EPISODE 10
THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 2AM AND 3 AM WESTERN EUROPEAN TIME (8PM TO 9PM CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME)
AIRBORNE OVER
NORTHERN FRANCE
The dark French countryside spread out below the
private helicopter as Yaffa Abbas took out his secure phone, calling
Abu Jahah, who is in a car driving away from the power plant along
with Mohammed Abbas.
"I am on my way to the primary target
right now. Excellent work with the virus. The hand of Allah is
guiding us tonight," Yaffa said.
"The virus is ready," the
Iraqi programmer said. "I hope our allies are up to the task."
"I
assure you, we have the best people collaborating with us," Yaffa
said in Arabic.
"Their skills
are unquestionable, but these things must be matched by their
conviction, their belief that the cause is just and righteous."
"I
assure you, mujahid, these people do not want money. They believe in
what we are about to do."
Yaffa disconnects the call and places
another call to Faisal Hassan.
A split screen
shows the phone in Pierre's hands, Pierre very weak and bleeding
out over the floor. There was shouting in Arabic. Pierre used it to
dial Jack Bauer.
Another part of the split screen shows a large
gang of rioting thugs armed with firearms beating the bodies of the
victims of the police helicopter shootdown, just outside the mosque.
A riot leader speaks into a phone in Pakistani and there is no
answer. He makes hand signals to the mosque.
Jack is in the
high-rise building where he and Chase and Angela are holed up with
survivors from the airliner crash as well as building residents. Jack
and Chase emerge into an elevator lobby on the 6th floor. "Kim, get
Angela to the penthouse!"
His phone rang, it was Pierre.
"Anything new?" Jack asked. "Things are out of control
here. I'm with another agent and some armed civilians inside an
apartment building above the French foreing legion recruiting office.
We have weapons…"
He could hear Pierre gasping for breath.
This was not sounding good.
"….ambushed…..mosque…."
"Pierre, I
need you to slow down. Tell me what happened."
"Jack….you
were right…the mosque…."
Jack turned to Chase. "Dispatch
any nearby available field teams to the Hamadi Mosque immediately."
"I'll on it."
"…DuJour….is helping…."
The
rioters in the mosque burst into the bathhouse area and there is a
heavy exchange of gunfire. Several gunmen step inside and are cut
down but more come and several of them shoot multiple machine gun
rounds into Pierre.
"Oh God, no," Jack said.
Split
screens show the rioters on the street regrouping for another attack
on the apartment building, Sheila and Dave being placed in body bags
in an ambulance, Novick and Heller talking with their advisors, and
Abu Jahah typing into his laptop.
HOUSTON, RENAISSANCE MARRIOT HOTEL GREENWAY PLAZA
There is an
aerial view showing the Reliant Center and the Marriott Renaissance
hotel amid the dusky city skyline.
FOX NEWS IN BACKGROUND: "…more
from France as the development continues. Meanwhile, Democratic
challenger, Senator Jonathan Yarnal, is set to arrive in Houston on
his private plane from Seattle to address the planned rally at
William P. Hobby Airport, a major hub for Sunbelt Airlines. The Vice
President's daughter, Suzanne Kylie Novick, a flight attendant for
Sunbelt who has always been outside the spotlight is expected to be
present…"
Mike shook his
head and changed the channel to MSNBC.
"…may be followed by a
massive strike at other airlines and air freight operations and
perhaps even spread to Greyhound and ports that could cripple the
nation's transportation infrastructure…"
The setting sun as
a backdrop, National Security Advisor Jeremy McDaniels walks past
Mike Novick, motioning to him that the briefing is ready in the other
suite.
They walk into
the adjacent hotel suite on the top floor of the hotel, where most of
the top staff present on the campaign trail were gathered.
McDaniels
brought up a map of the Paris region.
"The latest situational update from CTU Europe and British intelligence tells us that French CAT has just become operational again following the reboot of their emergency computer system which was affected by the blackouts. We believe a virus was responsible for what has happened to the power grid, and it has spread to all intelligence and police agencies."
"Essentially the French government, police, and military based in Paris are cut off completely," said Secretary of Defense Nate Williams. "There is confusion among military bases to the south of the city and some generals are in communications with the British about restoring order but the entire command structure in France is dysfunctional as of now."
"In addition," McDaniels said, bringing satellite photos of burning buildings and chaotic Parisian streets, "Homegrown militant Islamic forces in the Paris suburbs have rallied into armed gangs and we believe at least 700 people have already been killed in rampages by armed gangs. The same suburbs that erupted in riots last time. Satellite imagery indicates that the rioters are heading for the heart of the city."
"Have we
discussed a military option with our allies in other NATO states?"
Mike asked simply. "If these people reach central Paris, it will be
an international catastrophe."
McDaniels replied. "Again,
communications is only starting between the British emergency
response and French military units stationed south of Paris, beyond
the radius of the computer virus."
"We need to
get it straightened out about who in France is leading the response,"
Heller said. "Any news from London?"
"Jim," Mike said, "I
just got off the phone with Prime Minister Landsdowne. He is hesitant
to call for a cancellation of the Games but he and the IOC
(International Olympic Committee) have agreed to a one-day suspension
of competition to commemorate the lives lost in the Paris attacks."
Heller nodded. "Between this crisis and the Sunbelt mess I
doubt the media will be covering the Norway vs. Brazil soccer opener
anyway."
"The press is demanding a statement from you,"
Laura Johnston, the press secretary, said. "Both on the airline
issue and the France crisis. I can't keep them waiting like that."
Heller nodded. "Tell them I'll be holding a press conference
later tonight outside the hotel. What's the analysis from CTU?"
Heller asked.
"We believe only the person responsible for
creating the virus can stop it."
PARIS APARTMENT BUILDING
"Jack,"
Chloe radioed in from CTU, "You have groups of hostiles inside the
elevators and other heading up the stairwells."
"Are we
getting any reinforcements?" Jack asked. "We're running low on
ammo and there's more and more of them coming."
"Did you
talk to Pierre yet?"
"Pierre's dead, Chloe. He was trying to
tell me something, like he believes DuJour has something to do with
this."
"The top
French counterterrosim official?"
"Yes, I know this doesn't
make sense, but we need to get out of this alive first before we can
try to figure things out."
Chloe was trembling. "Jack, I'm
scared," she said. "Sometimes I just don't know what this world
is coming to!"
"Chloe, I need you to focus. Think about
everything we've been through. We've gotten through those things,
and we WILL get through today. I made a promise to Audrey today, and
I'm not going to break it."
"Ok, I'll try," Chloe
replied, the level of confidence in her voice not reassuring to Jack.
Chase and Jack
went into the elevator shaft on the 11th floor and saw two elevators
rising rapidly. They placed explosive charges in the shaft and
dropped satchel charges down. The two agents ran as quickly as they
could away from the core of the building as the explosives denoated,
destroying several walls and sending dust and debris flying.
A
door burst opened and Jack tossed a grenade, killing several
attackers. Chase squeezed off several rounds, killing six armed
rioters, and they retreated further to the roof.
"Jack,"
Chloe said. "There's a French Army chopper inbound, ETA 5
minutes. We've gotten in contact with the base at Le
Bourget."
"Roger."
"That should be enough time,"
Chase said.
Jack didn't' say anything.
HOUSTON
The
camera shows a young man dressed in a designer suit walking out of a
restaurant into the outdoor dining area, located on a porch-type
setting surrounded by magnolias and weeping willows. The song "Bad
Day" by Daniel Powter plays softly in the background in the
restaurant's radio as he sits down at candlelit table with Suz
Novick, who looks emotionally drained.
"Like I was saying,
Jason" Suz said, "All of a sudden I'm in the national
spotlight. I hate to consider the possibility that the Chinese chose
Sunbelt just because I work there and they are doing this as a way to
get at my father."
Jason handed her
some extra butter for the bread. The plates indicate this is a
Morton's Steakhouse restaurant. "Nah, they just want an easier
industry to get into, and Sunbelt was on the rocks ever since the
crash in Jacksonville. You could blame it on the mechanics. And on
all those high-speed rail proponents with their ridiculous magnetic
train plans to link us with Dallas and New Orleans. Remember, nobody
even really paid attention to you back then."
Even after her
dad became Vice President following the Logan mess, she still was
surprisingly able to keep a low profile, but not anymore.
"I
know how things are between me and dad, but, you know, deep down I
really wish things didn't have to be this way."
"Yeah, I
remember when you were first hired, how excited you were, you nearly
knocked me down trying to embrace me. Better than any quarterback I
played against in high school," he said with a smile. Suz had to
respond with a cute grin, brushing her beautiful dirty blond hair
back and looking at him with her dazzling green eyes.
"So your
dad wanted to talk to you today," he said.
She gave him a
knowing look. "He told you about our conversation, didn't he? So
is he, umm, asking you to ask me something for him? So typical, ain't
it?"
"Well, Suz,
we're not here to discuss you and your dad, but if you want to
know, I'll tell ya. But remember, you're the one that matters to
me, not him."
Suz gave a funny look. "Go for it, I'll see
what else is new."
"He and Heller got tickets on board your
flight to California tomorrow. The man of the people image, flying
coach on a low-cost carrier, PLUS the family man, then they're
going to take a bus into Oakland and volunteer at a soup kitchen with
the cameras rolling. They can't win California without the minority
votes."
"I never thought I'd be surprised about what my dad
and Heller could do, but I guess they never cease to amaze me.
"In
the office today, Carlos was comparing you to that "good girl"
Audrey."
"Don't even get me started about her."
PARIS
The
French military helicopter arrived out of nowhere, since it was a
moonless night and the only light came from the fires below. All of
Paris was pitch black. The chopper made a pass and fired heavy
machine gun rounds into the windows of the apartment building where
the attackers had congregated and landed on the rooftop. Kim carried
Angela onto the aircraft, then Jack and Chase boarded with the
others.
"Jack," Chloe radioed, "The troops will be taking
you to Le Bourget, where the U.S. military also has a presence."
Jack couldn't
say anything about DuJour since they were surrounded by French
soldiers. Hopefully these troops have not been in contact with CAT.
"Chloe, I need to speak with the President," Jack said. .
CAT
Monique Deverux
looked up from her workstation. "Comms are starting up again. So
far we still don't have any idea where the virus originated and we
are still vulnerable. We are on backup power, this will last for 12
hours before it shuts down too."
DuJour nodded as he went into
his private office and closed the door.
"Yes, our fighters
confirmed it, Faisal has martyred himself along with many brave holy
warriors," Mohammed said.
"And you are
sure Bauer has seen the phone?"
"We cannot take any chances.
Our people and your tribe have both staked too much. It is the first
time in generations that a strike like this is within our grasp."
"I
will have Bauer taken into custody and I will handle him. It should
not be a problem. Have my people received the virus from the Abu
yet?"
"Yes, it was transmitted twenty five minutes ago. I
wish the best for your success in your war," Mohammed said. "But
we will be standing by just in case."
"Hopefully I will not
need you anymore, but that would be appreciated."
He cut the
connection.
Split screens show Jack and Chase in the French transport helicopter lifting off across the Paris's slummy housing projects, the van with Jake Francis, and then back to the restaurant in Texas.
"You know, no
matter what happens tomorrow, life goes on. You're always going to
be you, and that's what I love so much about you. Nothing will ever
change that," Jason said as he took a sip of red wine and began
eating his juicy steak. "When I got into that accident, I thought I
didn't have anything to live for anymore. I was set to be star
player at Wisconsin but I lost everything cause my friend was a fool
and drank fifteen shots before getting into his car. But, you know, I
had to move on, and here I am now."
"Not bad I'd say," she
smiled. She didn't have to mention that he was the reason they were
living in their nice big house and enjoying this fancy dinner. Suz
had made it a point never to use her dad for money or connections. He
took out something and placed it on the table. It was a wedding ring.
"No matter
what happens in the next couple hours, I," he hesitated briefly, "I
will always love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with
you."
She seemed dazed and at a loss for words.
"Will you
marry me, Suz?" he said.
Suddenely her phone rang and she was
silent for several long seconds. The phone kept on ringing and she
looked at the caller ID.
"Mr.
Ingrahms?" she asked, "I thought we're meeting at the
airport…"
"Yes we are," he said as we see a split screen
of him walking down a hallway. "But unfortunately I have some
terrible news to tell you. Sheila Cohen and her brother Dave have
been killed in an accident near Sugar Lakes."
Suz dropped the
phone and Jason immediately got up to help her, attracting glances
from the other patrons.
SOUTHAMPTON,
ENGLAND
A man played by DONALD SUTHERLAND walks down a set of
stairs at a dusty pier onto the sandy shore. He looks very worn and
is dressed in raggedly clothes.
A car pulls up and the driver is
Jane Saunders. He hands her a large suitcase.
"Jane, I'm so
glad to see you again," he said.
"I can't believe you're
going through this after all you've done for Britain and
America."
"We all knew it when we joined," Sutherland's
character said. "My only regret is my son, not being able to say
goodbye to him. It pains me to see he's gone down the same path I
have, and look where it's taken him."
Jane paused. "Your
son is…no, that can't be serious."
…….3AM