Note: My lawyer made me promise to say that this story is entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Also, I realize that Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004, but for purposes of this story we're going to say they still have it, but use it sparingly.
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The following takes place between 4am and 5am. Events occur in real time.
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4:00
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The sun hasn't yet risen in Washington D.C. but already a crowd is gathering. Journalist Maureen Kingsley is speaking to the camera before interviewing an angry young man.
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Maureen: Today is an historic day. Today Congress will officially confirm the results of last November's election and certify that Bianca Montgomery is the president-elect and Syed Ali is vice-president-elect, and will be sworn in two weeks from today. Although president Brady conceded the election, third party candidate, reverand Walker, has not. In fact, some of Walker's supporters, have come here to protest the election results. Sir, why have you come to protest the election results?
Man: Because it's a rigged election. Walker is our true president, and the elitists conspired to keep him from being elected.
Maureen: No auditors or courts have found any evidence of voter fraud or suppression.
Man: Then they must be in on it. There's no way that real americans would elect a lesbian to be president, or a muslim to be vice-president.
Maureen: Sir what evidence do you have to back up you theory?
Man: Just a feeling. Mark our words, there is no way this Congress will certify Bianca Montgomery to be our president.
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It is 4am in Washington D.C., but it is 11am in Turkey. Nina Myers has been speaking with Alperen for almost a month. Alperen is a member of Alqueda, convicted of three terrorist bombings, killing over 30 people total. He tried to make an alliance with kurdish rebels against the turkish and american governments. But the rebels knew that allying with Alqueda would be more trouble than it would be worth, they turned Alperen over to the americans, who in turn gave him to turkish authorities. Now Alperen was going to be executed for his crimes. He had tried to get his own life spared by claiming that he had intel about an upcoming terrorist attack. Nina did all she could to convince them to spare his life, at least until he revealed what he knew. But the prime minister was trying to hold together the truce between his government and the kurdish rebels. Sparing this terrorist's life would enrage the hardliners and destroy the truce. There were groups who were trying to abolish the death penalty, but they didn't want to use their limited resources and credibility on this terrorist. Nina was rushing to the prison, Alperen was less than ten minutes away from being hanged. If he was going to talk, it was now or never. Nina had convinced a young prison guard to let her in to see Alperen. This guard truley believed that it was in both country's best interest for America to get this intel, and he was willing to break a few protocols and accept a little compensation. Alperen seemed relieved to see Nina, he had a brief sense of hope.
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Alperen: Can you save my life?
Nina: I did all I could, but no.
Alperen: Than I have nothing to say to you. I still hate America, and if I am to die, your country can burn.
Nina: And what about your wife and children?
Alperen: That whore left me and stole my children:
Nina: They turned on you, were granted assylum in America.
Alperen: Where are they?
Nina: I don't know their specific location, they were placed in Witness Protection. So, if there is an attack coming against America, your wife and children might end up being collateral damage. Maybe you want your wife to die, but your youngest child, he's just three years old. Do you really want your last act to be to condemn him to death?
Alperen: What day is today?
Nina: In America, it's January 6th.
Alperen: The day your new president is confirmed by Congress?
Nina: What of it?
Alperen: The plan was to disrupt Congress on this day.
Nina: How?
Alperen: I don't know the specifics, I was captured before we could finalize these plans. But whatever Alqueda is planning will hit Washington. I don't know anything else.
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The guard then signaled Nina that the executioners were coming, they needed to leave. Nina realized that Alperen had given up all that he had, and she had to make sure that her superiors knew this.
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In the White House president Brady was woken up by Secret Service. He looks at the clock and sees that it's just after 4am. If he's being woken up at this hour it must be important. President Brady is quickly escorted to the Situation Room where general Douglas begins to brief him.
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Douglas: Less than one hour India began marching troops towards the Pakistan border.
Brady: Is this about Kashmir?
Douglas: Absolutely. The recent fighting between hindus and muslim has only escalated tensions between the two governments.
Brady: Both of whom possess nuclear weapons.
Douglas: India says this is to restore order and protect the hindu minority.
Brady: And Pakistan will claim they can send in troops to protect the muslim majority of Kashmir. And where the conflict might go from there is really anyone's guess. Get me on the phone with their prime minister, as well as the president of Pakistan. Maybe I can try to keep both sides calm. And get Montgomery and Ali here. They're going to be sworn in in two weeks, so they might inherit this crisis. Better they know what they're in for.
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Jack Bauer is arriving at the airport to pick up Kimberly. This early morning flight is cheaper, and he's eager to see his daughter return after her month in Gaza. Then Jack recieves a call from his old boss, George Mason. Things had been awkward between them ever since Jack was discharged last year. Jack had interrogated a suspected terrorist, using extreme measures. This man died in custody, and Jack ended up being the scapegoat. Jack considered Mason to just be an opportunist, looking the other way when Jack and others used torture, then turned on them when it became convenient to do so.
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Jack: What is it George?
Mason: We just got some reliable intel, there's going to be an attack today, in Washington.
Jack: Who's the source on this?
Mason: Alperen.
Jack: The terrorist scheduled for execution in Turkey?
Mason: Yes, he confessed to Nina Myers before he died. Look Jack, I know things didn't end well between us.
Jack: That's putting it mildly. Besides, I doubt the new administration would tolerate my methods.
Mason: Maybe not, but I'm willing to use any help I can get to prevent terrorist attacks against my country.
Jack: Assuming you get all of the credit, you'd probably tolerate pretty much anything.
Mason: I just need you to come in and give us some insight.
Jack: I'm picking up Kim from the airport. After I drop her off at home, I'll come in.
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4:09