Walker kicked the corpse hard. He'd been scared out of his mind just moments ago. Luckily, he had a sudden flash of inspiration, and Owen wasn't stupid—he knew how to seize the opportunity.
"Come help me," Owen urged as Walker was still venting his anger. The two of them dragged the bodies back into the library.
The hidden door inside the library was still open. After checking the area, Owen and Walker slipped through. The corridor wasn't long, and soon they saw the elevator mentioned earlier.
According to the intel, once they took this elevator down, they would reach the PEOC.
"Owen, I'm really... sorry…"
President Palmer called again after seeing that Owen had handled the terrorists.
Owen rolled his eyes at the camera and then picked up the call. "How's Jack doing?"
"Not well. You need to hurry."
Owen rolled his eyes again. As if he didn't want to hurry—he just didn't have the luxury to.
"Also, the emergency command center just informed me—they've launched a rescue operation…"
"A rescue? What kind of rescue?" Owen asked, frowning, a sense of foreboding creeping up on him.
"They've deployed Delta Force. They're planning to infiltrate via the rooftop…"
"No! Damn it, tell Delta to abort immediately! The enemy has Stingers!"
Owen shouted, panic in his voice. He clearly remembered that White Mask's forces had stolen six Stinger surface-to-air missiles. And even though he had disabled the rooftop's automated defense cannons when he shut down the surveillance system...
…
Ten minutes earlier
At the Pentagon's emergency command center, they finally established communication with President David Palmer. Carol, the now-highest-ranking official within the Secret Service, answered the call.
"Thank God you're alright. That's a huge relief."
"Agent Carol, Martin…"
Palmer calmly and clearly recounted everything that had happened—especially that he owed his life to CTU Director Jack Bauer's heroic rescue.
But now there was a new problem: Jack Bauer was seriously wounded and could die at any moment.
"Mr. President, I'm Laferson…"
At the Pentagon, a group of top military and intelligence officials sat around a long table. Since the attack, Vice President and Senate Speaker Laferson had been leading the response. Most cabinet members were at the White House when the crisis began and were now presumed hostages.
Laferson, seated at the head, addressed the President.
"Mr. President, please believe us—we will get you out."
"How much do you know about the terrorists?" Palmer asked.
"Unfortunately, not much. Our only source of intelligence is your firsthand account…"
Laferson's face stiffened. It was a truly awkward situation—terrorists had taken the White House, and they didn't even know who these people were. Everything they had came from Palmer.
After exchanging basic information, communication with the PEOC was cut short. Jack's phone battery was running low. Later, a more stable one-way connection was established, allowing Palmer to receive messages from the Pentagon, though he couldn't reply.
Back in the meeting room, Laferson turned to a lieutenant general and Agent Carol.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I believe it's time we authorize a Delta Force assault. We now know the President is alive and relatively safe, which means the terrorists' greatest leverage is gone."
"Mr. Vice President, I disagree," Carol said carefully. "An assault might provoke them. Let's not forget—they still have the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State. I recommend we try to contact Martin first."
Her response was measured. The terrorists could lash out if provoked. An attack now might lead to executions.
But opposition was futile.
Usually easygoing, Laferson was unusually forceful today. Ultimately, he had the final say. The others, including Carol, could only advise.
…
A few miles from the White House, three stealth Black Hawk helicopters carrying Delta Force operators had already taken off from the nearest military base, racing toward their target.
Inside the White House, chaos reigned. Though Owen had shut down internal surveillance, basic detection systems were still operational. The moment the helicopters were within range, rooftop sensors picked them up.
"Alert, alert. Unidentified object approaching. Anti-air systems locked. Please select alternate measures…"
The air operations control center blared alarms. Meanwhile, Staz's men were hustling equipment up to the rooftop.
"A point ready."
"B point ready."
One by one, teams checked in. Staz was in high spirits. All six Stinger missiles were in place, and they were awaiting targets.
He didn't know who was coming, but his crew had prepared for airstrikes and helicopter insertions.
Suddenly, the low hum of rotors echoed across the rooftop. Three Black Hawks flying at treetop level entered visual range. Staz's eyes gleamed with excitement.
The U.S. government would try everything. He had to break them down before they would negotiate seriously.
…
Underground, as Owen shouted about the Stingers, it was already too late. The Black Hawks were seconds from engaging. Palmer urgently tried to contact Carol—but the helicopters had already reached the rooftop.
"Fwoosh—"
The telltale white plume of a missile launch streaked skyward. One of the rooftop operators had pulled the trigger. A Stinger locked onto its target.
"Boom—!"
The missile struck its mark. The Black Hawk jolted violently in mid-air, then began spiraling downward, smoke trailing from its tail.
Hearing the explosion through the reinforced walls, Owen suddenly had an idea. Maybe this was the opportunity he needed. He had been agonizing over how to rescue the President and others. Now, with rooftop combat underway, the terrorists would be stretched thin. They'd be calling for backup.
That might just open a door—his chance to strike.
(End of Chapter)
[Get +20 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Mutter"]
[Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]