When Owen mentioned the name "White Mask," Martin's pupils visibly contracted. That confirmed Owen's suspicion. Despite all signs pointing to White Mask targeting the White House—including the garbage truck sightings—no actual members of the organization had made an appearance. What role were they really playing in this operation?
Owen's biggest goal now was to extract as much intelligence as possible from Martin about White Mask. This organization was cloaked in secrecy. Many terrorist attacks bore their shadow, yet their structure, goals, and even the identities of most members remained a complete mystery. CTU knew only a few scattered names. And yet, White Mask had already orchestrated several major incidents on American soil.
"Tell me everything you know about White Mask."
Owen tried to stay calm and neutral, but Martin, the old fox, still picked up on the eagerness behind the question.
"Hahaha… you people know nothing about them, do you?" Martin mocked, clearly pleased with himself. Owen's acting needed more work.
But Martin also knew Owen wouldn't have much patience, so he didn't string things along. After catching his breath, he stopped laughing and said, "What do you want to know?"
"Everything," Owen repeated firmly. "How did you make contact with White Mask? Who approached you? What's their organizational structure, their scope of operations—everything, down to the smallest detail. I want it all."
By now Owen didn't care what Martin could deduce from his questions. He just needed information. Martin licked his dry lips and began to speak.
"About nine months ago, White Mask first approached me. I was off duty, at home. A woman came to my door and handed me a phone. It was streaming a live feed of Margaret shopping—my wife. One of their guys was tailing her. I wanted to act, but the woman warned me that if I resisted, they'd kill my wife on the spot."
"What was her name?"
"Avril. That's all I know."
Owen wasn't surprised. Of course it was her. That woman thrives on chaos.
"What happened next?" he pressed.
Martin let out a bitter chuckle. "Next? Ha… you'll love this part. They tried to convince me, the head of the Secret Service, to assassinate the sitting President. Can you believe that? Ridiculous, right? Hahaha…"
His laugh was dry and hollow, his face tinged with resignation. Owen didn't respond, and Martin continued on his own.
"Funny thing is—I agreed. That's the biggest joke of all."
"They started by using my son's death to manipulate me. Billy was our only child. My wife and I—he was everything to us. He died serving his country, and I was proud of that. But Palmer's decisions made his death meaningless. Everything we believed in, everything he gave his life for, was tossed aside by those politicians like it meant nothing. They traded it away for political leverage."
Veins bulged on Martin's forehead. His fury was real and deep.
"Can you imagine how I felt? That was when I truly saw this country for what it is. I know White Mask is full of lunatics, but Avril said something I couldn't deny: America used to be great, but that greatness is rotting from the inside out. It has to be destroyed so it can be rebuilt. Only then can it be great again."
"So you did all this… for that?" Owen asked coldly.
"Isn't that reason enough? Look at yourself—you work for CTU. You risk your life for this country, but what do you get in return? Do you really think you're fighting for the American people? Don't be naïve. You're protecting corporate fat cats—leeches sucking the life out of this once-great nation. You're no different from who I was ten years ago—loyal, hard-working… and used. And look where it got me. You really think I did this for money? Come on. Use your brain. I attacked the White House. Even if I could get my hands on $500 million, the U.S. would hunt me to the ends of the Earth. No—I'm saving this country from being destroyed by greedy politicians."
"Enough. I don't care about your delusions. Tell me about White Mask," Owen cut him off, fed up with the ideological rant. He'd seen this before. All terrorists believed they were the only ones who "understood the truth."
Walker stood off to the side, dumbfounded. Hearing these extremist beliefs up close was deeply unsettling. He couldn't deny that some of what Martin said about America's corruption had a kernel of truth—and that was what made it so dangerous. It gave terror room to grow. And America was so powerful that few people or nations could stand up to it. That's why some people, like Martin, turned to terrorism—because it felt like the only option.
"White Mask? Fine… let me think. You know what, forget it. It'll be easier if you just ask the questions," Martin said, calmer now after being interrupted.
Owen nodded. "What was your plan? You kidnapped the President—then what?"
"Obtain the nuclear launch codes. That's just step one."
"What's step two?"
"A full military withdrawal of all U.S. forces from non-American territories. Recall the Seventh Fleet."
Owen stared at him like he was insane. "You do realize no one would ever agree to that."
"These kinds of demands would just trigger the 25th Amendment. Congress would invoke it and swear in the Vice President as the new President. Your hostage would become useless. And the codes he gave you would be invalidated."
Martin smirked. "So what? Do you know what the Cyborstan Code is?"
Owen's brow furrowed. He'd never heard of it.
"Hah, I'm not surprised. Even Jack Bauer probably doesn't have clearance for it. The Cyborstan Code is one of America's most top-secret military protocols. It's a dual-key nuclear failsafe—one part held by the President, the other by the Secretary of Defense. If a nuke is launched by mistake, entering this code remotely triggers the warhead's self-destruction before it detonates."
"And you already have the Secretary of Defense. That's why you're so desperate to capture the President… Shit—that's your trump card. You lunatics actually plan to detonate a nuke on U.S. soil?!"
Martin grinned at Owen's reaction. "That's right. The Cyborstan Code doesn't trigger a full nuclear explosion, but it does cause a nuclear-level meltdown. The contamination would be enough. Neither party—Democrats or Republicans—would allow that to happen. So they'll comply with our demands."
Owen had to admit, the plan had a disturbingly high chance of success. If he hadn't unexpectedly rescued the President, they might've actually pulled it off.
"This whole plan… it was White Mask's idea?"
Martin burst out laughing. "Of course! Only they could come up with something this crazy. That's how they convinced me to join them. I'll admit—they've got some real talent. And connections. The Cyborstan Code is known only to the highest levels of government. For them to have it… their reach is terrifying."
(End of Chapter)
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