The following takes place between 10am and 11am. Events occur in real time.
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10:00
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Jack Bauer thought about Dubaku's offer. Even if he believed Dubaku was serious, he would be trading the lives of good soldiers for innocent civilians.
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Jack: They know who you are. CTU knows you and your men are not Askari, captain Dubaku.
Dubaku: Do they now.
Jack: Yeah. You're only hope is to surrender now.
Dubaku: I've already killed these security guards. I'm not a lawyer but I know that the penalty for killing one hostage is the same for killing all of them. I have no intention of surviving. Anyway, your president is a weak man. He will not give up until the rescue mission fails, until he is certain that the treaty will be stained with American blood.
Jack: Your plan to frame the Askari will never work.
Dubaku: I'm not worried about that. Your choice mr Bauer. These civilians, or your fellow soldiers. But know this, Americans will die here today.
Jack: Fine, let me talk to agent Almeida.
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Dubaku called Tony's cellphone and let Jack talk on speaker.
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Tony: Jack, what happenned?
Jack: I don't know. It seems to have been momentary interference, but it seems to be over.
Tony: What about Dubaku's men?
Jack: Four of them are right near the hostages. Taking it now would be too risky.
Tony: We need to move soon Jack.
Jack: I know. I'm going to try to create a distraction. Get ready to move on the south wall, I'll try to be in a flank three position.
Tony: Okay Jack, but be quick.
Jack: I'll try, and Tony, make sure your team all has body armor.
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As Tony hung up Dubaku questioned him.
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Dubaku: You told him to have body armor.
Jack: Tony's my friend. He would have bee suspicious if I weren't concerned for his safety.
Dubaku: I think you were trying to protect him. My men will assume they're all wearing armor and go for head shots. An hour from now, you can apologize to him in the afterlife.
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At the White House president Bartlett was again talking with George Mason.
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Bartlett: Has the operation commenced mr Mason?
Mason: Not yet, there's been a delay. We momentarily lost contact with Jack Bauer, during which time the terrorists changed positions. We're waiting for the ideal time, when there's less risk of collateral damage.
Bartlett: It's my understanding that the longer this goes on, the more likely the terrorists are to start shooting people.
Mason: That is a risk mr president, but it might be our only chance to avoid further civilian deaths. We can go now if you'd like sir, but there's a greater risk of bloodshed.
Bartlett: No, wait til the optimal moment mr Mason.
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After this conversation Mason called Tony Almeida. He told him to wait until the right moment, per the president's orders. Tony suspected that George Mason was trying to pass the buck, in case things went bad here. But in this case president Bartlett likely made the right call, and with help from Jack Bauer, they might actually get all these people out of there alive.
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10:08