- President Palmer: Listen to me. All of you. I know you're not in the same room with me but you can see and hear me plainly enough. Take a good look. Do I seem scared? Am I breaking into a nervous sweat? Am I babbling? At a loss for words? Is my voice shaking? Can any one of you look me in the eye and tell me I'm disabled?
- Vice President Jim Prescott: If military strikes do not occur imminently casualties to American soldiers will increase by tens of thousands of lives. That analysis is undisputed.
- President Palmer: The risk of attacking innocent countries is unacceptable. We have to be sure.
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Everybody is sure, Mr. President. Everybody but you.
- President Palmer: Well, as it happens, I'm the only one who counts.
- President Palmer: Mr. Prescott, there seems to be a collective feeling that a discussion is called for. In the interest in putting this behind us, I'll agree on one condition. When it's over, if I'm supported you tender your resignation as vice president of this country.
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Very well, Mr. President.
- Secretary of State: I, uh, suggest we all take a few minutes to compose ourselves and, uh, then get on with the proceeding.
- President Palmer: Let's not mince words, Mr. Secretary. You mean the trial of David Palmer.
- President Palmer: I just got this Pentagon briefing: stating our bombers aren't going back to their bases. Do you know anything about this?
- Mike Novick: I understand their in a holding pattern, waiting to refuel
- President Palmer: I ordered them back to their bases
- Mike Novick: Yes Sir, I know. That's why I'm here. Could I ask you to come with me for a minute?
- President Palmer: Come with you where?
- Mike Novick: Just down the hall to the main conference room
- President Palmer: What's going on?
- Mike Novick: Please Mr. President. Come with me
- President Palmer: [Surprised] are you ordering me to go to the conference room?
- Mike Novick: No Sir. Of course not, I'm sorry. It's very important
- President Palmer: I'm the President of the United States, I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what this is about
- Mike Novick: Mr. President, it seems there are a number of people, Cabinet members question if you're fit to continue as Chief Executive of this country
- President Palmer: And these people are in my conference room?
- Mike Novick: In a manner of speaking, they are
- President Palmer: Then let's go see them
- President Palmer: [Through video conference] now I see why I had such a hard time reaching you today Jim: you were busy
- Vice President Jim Prescott: I apologize if this comes as a surprise Mr. President. This is a "unique" situation in the history of this country, calling for "unique" measures
- President Palmer: Let's skip the sound bites and cut to the chase. What's going on here?
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Mr. President, we are invoking the twenty-fifth Amendment
- President Palmer: Whose "we"?
- Secretary of State: I think there's a "general feeling" that some of the decisions that you have made today
- Secretary of State: Hold on a minute Mr. Vice President, with all due respect Sir, most of us here are scrambling just to understand today's events. I think its way, way too early to be referring to a "general feeling" about anything
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Fair enough. For the record, let me review the relevant portions of the twenty-fifth Amendment, section four states "If a majority of the cabinet together with the Vice-President vote that the President is no longer able to serve as President, the powers of the Presidency are transferred to the Vice-President who now is the Acting President", is everyone clear on that?
- President Palmer: The twenty-fifth Amendment was designed for situations where the President is ill or incapacitated
- Vice President Jim Prescott: [Referring to another guideline in this section] the language speaks for itself Mr. President, "unable to discharge His duties of the office." The reason for the disability isn't limited to any one cause. The Attorney General agrees with this interpretation
- President Palmer: And just what exactly is my supposed "disability?"
- Vice President Jim Prescott: It seems to me Mr. President, the stress of today's events have overwhelmed you. An atomic device has been detonated on American soil today, we have clear evidence which counties are responsible along with details of a terrorist group they sponsor
- President Palmer: [Intentionally addressing him with his surname] the evidence implicates these countries is not clear Mr. Prescott. Far from it
- Vice President Jim Prescott: The Cypress audio has been independently by verified by every intelligence group we have
- President Palmer: And I believe those agencies have been mistaken
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Because of this lone CTU agent? Jack Bauer?
- President Palmer: Yes, Mr. Bauer believes the Cypress audio is a forgery. He also believes he will soon have proof
- Vice President Jim Prescott: His been telling you that for hours Mr. President. We still don't have the proof, if military don't occur imminently, casualties to American soldiers increases to tens of thousands of lives. That analysis is undisputed
- President Palmer: The risk of attacking innocent countries is unacceptable. We have to be sure
- Tony Almeida: I just saw a message that the President called off the military offensive over an hour ago
- Ryan Chappelle: Who told you this?
- Tony Almeida: Someone at DOJ: someone I trust
- Ryan Chappelle: I wouldn't worry about it
- Tony Almeida: Is it true?
- Ryan Chappelle: Yes
- Tony Almeida: And you knew about it?
- Ryan Chappelle: I did
- Tony Almeida: And you didn't tell me. Why are you so determined to keep my people processing when the operation has been scrapped?
- Ryan Chappelle: Because there's a strong possibility the White House will reinstate the order
- Tony Almeida: It doesn't make sense. Why would the President reverse his orders twice?
- Tony Almeida: [Over the phone with Michelle listening in] what're you doing at Kate Warner's house? You were suppose to bring that chip here over an hour ago
- Jack Bauer: We ran into some interference, Yusuf Auda is dead
- Tony Almeida: What happened?
- Jack Bauer: I don't have time to explain but his the only reason we still have the chip. Look I'm trying to read it now. I've put in a flash card adapter but something's not working
- Michelle Dessler: Just give me a minute. You may have to override the function manually, I'll talk you through it
- Jack Bauer: OK good
- Jack Bauer: [to Tony] while Michelle is getting set up I need you to do a couple things for me. I want you to do a background check on a name: Peter Kingsley, it's probably an alias but we might get lucky. I want you to cross reference it with every major player in the oil industry
- Tony Almeida: Peter Kingsley? Why?
- Jack Bauer: I'll explain it to you later. I need you to get in touch with the President, tell him we've got the evidence he needs
- Tony Almeida: I already told him. I just found out his called off the military strikes
- Jack Bauer: Good, then we've got some time
- Tony Almeida: Not necessarily, Chapplle just told me he expects the order to be reversed
- Jack Bauer: Why?
- Tony Almeida: He didn't get specific but something's going on in Washington, something we're not suppose to know about
- Jack Bauer: [to Michelle] are you ready for me?
- Michelle Dessler: Yeah
- Vice President Jim Prescott: [Through video conference] most of you know Ron Wieland. Ron is one of the most respect national affairs correspondents in the country: he had a very "interesting experience" earlier today
- Ron Wieland: I was sent to cover President Palmer's environmental speech when I began to sense a bigger story. There were rumors of a terrorist attack on the west coast, possibly involving a nuclear device. Naturally, I kept asking questions, the next thing I know I was called in to talk to the President. He asked me to keep the story "under wraps" until later in the day and then he would give me an exclusive
- Vice President Jim Prescott: And what did you say?
- Ron Wieland: I told him I'd think it over but as I was leaving the building, I was suddenly grabbed by a Secret Service agent and hustled into a room and I was kept there under guard for several hours
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Did you feel this was a violation of your first Amendment rights as a journalist and as an American citizen?
- Ron Wieland: Of course
- President Palmer: Were you harmed in any way or threatened?
- Ron Wieland: No Sir
- President Palmer: But you understand the reason you were being detained?
- Ron Wieland: I assume it was fear if word got out that there was a nuclear threat panic might strike, and people would get hurt
- President Palmer: Do you think the lives of thousands of citizens are less important than a couple hours of your first Amendment rights?
- Ron Wieland: No, I don't but under the Bill of Rights, that decision was mine. Not yours Mr. President
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Did you get the feeling that things were a little "out of control" in the Palmer Administration?
- President Palmer: You're putting words in his mouth
- Ron Wieland: I did have a sense that President Palmer was out of control
- President Palmer: I was trying the balance the needs of public safety and Ron Wieland's rights. I offered Ron a deal and he turned me down. Nothing was out of control. I might add I had legal precedent for my action
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Thank you Mr. Wieland. I'd like to ask someone else to testify, he should be ready in a few moments
- Michelle Dessler: [Giving him instructions on how to access the Cypress audio over the phone as Tony listens in] Control Z, X, dash five and hit enter
- Jack Bauer: Done
- Michelle Dessler: Anything?
- Jack Bauer: I think it's reading it. No, all I'm getting are numbers and symbols
- Michelle Dessler: Take out the chip: make sure the leads aren't exposed
- Jack Bauer: Damn it
- Michelle Dessler: What is it?
- Jack Bauer: The chip is damaged
- Michelle Dessler: How bad?
- Jack Bauer: I'm not sure. Part of the microprocessor is gone and the leads that were connected to it
- Michelle Dessler: Whatever data you have, send it to my screen. I'll run it through the retrieval program here
- Jack Bauer: Will you be able to access the complete audio file?
- Michelle Dessler: If it's on there, I'll find it
- Kim Bauer: [Over the phone] I haven't been able to reach my dad: is he available?
- Tony Almeida: We're in the middle of something really important can I have him get back to you?
- Kim Bauer: Please, it'll just take a minute
- Tony Almeida: OK, just hold on
- Jack Bauer: Are you getting it?
- Michelle Dessler: Yeah I got it but you were right. The data is pretty scrambled
- Tony Almeida: Jack, I just assigned two IT people to help Michelle with this. We should be able to get through in fifteen to twenty minutes tops
- Jack Bauer: OK good
- Tony Almeida: Also, I got Kim on the line for you
- Jack Bauer: Thank you
- Tony Almeida: Kim, I got your dad on the line go ahead
- Kim Bauer: Dad?
- Jack Bauer: Sweetheart
- Kim Bauer: Tony told me your alive, I've been trying to reach you
- Jack Bauer: Are you still at the Sheriff's station?
- Kim Bauer: They're taking me to the Matheson house to pack up my things. I'm glad you're ok
- Jack Bauer: Me too
- Kim Bauer: When I thought you were gone, I just miss you dad. I miss you so much
- Jack Bauer: I miss you too honey
- Kim Bauer: I just want to come home
- Jack Bauer: I'll be home soon, I promise
- Kim Bauer: Ok, hey dad?
- Jack Bauer: Yeah?
- Kim Bauer: I love you
- Jack Bauer: I love you too, I'll see you soon ok?
- President Palmer: [Referring to Prescott trying to remove him from the Presidency] you knew about this didn't you? How long have you've known?
- Mike Novick: It doesn't matter Mr. President...
- President Palmer: [Interrupts him] it matters to me. How long?
- Mike Novick: A couple of hours Sir
- President Palmer: You were a part of it weren't you? When it's all said and done, you were on Prescott's side
- Mike Novick: No Sir. I'm on your side. I always will be. This could be a good thing: a chance to correct a mistake of historic proportions. David, I'm begging you. Reconsider your position on this
- President Palmer: I'm the President, you don't call me by my first name
- Mike Novick: Yes Sir
- Vice President Jim Prescott: [Through video conference] I'm sorry for the delay: the man you're about to see is not entirely well. In fact it's taken him a great deal of courage to join us at all. Roger Stanton, head of the Nation Security Agency. Roger, thank you for speaking with us
- Roger Stanton: Yes of course, sorry if I seem a bit tired, you see I was tortured for several hours at the operations complex by order of the President of the United States
- President Palmer: And why were you tortured Roger?
- Roger Stanton: Because you thought I knew more than I was saying about the location of the nuclear bomb. As if the head of the NSA would withhold anything from the President
- President Palmer: You're lying Roger. This may work for a while, eventually the truth will come out
- Roger Stanton: I have nothing to fear from the truth Mr. President
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Be as brief as possible Mr. Stanton, tell us what happened to you today
- Roger Stanton: I arrived at the OC to find out my assistant director Eric Rayburn have been dismissed by the President
- Vice President Jim Prescott: What was the reason given for Mr. Rayburn's firing?
- Roger Stanton: Eric wanted to bring the military into the equation right away, the President was reluctant to contemplate the use of military action
- President Palmer: That's not true
- Roger Stanton: In the next few hours I worked for the President as best I could. He was indecisive, erratic, and as I said terrified to think of military engagement. And a little after six this evening, I arrested on the charge of treason. I was taken to a small window-less room, the President after accused me of knowing more about the bomb than I was telling him
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Is that true?
- Roger Stanton: Of course not. In fairness to the President, I think he genuinely believed it to be true
- Vice President Jim Prescott: And why would he hold such a belief?
- Roger Stanton: David Palmer is a decent man, maybe his too decent for the times we live in. He wanted to avoid war at any cost. If he could prove to himself and Americans in finding the bomb, then he would have a good reason not to use military force against any foreign country
- Ryan Chappelle: I just heard you ordered two IT's on some kind of "retrieval project"? Their working military intel
- Tony Almeida: Jack Bauer has a chip: it contains an audio file and we expect will prove the Cypress recording was indeed forged
- Ryan Chappelle: Where is this chip?
- Tony Almeida: It's been damaged
- Ryan Chappelle: Damaged?
- Tony Almeida: Jack sent us the data but it's pretty messed up. The audio needs to be reconstituted which is going to take a little time
- Ryan Chappelle: How long?
- Tony Almeida: However long it takes
- Michelle Dessler: [Walking up to them] it'll take about fifteen minutes sir
- Aaron Pierce: [Before escorting the President to a holding room with two Marines] Mr. President, I'm not a lawyer, Sir but as far as I can tell: the Constitution's been followed. I've got no choice but to ask that you come with us. I'm sorry Sir
- Ryan Chappelle: Well, what've you got?
- Tony Almeida: The chip was more compromised than we thought
- Ryan Chappelle: Do you have the audio file?
- Tony Almeida: Michelle was able to recover some information worth following up on
- Michelle Dessler: Repeating code fragments: it may tell us who programmed the information
- Ryan Chappelle: Did you find the audio file? That's all I need to know
- Tony Almeida: No, we didn't
- Ryan Chappelle: So, Bauer wasted our time
- President Palmer: [while they watch footage of Roger Stanton being tortured] enough! This should end this discussion here and now. Yes I had Roger Stanton tortured, it was a horrible thing to do and God knows I hated doing it but just as I suspected he knew about the bomb. You've just seen it for yourselves
- Roger Stanton: I was strapped to a chair and thousands of volts of electricity passed through my body every few seconds. I'm not proud of it but I guess I did what most of you would: I cracked. I told the President what he wanted to hear, that I knew about the bomb
- President Palmer: You told me more than that Roger. You told me about the corral snake team, you told me the bomb was at Norton Airfield. Information we collaborated very quickly
- Roger Stanton: I don't know what you're talking about Mr. President
- President Palmer: Mr. Prescott, play the rest of the tape
- Vice President Jim Prescott: [Confused] there is no rest of the tape
- President Palmer: What?
- Vice President Jim Prescott: That's all I have
- President Palmer: That can't be. I was in that room for another ten minutes
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Well, this is all that was transferred by the OC Mr. President, we did ask for everything
- President Palmer: There must be some kind of mistake, or deliberate sabotage. Mr. Stanton had a whole lot more to say than what was just said on that tape
- Secretary of State: Mr. President, couldn't Agent Simmons verify what your telling us?
- President Palmer: No, I sent him out of the room, but the fact remains Roger Stanton told me about the corral snake team. He told me about the location of the bomb. Where else could that information could come from?
- Roger Stanton: We have many intelligence agencies Mr. President, thousands of agents combing the planet. It could've come from anywhere, just know it didn't come from me
- President Palmer: That's a lie and you know it. Tell them Mike
- Mike Novick: I only know what the Mr. President told me. I wasn't in the room
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Mr. Stanton, thank you again. Legally you will remain in custody as President Palmer has ordered and until this matter is resolved
- Roger Stanton: I understand
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Mr. President, do you have any evidence you would like to present, please do so now
- President Palmer: The testimony given here so far is inaccurate and incomplete. Roger Stanton is directly responsible for placing a nuclear weapon on US soil. I have evidence that proves it but you've given me no time. While my behavior may have been extreme, I was just responding to the extremities of today's events. Make no mistake, if we unleash our military power on nations later proved innocent, it will rank as one of the most despicable acts in history. Any chance for peace in the Middle East will be banished forever. Even if it costs American lives in the future, we must delay the attack until we're certain of our ground
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Excuse me Mr. President, I just received an urgent message from CTU Division Chief Ryan Chappelle. Apparently Jack Bauer has evidence he claims the Cypress audio was forged. The evidence is being reviewed at CTU right now and Mr. Chappelle says the analysis should be completed in the next few minutes. Considering the potential impact this evidence will have on these proceedings, I think it's come upon us to wait
- President Palmer: [Through video conference] let's get on with the vote
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Members of the Cabinet: you've been presented with the evidence, you know what's at stake. Those of you who believe the President is able to continue in Office, will vote "yes", those of you who believe he isn't, vote "no." Mr. Novick will conduct the voice poll. The numbers will be reflected up on the screen
- Jack Bauer: Kate, are you alright?
- Kate Warner: Everything that's happened today: everything that's happening. I keep thinking it's all my fault
- Jack Bauer: We would have never found the bomb in time if it wasn't for you
- Kate Warner: But my sister was the one behind the bomb, she helped those fanatics
- Jack Bauer: Yes but you're not your not your sister
- Kate Warner: I should've seen something was wrong before it got this bad. Because of what she did, it could start a war. I could've stopped it
- Jack Bauer: No, Kate you couldn't of. There are things in this world that are just out of our control. Sometimes we like to blame ourselves for them so we can try making sense out of them
- Jack Bauer: [Over the phone] you got the audio file?
- Tony Almeida: No
- Jack Bauer: What'd you mean no? Are you telling me there's no audio file on that chip?
- Michelle Dessler: If there were, they were destroyed when the chip was damaged
- Tony Almeida: Jack, Chappelle is phoning the President and he wants you in on the call
- Jack Bauer: I bet he does
- Tony Almeida: Also, some of the information Michelle was able to recover may be worth looking into
- Jack Bauer: What kind of information?
- Michelle Dessler: Identical code fragments at the tail end of several data streams
- Jack Bauer: What're you talking about? What kind of fragments? What are the fragments for?
- Michelle Dessler: Nothing: that's the point. It's junk code. Programmers and hackers sometime embed it into their programs as a "marker", a signature
- Tony Almeida: Michelle was able to trace the sequence back to a hacker named Alex Hewitt. His got a file with the FBI
- Jack Bauer: Are you telling me this is the technician that created the Cypress file?
- Michelle Dessler: Yes
- Tony Almeida: Chappelle's not going to let us follow up on any leads so your going have to talk to this guy on your own
- Jack Bauer: Fine what's his last known address?
- Tony Almeida: 2-10 Laurel Canyon Boulevard North Hollywood
- Jack Bauer: Ok I got it, I'll get back to you
- Vice President Jim Prescott: [Through video conference with the Cabinet Members] the airborne squadrons have been in a holding pattern since President Palmer called off the attack: they just re-fueled. If we want to resume the operation, we need to come to a conclusion now
- President Palmer: A few more minutes. This is the difference between peace and war Mr. Prescott
- Vice President Jim Prescott: It's also a pattern that's reoccurring in the last few hours. Everything will change once Mr. Bauer calls, just never quite happens
- President Palmer: [Standing aside to answer an urgent call] this is President Palmer
- Ryan Chappelle: Mr. President Palmer, this is Ryan Chappelle
- President Palmer: Hello Ryan
- Ryan Chappelle: I have Jack Bauer on the line, he'll give you an update
- Jack Bauer: Mr. President, I found the chip, unfortunately it's been very badly damaged
- President Palmer: Is it in good enough shape to prove the Cypress recording was forged?
- Jack Bauer: Sir, I'm afraid in its current condition, it doesn't prove much of anything
- President Palmer: Can it be repaired?
- Jack Bauer: No Sir, I'm sorry. We have been following other leads. About an hour ago, I was captured and tortured by men who wanted the chip. They worked for a Peter Kingsley. I believe his part of the group that's behind the bomb. I think they've been manipulating today's events to start this war Sir
- President Palmer: What?
- Jack Bauer: To improve the value of their oil contracts in the Caspian Sea and control the oil coming out of the Middle East
- President Palmer: But I need something concrete. I need evidence
- Jack Bauer: Mr. President, I understand. Right now I'm checking up the address on who we believe engineered the Cypress recording for Kingsley. I'm sorry Sir but it's the best we've got
- President Palmer: Everything you've seen, are you absolutely convinced the Cypress recording was forged?
- Jack Bauer: Yes Sir. Absolutely
- President Palmer: [Before hanging up] alright Jack, thank you
- President Palmer: [Returning to the video conference with the Cabinet Members] the evidence I was hoping for is not yet available. I believe it will be in the near future
- Vice President Jim Prescott: When Mr. President?
- President Palmer: I don't know
- Vice President Jim Prescott: Meanwhile the window for a surprise attack is rapidly closing. It's time to vote
- Mike Novick: Mr. Vice President, if you can indulge me for just one minute?
- Mike Novick: [Standing to the side to talk privately] Mr. President, this Bauer "thing" is an illusion, a mirage. Every time you get near it, it moves further away. For your sake and for the country, authorize the attack. All of this will go away
- President Palmer: And a lot of people, Americans and non-Americans will die for no reason
- Mike Novick: We don't know that Mr. President
- Jack Bauer: [Over the phone] I'm about half a block from Hewitt's loft: has the FBI sent over his file yet?
- Tony Almeida: Yeah, we just got it
- Jack Bauer: What'd do I need to know?
- Tony Almeida: The State Department recruited him right out of CAL TECH. he revamped their entire surveillance program, and then he got caught manipulating intel on some files he didn't have clearance for. He tried to kill himself in custody and spent a year in psychiatric prison before being released last September
- Jack Bauer: No connection to Kingsley?
- Tony Almeida: No. Not that we can find
- Jack Bauer: Ok as soon as I get Hewitt, I'll get back to you. Any word on what's happening with the President?
- Tony Almeida: No, not yet
- Jack Bauer: Ok thanks
- Jack Bauer: [yelling through the bedroom door in the Warner home] Please let me who I'm speaking to?
- Marcus: Doesn't matter who we are: only thing that matters is we got something you want. Something your girlfriend was about to pay us a lot of money for
- Jack Bauer: Listen to me, both of you, about five hours ago a nuclear bomb went off, I'm sure you know about that. The chip you have has information about who's responsible: it's vital to our investigation. The man you assaulted was a foreign intelligence agent, he was bringing the chip to my office
- Jack Bauer: [when he doesn't respond] I'm gonna give you one chance to get out of this: give me the chip back and I'll let you walk, no questions
- Marcus: You don't think we know your setting us up?
- Kate Warner: [overhearing them] What are you doing? They killed Yusuf, they were about to kill me
- Jack Bauer: We're about to go to war with three countries who are not responsible for what happened today. The only way I can stop it is getting the President that chip. So, right now I'm gonna do everything I can to get it back. Please I need your help, get through to CTU, please
- Jack Bauer: [yells through the bedroom door] I'm gonna give you thirty seconds to open that door
- Cole: [whispers to Marcus] Give it to him
- Marcus: are you crazy? It's the only thing keeping him from killing us: he killed Rouse
- Jack Bauer: You got twenty seconds
- Marcus: [yells to Jack] We're just supposed to trust you?
- Jack Bauer: Right now you don't have another choice
- Cole: [whispers to Marcus] Just give it to him
- Marcus: No way
- Cole: His serious
- Marcus: So am I