"Yes… We've confirmed the satellite imagery… I'm requesting Special Forces involvement… Yes… Thank you for your trust… I promise…"
Jack Bauer hung up the phone. As a CTU division chief, he had direct communication privileges with the President in emergencies.
The CTU operations room was silent. Everyone was waiting for the White House's decision.
Jack let out a deep breath.
"The President has authorized me to lead this operation. Nina, contact Miami CTU and inform them of the situation. They won't be involved this time—SEAL Team 4 will handle the assault and neutralize the nukes."
Then, he turned to Owen.
"Owen, you're coming with me."
The room went dead silent.
A rookie?
Owen had been at CTU for less than a week. While he had witnessed major terrorist attacks, he lacked field experience. No one could understand why Jack would pick him.
Except Nina.
She had a hunch.
Almost everything about this case revolved around Owen.
He was the one who caught Salim.
He was the one who identified Keyes Island.
His luck was absurdly good.
Field agents believed in luck—but intelligence analysts believed in data.
This wasn't luck.
This was something else.
---
One hour later.
Tony drove Jack and Owen to a small military airfield in northern Los Angeles. A small jet sat ready for takeoff.
After they boarded, the doors sealed, and the plane taxied down the runway, ascending into the sky.
Their destination—Miami.
Keyes Island was 100 kilometers north of Miami, connected to the mainland by a bridge.
They would be working with SEAL Team 4, one of the East Coast SEAL teams stationed at Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia.
They didn't know exactly how many SEALs would be deployed—but every single one would be elite.
SEALs had a legendary reputation, alongside Delta Force (D-Boys) as America's most famous special forces units. Their primary mission included Counterterrorism (CT)—this operation was right in their wheelhouse.
The U.S. had SEAL teams stationed in California as well, but not in Los Angeles—their base was in Coronado, near San Diego. Since Keyes Island was in the southeast, this mission fell to the East Coast SEALs.
This was a cross-country deployment—from the West Coast to the East Coast.
Even on a military aircraft, the flight would take five hours.
---
Inside the plane.
Jack suddenly spoke.
"Owen, I owe you an apology."
"Hm?"
"Salim's capture—you took a hit for me. But you handled it well. I saw the news footage."
"It's nothing," Owen shrugged. "Danger is part of CTU—I'm just getting used to it."
"Good."
Jack patted his shoulder and closed his eyes to rest.
Owen, however, was deep in thought.
He had done his research.
This mission wasn't just SEAL Team 4—the Pentagon had authorized 1,000 U.S. Marines as the backup force.
If the SEALs successfully infiltrated, the Marines would arrive within 15 minutes to secure the island.
They departed at 1:00 PM (Pacific Time).
With a 3-hour time difference between the West Coast and East Coast, plus a 5-hour flight, they landed in Chicago at 9:00 PM (Eastern Time).
Upon landing, a helicopter was already waiting.
It took Jack and Owen straight to a small naval base, where they would rendezvous with the SEALs.
---
During the flight, Jack received a call from Nina.
"Jack, satellite surveillance picked up a boat docking at Keyes Island—they offloaded cargo.
We traced the shipping records—the shipment was sent by "Padric Art Collections."
We checked their history—their past movements match Red Front's previous terror attacks.
They're either a front for Red Front or one of their backers."
This mission had full White House authorization—meaning CTU had unrestricted satellite access.
Since Jack left LA, CTU had been monitoring Keyes Island 24/7, searching for where the nukes might be stored.
The moment they spotted unusual activity, they immediately reported it.
---
Naval Base – Tactical Briefing Room.
24 SEALs were already seated, split into four fireteams—the primary assault force.
They had received intelligence in advance, stored on their PDA devices.
Owen sat on the sidelines.
Jack stood at the strategy board—the overall mission commander.
"Our primary objective is to locate the nuclear warheads.
There are four in total—you have images on your PDAs.
Good news—these nukes can only be detonated in two ways:
1. Aerial launch.
2. Timed detonation.
They cannot be remotely detonated.
This means the enemy will most likely use a timer.
Bad news—we don't know their exact location.
We only know they're somewhere on Keyes Island.
Stealth is critical—we find the nukes first."
---
"Additionally—no civilians are expected to be on the island.
Engagement rules: Shoot on sight.
However—there is one person to avoid.
A CIA operative—male, likely disguised.
His identity is unknown."
Before the briefing, Jack had contacted Martin Davis, the acting CIA director and temporary head of CTU.
Jack asked a simple question—is this an official CIA op?
If the CIA denied involvement, SEAL Team 4 would treat everyone as hostiles.
After a brief pause, Davis simply said:
"He's one of ours. That's all I can tell you."
The CIA wouldn't officially acknowledge anything.
The Mission Impossible Squad remained a ghost unit.
---
Same time – Keyes Island.
A helicopter descended onto a clearing on the island.
As the doors opened, Salim and Ethan Hunt stepped out, crouching to avoid the rotor wash.
A woman stood nearby, her long wavy hair whipping in the wind.
Upon seeing Salim, she smiled.
The moment they cleared the rotor, the woman rushed up to him.
"Salim! You're finally back! When you called, we were just planning your rescue…"
Salim pushed her away, his face serious.
"Juno, while I was gone—was there any trouble on Keyes Island?"
The woman, Juno, didn't seem offended.
"Everything's normal.
Just recently, our 'antiques' shipment arrived."
She glanced at Ethan, choosing her words carefully.
Salim nodded, not bothering with introductions.
He led the group toward the firelight ahead.
_________________________
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