24: Code Name Romulus.

The following story takes place between 11:00 AM and 12 PM.

Jack Bauer wasn't sure when he first realized that one of the two men shaking hands across the street was going to die. He didn't know whether the short man with the scraggly beard would shoot first or if he would fall victim to the taller man with sunglasses. All he knew was that if he tried to interfere, it could prevent him from finding out which city was the target of a lethal release of neurotoxin.

A third man wearing an expensive looking green and silver tracksuit appeared with a briefcase in hand. His hair was straight, black and looked like it was cut by someone who put a bowl over his head. It seemed like his ear was misshapen, but that could have been an illusion. A woman with similar features accompanied him. She was similar looking enough to be a sister or at least a cousin.

The man in the tracksuit grimly surveyed the area. His features were sharp and regal. He did not seem to like the shorter, heavier man.

Jack put down his binoculars and slipped back into his hiding place. The man in the tracksuit was a new player. So was his wife/sister/girlfriend or whatever she was. He had to let the team know.

He pushed a few buttons.

"CTU." A familiar voice answered.

"Chloe. This is Jack. Are you getting the transmission?"

"Yes, but it's been going in and out because of the sunspots. Who are these people?"

"The man in sunglasses is Azbek Amook Dureef, a money man for the Ubermistan Liberation Front.

"Nationality?"

"The name's made up. My guess is he's not Ubermistani. His accent is Midwestern, may have been CIA trained. He walks like an American."

"And the others?"

"I have no idea. I think the man in the track suit is named Spartek, not sure if that's a first or last name."

"I'll run a search."

"Make it quick. I think these people will lead us to the neurotoxin." Jack looked at the video monitor. Something was happening. "Spartek and the woman seem out of place."

"How so, Jack?"

Jack turned back toward the four suspects as the discussion led to an argument. One of the men pushed the guy with the briefcase and aimed a gun at his forehead.

Spartek flicked his wrist. A bright red beam of light emanated from the object in his hand and hit the man with the gun in the shoulder.

Bang.

Spartek grabbed his shoulder as the other man crumpled to the ground.

"Jack, what's happening?"

Bauer didn't have time to answer. The woman spotted him. A red beam of light hit the wall behind him. It began to burn.

Another beam hit near his feet.

"Let him go Jurak." The tracksuit man said, holding his arm. "No one will believe him any way."

She fired again.

Bauer felt intense heat and searing pain near his shoulder blade. He let out a scream as a second beam pierced the equipment in his camoflaged pack and hit him in the small of the back. The world around him darkened.