Chapter 143: Attitude  

Owen, Ash, and Heat rushed to the FBI headquarters, but as soon as they entered, Owen was stopped at the entrance. 

Ever since CTU had suffered a terrorist attack, security had been heightened—not just at CTU but at the FBI as well. 

With Ash and Heat vouching for him, Owen was eventually allowed in. But when they reached Director Womack's office, they found it empty. 

Womack was nowhere to be seen. 

Ash pressed the secretary multiple times, even getting frustrated, but the only response she gave was, "No comment." 

When she looked ready to call security, Ash somehow managed to get Womack's private number. After calling him, they found out he was at CTU. 

Without wasting time, the three of them turned around and rushed to CTU. 

--- 

CTU Headquarters 

This time, it was Owen who had to vouch for Ash and Heat at the entrance. 

It was their first time inside CTU, and the facility was as busy as ever. As soon as they entered the main hall, Owen looked up and saw movement inside Jack Bauer's office on the second floor. 

Bringing two FBI agents into CTU immediately drew attention. 

The Data Support team had no idea who Ash and Heat were and gave them puzzled looks. However, the Field Team recognized them—after all, they had worked with SWAT to fight the mercenaries over the past few days. Even if they didn't know their names, they knew these two were FBI SWAT members. 

Owen didn't stop to explain anything. He led Ash and Heat directly to the second floor. 

Without knocking, he pushed the office door open. 

Inside, Jack Bauer and Womack were deep in discussion. Nina and Tony were also present, along with another unfamiliar face—probably one of Womack's subordinates. 

The sudden intrusion interrupted their conversation. Everyone in the room turned to look at the three of them. 

Jack and Womack exchanged a glance. Judging from their expressions, it was obvious that something serious had happened—but this wasn't the right time to discuss it. 

Jack nodded at Tony and Nina, signaling them to leave. Womack also dismissed his subordinate. 

Once the office was cleared, Womack finally spoke. 

"Alright. What is it?" 

He directed his question at Ash, since he had personally recruited her from the Kingfisher Special Forces Unit. They had a good personal relationship, so it was natural for him to ask her first. 

"Monica has been kidnapped," Ash stated flatly. 

"Kidnapped? By who? The mercenaries? When did this happen?" 

Womack was visibly shocked—he hadn't received any reports about this yet. 

"Half an hour ago." 

Ash quickly explained everything. 

Jack and Womack's expressions darkened as they listened. By the end of it, they exchanged a look, both deeply concerned. 

"I'll order a statewide search immediately," Womack said, picking up his phone. 

But even he knew this wasn't a real solution. 

If they couldn't catch Monica's kidnappers inside Los Angeles, their chances of finding her after that were slim to none. 

California was too vast. They had no way of knowing which route the kidnappers would take—hell, they weren't even sure if they were using the roads at all. 

They could take a plane, a car, or even smuggle her out by sea. The number of escape methods was overwhelming. 

"Have they made any demands?" Womack asked. 

"No contact so far." 

"What do you expect me to do?" 

"Call in Special Forces—either intercept them before they leave or send a team to Colombia to extract Monica." 

Ash's tone was resolute. She knew exactly what was needed—time was everything. 

And in a pure combat scenario, only Special Forces could match or surpass these mercenaries. The FBI's SWAT teams were skilled, but they weren't on the same level as battle-hardened guns-for-hire. 

Heat remained silent, but his stance made it clear that he agreed with Ash. 

Only Owen hesitated. 

Because he already knew the CIA had tried this—and failed. 

Womack was visibly irritated under Ash's pressure. He looked over at Jack Bauer, then let out a frustrated sigh. 

"You think we haven't tried that?" he snapped. "The CIA sent an elite strike team into Colombia days ago—they were wiped out." 

"Colombia is their home turf. They have every advantage there. Sending in Special Forces would be sending men to die." 

"So what?!" Heat suddenly exploded, slamming his fist on the desk. 

"Are we just supposed to watch as they take Monica to Colombia and behead her on live television?! Is that it?!" 

The frustration and helplessness in his voice were palpable. 

Monica wasn't just a teammate—she was someone they had fought alongside. Seeing the FBI powerless to stop her abduction filled him with rage. 

Jack and Owen remained quiet. 

Owen had an idea, but Alex Montel was an FBI prisoner, meaning it wasn't his place to suggest it. 

Being accused of apathy struck a nerve with Womack. For too long, he had been holding back his anger, but now, it erupted. 

"Enough!" 

His voice boomed through the office. 

"You think I don't care?!" Womack shouted, his face red with frustration. 

"This entire operation has White House oversight. Do you have any idea what I've been doing?! You think I didn't give a damn when we lost an entire CIA team?! Do you think I haven't fought to stop this madness?!" 

He grabbed a teacup and smashed it against the wall. 

"I have been pushing for a strike mission every single day. Fighting those bureaucrats! I even threatened a Congressman over this!" 

The room fell completely silent. 

Nobody had realized how much Womack had already done. 

After a long pause, Ash finally said, "I'm sorry, Womack. I didn't know." 

Then she added, "We can trade Alex Montel for Monica. The Montel family would agree to that." 

But this time, it was Jack Bauer who shut it down. 

"Impossible. The U.S. government would never exchange a high-profile cartel leader for one SWAT member." 

"If Womack agreed to that, he'd be in federal prison by morning. And everyone involved would be arrested too. Unless…" 

The room fell silent again. 

But Jack's "Unless" made everything clear. 

Womack looked at him in shock. 

Jack Bauer was one of the few people in CTU who had direct access to the President. If he was suggesting something, it meant there was a way forward. 

"Thank you," Womack finally said. 

Jack shrugged. "I just want to do something for the men we've already lost." 

Womack nodded. He had wanted to take this route for a long time—but until now, he wasn't sure if Jack would back him up. 

Jack continued, "This has to be an off-the-books operation. CTU and the FBI will have no involvement. If this fails, you'll be treated as criminals." 

Womack agreed. Nothing official could link them to this. 

Owen, Ash, and Heat exchanged glances. They had already planned to go after the Montel family—now, their mission was changing from assassination to rescue. 

And it had to happen immediately. 

"Owen, your behavior has been erratic lately. You're suspended." 

Jack said it plainly. 

Womack immediately followed suit. "Ash, Heat—you're also suspended. Take some time off." 

Then, he locked eyes with the three of them. 

"But if you do this… don't let that bastard leave Colombia alive. Sitting in a cell won't bring our boys back." 

Silence. 

Then—Rip. Rip. 

Ash and Heat tore off their FBI armbands and handed in their badges and weapons. 

Owen did the same, saluting Jack Bauer. 

Then, without another word, the three of them walked out, leaving behind a room full of people watching them go.

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