Chapter 147: The Fall of Garrett and Ward (Part 1)

"Not quite on target," Daniel Davis murmured as he stepped out of the portal, looking at the plane preparing for takeoff. "Seems I'm not quite at Doctor Strange's level yet. Maybe it's the difference in the magical systems."

Though satellite positioning was precise, it still lagged behind the Sanctum's magical targeting.

"At least the portal didn't expose its existence. But this welcome is a bit too grand." Just as the plane left the ground, a violent explosion erupted in the nearby mountains, and the ground beneath him began to collapse. Reacting swiftly, Daniel teleported to the plane above with an Apparition before the debris could reach him.

"Who's there?" A familiar voice called out as he appeared on the plane—Melinda May.

"It's me. What the hell happened? You called me over, and then an explosion goes off," Daniel replied, his tone a bit annoyed.

"It was an accident. Skye's this way," May said, leading Daniel to the medical bay. The plane, prepared by Fury for Coulson, was fully equipped.

"Garrett and Ward, interesting," Daniel noted as he saw Coulson, Ward, Fitz, Garrett, and an unknown African American outside the medical bay. While Daniel hadn't met Garrett before, he had seen photos of him.

"Sorry, had some issues and only just got your message," Daniel said to Coulson before heading into the medical bay. Inside, Simmons was examining the still-unconscious Skye.

"Looks like she's stabilized," Daniel observed after checking the medical instruments.

"Yes, this drug is amazing. Too bad it seems to be the last of it," Simmons replied, her excitement tempered by the realization. The drug had saved Skye from the brink of death, which was incredible to her.

Daniel said nothing, merely checking Skye to ensure she was out of danger before leaving the medical bay. GH325 had side effects on others but was harmless to Skye.

"Phil, who is this?" Garrett asked, turning to Coulson with a smile after eyeing Daniel for a moment.

"Good actor," Daniel thought with a cold smile. Although Garrett, as an eighth-level agent, theoretically didn't have the clearance to know who Daniel was due to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s compartmentalized information system, HYDRA's higher-ups, including Garrett, certainly recognized him.

"Consultant," Coulson replied.

"Like Tony Stark, then." Garrett stepped forward, extending his hand to Daniel. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Consultant. I'm John Garrett, an eighth-level agent like Phil. We were the best partners."

Daniel smiled and nodded at Garrett but ignored his extended hand, remaining seated. He turned to Coulson instead. "What happened? Why was Skye shot?"

Daniel's attitude made Garrett's eyes flash with anger. He had never been so blatantly ignored, whether as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent or as the Clairvoyant. Even Fury and Alexander Pierce treated him with respect.

But Garrett was skilled at hiding his emotions. Despite his fury, he kept a calm exterior, smiling slightly. "I'll check on Quinn," he said before leaving.

"It was my fault. I shouldn't have let her act alone," Fitz explained, recounting how Skye got shot while investigating Ian Quinn, which involved Deathlok.

Daniel knew that since he controlled all of Whitehall's operations, including Roxxon Corporation, he was aware of the mechanical body armor ordered by Quinn. Although Daniel didn't manage the company directly, he knew about the order, which was later canceled.

The Clairvoyant operated under the radar, without revealing his identity to Whitehall. Daniel deduced this from the weaponized mechanical body armor.

Roxxon was a legitimate tech company selling mechanical prosthetics—akin to automail in the Fullmetal Alchemist world. They conducted normal business, but requests to add weaponry to prosthetics were declined.

It seemed the Clairvoyant had sourced the mechanical body armor from another company since high-tech prosthetics were a lucrative market.

"What is the Clairvoyant?" Daniel asked after Fitz finished his account, falling silent for a moment.

"This is classified S.H.I.E.L.D. information," Garrett interjected before Coulson could respond.

"Is that so? Then I guess I'll have to ask Fury." Daniel smiled at Garrett, pulled out his phone, and dialed. He held the dialing screen towards Garrett and shook it.

Garrett's face changed instantly, not expecting Daniel to contact Fury so casually.

"It's you. You calling me first?" Fury's voice echoed through the phone.

"Got something to ask. I'm on Coulson's plane," Daniel replied, showing Coulson's image to Fury before explaining the Clairvoyant situation.

"You're interested in that?" Fury sounded puzzled.

"Curious. Seeing the future is beyond even Heimdall of Asgard. How could I not be curious about such a person?" Daniel glanced at Garrett with a playful smile.

"Alright, Phil, share all the intel with him," Fury ordered after a brief pause.

"Thanks." Daniel hung up, turning to Garrett with a smile. "No more worries about leaking classified information, right?"

"The Clairvoyant... We first got intel about him when..." Coulson began, taking over from Garrett, who looked embarrassed.

"So, all your actions were preempted by the Clairvoyant. Even you were captured and rescued, but this seer couldn't predict what happened after your death. So, they shot Skye to force you to reveal how you were revived," Daniel summarized with a smile, drumming his fingers on the table and scanning the room.

"Bring Quinn here. I have some questions for him." With Fury's authorization, Daniel held the highest authority on the plane.

"Spill everything about your dealings with the Clairvoyant," Daniel said to the bruised and battered Ian Quinn. Despite being a billionaire, Quinn had been duped by the Clairvoyant. "You are such a fool."

"I've already told them," Quinn muttered, still fearful, and repeated his account. As a rich second generation, he folded easily under pressure.

"How could a wealthy man like you fall for a scammer's tricks? If the Clairvoyant truly had such powers, why wouldn't he approach S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director or world leaders instead of you? Because you're easier to fool."

"He really could..." Quinn began but was interrupted.

"Even if he could, why approach you? If he truly could see everything, he'd seek alliances with higher authorities, not someone like you. Or maybe he targeted you because you're greedy," Daniel suggested, his words leaving everyone stunned.

"If he wanted to stay low, he'd avoid you. If he wanted attention, he'd go to higher authorities. Targeting you implies you were easy prey. And your greed blinded you."

"Phil, you're an eighth-level agent with all this intel. How haven't you figured out who the Clairvoyant is?"

"You know who the Clairvoyant is?" Coulson and the others were shocked, while Garrett and Ward exchanged furtive glances. Ward's hand crept toward his waist.

"Who is it?" Quinn demanded, echoing everyone's curiosity.

"I don't know," Daniel admitted, causing May's face to darken. "But I do know where the Clairvoyant is hiding."

Ignoring May's anger, Daniel continued, "Your operations were compromised because the enemy had inside information. If it wasn't foresight, then it was espionage. Someone in S.H.I.E.L.D. leaked your plans. If not an outsider, then an insider. Quinn's encounters were similarly compromised. High-level S.H.I.E.L.D. agents could easily access and leak this intel."

"The Clairvoyant couldn't see Coulson's resurrection but thought another attempt might reveal it. Hence, the insider might be among those who joined Coulson on this mission."

Daniel's gaze landed on Garrett, a knowing smile playing on his lips. He had decided to expose Garrett's identity now, seizing the moment.

Ignoring Garrett might have been acceptable, but targeting Skye warranted retribution. Besides, Daniel could now play detective with his newfound strength.

"Don't move." As Daniel finished, May reacted swiftly, drawing her gun on Garrett. Simultaneously, Ward pulled his gun on Trip, while Fitz backed away.

"Phil, you can't seriously think I'm the Clairvoyant," Garrett said, raising his hands with a smile.

"A truth serum will sort that out," Daniel suggested with a smile.

"You're the Clairvoyant! You killed them!" Trip shouted, glaring at Garrett. As a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, Trip understood the logic in Daniel's deductions. Among the two outsiders, he knew he wasn't the Clairvoyant, leaving Garrett as the obvious suspect.

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