3:37 pm
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Jack and Audrey arrive at their home. Jack begins work on his grill while Audrey gets the chips and drinks ready. This house might not look like much, but it was all theirs, and it was home.
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12:38 am Kabul Afghanistan
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Colonel Mcnamara is coordinating the evacuation of U.S. military. It has already become clear they won't be able to evacuate all Afghans who wish to leave the country. The president's executive order is to concentrate on those who cooperated with the Americans and their families. It was easier said than done, but they would do what they could. Major Barnes comes to inform Mcnamara about what they've learned.
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Barnes: Taliban spotters have been recording people coming to the embassy.
Mcnamara: So that after we leave, they'll be able to identify those who worked with us, or at least to know who tried to flee to America.
Barnes: I have the same fear. What can we do?
Mcnamara: I'll speak to Hekmetyar, see if he can call them off.
Barnes: Will he?
Mcnamara; I don't know, but it's all I can think of.
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3:41 pm Washington D.C.
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Nathan Templeton, speaker of the House of Representatives, comes for his meeting with president Allen. Three years ago they had both been seeking the republican nomination for president, it had been a vicious primary. Most of the talking heads thought that one would win and choose the other as their vice-president. But Allen went in a different direction, asking Warren Keaton to be her running mate. Keaton had been a war hero, risen to the rank of general. When he retired he ran for office, ran for president. Although he had been apolitical for most of his life he sought the democratic nomination, and lost. Few expected an actual ticket of a republican and a democrat, but it worked and they got the plurality of the popular vote and enough electoral votes to win the general election. This had ofcourse created tension between Allen and Templeton, and had not gone away.
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Templeton: So far your evacuation has been going well.
Allen: It was my predecessor who negotiated this agreement with Hekmetyar.
Templeton: You've been in this office for, almost a year and a half, you haven't seriously challenged it in any meaningful way.
Allen: Because Hekmetyar has obeyed the terms thus far.
Templeton: It's ironic, you trusting him. I remember you calling him a barbarian.
Allen: I have no delusions about who he is, but he is the one we have to negotiate with.
Templeton: We should be staying there until the job is finished.
Allen: We've been there for over 20 years, that's more than twice as long as the Soviets were there. They couldn't change the country either. There are American soldiers in Afghanistan right now who weren't even born yet when we first invaded. Don't you think it's time for them all to come home?
Templeton: That's ironic, coming from a president who might get us involved in a war with Russia over a border dispute.
Allen: I am trying to negotiate an end to that war. I have no intention of going to war with Putin.
Templeton: Than why are local stores selling masks to ward off radiation? Especially if Russia really remains free of nuclear bombs?
Allen: They have disarmed, but they can't eliminate their knowledge for how to create more bombs. And people are understandably nervous.
Templeton: I might not be a fan of Putin, but much of the world is dependant upon Russian grain to feed their peoples.
Allen: I am aware of that. Our administration will do all we can to minimize casualties all around.
Templeton: We shall see.
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Vice-president Keaton is being taken to the welcoming home ceremony. He plans to shake a few hands, make a brief speech thanking these men and women for their service. Before they arrive Keaton hears his phone vibrating. It is from an old friend, who has gotten himself in a little bit of trouble with the law. Keaton decides to call his old friend back after this ceremony.
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Kambiz drives Jack Bauer's stolen car to the ceremony. By now Bauer will likely have reported this car as stolen, but it's unlikely the police will look for it here. Jack Bauer had killed Kambiz's brother during the war, he can only hope Jack Bauer will get blamed for this. Kambiz will have the chance to murder American soldiers, after they return from killing muslims on the battlefield, just as they think they're safe. And the vice-president will be here, a bonus for a Taliban fighter like Kambiz.
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3:47