates Captain Atom for his heroism. For Nathaniel this is the first time he ever did something good by his own choice without the influence of Eiling and he is happy. He is then meet by a woman named Eve Eden, who is sent by their mutual "uncle" to look after Nathaniel. Although Nathaniel admit that he would send Eve back to "our uncle with a few choice word," he decide to not let it spoil his good mood and celebrate the festivities with Eve.
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