"With a Nation Against Him!"
Machine Man is scheduled to face a Congressional Committee that will decide whether to rescind or carry out the order for his destruction. The committee recesses after remanding Machine Man to Peter Spalding's custody and instructing him to have a lawyer present when the hearings reconvene.
Before they can begin the search for a lawyer, Spalding is abducted. The ransom note offers to release Spalding if Machine Man will take his place.