This three-part Cable story sees Captain America and several other Avengers helping the mutant from the future battle the Harbinger (not her), who is threatening to destroy humanity for his master, Apocalypse. Our heroes don’t show up until the very end of issue #66, as the Harbinger makes his mission clear while apparently having Cable right where he wants him…
…but I don’t think he was expecting the Avengers (or even half of them).
You’ll no doubt notice the strong Kirby influence on José Ladrönn’s art—for more on this (and this run in general), see here.
In issue #67, we back up a little bit to see the Avengers monitoring the situation, with Tony and Simon commenting on Cap’s mental preparation for the coming battle, which culminates in a statement of characteristic determination.
Returning to the battle, Cap offers ground support and guidance to his more powerful allies…
…and protection when he can.
The heroes’ odds improve when the Odinson arrives and gives them a moment of respite…
…and even more after he sends the Harbinger “elsewhere” (wherever that may be), after which Cap praises his efforts but wants to make sure they’re ready for round two.
Back on the ranch, Cable fills them in on the backstory and Tony updates him on the availability of the other NYC-based heroes, including one team that is probably doing press for their upcoming movie.
I appreciate that Tony’s looking out for Franklin (although he hardly needs it).
Meanwhile, the man from the past looked up the man from the future on LinkedIn and has some questions, which the latter deftly dodges.
Both Cable and Cap are taken aback that the other knows about Apocalypse, giving the Avengers a chance to hype their own book.
When Cable explains that, in the future when Apocalypse prevails, no one remembers the Avengers, Thor gets very upset thinking about his lost residuals, and Cap and Cable have a “grim resolve” face-off.
When Cable and His Mighty Avengers confront the Harbinger anew in issue #68, Cap makes a defiant stand against overwhelming odds…
…and when all is over—thanks to Cable, whose name is on the cover, after all—Cap strikes a heroic pose as he surveys the damage. (Tell me Thor did not write the exposition!)
ISSUE DETAILS
Cable (vol. 1) #66, April 1999: Joe Casey (writer), José Ladrönn (pencils), Juan Vlasco (inks), Gloria Vasquez (colors), Richard Starkings and Saida Temofonte (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Cable (vol. 1) #67, May 1999: Joe Casey (writer), José Ladrönn (pencils), Juan Vlasco (inks), Gloria Vasquez (colors), Richard Starkings and Saida Temofonte (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Cable (vol. 1) #68, June 1999: Joe Casey (writer), José Ladrönn (pencils), Juan Vlasco (inks), Gloria Vasquez (colors), Richard Starkings and Saida Temofonte (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Collected in: Cable: The Nemesis Contract.
ALSO THESE MONTHS: Captain America #16 (April 1999), Avengers #15 (April 1999), Avengers Forever #5-6 (April-May 1999), Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #8-9 (April-May 1999), Captain America #17 (May 1999), Avengers #16-17, Black Panther #8, and Magneto Rex #1 (May-June 1999), Captain America #18 and Nova #2 (June 1999), and Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #10 (June 1999)
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 
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