S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Bradley and his partner Commander Reynolds operated secretly as triple agents. While they worked for S.H.I.E.L.D., they also reported to Hydra, and additionally sold the secrets of both organizations on the dark web. An undercover mission on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D. inside a Hydra offshore rig went awry when Hydra was tipped off of Reynolds and Bradley's supposed true allegiance, leading to the two agents being captured and tortured. Young agent Maria Hill was sent to their rescue. While taking cover from enemy fire, Reynolds demanded Hill gave him her gun as her senior agent in order to take over the mission. Under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s rules, Hill decided to relieve Reynolds, seeing him mentally unfit to take command. Commander Reynolds insisted, becoming increasingly hostile towards Hill, to the point she had to strike him to defend herself when Reynolds tried to forcefully take her weapon twice. In retaliation, Reynolds lunged at Hill. This last act left his head exposed to enemy fire, which cost Reynolds his life.