Author's note: Thank you very much for the support I get. Specially thanks very much to SithKiller24 for putting this story in the favorite list! It made my day.
I sincerely apologize if you are confused by the amount of agents and white house staffers, but I try to make this story as realistic as I can and, in real life, there are a lot of agents and staffers. You might remember some of the names from Day 7 and Day 8. Like agents Reynolds, Charters, Turner, Hobson and Teller. They didn't have first names on the show, so I had to make them up. Allison's assistant Patrick appeared on day 7, and Susan was Allison's assistant on day 8, but they didn't have last names.
CNB is a fictional network that appeared on 24.
Clarification: Paul and Andrew Geselovsky, who appear in this chapter, were actually mentioned in the extra material we got from Operation Hero. They worked for Vladimir six years before Day 8 and were arrested. It's never stated whether they were free by the time Day 8 came or not. It's not said whether they were working for Vladimir on Day 8 or not. It's also never said if they were brothers, cousins, or had any other relation. In my imagination, they are identical twins who left prison sometime after Day 8.
Disclaimer: The show's not mine. Neither are the characters. I just own the necklace Elisha Cubert used on season 7, the earrings Cherry Jones used on season 8, Marie Warner's purse and the complete set of DVDs.
CHAPTER 14:
"Liberty is down"
Previously:
Renee and Jack made up after their fight over the situation with Leo.
A mysterious woman who calls herself Brooke put a substance in Jack's coffee. As a result, he had a hypertensive crisis and was taken to MedStar Washington Hospital Center. The president's doctor, Charlotte Altman, is trying to figure out why Jack got sick.
FBI agent Dale Reynolds is a mole. He found a video that showed Suvarov and Novakovich planning to kill Omar Hassan. He hid it and blackmailed Brooke.
Zoe's husband showed up drunk in the White House, so Erik told her to go home. He'll go to the capitol instead of her.
President Taylor is getting ready to give the State of the Union Address.
A group of mercenaries, with the help of Russian gangsters and the assassin known as Mandy, planed an attack on the capitol. The gangsters and the terrorists posed as police officers while Mandy posed as a secret service agent called Melanie kirshner.
Leo was shot in his left leg and right shoulder. He was taken to Sibley Memorial Hospital.
A corrupt agent called Dexter fixed the security cameras in the capitol building so the terrorist don't be seen.
Brendan Marson killed two secret service agents (Tara Banning and Dominic Janssen) and put a bomb in a hallway that led to the main chamber of the capitol. Brendan also planted false evidence so the agents would get blamed for the attack. Meanwhile, Nolan planted a bomb in a different hallway and killed and framed two other agents (Davis Christensen and Darius Blane).
Mandy planted a bomb in the podium where the president would speak.
The following takes place between 09.00 PM and 10.00 PM, on the day of the State of the Union Address.
January 29th 2019 – Wednesday
Washington DC. – Zoe and Todd Forrest's appartment
09.02.16 PM
Zoe was sitting on a couch watching the news on TV. She was very interested in watching the state of the union address. Her husband, on the other hand, was drinking and playing computer games.
On the TV, a male news anchor was talking to his audience.
"Welcome, this is Everett Winlock"
"And I'm Marsha Tomlin", his colleague added. "This is a special edition of CNB Night News".
"In approximately five minutes President Taylor will give the state of the Union Address", Everett announced. "The president seems to be slightly behind schedule. They must be polishing the speech"
"This is definitely one of the most important speeches of President Taylor's political life", Marsha commented. "Her approval ratings have dropped twenty points since the events of last May. The white House is hoping to get her numbers up with this speech"
Everett was told something through his com devise.
"Now we'll go with Kevin Albridge, reporting from the Capitol", he said. The TV screen split showing Everett on the right and Kevin on the left. "Tell me Kevin… do we know the reason why President Taylor is late for the speech?".
"Nothing is said about that", Kevin said. "But I understand that Cal Coleman and Lynnette Lockhart have been doing some last minute changes to the speech"
"Any idea what those changes are about?", Marsha asked.
Kevin nodded. "The most significant one is that the President will announce that The Moss-Buchanan Advanced Patriot Act, will be introduced in congress for consideration. But it'll be introduced with a change. Now the bill specifically forbids the use of Hyroxine Pentoral".
At that moment, someone said something to Everett through the com devise he had in his ear. So he had to interrupt Kevin.
"I'm sorry, Kevin. They tell me President Taylor has arrived to the capitol right now. We'll be with you later"
Kevin nodded. Everett then addressed the audience.
"Now we'll be showing you the state of the union address live and commenting it as it develops"
09.03.44 – 09.03.45 – 09.03.46 - 09.03.47 PM
Capitol Building
The presidential motorcade arrived to the capitol. They were received by the Director of secret service White House Operator, Nathan O'Malley, and his second in command, Jerry Bradshaw. Ethan, Allison, her assistant Patrick, Renee and Caldwell emerged from one of the limousines, while Angie Nelson Lynnette Lockhart and Susan, another assistant to the president, came out from the other one.
"Good Luck, my darling", Ethan whispered in Allison's ear. Then he gave her a kiss on the lips and rushed inside the capitol to take his place in the main chamber.
"Good luck, ma'am", Angie said. Allison gave her a smile and squeezed affectionately her hand. Angie smiled back and left quickly to take her place. The press secretary, naturally, had to be in the press area of the building. She and Ethan walked very fast to get to the main chamber before the president.
"You'll be amazing, Madam President", Renee said to Allison with her lips slightly curbed up in a smile.
Allison smiled back. "Thank you"
Renee then hurried to catch up with Ethan, since she had to sit next to him. They were followed promptly by two of Ethan's secret service agents: Hoyt Pulley and Dustin Hayes.
"Let's all try to breathe regular", Ethan said as they walked towards their places.
He had noticed Renee was really nervous. It was her first State of the Union Address as Chief of Staff and she was still learning about how everything worked. They finally reached the First Gentleman's box.
Secret Service agents, Arizona Rush and Garrick Adamson were already there, having come a little bit earlier for a security check. They were in charge of Renee's safety due the earlier attempt on her life.
Muriel Hayworth, the Vice President's wife, was also there, along with their oldest daughter Aspen. Aspen was a bright woman in her early 20's who worked for her father and was extremely interested in politics. The Hayworths's youngest daughter, Amber, had chosen to stay home. The women were naturally being protected by their own secret service agents.
They all exchanged greetings and smiles.
Then Ethan greeted the other eleven people in his private box. Those people had been chosen by Ethan to sit with him because of their achievements. For instance, Dr. Sunny Meyer, who had discovered the cure for brain-degenerative diseases and an American writer who had won the Literature Novel Prize.
They all took their seats, except the agents, who stood discretely behind.
Renee whispered to herself: "Just breathe regular".
09.05.02 – 09.05.03 – 09.05.04 - 09.05.05 PM
Allison, Caldwell, Lynnette and Susan were inside the building heading to the main entrance of the main chamber. As they walked, Caldwell read part of the speech.
"Those of us in the future will demand boldly putting aside our partisan..."
"...blunders and abandoning our ideological entrenchment", Lynnette read right after her boss. "Those of us in the future will demand boldly putting aside our partisan blinders and abandoning our ideological entrenchment".
"Yeah", Caldwell approved with a nod.
Then they shared a meaningful look. They had finally finished the speech.
"That's it", Lynnette said.
"Phone it to the Prompter", Caldwell said.
Lynnette then left to do just that.
Caldwell handed Allison the speech in a leather portfolio.
"Knock then dead, Madam", Caldwell said.
They continued walking down the hallway to the main chamber. At the entrance to the chamber, an elderly gentleman called Samuel Finney.
"Madam", Samuel greeted with a nod.
Allison nodded back. Then she bowed her head and linked her hands together to pray silently. One she finished, she addressed Samuel.
"Mr. Finney, would you tell the Speaker I'm here, please?", she requested solemnly.
Samuel nodded and entered the chamber. He announced very loudly:
"Mr. Speaker… the president of the United States"
Everyone inside the chamber applauded vigorously as Allison entered the chamber, with only Nathan and Jerry following her. The president smiled and shook a few hands on her way to the podium that was on a wooden platform. She shook hands with Darren Berger, the President pro-tempore of the senate.
"Good luck, madam", he said with a grin.
The Speaker of the House, Stuart Forbes, also greeted the president politely.
"Welcome to the capitol, Madam President", he told her.
They shook hands rather awkwardly because Stuart was against everything Allison supported.
"Thank you", Allison replied with a nod.
Stuart took his seat on a chair that was on the podium, behind the president's chair, over her left shoulder. Vice President Mitchell Hayworth greeted Allison as well and took his seat next to Speaker Forbes, at his right.
Nathan and Jerry stood discretely next to Hayworth and Forbes. Secret Service had never stood in the platform with the podium during the State of the Union address, until the death of Wayne Palmer. The world was more dangerous than ever. Agent Oliver Hobson and his partner Wallace Hoskins were also nearby, but not on the platform.
Allison stood behind the podium and, with a smile, gestured for the applauses to stop. After a while the applauses subsided.
The president began her speech with passion.
"Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, fellow citizens…"
She didn't get to say another word.
Nathan noticed the cellphone in the podium's inner shelf and widened his eyes horrified. But he didn't have the chance to do anything.
Allison, Mitchell, Stuart, Nathan and Jerry were pushed back by the blast. They fell to the ground on their backs.
A big ball of fire devoured the platform and the podium.
There was panic and yelling all around. Chaos reigned. People desperately tried to run towards the exits in an unorganized fashion.
Nathan rushed immediately to the president's side. Allison was lying on the floor unconscious with burns on her face and hands. Her clothes had caught fire, so Jerry and Nathan promptly rushed to her side to put it off.
"Code black!", Nathan yelled to the com devise he had in his wrist. "Liberty is down! I repeat… liberty is down!"
Agents Trevor Montgomery and Tyler Ingleton rushed quickly towards the vice president. Hayworth had only minor burns and a bump on the head. The agents rushed to take it to safety.
"I've got Swordsman", Tyler announced to his cuff mic. "Is exit B cleared?"
"It is", another agent told him.
At the same time, Ethan was trying to rush to Allison's side but agents Pulley and Hayes were restraining him.
"No! Allison! Allison!", Ethan yelled desperately.
"Sir, you need to come with us!", Agent Pulley told him firmly. Then he announced to his cuff mic: "We've got Lancelot. We're heading to exit A"
The agents grabbed Ethan by both arms and took him to the main exit as he protested in vain.
Meanwhile, Arizona and Garrick were restraining Renee. The agents wanted to take her to an exit soon because the building was quickly filling up with smoke.
"Let me go! Let me go!", Renee screamed as she tried to get released from their hold.
Muriel and Aspen were taken soon to exit C by their own Secret Service agents, Agent Daniel Hall and Agent Vince Cranston.
"We have Star and Sunshine", agent Cranston announced to his cuff mic. "Heading to exit C"
The agents opened the door to the hallway that led to exit C and were shocked by what their saw. They saw agents Tara Banning and Dominic Janssen dead on the floor.
Before Muriel and Aspen's agents could do anything, the cellphones in Tara and Dominic's body exploded.
While that happened, agents Trevor Montgomery and Tyler Ingleton, along with agents Cody Gillette and Colin McGrath, were taking the Vice President, the Chief justice of the Supreme Court, the majority leader of the senate and majority leader of the house to exit B. They reached the door that led to the hallway. Trevor and Cody entered first to clear it. They saw agents Davis Christensen and Darius Blane dead on the floor. Soon, the cellphones on Davis and Christensen blew up.
The two secondary explosions in exits B and C generated even more panic.
Renee grew more desperate. She hit her two agents and ran towards Allison. Arizona and Garrick chased her.
Suddenly, huge chandelier hanging from the ceiling fell over Arizona. Renee stopped. She and Garrick ran toward Arizona but soon noticed that Arizona had died. Garrick was devastated but kept doing his job. Instantly, he grabbed Renee, scooped her up against her will and carried her to the main exit while she protested.
"Please! Let me see the president!", she begged.
"She's being taken outside too. You can see her there", Garrick told her and carried her to safety. "I've got Ruby", he then announced to his cuff mic.
09.09.58 – 09.09.59 – 09.09.00 - 09.09.01 PM
In the TV station, everybody was stunned. They had seen a blast, the smoke filling the building and people running desperately to safety. But then the camera they had in the capitol fell and stopped working.
Marsha and Everett were astonished.
"Oh, my God!", Marsha exclaimed while covering her mouth with her hand in horror.
In the control room, everybody was just as stunned and trying to find out what happened.
"Go to commercials!", a male producer called Wade Harris shouted. They needed to regroup.
They went abruptly to commercials.
"I don't believe this", commented Marsha, about to cry.
"What the hell happened?!", Everett yelled loudly.
"There was an explosion", Wade said, stating the one thing everybody knew at that point.
"Really?!", Everett asked sarcastically.
A moment later a female producer showed up visibly agitated.
"I've got Kevin on the phone", she announced. "The camera is broken because of the explosion".
"Okay, Everett, Marsha…", Wade, also clearly disturbed, said to his anchors. "Kevin is on the phone. You'll guys go live now".
"All right", Marsha agreed blinking rapidly.
"Five… four… three…two… one…", Wade counted back. "Go!"
Everett started taking to the audience sounding deadly serious.
"The unthinkable has happened. There was an explosion in the capitol when President Taylor was starting to give the State of the Union Address. We have on the phone our colleague Kevin Abridge who is there", then he addressed Kevin. "Kevin, what happened there?"
Kevin was visibly shaken up.
"Well…", he began talking and scratched the back of his head nervously. "The president started giving the speech, but she barely got a few words in", he explained babbling really fast. "Suddenly, a bomb that was on the podium exploded. And, while the building was being evacuated, two more bombs exploded in two of the exits"..
"How is the president?", Marsha asked, not hiding her emotions. Her eyes were watery.
"Nobody will tell us", Kevin answered with frustration in his voice. "People saw secret service putting her in an ambulance. But nobody can tell whether she's alive or not".
"And the vice president?", Everett asked. He managed to remain calm.
"He was last being taken to an ambulance too. But he didn't seem badly hurt"
"Is anybody dead?", Marsha asked.
"We don't know", Kevin admitted.
"Do we know who did it?", Everett asked.
"Not a clue", kevin replied, shaking his head. "Right now all we know is that three bombs exploded in the capitol. I'll try to get more information as soon as possible"
"Please, Kevin. We'll be waiting for you", Everett said. He looked down and then back to his audience. "As you can see, at this moment we have very little information about the despicable attack on the capitol. But I do know this… Marsha and I will be with you through this whole crisis. We'll give you all the information we get as soon as we get it"
09.10.35 – 09.10.36 – 09.10.37 - 09.10.38 PM
Zoe's house
Zoe and Todd were watching the news and felt horrified.
"Holly shit!", Todd exclaimed in profound disbelief.
Zoe's eyes got teary. She was terrified. What if the president, Renee or Erik were dead? Maybe all of them had perished.
"I have to go there", she said, as she started gathering her things.
Todd was puzzled.
"To do what? There's nothing you can do"
"Renee might need me"
"Oh, for God's sake!", Todd exclaimed with frustration.
"And I have to see Erik, Todd"
"He's not your husband!", Todd yelled suddenly infuriated.
Zoe thought, but wisely didn't say, that Erik was her work-husband. There was also a feeling of guilt consuming the young woman.
"But it's my fault that he was at the capitol. If he's dead that's on me", she said and a few tears rolled down her cheeks.
"If you leave this house you'll regret it!" Todd threatened.
But Zoe left anyway, walking very fast.
"Damn it!", Todd yelled and hit a wall harshly.
Then he sat on the couch to continue watching the news.
Meanwhile, Zoe got into her car.
At the same time, an ambulance was taking Allison to the hospital with Jerry Bradshaw looking after her and Ethan lovingly holding her hand.
Right then, a paramedic was checking on Renee outside the capitol building.
09.12.02 – 09.12.03 – 09.12.04 - 09.12.05 PM
09.14.16 – 09.14.17 – 09.14.18 - 09.14.19 PM
President Taylor was still being taken to Bethesda Naval Hospital while Ethan prayed by her side.
At that moment, Zoe was heading to the White House.
Meanwhile, a paramedic was checking Vice President Hayworth's minor injuries.
Right then, firefighters were still putting off the fire and some parts of the capitol were collapsing.
09.14.24 – 09.14.25 – 09.14.26 - 09.14.27 PM
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Jack was lying in his hospital bed, unaware of what had happened. He hadn't gotten the chance to watch the news because the doctors had been examining him and running a lot of tests on him. He was about to request that someone put the TV on.
Then Dr. Charlotte Altman walked in and gave him a smile. She also didn't know about the attack.
"Good news, Mr. Bauer", she announced cheerfully. "The full-body scan showed nothing. You don't have a tumor. The bad news is that we don't know what caused the hypertensive crisis"
At that moment, they were interrupted by two secret service agents who quickly busted into the room.
"Dr. Altman? Secret Service", one of the agents said while both of them showed their badges.
"You need to come with us", the agent said while she grabbed her by the arm.
"What happened?", she asked, already getting scared.
"What's going on?", Jack asked simultaneously.
"Three bombs went off in the capitol. President Taylor is seriously injured", one agent explained, while he rushed Charlotte out of the room.
Jack felt terrified. His skin turned white. Renee was in the capitol. What if she was dead? He got dressed as fast as humanly possible and left the room. He ran and finally caught up with the agents, who were putting Charlotte in a helicopter.
"Is someone dead?", Jack asked the agents. He could feel the sweat wetting his forehead.
"We don't know", one of the agents told him.
Without saying anything else, the agents got in the helicopter with Dr. Altman and then it took off.
Jack took his cellphone and tried to call Renee but he only got the voice mail.
"Damn it!", Jack yelled with frustration.
He left the heliport and ran desperately down the hospital's hallway to get to Renee as soon as possible.
He made it to his car and left the hospital.
09.16.09 – 09.16.10 – 09.16.11 - 09.16.12 PM
Capitol Building
Inside an ambulance parked near the capitol a male paramedic was taking care of some minor cuts in her hands. She had cuts in her hands because of the chandelier that had fallen close to her. The light bulbs had busted. She had instinctively used her hands to protect her face.
"You seem okay to me, Ms. Walker", he said, as he checked her lungs to see if the smoke had affected her. "But those bruises…". He shook his head worriedly. Renee had a purple circle above her right eyebrow and a bigger purple circle on the right cheek. "We should do a scan to rule out a head injury"
"The bruises are old", Renee explained. "I was in a car accident a month ago. And I was kidnapped earlier today". She sighed. It was a sentence she never thought she would say.
"Right", the paramedic said nodding. "I saw it on the news".
Without saying another word, Renee walked away. She saw Nathan O'Malley who seemed to be desperately searching for someone. He seemed unharmed except for some blood coming from inside his ears and a bump in the head.
"Nate, is the president dead?", she asked with anxiety in her voice and features.
"No. She's being taken to the hospital. She's unconscious and has what seemed third and second degree burns " he replied practically yelling as he kept walking and looking for someone.
"How the hell could this happen, Nate?", Renee asked brusquely, trying to keep up with him.
But Nathan had no time to continue talking to her.
"Not now, Renee" , he told her without even looking at her. He was asking himself the same question but had no answer.
He rushed to talk to his protégée, Agent Evan McDonell, who was completely unharmed because he had put himself in charge of guarding the outside of the capitol.
"Where the hell is agent Kirchner?", he asked, yelling.
"I don't know", Evan replied.
"She was the last person to check the podium", Nathan explained talking really fast and loudly. "We need to find her now!"
The beautiful agent, Melinda Kirchner, had been the last agent to clear the podium and now she was missing. Nathan was now suspecting that she was a dirty element infiltrated in the service.
Evan talked to his cuff-mic.
"We need a twenty on Agent Melinda Kirchner"
Renee overheard the conversation but decided to demand explanations later. She had to find the Vice President. In her search, she saw Speaker Forbes seemingly unconscious on a gurney. He was burn so badly that he was barely recognizable.
"Is that Speaker Forbes?", Renee asked.
"Yeah", a paramedic replied nodding. He then covered Forbes with a white blanket, looked at Renee and shook his head sadly.
Renee sighed gloomily and quickly continued looking for the vice president. She finally saw Hayworth inside an ambulance. The paramedics were putting cream in his burns and covering them with bandages. The vice president's chief of staff, Derek Watts was next to him. The young chief of staff only had only small cuts in his face and hands.
"Where's my family?", Hayworth was yelling desperately at his agents. "I want to see Muriel and Aspen now!".
"Sir, we are trying hard to find them", an agent told him.
"We are talking about my wife and daughter!", Hayworth protested. "Find then now!"
Renee approached the vice president. She was already in crisis mode.
"Sir, right now the president is unconscious, so you're acting president", she told him. "How do you wish to proceed?"
The vice president remained silent as he thought about what to do.
At that moment, Agent Tyler Ingleton approached Derek and took him aside to tell him something. Derek's eyes and mouth opened suddenly in horror. His skin was white. In shock, he addressed Hayworth.
"Mr. Vice President?", he called his boss's attention. Derek looked at him with pity. "I'm so sorry, sir. Muriel and Aspen are dead"
Renee covered her mouth, horrified. She felt really bad for the Vice President.
Hayworth was obviously crushed. It was the most horrible moment of his life. He shook his head, not wanting to believe it was true.
"No! No! It's not possible!", he screamed.
"I'm sorry, sir", Derek told him sincerely and put a hand on his boss's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, sir", Renee told him sincerely. She gave him five seconds to process everything before talking again. "Sir… We need to get the commanders and the joint chiefs together. We should take our forces to Defcom Four and declare state of emergency in the DC metropolitan area. We should also bring out the National Guard. And all the governors should send emergency delegates"
Hayworth was naturally crying over the loss of his family. He couldn't even speak. He simply nodded.
Renee considered his nod as an order.
Agent Ingleton interrupted the talk.
"We have to take him to the White House!", he yelled anxiously. He was yelling partly because of the tension and partly because his ears were severely hurt and his hearing was compromised.
Agent Ingleton and Agent Colin McGrath put the Vice President in a limousine. Derek and Renee got in the limousine with them. Renee took her cellphone and noticed that it was off, since she had turned it off for the stated of the union address. Once it was on again, she began making calls to make Hayworth's orders happen.
"I need to talk to Amber", Hayworth said, talking about his teenage daughter. Derek dutifully gave him a cellphone. "And get her to the White House", the vice president ordered his agents. He then dialed the number to call his daughter.
Amber had found out about the attack through internet and was now watching the news TV as she searched information online at the same time. The pre-teen's twitter and facebook accounts were flooded by messages of people asking about her father.
"Miss, your father is on the phone", a butler told her while handing her the phone.
"Daddy? Oh, God, Daddy! Are you allright?", she asked with tears in her eyes.
"Yes, baby doll. I'm okay", he told her, trying hard not to cry.
"And mom and Aspen?"
Hayworth swallowed a lump on his throat. He didn't want to break such bad news over the phone.
"They are hurt. And, honey… it's serious", he said, so his daughter could prepare herself before finding out the truth. "Look, they'll take you to the White House. I'll see you there". He swallowed another lump on his throat. "I love you so much, honey"
"I love you too, daddy", Amber said, then she quickly twitted "DAD OK", knowing the world would want to know. After that, she twitted "Mom and Aspen seriously hurt. Please, pray for them".
Meanwhile, in the limousine, the vice president was finding it difficult not to cry.
Renee just gave him a very concerned look. Tragedy had hit him. He was going through a horrible time. Was he ready to lead the nation in a time of crisis? After all, he wasn't Jack Bauer.
"Sir?", Renee interrupted Hayworth's thoughts. "What about the cabinet?"
Hayworth was looking through the window and took a moment before staring at Renee.
"I want to see them all in the bunker", he ordered. He made another pause. "Did they all make it?"
"I think so", Renee answered nodding. "I'll check. But one of them should stay in a different secured location"
"It makes sense", the vice president agreed.
Renee waited a moment, waiting for the vice president to choose a cabinet member to stay in the different location. But Hayworth said nothing.
"Who?", she finally asked.
"I don't know", Hayworth admitted.
"Laura Torrence was already chosen as designated survivor for the speech"
"Keep her as designated survivor then", Hayworth said, seemingly annoyed. "Jesus, Renee! Do you have to ask me about every little thing? Can't you make a fucking decision for yourself?"
They were all startled by Hayworth's use of the F word. But obviously nobody said anything.
Renee simply took her cellphone and began making the necessary calls to make the Vice President's orders happen. Derek used his own cellphone to help her.
09.20.28 – 09.20.29 – 09.20.30 - 09.20.31 PM
Jack's car
Jack was driving like a maniac in direction to the White House, since he knew his place was in the situation room. As he drove, he tried to call Renee again and got the voice mail once again.
"Damn it!", he screamed.
He decided to call his deputy, Nora McNally, who was in the white house. For security reasons, nobody was allowed to use cellphones inside the White House. So, in order to reach her he called the White House Situation Room.
The situation room was packed with people from the CIA, the NSA and the DOD. A lot of them were wearing Military uniforms. They were all busy working. A low-rank military man picked up the phone.
"Situation room"
"This is Bauer. I need to speak to Colonel McNally now!", Jack said rudely.
"She's being taken to the bunker", the soldier explained.
"Patch me through the bunker then", Jack ordered. He almost hit another car. The streets of Washington were chaotic.
The man did as told.
An agent guarding the entrance to the bunker picked up the phone.
"Yes?"
"I need to speak with Colonel McNally", Jack said.
"Colonel McNally?", the guard asked out loud for confirmation.
Just at that moment, Nora walked into the quickly bunker along with other essential personnel. They all showed the guards the special card that authorized them to go to the bunker in moments such as the one they were living then.
"Colonel, you have a call", the guard told her after reading the name in her card.
Nora immediately picked up the phone.
"Yes?"
"Nora? It's Jack"
"Jack! Can you believe this?"
"Listen, I'm heading to the White House right now", Jack informed.
"But you're sick. You're supposed to spend the night in the hospital"
"Yeah. That's not gonna happen", Jack affirmed predictably. "How's the president?"
"They are not telling us much. We just know that she's alive. But, Jack… she's in critical condition"
"You have the dead toll?"
Nora shook her head.
"Not yet"
"Who's with you?"
"Greene, Swan and Anderson", she replied. She was talking about the Under Secretary of defense for intelligence, the Under Secretary of defense for policy and the CIA director.
"What about Heller and Fenwik?", Jack asked, referring to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of defense.
"Fenwik is on his way. Heller was taken to the hospital", Nora replied.
"What happened?", he asked,
"Just a precaution because he hit his head and inhaled too much smoke. It's not too serious though", Nora informed talking very fast.
"Okay", Jack sighed relieved. "Is any group claiming responsibility?"
"Not yet", Nora said.
"I'll see you soon", he told her and disconnected the call. Then he called to CTU DC. Director Chloe O'Brian took the call after one ring.
"O'Brian"
"Chloe, it's me"
"Jack! Thank God!", Chloe said with clear relief. She was unaware of Jack's health crisis, so she thought he was at the capitol during the explosion. "Are you okay?"
"Yes", he said, without time to explain that he was at the hospital and why. "You are at CTU, right?"
"Yes. But Morris was there. He was working along with some secret service guy called Dexter Brewer"
Jack got alarmed, knowing how devastated Chloe would feel if her husband died. "Is Morris okay?"
"Yeah. Thank God he wasn't hurt", Chloe answered. "What about Renee?"
Jack swallowed a lump that quickly grew in his throat before answering.
"I don't know", he admitted with clear strain in his voice.
Chloe was surprised to hear that, since she had assumed Jack and Renee were together.
"Well, I'm sure she's fine", she said to make Jack feel better.
"Yeah", Jack whispered. "Look, you've got to send us a CTU guy to work as liaison"
"Gee, you think?", Chloe asked with obvious sarcasm.
"We'll send you a guy too", Jack stated.
"I know the protocol", Chloe said. "I'll send Morris"
"Renee will decide who we send", Jack told her. He made a pause. "If she's alive"
His vision was blurred by unshed tears.
09.22.36 – 09.22.37 – 09.22.38 - 09.22.39 PM
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Dr. Charlotte Altman got out of the helicopter after arriving to Bethesda Naval hospital and was received by the chief of the Navy Medical Corps.
"I'm Commander Alton Templeton", he shook her hand. "You are Dr. Altman?"
"Yes", she confirmed. "How's the president?"
"Stable, for now", the commander replied as they headed quickly to the OR. "She has severe pulmonary contusion, bleeding and swelling with damage to alveoli and blood vessels because of the shock waves resulting from the blast. Also, a fragment of the bomb lacerated her aortic artery. Besides, she has second and third degree burns. But what worries me the most is that another fragment of the bomb is stuck in her brain."
"How are we going to proceed?", Charlotte asked. She was trying to be professional and cold like the commander, but she was failing.
"You'll work on the lungs and the heart while our neurosurgeon works on her brain. Then our plastic surgeon will fix the burns. I will, of course, supervise everything"
They finally reached the antechamber of the OR. Charlotte washed carefully her arms and hands. Then some nurses helped her put scrubs, a surgical hat, globes and a surgical mask. Once ready, she took a deep breath and walked into the OR. There were about ten people in there, including secret service agents. The neurosurgeon was already working on the president's brain. For the brain surgery, they had to shave the president's head.
Dr. Altman gave her a look and was about to cry. Her hands were a little bit shaky. She didn't want to be responsible for the death of President Taylor. The fate of the world was quite literally in Charlotte's hands. It was too much pressure. She was regretting taking the job in the first place. As a former combat doctor, she was used to working fast in terrible circumstances. But she had never held the fate of the world in her hands or have millionths of people expectantly watching the news to see whether she failed or not.
Commander Templeton noticed Charlotte's nervousness and spoke to her very firmly.
"Dr. Altman, right now the lady on your table is not the president. She's not the leader of the free world. Right now she's simply a patient. She's a normal lady who needs you. And all of us are gonna do what we always do… we are gonna save our patient". He made a dramatic pause as he continue. "We are all here because we are the best at what we do. We have to trust our abilities. Can you do that?"
There was a pause as Charlotte considered Alton's words.
"Yes, sir", Charlotte finally responded firmly. "Scalpel", she requested.
Someone gave her a scalpel, which she took with a steady hand. She then opened Allison's chest to fix the heart and the lungs. Charlotte Altman, born to be a surgeon, was now in her element.
09.25.39 – 09.25.40 – 09.25.41 - 09.25.42 PM
News Station
News anchors Everett and Marsha continued informing the people about what was going on. They were live and millionths of distraught and shocked Americans were watching them.
"We can confirm now that the Speaker of the House, Stuart Forbes is deceased", Everett informed somberly.
Instantly, a picture of Stuart Forbes appeared on the screen with the caption "Speaker Forbes was killed in the explosion".
"Stuart Forbes was 56 years old. He had a wife, two children and a grandchild. He was a hardcore democrat, who was elected to represent Chicago's first district at the age of 36. He was devoted to public service. He was often described as tough, but just and hardworking".
Several pictures of Speaker Forbes flashed on the screen one after the other while a caption read "Stuart Dean Forbes (6/8/1962 – 1/29/2019)".
While Everett spoke, Wade quietly handed a note to Marsha, who was off camera at the time. Marsha read the note, widened her eyes and covered her mouth in horror. She was then forced to interrupt Everett.
"I'm sorry, Everett…", she said. Now the camera was on both anchors. "I have confirmation that Muriel and Aspen Hayworth were also killed in this deplorable act of terrorism. The wife and the oldest daughter of the vice president were invited to the address by First Gentleman Ethan Kanin. Muriel was 44 years old and young Aspen was only 20".
A picture of Mitchell Hayworth with Muriel, Aspen and Amber appeared on the screen. A caption said "Muriel and Aspen Hayworth dead". In the picture the family was smiling happily in the inauguration ceremony. Then the photo was zoomed in to show only Muriel and Aspen.
"I have a wife and a daughter too, Marsha", Everett said sadly. "I can't imagine the pain Mitchell Hayworth is feeling right now"
"I can't either", Marsha admitted. She then read the information she had on a piece of paper she had been given. "Muriel and Mitchell Hayworth met in U.C.L.A. She majored in Political Sciences, like him, and went to law school in that same university while he got an MBA from Stanford. Their daughter Aspen was studying in Georgetown and was planning to mayor in American Studies".
"Go to commercials, Everett", Wade ordered through a com devise. They needed a few minutes to gather more information.
"We'll bring you more information about the recent attack on our country when we get back from a commercials break", Everett said to the audience.
"Any word from the White House?", Marsha asked the producer.
"None", Wade said. "We have talked to Cal Coleman and Angie Nelson, but they don't know anything"
"Is any person who was there answering the phone?", Everett asked with frustration.
"Some", Wade replied. "But they know what we know"
09.27.59 – 09.28.00 – 09.28.01 - 09.28.02 PM
Sibley Memorial Hospital
While the president had been taken to Bethesda Navy Hospital, the rest of the injured had been taken to other hospitals in the DC area.
In Sibley Memorial Hospital, Dr. Gillian Bailey was trying fervently to resuscitate Edwin Ross, the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
"Clear!", she shouted and then she gave Edwin an electric shock. Nothing happened. "Clear!", she shouted once again and gave the chief justice another electric shock. She had been doing that for several minutes. Soon she realized that her patient's heart would nor restart. She exhaled heavily feeling defeated. "Time of death: 09.27", she announced.
Gillian moved on and quickly headed to the waiting area to find out what injured person she had to treat next. In the waiting area she saw a middle-aged petite woman sitting there. The woman had her head between the hands and seemed to be in a lot of pain. Suddenly, the woman threw up on the floor. The doctor rushed to her side.
"Ma'am, are you allright?", Gilliam asked. She took a flashlight from her pocket and checked the patient's pupils.
"My heart hurts", the woman explained as tears fell from her eyes. "And my ears"
The doctor quickly got an empty gurney and made the woman sit there.
"Were you in the explosion?", Gillian asked, just to confirm. She started writing things down on a chart.
"Yeah. A piece of ceiling feel over my head", the woman explained between sobs.
"Can you tell me what day is today and who's the president?", Gillian asked to test if the woman was oriented. Meanwhile, she checked the patient's ears.
"January 29 and the president is Allison Taylor. Unless she's dead", she said and broke down in sobs again. "Is she dead?"
"I don't know", the doctor replied. Very quickly, she checked the woman's lungs. "What's your name and occupation?"
"Mac Brogan Goddard", Mackenzie answered. "I'm a senator from the state of Florida"
The doctor gave her a kind smile, to reassure her patient.
"Okay, Senator. You have a mild concussion and your tympanic membrane is pierced. But you'll be fine. We'll take good care of you".
"I have to go soon. The White House might need me", Mac said.
"You are not going anywhere", the doctor said firmly. "You need to spend the night here in observation and you need an MRI". The she turned to talk to a nurse. "Is the MRI available?"
"Not yet", the nurse replied. "We have too many patients".
The doctor sighed and addressed the patient.
"I'll take you to a room where you can wait for the MRI"
Mac then laid on the gurney with resignation and Gillian took her to room 24. Outside the room, two FBI agents were posted.
"Where are you going, doctor?", one of the agents asked, blocking her way.
"This patient needs to be in that room", Gillian explained. She didn't care for the man's tone.
"Leon Craig is in that room", the agent told her.
"There are two beds", Gillian pointed out feeling pissed.
"Craig is a very dangerous murderer. He has to be isolated"
"We don't have enough rooms to keep anybody isolated"
"We can't let Craig share a room!"
"Listen to me, there are people being treated In the hallways", she said approaching him and pointing at him with a finger. She had a tone that said don't-mess-with-me. "The ER. is packed. I'm the Chief of emergency and I say that no bed will be left empty"
"You really want to leave her with a dangerous criminal?", the agent barked with an angry frown. Then he addressed Mac- "ma'am, the man in that room is an animal. Do you want to be left in a room with him?"
Mac hesitated. She was scared of the infamous Leon Craig. But she wanted to be brave.
"If the doctor says there is no choice… I'm okay with it", she said trying to put a stoic face.
"You guys will be right here", Gillian reminded the agents, losing her patience. " And he's handcuffed"
"Fine", the agent caved in.
The doctor helped Mac put on the hospital gown and get into bed. Mac stared at Leo, lying unconscious in the bed next to hers. The man had handcuffs tying him to the bars of the bed.
"Don't worry", the doctor said to Mac. "He has just been through surgery. He won't do anything". The doctor gave her a little smile. "Now, you'll feel sleepy . But do not fall asleep. You have to stay awake at least for three more hours"
"Okay", Mac agreed. "I'd like to see the news"
The doctor nodded.
"The nurse will give you the remote when she gives you the meds", Gillian told her. "I'll come back later".
Saying that, the doctor left the room.
Mac looked worriedly at Leo.
Meanwhile, Charlotte was operating on Allison.
At that same time, Renee was in the bunker's situation room.
At that moment, Jack was still on his way to the White House.
09.32.08 – 09.32.09 – 09.32.10 - 09.32.11 PM
09.34.36 – 09.34.37 – 09.34.38- 09.38.39 PM
A secret service agent was checking Jack's briefcase before letting him walk into the White House.
Leo was still unconscious because of the anesthesia.
Mac was watching the news on TV. The TV screen showed images of firefighters and law enforcers working on the capitol. A caption read "America under attack"
In the bunker's situation room there was a lot of activity. Secretary Dwayne Fenwik was meeting with Secretary Tim Woods, Nora McNally, Matthew Anderson (CIA director), Ashton Morgan (Director of NSA), General Arnold Vincent (Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs), General Hank Gratz (President Taylor's military advisor) and Admiral John Fredrick Smith (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs).
Hayworth suddenly walked into the situation room with Renee and Derek following suit. Everybody stood up.
"I want to know who did this!", Hayworth barked as soon as he entered the room.
He took a seat in the president's chair and everybody sat as well. Fenwik was sitting at his right and the chair at Hayworth's left was empty. There was a brief awkward moment when Renee and Derek tried to take that empty chair. The two of them exchanged a look. One was Hayworth's Chief of staff while the other was the White House chief of staff. But right then Hayworth was the president. So, which chief of staff had the highest rank at that moment?
Renee was fastest and took the chair. Derek said nothing but gave her an angry stare as he took another seat. She didn't even look at him.
"So far no group is claiming responsibility", Nora informed.
Hayworth then looked at Ashton and Matthew.
"Do we have a clue on who could have done this?", the acting president asked.
"We, along with secret service, are analyzing every threat received in last few months", Matt said.
"It's worth mentioning, sir…",Ashton began saying. "That at this moment we don't know the whereabouts of the leaders of Al-Qaeda".
Renee straightened her back in alarm.
"We don't know where Ayman al-Zawahiri is?", she asked.
"That's what I'm saying", Ashton told her with a nod.
"That's gonna have to change soon, Ashton", Renee told him with a warning in her tone and features.
"What are we doing to find out who did it?", Hayworth asked brusquely.
"Secret Service is on site searching for evidence, along with CTU DC, FBI and DC Metro Police", Tim Woods reminded him.
"Those are too many hands for my taste, sir", Renee said.
There was a moment of silence as Hayworth pondered about what he was hearing.
"What do you propose?", the acting president asked Renee.
"Dividing the tasks", Renee suggested.
"The police should keep the order on the streets", Tim suggested.
"CTU should search for leads and conduct the interrogations analyze the evidence collected from the building", Renee added firmly. "The FBI should keep investigating the murders that happened this morning. They could be related"
"What makes you think that?", Derek asked her, clearly in disbelief.
Renee didn't answer him, addressing Hayworth instead.
"Look at everything that happened today, sir", she told the acting president. "Two people with evidence about an assassination attempt were murdered". Hayworth bit his lower lip, as he absorbed Renee's words.
"A Russian gangster presumed dead showed up to kill other three people who were key witnesses in the trial against the masterminds of that same assassination… And someone blows up the capitol. All at the same day". She put special emphasis in those last five words.
"What are you saying?", Hayworth asked, having a hard time following her.
"Sir, President Taylor was going to testify against Yuri Suvarov, like those who were killed, or almost killed, earlier today…", Renee pointed out making passionately her case.
"You think that's why it happened?", Hayworth asked, understanding Renee's point.
"I think it could be", Renee affirmed. "I think someone is killing all the people who were going to testify against Suvarov and Novakovich"
"They blew up the whole capitol just to kill Allison Taylor?!", Hayworth asked angrily, practically screaming. "Is that why my family was killed?!"
"Maybe", Renee said tentatively. "We don't know much yet".
Hayworth puffed with frustration.
"Any troop movement we should worry about?", he asked, feeling defeated.
"North Korea has just started moving 70% of its troops. They seem to be heading to our bases in South Korea", Nora replied, showing said troop movement on a giant screen they had there.
"And why the hell are they doing that now?", Hayworth asked, outraged.
"They might be preparing a hit, since we are weakened", Nora suggested.
"Or they might be preparing themselves because they are guilty and they know we'll retaliate", Derek speculated.
Hayworth sighed, looking extremely tired.
"Send a message to their leadership", he ordered, visibly annoyed.
"What message, sir?", Renee asked. She didn't think the North Koreans were guilty. She believed they were just taking advantage of the moment to cowardly hit the USA while it was down.
"Tell them not to piss me off tonight", Hayworth answered with a frown. He thought the same thing Renee was thinking. He then stood up, prompting everyone else to do the same. "Call me when you know more. I have a crushed teen to console"
He left the room as Renee and Derek followed him.
"Don't I have to take the oath?", Hayworth asked Renee brusquely.
"Yes. But first the cabinet has to vote", Renee explained. "It's just a formality, sir. Nobody doubts that president Taylor will be incapacitated for some time"
"Okay", the acting president acknowledged with a nod. "And where the hell are Jim Heller and Jack Bauer?".
"They must be still at the hospital, sir. Jack got sick before the explosion", Renee explained.
"And Jim?", Hayworth inquired, visibly pissed.
"He got hurt during the explosion", Renee explained.
"And who the hell didn't?!", Hayworth asked with outrage in his tone, raising his voice. "Tell both of them to get their asses down here now!"
He left quickly to his office. Derek looked at Renee with concern in his olive-green eyes and then followed the acting president. Renee left to her office to continue working. She ran into Jack, who was heading to the situation room. Their eyes met.
"Jack", she whispered, happy to see him.
"Hey", Jack whispered. He was immensely relieved. He rushed to hold her really tight. He could smell the smoke in her hair. She had been in great danger. "I almost lost you… again"
He cupped her cheek with his hand and she put a hand on top of his.
"But I'm okay, Jack", she affirmed.
He looked deep into her crystal-blue eyes and kissed softly her lips.
"And President Taylor?", he asked.
"In surgery", Renee replied. She looked down sadly.
Jack lifted her chin gently to make her look into his eyes.
"She'll be okay. She's a survivor", he tried to reassure her. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine", she assured him.
Right then, Zoe appeared. She was very happy to see Renee.
"Ms. Walker, you are okay", she said and her aquamarine eyes filled with unshed tears.
Jack quietly walked away and headed to the situation room to work. He didn't need to tell Renee where he was going because it was obvious.
Renee could easily tell that her sensitive assistant was pretty shaken up. She approached the younger woman and gave her a hug.
"How's the president?", Zoe asked.
"In surgery. We don't know much yet", Renee replied.
"And Erik?", Zoe asked. A tear rolled down her cheek.
"I haven't seen him", Renee admitted. "Call the local hospitals and find out"
"Anything else I should do?", Zoe asked.
"Get in touch with the Attorney General", Renee ordered talking very fast. "Tell him we need the paperwork for the acting president to declare state of emergency". She walked into her office while she spoke and Zoe followed her. "Call all the governors and make sure they are sending emergency delegates. Also, this might seem trivial, but bring President Taylor's dog to the bunker. She would want him to be safe. And send someone to my house. I need to change clothes… again". She puffed and shook her head. "I look like shit and smell like a chimney".
Renee's clothes were dirty, smelled like smoke and were stained with some blood from the minor cuts in her hands.
Zoe nodded and bit her lower lip.
"Zoe, are you okay?", Renee asked, looking into the younger woman's teary eyes. "Because I need you, but you are no use to me if you are too upset to work"
"I'll be fine", Zoe assured her. "It's just…". She looked at her shoes sadly and then back at Renee. "Erik was in that building because of me. If he's dead, it's on me"
Renee gave Zoe a look full of compassion. She knew what it was like to feel guilty.
"Look, Zoe..", she said as she got closer to her and put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Nothing it's your fault. Erik really cares about you so he chose to replace you. He chose to help you. Nobody put a gun on his head"
"I guess not", Zoe said rather weakly.
"Zoe, I understand that it's difficult, but right now I need you to do your job. It's very important that you put your feelings aside".
Zoe nodded solemnly and left quickly to do as told.
09.39.44 – 09.39.45 – 09.39.46 – 09.39.47 PM
Silver Hill, Maryland - Brendan Marson's apartment
Brendan Marson was with his group in the kitchen of his apartment. He was arguing with his girlfriend, Theodora. He took a glass of water and then swallowed a vicodin pill.
"We have got to get the hell out of here, Brendan", his girlfriend urged him.
"We can't leave. Taylor is still alive", Brendan yelled.
"Please, be reasonable", Theodora begged him with desperation.
The discussion was interrupted by Brendan's cellphone ringing. Knowing who it was, Brendan took the call.
"Hello, Brooke", he said.
"Why are Taylor and Walker still alive?", Brooke asked brusquely. "You planted bombs that were too weak"
"Don't you dare criticize my work!", he screamed, mortally offended. "It's not my fault if those bitches have more lives than a cat". He managed to compose himself. "According to the news Taylor could still die".
"You're still not getting the money", Brooke told him coldly.
"What?!", Brendan yelled outraged.
"It's been decided that you don't work for us anymore", Brooke informed, while Brendan took another vicodin to calm down. "You're lucky we are gonna let you live. And that's because of our friendship"
"Listen, Brooke… I can still take care of them. I have a contingency plan", Brendan assured her.
"My boss and I have a contingency plan and it doesn't involve you", Brooke told him firmly.
"I can do the job!", Brendan protested loudly.
"You were too scared to use a more powerful bomb!", Brooke accused him.
"I'm never scared!", Brendan argued furious.
"You didn't want what happened to you in 1999 to happen again", Brooke affirmed.
"That's ridiculous", Brendan said, outraged by the insinuation.
"It doesn't matter", Brooke said. "Ivan Jacobi will take care of it"
"You can't do this to me!", Brendan protested. "I can kill them both, and you know it"
Brooke sighed and came up with an idea.
"Let me tell you what… Your team and Ivan's will compete with each other. The first one to kill them gets the money. The other one won't see a penny from my people ever again".
"I accept the challenge", Brendan affirmed with a nod, seeing he had no choice. He was sure he would win anyway.
"We'll talk later"; Brooke said and hung up the phone.
Brendan put his cellphone away and addressed his people.
"Allright. We have to take care of Taylor and Walker before Ivan Jacobi does, or we won't see the money"
"What do you mean we won't see the money?!", his son, Nolan, exclaimed outraged. "Dad, we planted the bombs. We deserve that money. We earned it"
"Those people don't care about that", Brendan said. "And we can't argue with them. They are too dangerous"
"Then we should eliminate the competition before anything else", Nolan suggested somberly. "Just to secure our victory"
"I was thinking the same thing, son", Brendan told him.
Then Mandy emerged from the bathroom. She was now wearing a jogging suit, big glasses and a wooden hat to hide her hair. She addressed Theodora.
"Give me my new passport", she ordered brusquely. "I'm out of here"
"You're not going anywhere", Brendan said coldly. "We have to kill Taylor and Walker as soon as possible"
Mandy looked at him like he was crazy.
"Everybody is looking for us, idiot. I have to go", she told him. "If you had two brain cells, you'd leave too"
"Nobody is leaving!", Brendan yelled. "You're gonna help me".
"If you don't want to give me a new ID, fine. I'm leaving anyway", Mandy said, as she walked away.
Brendan instantly took a gun from his pocket and readied it to shoot. Mandy heard the click of the gun and turned around to see Brendan aiming it at her.
"You move, and you're dead", he told her seriously.
09.39.42 – 09.39.43 – 09.39.44 – 09.39.45 PM
Sibley Memorial Hospital
Mackenzie was in her bed watching the news.
"We have confirmed that, unfortunately, Darren Berger, the President pro-tempore of the Senate, has perished", Everett Winlock informed with a gloomy expression. "Because of the blast, President pro-tempore Berger had a collapsed lung and a lacerated aortic artery. He succumbed to his wounds at approximately 09.35. He was eighty five years old. He had a son, two daughters and seven grandchildren. His oldest granddaughter is expecting a child and now he'll never meet that baby"
In the bed next to Mac's, Leo started waking up. As he stirred, Mackenzie watched him attentively. Still, a little groggy, Leo groaned and winced in pain. His left leg and his right shoulder hurt like hell. Leo looked at the bed next to him and was shocked to see a petite forty year old woman in it. Since he was considered a very dangerous criminal, he assumed he'd be isolated.
"Who are you?", he asked with a groan.
"I'm Mac Goddard", she answered, a bit fearfully
Leo was even more surprised.
"The senator!", he exclaimed.
"Yeah", she confirmed with a nod.
Leo was going to ask her what she was doing there. But then he looked at the TV screen and noticed a caption that read: "Attack on the capitol. Mitchell Hayworth to be sworn acting president". Then Leo heard what News anchor Marsha was saying.
"According to Press Secretary Angela Nelson, Acting President Hayworth will take the oath of office in ten minutes. It is not known at this time how long President Taylor will be in surgery", Marsha informed.
Leo became suddenly more alert and got in a sitting position as he listened.
"Our medical experts said that her recovery, if she does recover, will likely be very slow, so President Hayworth might remain in office for several weeks, even months", Everett added.
"This is what Angela Nelson said five minutes ago…", Marsha said.
Footage of Angie making a press statement minutes before was shown in the screen for the second time in the last ten minutes.
"President Taylor has severe pulmonary contusion", Angie stated looking down and with a small temblor in her hands. "Bleeding and swelling with damage to alveoli and blood vessels". She tried to hold back the tears. "A fragment of the bomb lacerated her aortic artery. She also has second and third degree burns"
Everett and Marsha then appeared on the screen again.
"Ms. Nelson seemed pretty shaken up", Everett pointed out. "And our reporters say that she couldn't hear very well"
"That's because many of the people in the explosion have their tympanic membrane pierced", Marsha explained. "We'll be back with our medical experts after a brief pause"
Before going to a pause, they played again the footage of the president starting to give her speech and being interrupted by the bomb going off.
Leo couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Jesus fucking Christ!", he exclaimed with his hazel eyes wide opened. He then addressed Mackenzie. "Was someone killed?". Without giving her time to respond, he repeated the question. "Was someone killed?"
"Hayworth's wife, his oldest daughter, the Chief Justice, the Speaker and the President Pro-tempore of the senate", Mac answered. She winced in pain with her head between her hands.
"What about Renee Walker?", Leo asked anxiously.
"They didn't say anything about her", Mac told him.
Leo took a moment to silently process the information he was receiving.
"Please, senator, I need to use your cellphone", He told Mac urgently.
Mac bit her lower lip hesitatingly.
"I don't think I'm supposed to do that, Mr. Craig"
"Please", he begged. "It won't hurt anyone. You'd be listening to every word I say"
She bit the tip of her nail.
"I don't know", she said shaking her head. "Ask the agents. You have the right to make one phone call"
Leo chuckled, thinking the senator was very naïve.
"They don't give a damn about my rights", Leo told her. "I shot two agents. They hate my guts right now". He made a pause. "I'll show you". Then he shouted so the agents by the door could hear him. "Hey! Come here!"
Agents Lenny Charters and Brandon Turner walked into the room in an instant.
"What?", Lenny asked in a rude manner.
"I need to make a phone call", Leo told them. "I have the right to make a phone call, don't I?"
The agents just laughed at him.
"Maybe, maybe, we'll let you call someone later", Brandon said.
"If you cooperate", Lenny added. "Jeffrey will come to take your statement soon"
"So, be a good boy, Craig", Brandon told him with warning in his tone. "We might even get you something to eat"
"Gee, thanks", Leo said sarcastically.
The FBI agents left the room without saying another word. Mackenzie didn't feel like they were being fair.
"You have the right to call someone", she stated firmly.
"I told you they wouldn't care", Leo reminded her with a frown.
After thinking about it for a moment, Mac sighed resignedly. She stood up and went to get her cellphone. She was going to give it to Leo, but he stopped her.
"No", he said. "I need you to call to the White House and ask for Jack Bauer". He could see the senator was reluctant. "Please", he insisted.
"Okay", Mackenzie gave in and dialed the White house phone number. Naturally, the lines were busy. "It's busy, Mr. Craig".
"Please, try again. It's very important", Leo requested.
After three more tries, a White House operator picked up.
"White House operator. How may I help you?"
"This is Senator Goddard. I need to speak with Jack Bauer urgently", Mac said. The urgency was obvious in her tone.
"I'll patch you through his office", the operator said.
"They're patching me through", Mac explained to Leo.
After a few seconds nothing was going on. Leo was clearly impatient.
"And?", he asked brusquely.
"I'm still on hold", Mac told him.
In Jack's regular office, Ruth Carmichael, his assistant, was trying to take the many calls Jack was receiving and writing the many messages. She was unharmed because she wasn't at the capitol during the explosion. She was making call and picking up some things jack would need in the bunker. After ending one call, she took another one.
"Jack Bauer's office"
"This is Senator Mac Goddard. I have to talk to Mr. Bauer right now", she said urgently.
"I'm afraid that's not possible. He's in the situation room", Ruth explained.
Mac then addressed Leo.
"He can't come to the phone", Mac said to Leo.
"Say it's a matter of national security", Leo whispered at her.
Mac complied.
"It's a matter of national security"
"I'm sorry", Ruth said, trying hard to be patient. "He can't take any call right now. I'm sure he'll call you back as soon as possible"
"Please, tell him it's important", she requested.
"Everything is important tonight", Ruth pointed out.
"I understand", Mac said with resignation. She then spoke to Leo. "He is too busy"
"Damn it!", he exclaimed. "ask how Renee is"
"Ma'am, is Renee Walker okay?", Mac asked Ruth.
"Yes. She's working too, obviously, but she's fine", Ruth told her.
"Good", Mac said and gave Leo a thumb up.
Leo sighed deeply relieved. He couldn't call Renee because that would compromise her. But it was great to know she was okay. His spiritual sister would survive this horrible day.
09.46.25 – 09.46.26 – 09.46.27 – 09.46.28 PM
White House's bunker
Renee was on the phone with Ethan Kanin. Ethan was in the naval hospital's waiting area and was furious. He had called Renee as soon as possible.
"How did this happen?", he asked.
"We still don't know much, sir", Renee explained with a gentle tone. "They are gathering evidence. And Secret Service is looking for Agent Melinda kirshner. She was the last one to check the podium and now she's missing. Right now we have to assume that she's dirty"
"This had to be done with inside help", Ethan stated firmly. "There are probably more dirty agents. Not just that woman"
"I think you're right, sir", Renee agreed.
"The agents who are with Allison right now could be dirty", Ethan pointed out worriedly.
Renee bit her lower lip and nodded.
"Yes, they could", Renee agreed with Ethan one more time.
Ethan rubbed his forehead, feeling a terrible headache. He felt as if he had aged ten years in the last thirty minutes. He tried to think a solution.
"There's only one man that we know is not dirty", Ethan said solemnly. "We can ask him to stay with Allison all the time"
Renee knew exactly who he was talking about. It wasn't Jack because Jack was the national security advisor and had to do that job. But it was someone just as trustworthy.
"But he's retired, sir", Renee reminded him.
"That won't stop him", Ethan affirmed. "I know Aaron Pierce"
"All right", Renee agreed nodding.
"One more thing…", Ethan said. He paused and frowned. "I want Nathan O'Malley fired"
Renee had seen that coming. But she wasn't happy about it.
"Mr. Kanin, with all due respect. Replacing Nathan in the middle of a crisis is not a good idea", Renee argued with conviction.
"He's incompetent!", Ethan stated loudly. "This wouldn't have happened if he had done his job well".
"But…"
Ethan interrupted her sharply.
"My wife could die, and all because he failed to do his job", he argued and a lump formed on his throat. "I want him gone".
"I understand"
"Ted Hovis was fired for having moles in his team", Ethan reminded Renee. "Why should we have a special consideration for Nathan O'Malley?".
"With all due respect, Ted Hovis wasn't fired in the middle of the crisis. If you want to fire Nate after this is over…"
Ethan interrupted her once again.
"I want him to be fired now", he insisted, not giving in an inch.
Renee sighed.
"Okay", she said reluctantly.
"Keep me posted", Ethan ordered, and hung up.
He closed his eyes and rested his back against the wall, feeling very overwhelmed and scared. He had married Allison only a few months before. He couldn't lose her now. He had waited many years for her to see that they belonged together.
"Please, God, I need more time with her", he silently prayed. "We haven't had enough time together"
In her office, Renee dialed Nathan's cell phone number.
Nathan was in the capitol, supervising the investigation, when he heard his phone ringing. He took the call as soon as he saw it was from Renee.
"O'Malley", he said.
He was in a room secret service had set where all the evidence found was being properly classified.
"Nate, is there any news?"
"Banning, Janssen, Christensen and Blane were inside the hallways, next to the second and third bomb", Nathan informed talking really fast. As he spoke, he put on globes and examined a piece of one of the bombs. "Agents Montgomery, Gillette, Cranston and Hall were the ones who tried to evacuate people through those Hallways at the exact moment of the explosion"
"Do they know anything useful?", Renee asked.
"They are all dead. Except Cody Gillette. But he's unconscious", Nathan explained. "Banning, Jassen, Christensen and Blane were supposed to clear those hallways. But it seems that they were just there waiting for the bombs to go off". As he spoke, he took a look at a report that was lying on a table. "The preliminary analysis even shows that they each had one of the bombs in their hands".
Renee was confused.
"I thought only one bomb exploded in each hallway"
"At first, we thought so too. But now we know that each of the agents had one bomb disguised as a cell phone", Nathan explained as he examined the cell phones of the departed agents.
"You think they were dirty?", Renee asked. "They were working with this Kirshner woman?"
Nathan bit his lip doubtfully.
"That's what it seems. But it doesn't make much sense", Nathan said.
"Why not?", Renee asked, intrigued.
"Western terrorist are not suicidal", Nathan stated. While he spoke, he was giving the agents' files a look. "Islamic fundamentalists believe that there's a reward in the afterlife for suicide bombers. The western culture fears death. When people like these agents become dirty it's about money. They don't usually have a cause they want to die for"
Renee nodded along as she took the information in.
"I see", she said.
"That said…", Nathan rushed to clarify. "Maybe those bombs blew up before they were supposed to by mistake and the guys didn't have time to scape"
Renee nodded along once more.
"That's probably what happened"
"Agent Gillette might know something", Nate said. "When he wakes up I'm gonna question him personally"
Renee bit her lower lip. She felt extremely awkward. She would have to tell Nathan that he was fired. She didn't say anything for a moment.
"Renee? Are you still there?, Nathan asked.
"Eh, Nathan…" Renee made a pause. "I gonna need your resignation. Effective immediately"
Nathan straightened his back in alert. He was planning to resign since he felt so guilty about the attack, but he was going to do it once the crisis was over.
"Renee, we are still in the middle of a crisis. It's not a good time to have a new director", Nathan stated firmly.
Renee felt truly sorry for him. She didn't believe it was his fault.
"I'm sorry, Nate. But it has to be now", she affirmed.
Nathan swallowed and stood stoically.
"I understand", he said. "Jerry Bradshaw should take over, then"
Jerry was Nathan's second in command, so Renee thought what Nathan said made perfect sense.
"All right", she agreed.
"Okay", Nathan said resignedly. "Tell President Taylor, when she wakes up, that's been an honor to serve her. And that I'm truly sorry"
"It wasn't your fault, Nate", Renee assured him softly.
But Nathan didn't think so.
"Goodbye, Renee. It's been nice knowing you", he told her sincerely.
"Likewise", Renee said.
They hung up the phone.
Renee remained sitting behind her desk, lost in thoughts for a moment. Then George Sullivan, Caldwell Coleman and Lynnette Lockhart walked into her office. Lynnette looked like she had been crying; her amber brown eyes were red and puffy. The men were distraught too.
"Any news about the president?", Caldwell asked.
Renee shook her head.
"Still in surgery", she told him.
"Oh, my God, Renee", George exclaimed, not being able to believe what had happened.
Renee noticed her deputy was very distressed, so she approached him and gave him a hug. She then squeezed Lynnette's shoulder in support.
"The acting president has to address the nation immediately", Renee told Caldwell and Lynnette.
"We prepared a statement on our way here", Caldwell said, always efficient, as he handed Renee the statement.
Renee gave the statement a look.
Meanwhile, Taylor was still in surgery.
At that moment, Hayworth was changing clothes and cleaning himself up.
Simultaneously, Marsha and Everett were behind their desk talking to the viewers.
09.52.01 – 09.52.02 – 09.52.03 – 09.52.04 PM
09.56.09 – 09.56.10 – 09.56.11 – 09.56.12 PM
Jack and Nora were in the bunker's version of the situation room, analyzing the information they had.
At the same time, Mac and Leo were watching the news from their respective hospital beds.
Then, a nurse wiped up sweat from Charlotte's forehead while the doctor was still operating on Allison.
At that moment, white house staffers were setting up a camera in the bunker's presidential office.
A few years before, after the attack on Wayne Palmer, the bunker's presidential office had been turned into a replica of the oval office, just in case the president of the United States had to address the world from there. Now a few staffers were setting up a camera, since Hayworth was about to make a statement. Renee, George, Lynette and Caldwell were also there, along with Derek Watts. But before the statement, Hayworth had to take the oath.
Hayworth walked into the office with Amber, who now knew she was her dad's only living daughter.
"Is everything ready?", he asked somberly.
Nobody had the chance to answer because at that moment, Nancy Johnson (Allison's assistant) walked into the office.
"Sir, Justice Buckholder is here", Nancy announced.
Franklin Buckholder then walked into the room. He was an associate justice of the Supreme Court. Since the Chief Justice was dead, Justice Buckholder would have to swear Hayworth in. Franklin had been chosen for the honors because he was the Supre Court Judge who could arrive the soonest to the white house.
Franklin walked into the office.
"Hi", he greeted everybody gravely.
Then Noah Wyatt, the white house official photographer, entered the office.
"Okay. Let's get this over with", Hayworth said wearily. He then addressed his daughter. "Sweetie?"
Knowing what she had to do, Amber stepped up and held a bible in front of her dad.
"Will you, please, place your right hand on the bible?", Franklin requested and Hayworth obeyed. "Now raise your left hand toward God and repeat after me. I, Mitchell Lee Hayworth, do solemnly swear"
"I, Mitchell Lee Hayworth, do solemnly swear", Hayworth repeated.
As the swearing in took place, Noah took several pictures from different angles. Renee felt a knot in her throat. She was devastated by the events of the last hour that had led to this moment. She was trying hard not to cry. George realized Renee needed support and held her hand, as Caldwell held Lynnette's hand.
Justice Buckholder prompted Hayworth to continue.
"That I shall faithfully execute the office of President of the United States", Franklin said.
"That I shall faithfully execute the office of President of the United States", Hayworth repeated. His left hand was a bit shaky.
"And I will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States", Franklin continued.
"And I will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States", promised Hayworth solemnly.
There was a moment of silence. The ceremony was over. Mitchell Hayworth was now the president of the United States. He shook hands with Franklin and exchanged a nod with Derek.
Renee stepped up and spoke with a solemn tone.
"Mr. President, you should address the nation now"
"Of course", Hayworth agreed.
Caldwell handed him the speech and Hayworth sat behind the desk.
"Five seconds, sir", a cameraman told him. "Four… three… two… one…"
"My fellow Americans and people from around the world…", Hayworth began with a somber tone. "I speak to you tonight with a heavy hart" He spoke while linking his hands together and placing his elbows on the desk. "We should all be listening to President Allison Taylor enlightening us on the state of our great union. Instead, our beautiful capitol building was attacked. Our nation has been victim of yet another vicious and cowardly terrorist attack. At this moment, President Taylor is having surgery and fighting for her life. We all wish for the best, but we don't know if she will recover. Under these circumstances I have just taken the oath of office and became the Acting President of the United States. I want to assure you, that we have the situation under control. We have absolutely no reason to fear another attack. We are obviously working hard to find those responsible for the attack". His face darkened and he continued with a severe tone. "We don't know who they are… yet. But we do know that they are cowards who deserve to pay dearly for their crimes. They will be brought to justice". He made a pause and took a deep breath. "I have been contacted by leaders of a great number of nations who offered me their condolences and offered to help in any way that they can. So I thank our friends for their support. To our enemies I say: you will not win" He hit the desk for emphasis. "We will rise once again. If we fall seven times we will stand up eight. God bless our beloved President Taylor. God bless the souls those who perished tonight" A knot formed on his throat as he thought about his family. He made a brief pause and continued firmly. "And God bless the United States of America".
09.59.56 – 09.59.57 – 09.59.58 – 09.59.59 PM
10 PM
(Please. It's really hard to write this story. Let me know what you think)