Prologue

With the latest development, Assad sat back and watched as the personnel of CTU argued. Americans were so stupid. Jack and him were correct. They should let them do their job and this thing could be over with. Such was one of the many things Assad hated about American DIPLOMACY but he had given his word and if there was any hope that she was still alive, Assad knew he had to keep it. He wondered what Mira, as he called he,r would think when she found out that Jack Bauer was out of the Chinese prison and helping in this situation. He let out a small chuckle, if she was alive Mira already knew.

His phone rang and everyone suddenly became quiet. "Hello?" He answered in Arabic as well as the rest of his conversation was spoken as well. As he looked up at them when he got done, he noted the tears in Nadia's eyes and he nodds at her-knowing she understood his conversation.

"That was a doctor friend of mine. He has been treating someone to whom most of you know and believe to be dead. That person is now very much alive and demanding to know what has happened to him since he supposedly died nearly two years ago. I can't risk my doctor being found my Fayed. We will have to go pick him up.

"And just who is this person?" Bill demanded.

Assad looked at him then his eyes went over to Jack and he responed steadily, "Tony Almaida."