One Regret
Kara stared in horror as Donnie’s heart rate flatlined. Her hand curled into a fist and she slammed it into the wall, tears falling down her face. First Mace and now Donnie. T-800 looked at her while displaying no emotion on his face. Seeing Ward’s face on an android was still rather disconcerting but the lack of emotion for the death of someone Ward would’ve called a friend was infuriating.
“You gonna say anything?” Kara snapped.
“Why are you crying?” T-800 asked.
“Because one of my best friends just died why do you think?!” Kara exploded. She was about ready to tear this thing apart by the bolts.
---
Mace, Phil, Ward, and Skye watched a broadcast of Leopold and Madam Hydra announcing to the world that the famed Hydra scientist Holden Radcliffe had been arrested on charges of treason a week ago and was being taken to the Citadel. Mace turned off the TV and turned to face them.
“Obviously this is a trap.” Mace stated. “Hydra wants us to attack the Citadel.”
“What exactly is the Citadel?” Daisy asked. “Ward told me a bit.”
“It’s the most heavily secured facility on the planet.” Mace answered. “Nobody gets in or out without anyone knowing. They’ve got the airspace locked down tight and it’s impossible to get in by sea. There’s a lot of different traps throughout the building to defend the place. And even if you escape the prison, getting off the volcano is next to impossible.”
“So anyone that’s stuck there is screwed.” Daisy sighed.
“Not necessarily.” Mace shook his head. “SWORD would like to break into the Citadel just as much as we would. If we work together, we might be able to get inside.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea sir?” Ward frowned.
“That depends on how important this Radcliffe is.” Mace answered. “Aligning with Gideon Malick is a risk but without him, breaking into the Citadel and getting out is gonna be a fool’s errand.”
---
Simmons awoke to see Leopold strolling into her cell, this time without any torture implaments.
“Fitz… please…” she whimpered.
“Oh don’t worry.” Leopold said. “I’m only here to inform you that three of your allies have been uncovered. Grant Ward, Skye, and Donnie Gill were exposed as traitors within Hydra.” Simmons couldn’t help but internally laugh. Grant Ward, always the double agent. “We were unable to capture Agent Ward and Agent Skye but it’s only a matter of time. And when they’re captured, they will be punished.”
“What happened to you Fitz…” Simmons murmured. “What has this place done to you?”
“How curious.” Leopold mused. “Doctor Gill said something similar. Told me I wasn’t myself, that I’d been brainwashed. He said all of this right before I executed him. I suggest you think on that.” He then turned and left the cell. Simmons felt her heart plummet. Donnie was dead. And Fitz had killed him. She dragged herself to her feet and flipped the table and threw the chair against the wall, screaming. Tears streaked down her face as she slammed her palms against the wall. When she was all screamed out, she slid down the wall and sobbed into her hands.
“I’m sorry Jemma.” she heard a familiar scottish accent from the other side of the wall.
“Radcliffe?” Simmons choked out. “What are you doing here?”
“Aida and Fitz had me locked up.” Radcliffe scowled. “I suppose I should be grateful I wasn’t executed like Donnie.”
“How could Fitz do that…” Simmons murmured tearily. “Fitz is a good man. The man I love would never execute someone in cold blood.”
“He’s not the man you love.” Radcliffe said sadly. “The man he is here is a cruel monster and a sadist. Aida changed him, made him into this.”
“How?” Simmons asked. “What could she have done that turned him into this?”
“She took away one regret.” Radcliffe answered simply.
“One regret can’t change an entire life.” Simmons insisted. “It doesn’t change who you are.”
“Of course it can.” Radcliffe said. “One person in your life. One decision. One sentence has the power to change you forever.”
“One sentence?” Simmons frowned.
“Yeah that’s right.” Radcliffe nodded. “One… single… sentence like… ‘I love you’ or ‘we’re having a baby’ or ‘she’s gone.’”
“I never could’ve imagined Fitz was capable of that.” Simmons murmured.
“Oh my dear.” Radcliffe sighed. “Depending on the circumstances anyone is capable of anything. Just look around.”
---
“You should be able to contact Malick securely.” Daisy stated, handing Mace back the phone.
“Good. Thanks.” Mace nodded. “Last thing we need is Hydra catching wind that we’re working together.” Daisy turned to leave quickly but Mace called after her. “You’ve been avoiding me these last few days. You’re not mad at me are you?”
“No of course not.” Daisy shook her head. She wasn’t really sure how to explain to Mace that seeing him just reminded her of her dead friend. “I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”
“Is it something to do with Ward?” Mace asked. “He hasn’t been himself the last few days.”
“Yeah.” Daisy nodded. “He’s been going through some stuff.”
“Everything alright with the baby?” Mace asked.
“Yes everything is fine with the baby.” Daisy assured. The baby. It was weird how she could feel the baby growing inside her. She knew it wasn’t real and yet she couldn’t help but love it anyway.
“Good.” Mace replied. “I’m glad. We’ve all lost so much. I hope you and Ward will be able to raise them in a better world. One where Hydra isn’t running the show and basic human rights aren’t being regularly violated.”
“I know we will.” Daisy assured. “And hopefully this mission will go a long way to ensuring that.”
---
“It’s not a weakness is it?” John Garrett said. Ward leaned against the wall gripping his forehead. The onslaught of memories had become more and more common over the past week. He was starting to get a better picture of his life in the real world.
“I am not a good man Skye.” Ward murmured. ”There are things about me you wouldn’t like if you knew.” Ward balled his fists and pressed them into his forehead. Flashes of him killing people filled his head.
“You shot the wrong clairvoyant before.” Hand said. “Care to shoot the right one?” Ward stood up, loaded his gun, and then killed the two guards sitting next to Garrett. Then he turned his gun on Hand and shot her. When she dropped, he put two more bullets in her head.
“You were right.” Skye said. “I wouldn’t like the real you.”
“Grant?” he felt Daisy’s hand on his shoulder. The real one. He didn’t turn to face her. He couldn’t. “Was it another memory?” she asked.
“A lot of them.” Ward nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?” Daisy frowned.
“That I’m a real sonofabitch in the real world.” Ward answered. Daisy’s heart sank. She hadn’t been sure how to broach the subject of who the real Grant Ward was.
“What do you remember?” Daisy asked.
“I betrayed SHIELD.” Ward answered. “Betrayed you. Murdered Vic. You said that I was right. That you wouldn’t like the real me.” Daisy quickly grabbed Ward and turned him to face her.
“I was wrong.” Daisy assured. “And being here in this world has only confirmed that for me. In the real world, Garrett made you the way you were. Here, without him, you’re the best version of yourself, the man I know you are. The real you is damaged yes but despite everything he is a good man. He’s been there for me at my lowest and loved me despite my demons.” Ward felt the memories flashing through his head again.
“Skye detests me.” Ward scoffed. “She thinks I’m a monster.”
“Are you?” Raina asked. “Is that your true nature? Or is that what Garrett made you to be?”
“I don’t know.” Ward whispered.
“What are you remembering?” Daisy asked softly.
“A woman in a flower dress.” Ward murmured. “Raina. She asked if a monster was my true nature. I didn’t know.”
“Well I do.” Daisy insisted. “And I’ll keep saying it till you believe me.” Ward nodded and wrapped Daisy in a hug.
“It’s just hard to reconcile my life here with my life in the real world.” he sighed.
“Tell me about it.” Daisy suggested. “Your life here.”
“Well I was recruited to SHIELD after I tried to burn my parents house down with Christian inside.” Ward said. “It was Victoria Hand who got me outta there. She was the first person to tell me I could be a good man. But you were the one who made me believe it.”
“How’d we meet?” Daisy asked.
“Your mother was having you infiltrate Hydra.” Ward stated. “I was already Mace’s inside man so I got your test results masked like Vic did for me. Vic made sure we were partnered up. We got along well and things just happened.” Daisy smiled at that and kissed him.
“I still find it hard to believe my mom is alive here.” Daisy murmured. “She’s dead in the real world. What about my dad?”
“He’s excited about becoming a grandfather.” Ward chuckled. “It he…”
“No he’s alive in the real world.” Daisy said. “You actually helped us reunite. It’s kind of a long story.”
“Well we got time.” Ward shrugged. Daisy nodded and began to tell Ward the full story about how she found but then lost her parents.
---
Aida emerged from the Framework where Lucy was waiting.
“How’s it going?” Lucy asked.
“Well.” Aida answered. “Fitz has been able to use what we got from the Darkhold before we were uncovered to design the machine.”
“Good.” Lucy smiled. “Once we have the Darkhold we’ll be able to use it, the Framework, and the Looking Glass Machine to create life and a better world. Then we’ll have no more need of Taskmaster.”
“I wanted to thank you Lucy.” Aida said. “For all your help with this.”
“Of course.” Lucy nodded. “I only wish Holden understood that we just want to help.”
“Perhaps we can make him understand eventually.” Aida said.
---
“I was told R&D has a new weapon, something that could take down the Patriot.” May stated as she and Kebo walked into the Triskelion lab.
“Ah, yes.” one of the scientists grinned. “Oh, no, it's not exactly a weapon, but it can make you into one.” He opened a cabinet to reveal a bottle of a green serum.
“Steroids?” May frowned.
“Oh, no, not just any steroids.” the scientist stated. “Augmented strength serum... The effects of which are very potent, although temporary. We developed this for short term use while the Deathlok Program was being developed.”
“It's not Terrigen-based, is it?” Kebo asked.
“Oh, no. No, no, no.” the scientist assured. “This is made from various metabolic enhancers, gorilla testosterone, even a dash of peppermint. The point is, one dose, you will have the Patriot begging for his life.” May and Kebo shared a look and Kebo gave the scientist a sadistic grin.
---
Leopold walked up the stairs of the Triskelion and into his office where he was greeted by Alistair Fitz.
“Father.” Leopold greeted. “How’s the search for the traitors going.”
“Good so far.” Alastair answered. “I wanted to see my son. It’s was a hard but necessary thing, executing Doctor Gill. Proof that you are a strong man like I raised you to be. My son, The Doctor himself.”
“Stop. It means nothing.” Leopold stated.
“Why are you so down on yourself?” Alistair asked. “Is it something Ophelia said?”
“No, it's not about her.” Leopold assured. “It’s about Doctor Gill.”
“What's the problem?” Alistair frowned. “He was a traitor was he not?”
“Yes but he was also a friend.” Leopold replied. “I just wonder. What if... I didn't need to kill him? What if maybe it wasn’t necessary like I thought?”
"’What if?’ ‘Maybe.’" Alistair scoffed. “Now, that's your mother talking.”
“Sorry, father.” Leopold murmured.
“There she is again.” Alistair sighed. “Listen, son, I don't know a thing about what you do here, the science, but I know that it's important, and I know the man I raised. Not a coward, but a man of action. A great man in a hard world. And in a hard world, we cannot afford the luxury of what?”
“The luxury of sympathy.” Leopold recited.
“Exactly.” Alistair nodded. “We don't buckle to guilt or womanly sentiment. Everyone needs the strap across their back now and again. Teaches respect. You know that. You've felt it.” Leopold nodded, remembering how Alistair had disciplined him in his youth. “And look where it's gotten you. You're protecting the human race, and the only other person who understands the weight of that is Ophelia. Madame Hydra. And you love her, don't you?” The younger Fitz nodded, accepting his father’s words.
“Honestly don't know what kind of man I'd be without you father.” Leopold said.
“That's why I'm here, son.” Alistair smiled.
---
“I appreciate you volunteering for this Coulson.” Mace said to Phil as they went arrived at the restaurant dressed in suits. “We’re a bit short staffed and I’d feel more comfortable going into this meeting with backup
“Yeah no problem.” Phil nodded. “So who’s this Gideon Malick guy?”
“Former advisor on the world council.” Mace answered. “They advised to Nick Fury before SHIELD was forced into the shadows. He was also a high ranking member of Hydra before he defected. Apparently he believed Daniel Whitehall, The Doctor, and Madam Hydra were perverting what Hydra was meant to be. So he left and started SWORD with the aim of achieving Hydra’s ultimate goal of bringing back this ancient inhuman.”
“Do we trust him?” Phil asked.
“God no.” Mace replied. “But right now he’s our best bet at getting into the Citadel. He’s got the money and the knowledge to get us in and give us a fighting chance at getting out.”
“Why hasn’t he broken in himself?” Phil asked.
“His manpower is incredibly limited.” Mace answered. “He’s got good scientists on his payroll like Jemma Simmons and a few inhumans that believe in his cause but most people aren’t exactly eager to throw their weight in with a former Hydra leader. And according to Jiaying, Daisy’s mother and one of the inhuman leaders I’m in contact with, most of the inhumans are terrified of Alveus, the thing Gideon wants to bring back. Apparently it’s some kind of devil. The point is, there are very few people following Gideon so he needs our help.”
“How do you know all this?” Phil asked.
“Jiaying has a spy in Gideon’s ranks.” Mace answered. “Lincoln Campbell. He keeps her up to date on his progress bringing back Alveus.” They sat down at the table Gideon was sitting at. The restaurant was empty except for them, Stephanie Malick and their servers.
“I gotta say I was surprised to get your call.” Gideon chuckled.
“I wasn’t expecting to be making it.” Mace replied. “Things have changed. I need your help. We wanna break into the Citadel.