24: Ground Zero

Episode 2.00: "Day 2: Prequel"

By

Chris Wright

Based on the television series 24

And

24: End of an Era

24: Ground Zero – Day 2: Prequel

Thursday 28th February, 2008

1:00am FLE Daylight Time

Twenty miles South of Kyiv, Ukraine

Grigory Lem threw open the door to the small Portakabin that sat in the middle of the seemingly Arctic landscape. He shivered slightly despite the many layers of clothing he wore. He took a cigarette from his jacket pocket and struggled to light it in the biting gale. The lighter was solid gold, suggesting that this man was fairly important. Suddenly, headlights lit up the scene as three cars approached seemingly from nowhere. They drew up just in front of the cabin, giving Grigory a chance to finish his cigarette before they exited. He didn't recognize most of the people, but one was unmistakable; Ivan Gresko.

Grigory waited for them to approach and then warmly embraced Ivan. There was a connection between the two men which broke the uneasiness that had grown. Ivan was followed into the cabin by at least five other men who seemed to Grigory like his bodyguards. Once they had all entered, Grigory followed; a little apprehensive at the meeting ahead.

Ivan took in his surroundings with an air of disappointment. He felt overdressed in his expensive suit with everyone else wearing many layers of industrial body-warmers and thermals. He sighed and sat down facing the large man on the other side of the simple wooden table and waited. He knew how these deals work; no unnecessary talking and wait for the host to speak first. There was at least a minute of silence before the other man slid a padded envelope across the table; speaking his words in fluent Ukrainian.

"Here are your clean passports and flight tickets. There is a jet waiting at an airfield five minutes from here to take you to London. When you arrive you will be greeted again for further instructions,"

Ivan opened the envelope, carefully overturning it to check the contents. Everything seemed in order except the key that was taped to one of the bags.

"The key is for a left luggage locker at Heathrow Airport; it contains what you need for your trip to America."

Ivan nodded, replacing everything into the envelope again, taking care not to lose anything. He knew what was at stake. He began to stand to leave again, knowing better than to speak or show any doubt.

"Oh and Ivan?" the man whispered, causing him to turn around, "When you reach Los Angeles you will need to make contact with Kevin Cassel…I'm sure you've heard of him."

Ivan swallowed hard, knowing full well who Kevin Cassel was. He exited the cabin quickly, closely followed by his guards. Grigory waited for the men to leave and then flashed a small smile to his boss.

"Well that went well!" he smiled, only receiving a grunt in return.

Ivan paced quickly to his car, the impact of the man's words hitting him gradually more. He threw open the door but waited for a second as he caught the eyes of one of his guards. They locked eyes, and Ivan nodded slowly before getting into his car. The guard followed suit, but only before producing what looked like a remote control from his pocket. The cars sped away, just as the Portakabin exploded in a ball of fire. When the dust settled, very little was left of what had once stood, only a rapidly growing puddle of water from the rapidly melting ice.

Thursday 27th February, 2008

7:15pm Eastern Time

Savannah River, South Carolina

Everything was quiet around the dull looking facility near the banks of the Savannah River, with only the rushing of water breaking the silence. The perimeter lights of the building lit up small arcs around the grounds, but beyond the ten foot wire fence, there was nothing but darkness. Suddenly though, there was a rustling in the darkness, and four small men ran to the fence; one carrying a long, heavy object. As they reached the fence, the object was used to cut a hole in the fence, and they rushed through, making a direct line for the large warehouse door. As they reached it, they stopped, seemingly waiting for a command. Suddenly, a crackling voice spoke through an unseen source, but was heard by all four.

"Masks on…"

The gas masks slung around the men's necks were put on and a charge was placed on the door. Within seconds, the door blew and they rushed in; taking in a scene of devastation. Bodies were strewn across the floor, caught in the wall of overpowering gas that had flooded in barely five minutes ago. Some had fallen from higher places and were lying with their limbs clearly smashed to pieces as they hit the metal grating floor. But these bodies weren't what the men were interested in; it was the large object one of the dead was strewn over. The group split into two; one couple moving to the object, and the other to the control panel. After a little tinkering, the front gate outside the building swung open and an unmarked van rushed inside, its rear doors open. The unwieldy object was carefully loaded into the back of the van, followed by the four men. As quickly as it had arrived, the van disappeared into the dark night.

8:00pm Eastern Time

The White House, Washington D.C.

Chief of Staff Joshua Morrison swept back his thick mane of jet black hair as he let out a long sigh, switching off a little from the phone call blaring into his ear. The First Lady was always a tough call.

"Laura…please; I really can't be doing with this tonight…I've had a long day."

"Can't be doing with what Josh; all I want is to talk to my husband. You're his Chief of Staff; you should know where he is!"

"You're right, I should. But unfortunately Laura dear, we don't live in a perfect world."

That second, the President strolled into the office, a smile on his face until he saw Josh's seeking face.

"Excuse me for just one second Laura," Josh said with relief as he put her on hold, "Your wife…"

"You mean you don't want to talk to her?" Stephen Byrne said playfully.

"Gee Mr. President, it's tempting but she's requested you. Sorry!"

Byrne smiled and walked towards his office as Joshua put the call through to his office. He heard Stephen answer in his Office and carefully replaced the receiver. It had been a long day, and he looked forward to going back to his apartment and having a well-earned rest. He didn't care how Stephen Byrne had won last year's election; in fact he had won the Presidency by a landslide. But it had been tough, especially guarding his secret. He closed his eyes for a minute, trying to rest for a minute before Stephen returned.

"Feeling tired Josh?" Stephen whispered into the man's ear, awakening him instantly.

He stretched a little, trying to shake off the sleep, "How long was I out?"

"A little while; don't worry about it; I know you've been working hard lately."

"I'm just doing my job Mr. President. Someone had to do it."

"Yes, but not everybody could have done the job you did. There are many secrets in this administration that you have helped keep."

"Some things were unavoidable Stephen; and I believe in what you believe in."

"Good. Because this country and the whole world are going to be going through big changes in the coming months, and we will be the catalysts."

"Starting with the treaty?" Joshua smiled.

"Yes, starting with next week's treaty signing. People may have died, but it wasn't for nothing."

"You don't need to tell me Stephen; I know."
The two men smiled at each other, exuding relief.

5:30pm Pacific Daylight Time

High Security Prison, Nevada Desert

The visitor's area of the high security prison was buzzing with activity and smiling faces. Although the prison housed some of the most hardened and despicable criminals ever captured on the west coast; whenever visiting hour began all you could see was smiles. Family members filed in, herding crowds of children desperate to see their Mothers and Fathers. But one man stood out as he ghosted between the crowds and sat down at the booth he had been directed to. The warden who had shown him watched him every step of the way; suspicious of his rough and unkempt appearance. He had a messy, matted straggle of dirty blonde hair that seemed to surround his grubby face. He was a big man, but the way he stood seemed to diminish his fearsome appearance as he shrunk into himself. The warden shook his head, guessing that it must have been another Palmer disciple ready to give his two cents. The man sat – almost crouching – and waited for the man he had come to see; Jack Bauer.

Jack shuffled awkwardly into the prisoner's side of the room, struggling with the ankle restraints that were still used on him almost a year after he was arrested. He had kind of expected another visitor today; after all, his days had been filled with angry Palmer supporters who took the opportunity to take their frustrations out on his apparent murderer. At first he had been stung by their words, but he had very quickly got used to it. He knew he wasn't a murderer, but it was no use telling anyone else that. The evidence against Byrne had died even before Palmer had. Finally his visitor came into view, and again Jack didn't recognize him. After a sigh, he switched his mind off, ready for the usual battery of abuse. He sat down, taking a long breath before lifting his head to look into the man's eyes. But he saw something other than hate in the man's eyes.

"Jack Bauer?" the man spoke softly.

"Yes?" he replied impatiently.

"You're probably wondering who I am…"

"I'm past caring to be honest, just say what you have to say…"

"I don't think you understand Agent Bauer…"

"I'm not an Agent anymore, apparently I'm a murderer."

"You're not, Jack."
Jack's heart skipped a beat, "What did you just say?"

"You're not a murderer Jack…I know who killed David Palmer."

"Who are you?" Jack whispered, barely daring to breathe.

"Roger Frederick…"

Jack's heart almost stopped as Roger revealed his identity. He had memorized every single detail of his worst day, including Roger's face; the face of the man who could have stopped it all. He felt conflicting emotions as he stared at this man; one of hate and one of desperation.

"I've thought so much about this moment, and what I was going to say to you. I still don't know."

"You could start by telling me why you disappeared a year ago…"

"Oh come on Jack, what did you think I was going to do? That chip was completely scrambled; by the time I got anything of substance off of it Stephen Byrne had taken control of the country. If I surfaced with that evidence I wouldn't last five minutes."

"Where have you been for a year anyway?"

"Living off the grid; being a different person. People I knew have died simply because they knew me. I guess until they find my body they won't stop looking. I'm a marked man; just like you were."

"Why did you come here then?" Jack said, his voice straining with emotion, "Why risk everything just to dangle hope in front of my face?"

"Because the evidence exists Jack…this chip destroys Stephen Byrne and everyone associated with him. As soon as the opportunity presents itself, so will the evidence," Jack began to reply, but was cut off before he could, "I have to go, people are watching me."

"No…wait!" Jack cried, but Roger was already on his way out. Wardens and visitors alike watched him leave with interest and suspicion, but Jack didn't care. He was watching his only hope of freedom disappear.

Jack thought his life was all but over…but then a new day began…

24: Ground Zero…coming soon…