The following takes place between midnight and 1 am. Events occur in real time.
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Note: The meeting of the Taliban Leadership Council is in Pashto. Just pretend that you're reading the subtitles.
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12:00 Cuba
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Because of Nina's sabotage she and Jack missed their chance to escape Cuba. Now, they have been captured by the Salazaar drug cartel. These cartel soldiers force Jack and Nina into a shed while they contact their superior. Jack and Nina are both tied up.
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Jack: You really blew it, didn't you. Now we're both probably going to be killed.
Nina: You would have killed me as soon as we got back to the states. I'd rather negotiate with these businessmen than a fanatic.
Jack: I wouldn;t have killed you.
Nina: Not until you got what you needed from me. My chances of survival just greatly increased, yours have decreased.
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At CTU Eric Carter is getting his team ready to try and find Georgia. It is a bit of a long shot, it could just be a coincidence that a convicted child molester was near a mass shooting, but with Jones still refusing to talk, it's the best lead they have at the moment. Jones is still undergoing sensory depravation, Mason plans to interrogate him soon. He is going over files of doomsday cults and trying to guess which one Jones might be connected to.
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At the White House president Allen is informed about the theatre shooting.
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Gardner: It seems one of the shooters was Layeq, a known member of the Taliban and on our terror watch list for awhile. As far as we know Layeq was part of the anti-peace faction.
Allen: We're monitoring a meeting between Hekmetyar and other Taliban leaders correct?
Gardner: For over an hour, so far noone's admitted to complicity.
Allen: I need to speak with Hekmetyar now.
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9:03 am Kabul
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Hekmetyar continues to speaking with other Taliban leaders, apparently unaware that Kyle Singer is listening in. One of Hekmetyar's aides informs him that the American president wants to speak with him. He excuses himself and goes to take this call.
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Hekmetyar: What do you want madam president?
Allen: There was a shooting at a movie theatre less than one hour ago.
Hekmetyar: I am sorry to hear this. Your people have our thoughts and prayers.
Allen: Clearly not all of your people. One of the shooters was a man named Layeq, a Taliban member.
Hekmetyar: I have done all I can to discourage such acts of retribution, but there is always a lunatic fringe.
Allen: If it is proven that any of your people are responsible for this, or condoned it in any way, I would expect you to take neccessary actions to bring them to justice.
Hekmetyar: You have my word on this.
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Hekmetyar goes back into this meeting.
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Hekmetyar: There was another attack in America, less than one hour ago. The president seems to be looking to blame us.
Obaidullah: This is typical of the infidels. Something bad happens, and they blame true believers. We need to be a united front against our enemies.
Hekmetyar; I agree, but I also need you to be honest with me. They say that one of the terrorists in this attack was Taliban.
Obaidullah: And we are suppossed to take the American's word that Layeq was a terrorist.
Hekmetyar: Layeq? The president never told me the name of this alleged terrorist.
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The other members of the Leadership Council stare at Obaidullah, his slip revealed that he had at least some knowledge of the most recent attack. Kyle Singer listens intently, wondering what they will do now.
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Hekmetyar: You knew of this attack?
Obaidullah: Not this specifically. But perhaps they were coming for him, and Layeq martyred himself to avoid being taken alive.
Hekmetyar: And the attack on their embassy?
Obaidullah: I had hoped Razi could get the list of traitors and collaborators before he died. But you should be thanking me, he is one less political rival for you.
Hekmetyar: Are you insane, you are just giving our enemies a reason to stay longer?
Obaidullah: They are too weak to stay, too depleted in blood and treasure.
Hekmetyar: Our only hope is to tell them everything you know.
Obaidullah: And the rest of you, will you also cower before our enemies?
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The other members of the Leadership Council agreed with Hekmetyar. They still viewed the Americans as the Great Satan, but it was time to negotiate. Obaidullah, knew he was defeated, and tried to take his own life. Hekmetyar and Vaachaspati stopped him. Hekmetyar ordered his guards to arrest Obaidullah, they would interrogate him and turn his intel over to the Americans.
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In Cuba Jack Bauer and Nina Myers wait in the shed. Then Estaban arrives. He knows that his superiors want to know who these people work for, and Estaban is authorized to use whatever means are neccessary to get it. Jack knows that what happens next will not be pleasant.
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12:12