Day 1 – 11:30 P.M. – 12:00 A.M.
11:30:00
The next call Director Dornan made was a call to the Joint Chiefs.
"Mr. Secretary," Director Dornan said as Secretary of Defense John Smith answered the phone, "We have a situation sir."
11:30:44
"If you can get within ten feet, can you disable the knife," Jack asked.
"If I can get within fifteen, I can disable him," Ben said.
"What are you two whispering about," Castor asked as he walked up to the two of them.
"He has a heart condition," Ben said as he held up his hands, "I'm trying to calm him so he doesn't keel over."
"Then keep it down," Castor said, "I'm in no mood to deal with sick and dying individuals during our glorious battle."
11:31:52
"I understand the situation Director," Secretary Smith said, "But you do understand rescue operations might not be possible if the hijackers aren't willing to talk. I'll assemble the Joint Chiefs, you start working things on your end."
"Thank you sir," Director Dornan said.
As Secretary Smith hung up, Director Dornan called Michael back, "This is Malone," he said.
"Director Malone," Director Dornan said, "If you want to begin negotiations you may. But I want to make this clear: do not reveal that there's an F.B.I. Agent on that plane. We have to keep everyone on that plane safe."
"Thank you sir," Michael said.
11:33:26
Gordon had just received the call from Michael, "We're going to begin negotiations to try and get the plane to land," he said as Gordon was looking over Adonis's file.
"I'd approach that carefully sir," Gordon said, "If what I'm reading in this guy's file is correct, then he's not going to be willing to talk. During his time in the Greek Military he would often urge his commanders to shoot first and ask questions later."
"What are you suggesting," Michael asked.
"He's being motivated by something," Gordon said, "Back when he first started the United Arabic Unification Army it was about uniting the Arab world under a common goal of making peace. If we appeal to his sense of patriotism we might be able to find some kind of common ground."
"What if he doesn't take it," Michael asked.
"If it doesn't then it might by Ben some time," Gordon said.
"Time for what," Michael asked.
"To do what he does best," Gordon said, "He was a Tier-One Special Operator, if anyone can turn this situation around, it's our boy."
11:35:36
Michael turned to Cammy who nodded and picked up the phone, entering the conversation that Gordon was having with the tower controller, "This is Agent Cammy Hartford," she said, "I need the frequency code for that plane so we can talk to it."
"Alright," the operator said, "Here it goes."
11:35:59
The White House Situation Room…
U.S. President John Donovan walked into the room, causing the Joint Chiefs of Staff to rise. It was obvious the President had just gotten out of bed because he was wearing a pair of black suede slippers, cotton sweat pants, a white under-shirt, and he had a red smoking jacket that was only half-tied.
"Mr. President," Vice President Ethan Kanin said as he grabbed the half-tied tail that was hanging off the back of the President's robe, and tied it together.
"Thank you, Ethan," President Donovan said before turning to the Joint Chiefs, and ushering them into their seats, "Alright, what's so important that you had to wake me up from the only descent night's sleep I've had in months?"
"Mr. President," General Warren, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs said as the image of the plane came up on the screen, "About thirty six minutes ago, International Flight 292 from London to New York was hijacked just one hour out of the city by a man identifying himself as Adonis Morro of the United Arabian Unification Army. He is now threatening the pilots with a gun that he has on board the plane."
"When were we notified of this," President Donovan asked.
"About six minutes ago sir," General Warren said, "The New York office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation received the call from the air traffic controller after Adonis broad casted his message who in-turn told Director Dornan here in D.C., who told Defense Secretary Smith."
"This is an F.B.I. request," President Donovan asked before looking at C.I.A. Director Thomas, "Shouldn't this be a C.I.A. request?"
"Because one of their men is on the plane, Mr. President," Secretary Smith said as the screen changed to show Ben's dossier, "Ben Maxwell Lovecraft, in 2009, at seventeen, he joined the U.S. Navy, quickly becoming a Petty Officer Third-Class, in 2012 he joins SEAL Team 6, spends the next three years as an avid team leader, and a damn good soldier. Navy Cross, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Join Service Achievement Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, and Two Purple Hearts."
"I can see why they called you," President Donovan said, "Have any demands been made?"
"No sir," General Warren said.
"Is the plane still on course," President Donovan asked.
"No sir," General Warren said, "About…" General Warren checked the file he was handed, "Eighteen minutes ago, the pilot was ordered to take the plane directly over Manhattan Island."
"So what you're saying is that we have a one hundred and twenty ton missile the size of a fifteen story building, filled with over 200 British and American civilians, and a war hero that will be over New York in seventeen minutes with a man who has a gun, who has threatened to kill the pilot," President Donovan began, "We have no idea where they're heading, and we have no idea if they plan on crashing the plane in one of the most heavily populated, and biggest cities in the United States. Am I wrong, or did I miss something?"
"That's about dead on the money, Mr. President," General Warren said.
"What's the nearest Air Base," President Donovan asked.
"McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey," Air Force Major General Shepard said.
"How long until they can get two F-35's in the air," President Donovan asked.
"They're already up," Major General Shepard said, "Late-night training exercises were scheduled for tonight, and they both have two Sidewinder missiles on each plane."
"Sir," Secretary Smith said, "You're not considering…"
"I'm sorry John," President Donovan said, "If they've made no demands then we could have another potential 9/11 on our hands. I won't let that happen," he then turned back to General Shepard, "If the plane doesn't divert course, or our war hero doesn't save the day, then bring that plane down before it gets to Manhattan."
11:40:17
"We are here to represent anything you request," Michael said as he spoke to Adonis on the plane, the file of one of the British Nationals on the plane who was six months pregnant, "I understand one of the pour women on that flight is pregnant. Might be a really stressful situation for her."
"You must understand me when I say I take no pleasure in what I am doing," Adonis said, "By the end of the night, the people on this plane will serve a greater purpose," meanwhile, a few thousand feet above, two F-35s had received their orders: find Flight 292, and if nothing had changed, they were to fire upon the aircraft, "Soon you will understand what we are trying to do."
"We're both reasonable men here, Adonis," Michael said, "Surly there's something we can do to help each other."
"I assure you," Adonis said, "There is nothing more you can do to help than what you already have. You have nothing to fear, but you have plenty to fear from your own government."
"What do you mean," Michael asked.
"You will know soon," Adonis said as he hung up the radio.
"What did he mean," Cammy asked.
"I don't know," Michael asked before the phone rang, "This is Malone," he said as he answered the phone.
"Malone, it's me," Director Dornan said, "I have bad news."
"What, what news," Michael asked.
"The President has authorized the redirection of two F-35s to the plane," Director Dornan said.
"What," Michael asked, "The President is really going to authorize the destruction of a plane carrying hundreds of British and American citizens?"
"I'm afraid so Michael," Director Dornan said, "Have you been able to reach the hijacker?"
"Yes," Michael said, "It seems that he will not move on his position."
"Then it's up to your Agent," Director Dornan said, "He's the only hope these people have of getting out of this situation alive."
"You have to do something," Michael said, "You have to talk to the Joint Chiefs."
"The Joint Chiefs can't go against the President's Orders," Director Dornan said, "I'm afraid if your Agent can't turn the situation around within the next ten minutes, then I'd start writing my condolence letter to his family. I'm sorry, Michael."
As the Director hung up the phone, Michael cupped his head in his hands, and exhaled strongly.
"What," Cammy asked.
"The President has ordered unless there's a situation change, then two F-35s he's scrambled have orders to bring the plane down," Michael said before looking up at the screen to see the position of the plane in relation to New York, "Ben is that's plane's only hope."
11:50:49
"You ready," Ben asked.
"You know it," Jack said.
Jack leaned over his chair, and began moaning loudly, holding his stomach, Ben got out of his chair to check on him.
"What's going on," Castor asked.
"He's having a Coronary Valve Embolism," Ben said, "He's trapping air in his lungs, and it's backing up into his stomach," he then grabbed Jack's arms, "I have to get him to the bathroom before he blows."
Castor then held the knife in Ben's face, "Give him an air sick back, and stay seated," he said.
"Look," Ben said, "He has to be in an open area, otherwise he could suffocate on his vomit. I have to get him to the toilet, or do you want to explain to Adonis how you let a passenger die before you could finish your crusade?"
Castor looked towards the cockpit before withdrawing the knife, "I'll follow," he said.
Ben grabbed Jack's arms, and lifted him out of his seat, and proceeded to the lavatory located in the center of the plane.
Ben then placed Jack over the toilet as Castor pushed him aside to see if Jack was alright.
11:51:56
It was then that Ben and Jack sprang into action, Jack kicked Castor backwards into Ben who grabbed him around the throat, where someone emanated a surprised shout, in which Jack took as his chance to make a dash toward the cockpit.
11:52:10
Adonis stepped out of the cockpit to see what the noise was about, only to have one of the passengers grab his pistol, and force the slide open.
Adonis punched Jack who still held a firm grip on the pistol, and the two started wrestling before Jack swept the man's legs out from underneath them, causing the both to fall to the floor.
11:52:59
Ben grabbed Castor's knife, bent his arm around so the tip of his knife was touching his stomach, Ben then thrusted his knee onto the pommel of, driving it all the way to the hilt, almost to Castor's spine, but as he opened his mouth to scream, Ben grabbed him by the chin and the back of the head, and in one swift move Castor's neck emanated a swift 'crack' causing his body to fall limp against the floor of the plane.
11:53:11
Adonis tried to get his weapon out of Jack's grip as he wrapped his hand around Jack's throat, but his grip was very iron-like, making it very hard for him to get a shot off.
Just as Jack felt his grip slipping, there was the sound of boots clopping as Ben rushed up, pin Adonis's arm to the floor with his foot, and then kick him across the face, causing him to lose all grip on his Glock and Jack's throat.
"You think you've one," Adonis asked as Jack quickly disabled the gun, and pinned him to the floor, "You haven't stopped anything," it was then that the pilots got conformation that the two planes were closing in on their tail, "We will soon die together, and this is just the beginning."
Jack then knocked Adonis unconscious by pistol whipping him with the grip of his own Glock.
11:54:30
The F35 pilots had acquired the 757 dead on their tail fin…
"Not today," Ben said as he ran into the cockpit, and grabbed the nearest headset, "To anyone listening, safe sigh Alpha! Repeat, safe sign Alpha!"
11:54:35
Michael got the message, and called Director Dornan, "Director," he said, "Safe sign Alpha."
11:54:40
The F35 pilots armed their missiles…
Dornan then called the Joint Chiefs, "Mr. Secretary," Director Dornan said, "We have safe sign Alpha!"
Secretary Smith looked at General Shepard and said, "Safe sign Alpha."
11:54:50
The F35 pilots put their fingers on their triggers
General Shepard contacted the F-35s' control tower and exclaimed, "Safe sign Alpha!"
11:54:56
The F-35s' control tower contacted the F-35s' and yelled, "SAFE SIGN ALPHA! DISENGAGE! DISENGAGE!"
11:55:00
The F-35s disabled their sidewinders, and removed their fingers from their triggers, "Copy Command, standing down," the lead pilot said, "Be advised, we will begin escorting Flight 292 to safe harbor."
Everyone in the F.B.I. office heard that, and began cheering and clapping as Michael's head hit the front of the desk in relief, while Cammy sat back in her seat, and uttered, "Thank god."
11:56:25
The F-35s moved alongside the plane, and everyone in the cockpit breathed a sigh of relief.
Ben removed the headset, walked outside the cockpit, leaned back against the doorway, and slid down to sit on the floor.
Jack sat next to him and sighed in relief as well, "Damn," he said, "That was exciting."
"Never a dull moment in our line of work," Ben said.
11:58:26
Jack then held out his hand, "Jack Bauer, former Counter Terrorism Unit," he said.
"Ben Lovecraft," Ben said as he shook Jack's hand, "F.B.I. S.W.A.T."
"You remember what he said," Jack asked.
"That this is just the beginning," Ben asked.
"Yes," Jack said.
"So our night's just beginning," Ben asked.
"I have a feeling it's more than just a night," Jack said, "We might be in for the worst 24 hours of our lives."
12:00:00 A.M.