With the President's stance now clear, the matter was firmly in CTU's hands. Judging by the military's earlier attitude, it was obvious the President didn't want the operation led by the armed forces.
Jack Bauer glanced at Owen, then at Simon Riley. "This time, the Rapid Response Team will cooperate with the field unit… led by Ghost."
Jack hesitated for a moment but ultimately chose Ghost. The Rapid Response Team was CTU's sharp blade, and it was still quite sharp. CTU was eager to seize this opportunity to make a name for itself, but Jack Bauer couldn't take the risk.
After all, the Rapid Response Team was new, and Owen had never handled a real hijacking. This incident was too significant—Jack wanted the team to shine, but he wouldn't gamble with a million lives.
Owen exchanged a look with Simon and didn't express any dissatisfaction. He wasn't a rookie—he immediately understood Jack's thinking. Both men began directing their teams to change into combat gear and prepare equipment.
Five minutes later, the two fully armed teams assembled. The most eye-catching among them was Simon, not only fully geared up but also wearing a skull mask and light red goggles, giving him a fierce, intimidating look.
Members of the Rapid Response Team looked on in surprise, but judging by the field unit's expressions, it was clearly nothing new to them.
Owen said nothing. The two squads formed up and quickly headed out of CTU.
One minute later, two off-road vehicles roared out of CTU's parking lot, speeding toward a military base outside Washington. At the same time, the base had already received high-level orders from the military: the Flying Fish was to undergo its first combat operation, and it was under immense time pressure.
The staff immediately went into action—refueling, maintenance, replacing faulty components, and checking all systems. The chaos was controlled and efficient.
Halfway through their journey, four motorcycle police units—already briefed—were waiting by the roadside. As soon as the CTU vehicles appeared at the intersection, the motorcycle officers took the lead to guide them.
The convoy sped along with green lights all the way. Not a single second was wasted. At every intersection, the officers would block traffic to ensure clear passage.
Twenty minutes later, the convoy entered the military base. The sentries at the gate had already moved the barricades aside. Without slowing down, the two vehicles drove straight onto the runway.
There, an aircraft resembling a B-2 bomber was already prepped and ready. A curly-haired man stood by the boarding ladder, watching as the two vehicles roared in. As soon as they stopped—barely even stationary—the operatives began jumping out and running toward the plane with their gear. The tension was palpable.
"Go, go, go!"
Ghost, wearing his skull mask, shouted as he urged his team. One after another, the armed operatives boarded the aircraft with their gear.
Time was short—they had to take off immediately. The detailed operation plan and other arrangements would be made once airborne.
The Rapid Response Team wasn't at full strength—only three members were currently present, as Swagger had yet to return to base. But since this mission likely wouldn't require sniping, it wasn't a major issue.
Jack clearly intended to use this opportunity to train the new team. Otherwise, he wouldn't have allowed the Rapid Response Team to participate. Owen understood Jack's intent well—Simon Riley was a former SAS member, and SAS had numerous successful counter-hijacking missions. That kind of experience was invaluable, making Ghost the ideal field commander.
After the last team member boarded, the hatch closed and the aircraft began taxiing down the runway.
The plane climbed quickly to an altitude of 13,000 meters. Thin clouds drifted below them.
Inside the cabin, before laying out the combat plan, Ghost had the curly-haired technician explain how the Flying Fish would function.
"Our aircraft will approach the hijacked plane from behind, matching its speed and positioning directly beneath the fuselage. When the timing is right, we'll initiate docking, similar to aerial refueling. A sealed passageway will connect the two aircraft. I'll then equalize cabin pressure. Once both sides are stable, I'll give the safety signal and you'll board. This process is extremely dangerous. Be absolutely careful not to damage the coupling. If pressure is lost, both aircraft will be doomed…"
As soon as the technician finished, Ghost's muffled voice followed. "IQ, you're first up. You've got the smallest frame. Once you're in, your first task is to disable the hatch's alarm system."
Monica nodded.
Ghost continued, "Next will be Trigger and Can Opener. You'll carry our equipment onboard. Then it's Cowboy and Heartbeat…"
Everyone nodded in acknowledgment.
"Once inside, begin scanning immediately to locate the VX nerve gas. Trigger and Can Opener, head toward the cockpit. Cowboy and Heartbeat, search the rear. IQ, provide cover. Remain hidden at all costs. Until we disable the bomb, there must be no direct engagement. Once we pinpoint the bomb's location, we'll release sedative gas through the ventilation system and take control of the plane."
Everyone affirmed their understanding. Owen was impressed by Ghost—he'd developed a workable operation plan in such a short time. Ghost's experience was clearly deep, and Owen felt even more appreciation for his talent.
After the briefing, the cabin fell silent. The operatives began checking their gear.
In the sky, the Flying Fish had maneuvered into position behind Flight 343. From the pilot's window, the rear of the airliner grew larger and clearer.
"Approaching target…"
The pilot reported as he stared intently at the body of the plane ahead. Both the curly-haired tech and Ghost leaned over his shoulder to observe.
Owen tightened the ammo belt across his chest. They were all armed with MP5K-N submachine guns fitted with suppressors—fast-firing weapons ideal for CQB in confined spaces. Their sidearms were SIG Sauer P226s, also silenced. No other weapons were carried, as there was no room in the narrow cabin to wield anything else effectively.
The Flying Fish gradually inched closer to the tail of the airliner.
"Beginning docking. Altitude 3-8-5…"
The pilot carefully operated the controls. "Activating Doppler imaging system…"
With that, a detailed image appeared on the screen in front of the curly-haired technician. The aircraft could be seen approaching the tail of the passenger jet at a visibly closing distance.
"Distance: 1000 meters. Approaching…"
"Distance: 750 meters…"
"500 meters…"
"350 meters…"
The pilot moved the control stick slowly and cautiously. Outside the window, the airliner loomed ever closer. His movements grew more delicate. Finally, the distance between the two planes stopped shrinking. The pilot's relieved voice came through the speaker: "All systems ready. Begin connection."
------------------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get early access to chapters by joining my Patre@n!
Find me at: patre@n*com/Mutter
You can read each novel for $5 or get them all for just $15.
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]