24: Deadly Game
The following takes place between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
Los Angeles Pine Springs Mall8:00 AM
Hammond hopped over the railing of the escalator and landed on the other one, the one that was heading downward. He began to sprint down it, as he watched Jack grab the bomber in mid-air and turn him so he would land first. Hammond, fearing that the bomb would detonate upon impact, turned around at the bottom of the escalator and yelled to the people around him:
"Get down! I'm a federal agent, there's a bomb, get down!"
People were screaming and frantically running away as Jack and the bomber landed with a loud thud on top of a table in the center of the food court.
Jack Bauer had squeezed his eyes shut, preparing himself for the bomb to blow. But when nothing happened, he opened them, and found himself staring into the dead face of the bomber. Jack could tell the fall had broken every bone in his body. He looked down at the bomb and found it was perfectly intact, and it was at no threat of going off. He sighed in relief, and rolled off the man, laying down on the ground with a smile on his face. It was then Hammond made his way over.
"Jack, are you ok?" he asked with concern.
"Ya, I'm fine. Get that bomb out of here, I don't want anything to happen."
"Sure thing. You sure you're alright?"
"Yes, but the same cant be said for him."
Jacks phone rang. He picked it up, knowing who it was. He laughed in defiance to the man on the other end.
"I played your little game and won, you son of a b!tch. Now all that's left is for me to bring you in."
"Who said this game was over, Jack? This day has been planned for years, and well planned at that. There are more activities for you to accomplish, its not over yet."
"Well, I say its over. Im not going to play this game, there are too many lives at stake."
"That's exactly why you will play the game, Jack. There is another suicide bomber at the corner of Taylor and Vine at this moment. He has been instructed to detonate his bomb in the Federal Building downtown in ten minutes. The same building that President John Keeler is giving his speech in today. You better hurry Jack, my man will be there soon." The line suddenly went dead. Jack instantly got up and began to run out of the mall again, with Hammond predictably in tow.
"Where are you going now?"
"Another threat has come in, I have to go."
"Let me come with you, I can help."
"No, you cant, you'll just be an annoyance. I have my own way of doing my job; you have yours. As you can see, they don't mesh well," Jack said with a gesture to the dead body of the bomber.
"You can't just leave me out."
"I just did," Jack said as he ran out of the front entrance, headed towards his car.
8:06:34
Kim Bauer entered her apartment, looking in all directions for a sign of Chloe and her child.
"Chloe! I know youre in here!", Kim said, making a right and entering the bedroom which her and Chase shared. When she entered she saw Angela on the bed, quietly playing with a stuffed teddy bear.
"Angela? What are you doing, hunny? Where's Chloe?," she asked, obviously not expecting a response. Kim ran back into the main area of the apartment, searching for Chloe. She soon realized Chloe wasn't even there. The anger she felt was beyond comprehension. How could Chloe just leave her baby home alone? For starters, it was against the law. What was she thinking? She decided she would go to Chloe's house and pay her a visit. She hoped she was there, so she could get out all the things she needed to say. She reentered the bedroom, and made a quick check on Angela to make sure she hadn't hurt herself while playing unsupervised. Then, Kim decided to change out of her work clothes before heading out to Chloe's, so she removed them and opened her closet, standing there in her bra and panties. She refused to believe what she found there. On the ground, splayed out, was Chloe O'Brian, her throat slit from ear to ear. Kim put her hand over her mouth and screamed, backing away from the closet.....and into the arms of an unknown man dressed in black. He removed a rag soaked in chloroform from his pocket and placed it over Kim's mouth and nose. Kim struggled to fight him off, trying to tear the rag from her face. But it was no use; the man was too strong. He wrapped his open arm around her waist and held her tight, further preventing her from fighting him off. Eventually, her hands fell to her sides and her head fell back against the unknown mans shoulder, signaling she had passed out. The man leaned forward to make sure she was out cold, and then lowered her limp body onto the bed beside Angela. It looked like the plan was going smoothly so far. He pulled out his cell and dialed a number.
"Its Rogan. The Bauer girl came home earlier than we thought. I have her here now, shes been subdued.
The man on the other end contemplated this for a moment.
"Has she been harmed?"
"No, she's just unconscious. Shall I bring her in now or later?"
"Well, I just sent her father to the Federal Building downtown. Stay there with her and wait for my signal. We may need her as insurance for a future activity."
"Alright," he said, hanging up the phone and looking over at the unconscious body of Kim Bauer lying on the bed. When he did bring her in, she would need clothes on if he wanted to pull it off going unnoticed. He opened her closet, searching for some clothes.
Chase was typing on his computer over at CTU when Director Davis approached.
"Edmunds, what the hell are you doing here? I thought you were on medical leave."
"I was sir, but I found out what was happening and I had to come in."
"No, you didn't have to come in. What good can you do, your hand barely works, and you quit field-ops."
Chase was fuming. Kim had said almost the exact same thing, and he wasn't about to hear it from Davis too.
"Sir, go ahead and kick me out if you want to, but rest assured, I will work on this case. With you, or without you."
John thought about this for a moment. He didn't need another agent running wild like Bauer was right now.
"Fine, you can stay. But I'll be watching, you can bet on that," he said before walking back up to his office.
Jack raced through downtown, headed towards the Federal Building in his SUV. He thought about how he abruptly hung up on Kim earlier, and he felt bad for doing it. He decided he'd call her up quick and tell her there was nothing to worry about. That's what he always told her when there was something to worry about. It calmed her, and that was always a good thing. He hit her button and waited for her to pick up. Back at the apartment, Rogan was just about to put clothes on Kim when he heard a ring. He looked over at her discarded work clothes on the end of the bed and rummaged through them, looking for her phone. When he found it, he flipped it open and looked at who was calling. The display read "Dad". He smiled, realizing it was Jack Bauer on the line. He looked down at Kim, then shut the phone, disconnecting the call. Jack, back in his car, looked down at his phone. Why wasn't she answering? Did she turn off her phone? The Federal Building loomed in the distance, and he realized Kim would have to wait. Lives were at stake, and he had to save them.
8:12:43
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8:15:23
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Jack ran inside the Federal Building, knowing he only had minutes to go. He scanned the area, just like in the mall, looking for any threats. He saw none. Jack started to run again, right through the metal detector, which went off. He ignored it and the guard who began to scream at him. He quickly gave a glance to the wall- mounted guide to the building, and noticed the conference room where the President must have been giving his speech. It was located on the 12th floor, so he made his way to the elevators, which were around a bend. He pressed the button, waiting for it to descend. The guard who was yelling at him was gaining on him fast. The doors opened, and Jack hopped in as the guard rounded the bend and prepared to jump into the elevator. Jack hit the "close door" button, and the doors closed just in time. The elevator crawled to Jacks floor, and the doors opened. He leapt out, and ran right into the conference room, with President Keeler right in the middle of his speech. Jack slowed his speed, and scanned the room. It was then he saw a Middle Eastern man making his way right towards the stage the President was on. Jack began to make his way through the huge crowd of the media swarming the floor. He had to get to him before he could set off the bomb. Suddenly, a hand came out and grabbed Jacks stomach, stopping him from going any further.
"I'm sorry sir, you can't get any closer," the Secret Service man said.
"You don't understand, there is an immediate threat to the President, and its in this room as we speak," Jack replied with urgency.
"What are you talking about? Who are you?"
Jack rolled his eyes. "I'm Jack Bauer, from LA CTU. I don't have time for this."
"What the hell is CTU?"
"Counter Terrorist Unit. You have to let me through."
"Let me see some identification."
Jack knew he now had to take action. He elbowed the man in the mouth and jumped up onto the stage, causing a huge amount of confusion to break out. He began to sprint towards President Keeler, who stood there with a confused look on his face. The Secret Service all converged on him, attempting to surround him from all sides, which would effectively cut him off from Jack. He still ran at the mass of humanity, and gave a quick glance to the bomber in the crowd. He had parted his jacket, and was looking down at the device on his chest. Jack pulled out his silenced 9mm and aimed, about to fire when a Secret Service man tackled him down.
"Noooo!." Jack yelled, realizing what was about to happen. He had to get up. He nailed the man on top of him in the "privates" and got up, taking aim yet again. This time, a swarm of men grabbed him, pulling him off the stage.
"There's a bomb, the president is in danger damnit!," he yelled as they dragged him back. The bomber smiled, and hit the button on his chest. Confetti fell from the ceiling, as well as balloons. Jack looked on in shock. It was all a set-up to make him look bad, and he had fallen for it. The Secret Service dragged him through a door on the side of the stage, leading Jack Bauer to his fate.
Chase stood up from his second desk in his upper office and pulled out his cell phone, calling Kim. He waited for her to answer, but she didn't. He hung up the phone. She must be avoiding his calls. He threw the cell phone across the room, and then paused, looking down at a picture of him and Kim on his desk. He reflected on their relationship, how he didn't want it to end over something as trivial as this. In frustration, he picked up the picture and threw it also. It hit the wall, and it smashed all over the place. If she wanted to end it, it would be a damn shame but at this point, he was all for it.
Mark Rogan strolled around the apartment, looking at certain objects that may be of interest. He had left Kim on the bed, she would be down for awhile. His phone rang, and knowing who it was, he picked it up.
"I'm guessing you want me to move her now?"
"Yes, bring her here."
"There? Are you sure?"
"Yes I'm sure. Is she still unconscious?"
"Ya."
"Make sure she stays that way. I don't want her to see where she's going."
"Alright."
Rogan hung up and went back into the bedroom. He picked Kim up and slung her over his shoulder. Angela was still playing on the bed, oblivious to what was going on. He gave a quick glance to the baby, then walked off, leaving her alone.
Jack was seated in a chair in the center of a makeshift interrogation room inside the Federal Building. They were sweating him for right now, and he knew it. The door swung open, and a man in a suit entered.
"Mr. Bauer, we did a background check on you and we confirmed that you do indeed work for the LA Counter Terrorist Unit. But in that background check, we also found out that you have a history of insubordination and a habit for getting yourself on police records."
"I had good information that there was a man in this building that posed an immediate threat to the President. I did what I had to do to ensure that didn't happen."
"Mr. Bauer, nothing happened. Confetti and balloons came down. If you consider that a threat, then maybe I should call a shrink."
"I had a shrink once, after my wife died. Guess what I did? I punched him in the mouth. If you keep going like this, you might need a doctor very soon."
"I don't respond to threats, Mr. Bauer. Your boss would like to speak with you," he said, producing an open cell phone and handing it to Jack. He took it, and put it to his ear. Davis called his name from the phone.
"Jack?"
"John, you gotta get me out of here."
"Not until you tell me what's going on. I have the text off all of the phone calls you have been receiving. Who is this guy?"
"I don't know. I went to the mall and stopped that bomber; he told me there was one here and I came. All I found here was a set-up. He wanted me to look bad, obviously."
"Well, he succeeded. I got Division riding up my a$s, and Mike wants to know what the hell is going on. I'll inform these men to let you go, but you have to come back to CTU. If this guy calls again, I want to set up a trace."
"Alright. What if he calls while on my way there?"
"I don't know. Just try to get here as fast as you can."
8:26:34
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Rogan drove towards the building he was told to bring Kim to. She was laying down in the backseat, still under from the chloroform. He had a feeling this plan would work. Kim had been kidnapped before, along with Jacks then-alive wife, Terri. He didn't know by whom, but the files he had access to told him that much. That plan went sour because of bad preparation. This one was planned for years, and that would only add to its success. He heard a groan from the backseat and saw that Kim was waking up. She opened her eyes and tried to sit up. It was then he remembered what his boss had said about her not being able to see where she was going or how she got there. That could lead to more problems, and they had no time for those. He pulled the car into an abandoned parking lot nearby and got out, opening up the backside door. Kim instantly kicked at him, screaming her head off. He should have tied her up. She tried to lunge out of the car, but Rogan pushed her back in. He pulled out the chloroform bottle again, but Kim kicked it out of his hands. It hit the pavement outside, and spilled all over the place. He decided he would have to do this the old fashioned way. He wound up and punched Kim right in the face. She fell back down, and was still.
Jack walked out of the Federal Building. He looked at his watch. It was amazing how much he'd been through already today and it was only 8:30! He headed towards his car when he heard a familiar sound. Pfft! It sounded like a bullet being fired out of a silenced gun. But it couldn't be, who would be shooting at him? Then, he heard it again. This time, the drivers side window of his SUV shattered after the sound. Someone was definitely shooting at him. He pulled out his own silenced pistol and took cover behind his car. Bullets were now raining down on him from an unknown location. He pulled open the passenger side door and jumped in, hopping into the drivers seat. He put the keys in the ignition as bullets shot through the windows. The car started, and it screeched out of the Federal Building parking lot. He was now on the main road that went through the heart of the city. Sunlight glanced off of the buildings and into the car as he pulled out his cell phone and began to dial CTU. Just then, it rang. He answered it hesitantly.
"Guess who Jack."
"Who was just shooting at me?"
"Just a little twist to add to our game. He's well funded, from overseas. The best there is actually."
"You have an assassin after me now?"
"Exactly. I felt this was becoming too easy, so I felt that I needed to add in a little distraction. Don't worry, he won't go in for the kill yet. That's why he missed you before. I instructed him to not hit you."
"You set me up at the Federal Building. You wanted me to look bad, didn't you?"
"Oh, you didn't like that activity? I had to go through a lot of trouble to do that, you know."
"You want to discredit me. Why?"
"Because I want you to suffer. Just like I suffered years ago, and am still even now."
"You said before I used to know you very well. From where?"
"That all comes in due time, Jack. Lets not jump ahead. Enjoy the game while it lasts. By the way, I have a little surprise for you."
"And what is that?"
"Your daughter...."
Jack's face turned into a mask of pain. He knew what was happening. They had her.
"What are you talking about?"
"She is quite beautiful Jack. Or so I hear."
"You piece of sh!t. What have you done?
"She is unharmed, and will remain that way if you do as I say."
They had gotten to his family again. He thought he could prevent it, by having Kim work at CTU. But, with this job, anything could happen. How did they get her at CTU? How was that possible?
"You're bluffing."
"I assure you, I am not."
Just then, Rogan busted into the building his boss was in, with Kim slung over his shoulder. The man on the phone with Jack smiled.
"Ah, here she is now. Put her in that chair."
Rogan lowered her into a nearby chair and began to tie her up.
"Here, Jack. Let me send you something."
The man held his phone out in front of him and took a picture of Kim slumped over in the chair. He then sent it to Jack. Jack pulled his car off to the side of the road and examined the photo. He hung his head down, knowing now that he had to do what this man wanted him to do.
"What's wrong with her?"
"She's just unconscious, Jack. Nothing that will last."
"You son of a b!itch! If you harm her..."
"What will you do, Jack. Yell me to death?"
Jack hesitated, before saying: "What do you want me to do?"
"I like how you cut straight to the chase, Jack. You're a real go-to guy. I always liked that about you."
"Shut up and tell me."
"Quite simply, I want you to plant a bomb, Jack.
"You cant be serious."
"I am quite serious, Jack. First, you will plant one at CTU. I realize its been bombed before, but this charge is extra strong, so it should work very nicely. I have many men on the inside, CTU staff that will assist you. But you have to be the one to pull the trigger."
Jack sat in silence. How had it come to this? There were moles in CTU? How bad could this possibly get? He couldn't bear to kill all of those innocent employees, especially after Ryan Chappelle.
"Are you still there
Jack?"
"Ya, I'm here. May I ask why?"
"Why I want you to do this? Because it makes an impact, Jack. Plus, I want to see you in jail."
"Well, I have to go there now. I told my boss I'd go there."
"If you try anything, I will kill her. I won't hesitate."
"Nothing will happen."
"It better not. Don't jump the gun yet, either. You will set the charge when I say so. After CTU, I want you to go to the parking lot of the Coliseum and meet a man I have there. I bet you'll recognize him. I'll be in touch."
The man hung up, and so did Jack. He hated himself for what he knew he was about to do, but he had his daughter. She was the most important thing in his life. Not even Kate held as much for him as Kim. He headed on towards CTU, not knowing what will happen next.
Chase walked the floor of CTU, pretty much wandering aimlessly. He wanted it to look like he was doing something. Up in the upper offices, Davis was still analyzing the security camera video of the unknown figure moving the Field-Ops van. Who was this guy? He had already zoomed in to the fullest degree, but still found nothing but an obscured face. Maybe Chase could help him out here, seeing as he was doing nothing special now. He exited the office, and called own to him.
"Chase! Come here for a sec!"
Chase looked up, nodded his head, and made his way up the stairs to Davis' office. He entered.
"I got this video here, the security camera one, and I cant get a lock on this face. Can you help me?"
"Ya, I'll have to run an amplification modulator," he said, walking up to the laptop on Davis' desk.
"Be my guest."
"It'll take time."
"How long?"
"Two hours, at the most."
"Alright, guess I'll be waiting. Alert me when it's finished."
"Sure thing."
Davis walked out, leaving Chase alone. The more he thought about it, he really should go meet Kim at the apartment. He thought he wanted to end it earlier, but the more he thought about it, he loved Kim with everything he had. She was always there. It was then he made up his mind. He would begin the modulation, then head over to the apartment.
Rogan swiped the smelling salts under Kims nose. She stirred, and put up her head. She had a dazed and confused look on her face. Rogan began to speak.
"Do not scream. If you do, I will be forced to knock you out again, and I doubt you want that."
"Where am I? What do you want?"
A man was standing off in shadow, leaning against a chair. He spoke.
"All in due time, Kim. I have your father on a special assignment for me. He's been given an ultimatum, which he is in the process of meeting. If he fails in any way, tho, you die."
"You bastrd. What are you making him do?"
"Don't worry your pretty little head. I have you, so he'll do whatever I want. You'll remain unharmed during all of this because of that. When his deeds are done, I'll release you."
"You better hope he dosen't find you first."
Jack pulled into the familiar CTU parking lot. He couldent help but wonder what that parking lot would look like covered in rubble, seeing as the bomb he was going to use would have those effects. It seemed like this could not be happening, that it was impossible for all of these things to be happening all at once. But it was real. He would have to bomb his workplace, filled with his friends and co-workers, if he wanted his daughter alive and well. Right now his main concern was trying to maintain a natural look as he entered the building. He walked up the ramp and went through the double glass doors leading inside. He walked past the security guard, Paul Shaffer, and gave him a trying-to-be-casual wave. He then swiped his access card through the slot and entered the main room. The floor was bustling with activity, as usual. He strode across and saw Chase sitting at his desk, getting ready to leave. He gave him a wave, and Chase returned it. Jack saw John up in his office and walked up the stairs, making a right and opening the glass door to his office. John rose to greet him.
"Did he call you on the way here?"
Jack didn't say anything for a second, but then responded, "No."
"Well, when he does, we want you well prepared. I decided to bring in Jeffries."
Jack sighed. Jeffries was the "tech-nerd" of CTU. He was responsible for creating and developing new gadgets and technology for Field-Ops. Davis continued, "He should be here...right now."
Jeffries walked in right at that moment with a huge briefcase in his hands. He was pretty much dragging it with him.
"Franky, what do ya got for our man Jack here?"
Frank Jeffries had a lab coat on with khaki's and he wore wire-frame glasses on his face.
"Well, sir, where shall I begin?"
Jack rolled his eyes. He didn't have time for this. Jeffries opened the briefcase and produced a PDA- like device.
"First off, Jack, we got the standard issue Field-Ops PDA. It can hold loads of information, and it will categorize it as it sees fit. I also added in a special feature."
Jeffries pushed a small button on the side, and a short nozzle popped out. Jeffries explained this, "It can shoot out a fast acting tranquilizer dart also, capable of knocking out a human being for 3 hours or less. Just hit the button again to shoot out the dart."
Jack wasen't impressed. "That's great. John, I need to go here. Theres no telling...."
"Hold on Jack. Lets see what else he's got."
Jeffries started rapidly pulling out things, sensing Jack's urgency. "We got a grapple gun, which will allow you to climb up and down walls. We also have several coin grenades, which are exactly as they sound: grenades disguised as coins. Finally, we have a special new gun for you, Mr. Bauer. It looks like a standard issue USP on the outside, but on the inside it's something entirely different. It's capable of shooting out regular bullets, and special bullets designed by who else? Me, of course. These bullets are filled with a special nerve toxin that will freeze the muscles of your target upon impact."
Jack stood there for a second, staring. Then, he walked up to Jeffries and grabbed all of the gadgets, attaching them to his clothing.
"Thanks, see ya guys later," Jack said, walking out and closing the door behind him.
Davis did not approve of Jack's hast exit, and ran after him.
"Hold on Jack! Where are you going?"
"I have to be ready when he calls next, you said so yourself," Jack said as he continued to walk away.
"You can be ready here Jack. Where do you have to go?"
Jack had already walked out of earshot. Davis stared at him leave for a second, then turned back to his office, seeing Jeffries leaving as he did so. He picked up his phone and called Hammond.
"Hello?"
"Mike, it's John. Where are you?"
"I'm in the parking lot. Why?"
"Great. Jack is leaving now, I want you to follow him and report back to me exactly where he goes and what he does."
"May I ask what's going on?"
"I'll tell you later, just do it."
Davis hung up and went back to his laptop, checking the progress of the amplification modulation of the security video.
Hammond put his phone down and looked at the main entrance from his car, a black pickup. Jack walked out, still dressed in his dusty black polo and ripped khaki's. He entered his SUV and drove off. Hammond waited for the right distance to come between them, and he drove off.
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Jack pulled up to the Coliseum and got out of his car as soon as he stopped it. He scanned the area, and found there was another car parked further down the lot. He cautiously walked over. He saw a man leaning against his car, a sleek Viper. He was smoking a cigarette, looking off at the Coliseum in front of him. Jack came close enough to see who it was, and he stopped dead in his tracks. It was Martin Belkin, the man who had tried to assassinate Senator David Palmer at his breakfast at the power plant many years before. The man on the phone said he would know who he met here, and he surely did. Belkin looked over and gave Jack a sly grin. He turned around and opened the trunk, revealing a briefcase inside.
"Jack, how have you been?"
"Give me the explosive."
"Hold on, hold on," he said as he pulled out the briefcase. He opened it, showing Jack the contents.
Jack hesitated before saying, "How do I blow it?"
"Pull out the bomb itself, place it on the desired object, and hit this button. The countdown will begin instantly. You will have five minutes to get out before the building goes up."
Jack took the briefcase and began to walk away, but Belkin stopped him.
"Wait a minute, Jack. Take this, too."
"What is this?"
"If you open it before the man on the phone tells you to do so, he will kill your daughter," he said as he pulled another case out of the trunk.
"What is it?"
"If I told you, that would ruin all the fun Jack. We'll be in touch. By the way, that assassin that was hired, he has been instructed to try to kill you now. No more false shots. Have a nice day," Belkin said as he entered his car and started the engine. Jack stood there, watching him go. It had hit him now that he would have to do this. There was no other real alternative. He headed back to his car, headed back towards CTU.
Hammond had seen everything that transpired at the meet between Jack and the man. With binoculars, he was able to identify the device in the briefcase as a high amount of C-4 plastic explosive. Why the hell was Jack getting this stuff? What was in the other case? He had to find out what was going on.
Chase was on his way back to the apartment; ready to apologize if need be. Kim and Chase were in a solidified relationship. Who was he kidding before when he wanted to break it off? Hopefully she would accept his apology.
Davis had his hand on his phone, ready to pick it up when Hammond called. He had waited for this day for a long time; a chance to bring down Bauer. Deep down, he never really liked him. Now was his chance to end him.
Hammond saw Jack pull into a parking lot suddenly. He had no clue why, but he did. He also could not see him anymore, so he decided it was safe to pull into the parking lot himself. He stopped the car, and looked for any sign of Jack. He saw none. Suddenly, he heard an engine roar alive, and he saw a black SUV shooting towards the left side of the car. His side. He looked behind the wheel of the SUV and saw Jack behind it. "That son of a b!tch", was Hammond's final thought before the SUV slammed into his car, shooting everything into blackness.
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