Jack was blindfolded, he could make out some figures. Cheng he would recognize anywhere. Jack Bauer could never forget all that Cheng had done to him these last two years. But Jack hadn't been broken, he gave China nothing. Jack could see other Chinese soldiers, and three other blindfolded individuals. He had no idea who they were, they probably had no idea who Jack was. The four of them were all brought onboard a plane. Jack could feel them strapping him down. He wanted to fight back, but he was too weak. He believed they had drugged him, and he didn't want to put the others in danger. Cheng began speaking shortly after the plane took off. He seemed particularly angry.
Cheng: Good news, my American friends. Because your government captured one of our operatives, we've negotiated a prisoner exchange. Yes, the good part is that one of you will be reunited with your family in a few days. The bad news is that we only agreed to release one prisoner. The flight manifest lists the pilots, flight crew, myself, and one additional passenger. The four of you remained silent during your captivity. I am not going back to my superior with nothing. In short, only one of you gets to stay onboard. That person, will be whoever gives up intel first. Start with this one.
Jack couldn't see who Cheng was pointing towards, but the guards grabbed another prisoner, and brought him to the plane's door. Jack could hear Cheng yelling for him to talk. Then they opened the door. Even with all the noise Jack heard the gunshot.
Cheng: He didn't cooperate. Which means your odds are one in three. Bring me the next one.
Jack was scared, Cheng might actually be frustrated enough and desperate enough to kill them all. With the blindfold on his mind was playing tricks on him. He had to fight to keep hi rational mind working. When Jack was able to do this, a thought occurred to him.
Cheng: Another stubborn one!
Jack: Don't shoot him.
Cheng: The great Jack Bauer finally talks. Tell me why I shouldn't kill him.
Jack: He's not stubborn, he's just unclear about something.
Cheng: By all means, what part is unclear to him?
Jack: He's just wondering why you would shoot a man before throwing him off a plane. I'm wondering how he can withstand this without even wimpering. Or the third guy for that matter.
Cheng knew his deception had been detected. He removed Jack's blindfold. When he could focus Jack realized that all the blindfolded individuals were just dummies, no live people.
Jack: I'll never talk Cheng. If you want to kill me, go ahead.
Cheng: No. What I said was partly true. My government and yours have reached an agreement, you will be released. I just had to try one last time for intel.
Jack thought about it, could Cheng be telling the truth this time? Was he finally going home? Would he finally get to see Audrey and Kim again. Or did they just need him for yet another dangerous mission? How many more of these could he really survive?