In Malaysia, Yelena Belova destroys a laboratory on behalf of CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine to conceal her involvement with the O.X.E. Group’s “Sentry” superhuman project. Facing imminent impeachment, de Fontaine dispatches Yelena, John Walker, Ava Starr, and Taskmaster to a covert O.X.E. facility under the pretense of eliminating thieves. During the mission, Ava kills Taskmaster, and a mysterious man named Bob is released from a suspended animation pod. Realizing they were sent to be incinerated along with any evidence of de Fontaine’s misconduct, the group escapes the trap. De Fontaine learns that the group has survived, including Bob, who was presumed dead during the Sentry trials. At the site, Bob creates a diversion, allowing Yelena, Walker, and Ava to escape, but he is captured and transported to the former Avengers Tower in Manhattan, now renamed the “Watchtower.” De Fontaine plans to introduce Bob to the press as a super-powered protector akin to the Avengers, hoping the PR stunt will avert her impeachment. Meanwhile, Alexei Shostakov, who had overheard details of de Fontaine’s plot while working as a freelance chauffeur, rescues Yelena, Walker, and Ava. Inspired by Yelena’s childhood soccer team, Shostakov refers to the group as the “Thunderbolts.”