11:00 P.M.
Huang marches back to his humvee with Lin. He instructs one of his guards to explain the situation to the family of the farm. Huang climbs back into the humvee with Lin. "I don't care what it takes," Huang intones. "We're going to find these bastards."
11:03 P.M.
John checks the instrument panel and levels the plane just a thousand feet above the trees. He explains to Jack and Chloe that he wants to keep it low to avoid radar. They could still be spotted from the ground, but fortunately it's dark and late at night. Jack thanks John for getting them out of that predicament. He offers to take over, telling John that he is a registered pilot and that he should get some rest. John says that he's fine. Jack is also concerned with John's untreated broken arm, but John replies that he snapped the bone back into place and that it isn't his primary arm. Jack accepts this, knowing that John is a much better pilot than he, even on only one arm. John smiles. Chloe interrupts to report that at their current speed and altitude, and based on their last known location, they should be in Mongolian airspace in a few hours.
11:05 P.M.
Springer secures the satellite phone under a pile of loose wires in an electrical closet. He quietly exits the closet and heads back to his office, but is intercepted by an irate Benash. He heatedly informs Springer that his personal phone is missing and that he's sure Springer has it. Springer adamantly denies this, speculating that Benash misplaced it. Benash chuckles, telling Springer that that phone is essential to his career and that he would never lose it. "Then why did you?" Springer retorts. Benash jabs his finger at Springer's face, saying that he knows Springer or one of his minions stole it and that when he finds it, he's going to be sorry. Benash storms off. Springer glides to his office self-satisfied.
11:06 P.M.
John checks the plane's radio, so that once they're over Mongolian airspace, he will be able to immediately alert the authorities. John asks Jack if he can explain exactly why he was in that helicopter, since they're now safe and don't need to worry about being heard and discovered. Jack answers that he's been waiting for hours to be in a safe place to hear John's story, and lets him proceed. John tells Jack and Chloe that he has been undercover with a group of Chinese terrorists for the last few months and that earlier today he learned that there is going to be an attack on the APEC summit tomorrow. He doesn't know how the attack is going to be carried out, but he does know that the President of the United States, the Chinese President, and the rest of the APEC leaders are the targets. These terrorists are devoted to destroying what they see as the oppressive Chinese state and will do whatever it takes to guarantee success. John explains that he wasn't allowed to communicate with his superiors at all during his time undercover, since the terrorists monitored all communications and they couldn't risk the Chinese finding out about the covert mission and the violation of their sovereignty. But he was allowed to send an emergency extraction signal, a single burst emitted on a specific radio frequency. After finding out about the threat to the summit, John sent the signal, and a Blackhawk helicopter flew in from Mongolia, picked him up at the designated extraction point, and was flying back to Mongolia when they were shot down. But the most important piece of information he has to convey to his superiors is that at some point prior to the summit, the terrorists will threaten to assassinate the APEC leaders, make some sort of exorbitant demand from the President, and have some sort of demonstration to prove their seriousness and capabilities, but John knows that the terrorists have no intention of acting in good faith. This attack is going to happen regardless of what the President does. John says that that's why he has to alert his superiors as soon as possible. Jack understands, and thanks him for sharing. Chloe says that she may be able to get some service up here, and takes out her cell phone to call the U.S. embassy. Jack looks out at the black sky, the enormity of it all hitting him.
-Commercial Break-
11:13 P.M.
Chloe tries the U.S. embassy again, but she gets the low battery screen and it shuts down. John thanks Chloe for trying. Fortunately, the summit isn't until the morning, so they have plenty of time to get to Mongolia and warn the authorities. Jack wearily cautions that Huang is a "hard-nosed son of a bitch" who will stop at nothing to bring them in, so they must not get complacent.
11:14 P.M.
En route in their humvee, Lin reports to Huang that the plane is still not showing up on radar and there has been no radio chatter in that area. Huang grimly tells Lin that it's really not even worth trying, since Jack and John would not be stupid enough to telegraph their position so easily. But Huang is still confident that they'll be able to find the fugitives before they escape to Mongolia.
11:15 P.M.
Springer is alone in his office when he gets a call from the President demanding to see him right away. He goes there, and enters Gardner's office to find both Benash and the President staring him down. He asks what Gardner summoned him for, and the President says that Benash lost his satellite phone and is claiming that Springer stole it. Springer vigorously denies this, incredulous at the very suggestion. Duluth comes in, perplexed and curious as to the purpose of this meeting. Benash fiercely tells Duluth that his phone is missing, and that he's sure either he or Springer took it, since that was how he was communicating with the media back home. Gardner intones that he knows that both Springer and Duluth have a problem with Benash and the situation they've all been forced into, but that does not justify taking his personal property and that he really hopes that none of them had anything to do the phone's disappearance. Benash counters that of course one of them was involved in the phone's theft, since only a few select people know of the terrorist demand and know that he was brought into the loop. Both Springer and Duluth have expressed strong resistance to Benash's presence and his leaks, so it only makes sense that either one of them or both of them took it. Springer steps forward, demanding proof. Benash warns Springer not to underestimate him. Gardner shouts that that's enough, insistent that they can find a solution to this dispute without coming to blows. Benash shakes his head in frustration.
11:17 P.M.
Jack speculates that if the authorities will already know of the threat before the summit convenes, then security will be beefed up to its maximum level, making a successful attack unlikely. John reiterates that these guys don't mess around and will find a way to make this happen. If it were up to him, he would postpone the summit and find another country to host it. Jack knows however that no political leader wants to look weak in the face of terrorism, and asks John if he knows anyone that Secret Service and local police should be looking out for. John says that he never met or even knew the name of the person their cell reported to. He was just working with a bunch of low-level grunts that had nothing to do with the direct planning of this operation. They probably know just as little as he does.
11:18 P.M.
Gardner tells Benash that both Springer and Duluth are good men, and that he really can't believe that one of them would steal. Benash exclaims that the President is obviously a poor judge of character. Gardner implores Benash to remain calm, but Benash won't have any of it, saying that he has every right to be upset over this. The President evenly asks Benash if he can remember the last time he saw his phone. Benash screams that of course he remembers the last time he saw it. Jabbing his finger at Gardner, he bellows that he refuses to stand there and be treated like a child. "How dare you disrespect the President!" Springer cries out. But Benash feverishly counters that the President is just a man and that he's covering for Springer and Duluth. Gardner adamantly insists that he isn't, and coldly orders him to leave and to not return until he has proof. Benash storms out of the room without another word, slamming the door behind him.
11:19 P.M.
The President coolly asks Springer and Duluth if one of them did steal Benash's phone. They both say no. Gardner nods to himself, reiterating that he really hopes one of them isn't lying to him, because he will not tolerate any malfeasance among his staff.
11:20 P.M.
Chloe explains to John that she found evidence of a loop installed over Chinese satellite footage of the prison, and when she called the U.S. embassy, they knew nothing about a chopper crash. That makes sense to John, knowing that his superiors would cover their tracks and do whatever it took to ensure there was no evidence that a U.S. Blackhawk helicopter was ever in Chinese airspace. But he is curious as to why the embassy was apparently unaware about the crash. He had assumed Huang had reported the incident to his government, and that the whole world knew of their mission.
11:21 P.M.
Huang wearily informs Cheng over the phone that it has proven more difficult to capture Jack and John than he thought, but assures him that they will be brought to justice.
-Commercial Break-
11:26 P.M.
Gardner considers informing the Secret Service that Benash's phone is missing, but Springer strongly urges the President to keep them out of this. It's just one man's phone. Gardner replies that that man is all that is standing between them and a devastating terrorist attack on the summit. Benash bursts in to report that he has found proof that Springer stole his phone. Springer shifts uncomfortably on the couch, but still promptly gets up to fiercely refute Benash's claim, and speculates that Benash's alarm over his phone is more than just concern for one's personal belongings. Benash scoffs, and opens the door to let in the reporter that talked to Springer an hour earlier. The reporter is confused, but at Benash's prodding, explains to the President and the others that he bumped into Springer outside of the press section an hour ago, and, again at Benash's urging, says that he noticed Springer looking agitated and distracted. Benash abruptly dismisses him, but the reporter refuses, demanding to know what's going on. He had already suspected that Benash was behind the leaks, and now this only confirms it. "Why in hell is Benash getting special treatment?" he asks Gardner. The President answers that it is a matter of national security, and threatens to shut him out of the White House if he publishes his misinformation or discusses it with anyone. The reporter has no choice but to comply, and leaves irritated.
11:28 P.M.
Springer says that that proved nothing. He swears he did not take Benash's phone. "Oh, stop digging," Benash spitefully replies. The reporter's testimony proves that Springer was near the press section during the time that the phone went missing. Benash can't believe that that was simply a coincidence. He implores Springer to drop his fa ade and give him back his phone. Springer acknowledges that he talked to that reporter, but insists that that does not mean he had anything to do with the phone's disappearance. Benash screams that he does and to stop denying it. Gardner beseeches Benash to calm down, and offers to have the Secret Service to thoroughly search the plane for his phone. But Benash refuses, thinking that Gardner would cover up any evidence of Springer's crime. Benash even speculates that the whole "national security briefing" an hour ago was a ruse to distract him, and demands to speak to Audrey. Gardner says no, finished with Benash's antics, and asks him to leave, but Benash shrieks that he will be treated as a member of the President's staff and his concerns will not be ignored. The President counters that his concerns will be ignored unless he can present conclusive proof that Springer stole his phone. Benash accuses Gardner of complicity in the theft, but Gardner reminds Benash that he is the President of the United States. He sent Charles Logan to jail. And he would never stoop to his level. But that also doesn't mean he has to listen to the paranoid fantasies of anyone, no matter what the circumstances. Benash reiterates to Gardner that the President is just a man, but Gardner rejoins that he's still an American citizen, this is still his office, and orders him out. Benash promises to return with irrefutable evidence that Springer pilfered his phone and leaves, steaming.
11:30 P.M.
Gardner dismisses Duluth from the room, and privately asks Springer what he was doing near the press section an hour ago. Audrey claimed that he was taking calls from reporters on the O'Brian statement. Springer says that he was, but that he was also going to talk to a communications staffer when he was intercepted by that reporter. He then returned to his office to take more calls. Gardner wonders if he happened to pull up the phone logs, he would find such calls. Springer implores the President to trust him, reminding Gardner that it's Benash that's been disloyal and unstable all day. Gardner nods his head, saying that he does trust him, but that there will be repercussions if he's found to have stolen the phone. Springer accepts this.
11:31 P.M.
John explains to Jack and Chloe that he was able to infiltrate the terrorist group by posing as a mercenary. He winces at all the things he had to do to get them to trust him. Jack tells John that he's gone undercover several times throughout his career, so he knows how it feels. He knows the fear, the isolation, and the pain from being away from one's family for so long. John completely understands, describing how he hasn't heard his wife and daughter's voices for months and that there were many times over that period that he doubted his mission and perseverance. But he made it out, and now it's almost over. Jack nods in sympathy, knowing just how hard it felt to have been separated from Teri and Kim during his stints undercover, aware of the possibility that he may never have seen them again, and how painful it still is to have not seen or heard from his daughter in over two years. John reaches over and rubs his shoulder caringly.
11:33 P.M.
Benash wakes up a sleeping member of the press corps, frantically asking her if she happened to see Springer sneaking around the nearby seats. The woman groggily says no. Benash comes up empty with another sleeping reporter. Frustrated, Benash shouts at the top of his lungs to get the entire press section to wake up and to have his attention. He asks everyone if Springer was in their section an hour ago. But no reporter comes forward. Benash brusquely thanks the pool for their help and leaves, dejected.
11:34 P.M.
Gardner stares at his phone for several moments before deciding to pick it up and call the archives department. But when the tech asks Gardner what he wants, the President tells the man that he's changed his mind and hangs up. Gardner wearily puts his hand to his forehead.
11:35 P.M.
Chloe tenderly asks Jack what he is going to do once they get to Mongolia. Jack says that he is probably going to have to disappear again, since he's now a fugitive from the Chinese government. Chloe recommends that Jack try to apply for asylum in Mongolia, but Jack reminds her that he has not been "persecuted." He was prosecuted under Chinese law for a crime committed on Chinese soil. Disappearing is the only way he can avoid going back to that prison. Chloe nods in agreement, and looks out the plane window for a few moments, deep in thought. "I'm going to have to disappear too," she says sorrowfully.
-Commercial Break-
11:40 P.M.
Springer is nervously tapping his fingers on his desk when Duluth enters to report that the FBI and the CIA have finished their background search on Benash and have uploaded their findings to Springer's computer, as per his request. Springer thanks him, and pulls up the report, which lists the contacts and dealings of Benash that both agencies have flagged. Duluth cautions Springer that the contacts in question were all part of an expos Benash wrote on the People's Freedom Coalition, an extremist group accused of acts of violence. Springer doesn't trust a word that comes out of Benash's mouth, and can't believe that those connections are so benign. Duluth doesn't trust Benash either, but is fairly confident that his agency would have found evidence of any truly nefarious activity by Benash. Springer hints that he may have access to information that no federal agency does, and softly asks if Duluth can keep a secret. "That's my job," Duluth cracks, smiling. Springer takes a deep breath and reveals that he did indeed take Benash's phone. Duluth staggers a bit, but isn't surprised. He asks if the theft was sanctioned by the President. Springer answers that he would never expose Gardner like that. He knows nothing, and for good reason. Duluth nods his head, understanding Springer's reasons and happy that the leaks have stopped for now, and asks Springer what his next move is. Springers intends to pull up the list of Benash's most recent calls from the phone, find out who exactly he has been talking to, and see just if Benash is as innocent as he claims to be. Duluth asks to see the phone, but Springer says that it's in a safe place and that it's best if he's as uninvolved as possible. Duluth agrees, and asks Springer to let him know if he finds anything. Springer says that he will, and Duluth leaves. Springer anxiously clenches his fists.
11:43 P.M.
Jack notices that Chloe is crying and he asks her what's wrong. Wiping away the tears, Chloe says that it is nothing. But Jack compassionately wants to know what's troubling her, and Chloe answers that she was just thinking about Morris and his arrest by the Chinese police. She worries what is going to happen to him. She is afraid she will never see him again. Jack consoles Chloe, reminding her that she was the one that pulled the trigger, not Morris. Hopefully, the Chinese will release him once they realize that. But Chloe knows that the Chinese need a scapegoat for the death of their guard, and if it has to be Morris, so be it. As she breaks down in tears, Chloe bemoans that Morris is going to be convicted of a crime he did not commit, tortured, and then executed. Jack looks down at the floor of the plane, knowing that Chloe is probably right. All he can do is get up from his seat and hug her.
11:44 P.M.
As he sympathetically glances over at the embrace, John kindly offers to give Chloe a flying lesson. Chloe is hesitant, but John convinces her that it will be fun and make her feel better. Chloe takes a moment to collect her thoughts and emotions, and accepts John's offer. John explains the functions of all the instruments on the panel. He is impressed when she then, unprompted, repeats everything he had just told her. Jack remarks that Chloe is one of the best analysts out there and stopped some of the worst attacks on their country, from the Cordilla virus to the nuclear missile to the Sentox nerve gas. Chloe humbly says that she was just doing her job and that Jack deserves way more adulation. Now Jack is bashful as he modestly bestows the responsibility for the successful resolution of those crises on the hard work of all the federal law enforcement agencies. John says that Jack shouldn't be ashamed of everything he has done for his country, of how many lives he has saved. Jack wistfully thanks him. John and Chloe return to their lesson. John gives Chloe a quick rundown on the controls, and then lets her take the stick. Her eyes lighting up like a child, she eagerly pulls back, and the plane pitches up sharply. John tells her to treat the plane very gently, and Chloe, after taking a very deep breath, returns the plane to an even level. After a few moments, she gets the hang of it and ecstatically expresses that she's really flying. Jack and John smile. Chloe thanks John very much for giving her this opportunity.
11:46 P.M.
Springer quietly walks through the corridors, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. He spots the reporter that he had talked to an hour ago, and quickly turns back and into an adjacent corridor. He waits there for the reporter to walk past.
11:47 P.M.
Chloe continues to fly the plane. She expresses to Jack and John that she's finally relaxed. They're both very happy for her. Chloe casually states just how bright the stars are up here, even with the running lights on. She asks Jack and John what a particular constellation is in front of them. John identifies it, but in a perplexed and slightly alarmed voice. He takes back control and shuts off all the lights. John squints to get a better look, but that doesn't change his alarm and he slams his hand on his thigh. "Damn it!" he curses. Jack and Chloe are confused. John explains that that constellation shouldn't be ahead of them at this time of night if they were heading due north. The plane's compass must be misconfigured. Based on that constellation's position, they've probably been going closer to north-northeast for most of the trip. Jack, John, and Chloe are all deflated that they've wasted so much time. John turns the lights back on and repositions the plane so that they are now definitely heading due north to Mongolia.
-Commercial Break-
11:53 P.M.
Springer goes to the electrical closet where he hid Benash's phone. He looks around cautiously before entering. No one is around, so he opens the door and walks in. Springer retrieves the phone from the pile of loose wires and pulls up the list of its most recent calls. He takes out a small notepad and begins writing down the names and numbers.
11:54 P.M.
John temporarily shuts off the lights again to check again that they are heading north. He apologizes to Jack and Chloe for not catching the broken compass earlier. Jack tells John not to worry, since such a malfunction is hard to see. Suddenly, the proximity alarm goes off, and John sees on the radar that a helicopter is quickly coming up behind them. "Huang " Jack sighs. John urges Jack and Chloe to hang on tight, and turns the plane sharply to the right to try to evade the hostile chopper.
11:55 P.M.
From their black helicopter, Huang and Lin observe this action, and Huang irritably notes that they've been spotted. He orders his pilot to turn in pursuit. They have to move in now.
11:56 P.M.
Springer is writing down names and numbers when Benash suddenly appears behind him. He ominously asks Springer to hand over the phone and notepad immediately. Unfazed, Springer calmly places the phone back in the pile of wires, stands up to face Benash eye to eye, and says no. He will not let Benash continue to undermine the presidency like this. Benash reminds Springer that stealing personal property, no matter how small, is a crime, and that he will make sure this goes on Springer's record if he doesn't give him back his phone now. Springer says that it's just his word against his, and dares him to accuse the White House Chief of Staff of petty theft. Benash snaps that he will, and tells Springer to expect a call from the police very soon if he doesn't surrender the phone. Springer counters that maybe Benash should be the one expecting that call, asking him what he is doing making multiple calls to and having numerous meetings with members of the People's Freedom Coalition. Benash furiously answers that those were for a story for his paper and that Springer is just grasping at straws. Benash insists that he is just an ambitious reporter who takes no crap. "I don't care who you are. You are betraying the President and your country," Springer exclaims. "And it ends now!" Benash screams at Springer to give it back, but Springer refuses, nostrils flaring, barking that Benash needs to see his therapist. Benash lunges for the phone, and Springer blocks him. They struggle. Benash then punches Springer in the gut, and as he recoils in pain, Benash grabs Springer from behind, covers his mouth, and injects a syringe into his heart. Springer falls to the ground, lifeless.
11:58 P.M.
John desperately tries to evade the encroaching helicopter, but to no avail. Huang catches up with the plane and he calmly orders Lin to shoot them down. The chopper fires a missile, and scores a direct hit on the back of the plane, sending it into a tailspin. Chloe screams as John frantically tries to restore control. Huang smiles as the flames come out of the back of the doomed aircraft. John finally does take back control and he informs Jack and Chloe that he is going to try for an emergency landing. Jack and Chloe get into a crouch. John grips the control stick as the plane gets closer and closer to the dark ground. The top of the trees rush up at the window and shear off the wings, and the plane crash-lands in the woods.