After getting out of the room, Tony had met with Jack again and together they had checked all the corridors near the lobby where the hostages were taken. They had counted three men around the outside the room, but many others could have been inside and there was no chance to know it from there. Renee had also called them to let them know that the terrorists had threaten the FBI saying that, if they tried to break in, multiple charges positioned on the doors of the lobby would explode, jeopardizing the lives of the hostages inside.
Tony and Jack were now coming back to the room where Anna was. Seeing Jack first, Anna instantly raise her gun at him, not knowing if he was one of the hostiles. Jack did the same in response:
"Put the gun down", he ordered her.
She kept staring at him with the gun drawn, not knowing what to do.
A moment after, also Tony entered the room.
"Jack, she's a civilian", he warned him.
"Put it down!", he continued, not backing off until he would be sure that the danger, intentional or unintentional, was over.
"Anna, he's with me, you can put it down now", Tony tried to reassure her.
"Ok." Anna slowly lowered the gun and Jack did the same right after.
Jack started taking a look around the room.
"We need to gather information about the charges they're planning to use. We can't put the hostages at risk", he said to Tony.
"I know, but we can't go back to that air vent entrance without letting them know we're here. We need to find another way."
Jack's attention stopped on a small grid on the ceiling.
"We can use that", he pointed with his eyes.
"That's too small for us to enter the duct, we need a bigger entry point like the other one."
Jack eyed the girl in the opposite side of the room. "You're right, it's too small for us, but what about her? She's tiny, she could do it."
"C'mon, Jack, she's a civilian and she's still in shock for being attacked by one of those men. What if they spot her?"
"We can guide her from here, she won't be in much danger as long as she does it quietly – then, noting still a bit of concern on Tony's face, he added – We have no other choice, Tony. She seems to trust you, ask her."
Tony sighed.
"A'ight"
Then, he went back to Anna.
"Hey"
She immediately felt that something was wrong.
"Is everything ok? When the FBI's gonna break in?"
"Very soon, but first we might need your help for something."
"My help? – she asked with a mix of confusion and anxiety – "Uhm...ok…what should I do?"
"The terrorists told the FBI that they bombed the doors of the lobby and that they're gonna detonate them and kill the hostages if they try to enter. We need to identify the detonators and see where they are placed in order to allow a safe entrance. We could do it through the air vent, but unfortunately, me and Jack can't fit through that grid up there to access it. But we think you could do it…are you willing to help us on this?"
"Yeah, sure, I think I can do it – she answered spontaneously – But, once in the vent what should I do exactly?"
"Once inside, we're gonna give you a phone with a camera and we'll guide you till the lobby. Then you'll just have to show us what's happening in there and zoom on the charges."
"Ok, no problem. I've always wanted to become a reporter."
"Good – he smiled with admiration – Come on."
Anna followed him and they both reached Jack.
"I'm Jack Bauer, I'm a federal agent", he introduced himself.
"Anna Miller."
"Anna, Tony already explained to you what we need you to do, right?"
"Yes."
"We're gonna help you get in there and then we'll guide through this phone until the room where the hostages are held – Jack handled her one of their phones – You can also use it as a light since it's gonna be dark in there. Once you've arrived, you'll just have to make a video for us, any other questions?"
"Uhm…no, I don't think so."
"Ok. Thank you for doing this, it's really important in order to save the other hostages' lives. Just remember to be as quiet as you can and nothing's gonna happened to you. If you have any more doubts, just whisper to me on the phone, all right?"
Anna nodded. Then, Jack helped her to get in the air vent and started to tell her where to go. The duct was so dark and full of dust, but she managed to slide to the lobby without further complications. Once over that room, she began to take the video.
"Renee, are you seeing this?", Jack told while watching the screen with Tony and also being on direct communication with the FBI.
"Yes, Jack, we can see four men inside with automatic weapons."
"Anna, could you point the camera to the doors and zoom a bit?"
Anna did what Jack told her, trying to be as quiet as possible. Her heart was pounding so hard that she was afraid almost that they could hear it and spot her because of this.
"I don't see any detonator on the doors – stated Jack doubtfully – Anna, could you turn the camera to the opposite side, please?"
"Nothing there too – intervened Renee – Do you think it was just a play to make us stand back?"
"It's possible – replied Jack – I think we can proceed with the plan then: me and Tony will create a diversion to lure some of the men into a trap. Then, when I'll be in position near the entrance of the lobby, I'll give you a signal and you can cut the power off and send in the team with the night goggles. Got it?"
"Ok, Jack, I tell the team to stay put and wait for your signal."
"Ok, thanks."
"Jack", Anna whispered on the phone.
"Is everything ok there?", both Jack and Tony listened back to the phone with apprehension.
"I think there are some charges somewhere. I just heard two of them talking, asking if they were all set."
"But we've checked the doors, there are no detonators there. Are you sure you heard it right?"
"Yes, I'm half Russian, they were talking with low voice, but I'm sure of what I heard. They said that the charges were armed and that if the feds try to attack, they will have a surprise", she insisted with confidence.
Jack looked up to Tony for a second and then started talking again: "Ok, maybe they could have placed them on the front doors. Renee, make sure that also the front doors are checked for explosives and that everyone keeps a safety distance before entering the building."
"Copy that."
"Anna, you can come back now. We got everything we needed."
A few minutes later, Anna was back at the entry grid and Tony helped her to get down, taking her by the hips. For a couple of seconds, she ended up in his arms, both staring in each other's eyes and everything around stopped.
"Thank you again for doing this – Jack's voice abruptly interrupted the magic from behind – You did great."
Anna quickly backed off with embarrassment and turned towards Jack.
"No problem, hope it'll help you."
"It will. Now, we've got to go, but I want you to hide in here and when the FBI will enter this room, immediately identify yourself and raise your hands, understand? Don't let them see you with the gun or it can end up badly, ok?"
"Ok."
"Good. Lets' go Tony", Jack said, heading for the door.
Tony turned to Anna one last time, not able to find any appropriate word for the moment.
"Be careful", she whispered.
"Yeah."
Then, he followed Jack outside.
