Previously
Adam Black, a falsely prosecuted former federal agent, has been broken out of prison in order to work for the Los Angeles Anti Terrorist Coalition, ATC, to go undercover and work with a known drug criminal, in hopes to use his contacts to locate a deadly virus that is supposed to be somewhere is Los Angeles this day.
November 1st, 2023. 11:20am - Los Angeles
The phone rings and Adam picks up. Diaz gives him the address.
"There's an abandoned building at 2343 North Alvarado Street. I'll be there at 12. And, for your sake, I hope I like what you have to say."
"Copy that."
Diaz hangs up, and Adam and Gwen make their way to their car.
"We'll meet at an abandoned building at 2343 North Alvarado Street. Diaz is extremely smart, so we can't make any mistakes, you understand? I know for a fact that he doesn't trust anybody, so he will be suspicious. We just need to remain calm. I can handle him, but don't get nervous."
Gwen almost takes that as an insult.
"I don't get nervous."
"Yeah, I hope so. We need to be there at 12, so we better get going."
As Adam starts the car, he calls Richard.
"Hey, it's me. We have an address, and we're on our way to see Diaz now."
"Copy that. Let me know when you're successfully undercover."
"I will."
The White House, Washington, DC
Palmer Collins pulls Vice President Jonas Heed aside. The Vice President and Palmer have never seen eye to eye, as the Vice President has felt that Palmer is a negative influence around the President, often using his skills in manipulation to achieve his own ends. Palmer himself knows that convincing the Vice President to join him is going to be a tough sell. But he is a top level salesman.
"May I have a word with you, Mr. Vice President?"
"What is it, Palmer?"
"I was just wondering. The President still hasn't notified the public of the threat we're facing."
"I'm aware of that. What's your point?"
"Well, considering the scale of the threat, don't you think the public has a right to know?"
"It's the President's call, not mine, Palmer."
"Yes, but I was asking for your opinion. Off the record."
Jonas attempts to choose his next words wisely. It's always dangerous in politics when things go off the record.
"I might do otherwise, if I was in the President's shoes."
"I thought you might feel that way."
"I'm sure you're going somewhere with this?"
"I am. Mr. Vice President, I've been notified that currently ATC is working on an undercover operation in attempt to retrieve the virus and prevent it from holding into the hands of terrorists. The President is aware of this operation, but he is keeping the rest of the administration in the dark."
Jonas knows Palmer is trying to play games, and is getting somewhat tired of dancing around.
"As I said, it's the President's call. I'm sure he has his reasons to trust ATC."
"But to keep everyone in the dark like this... I don't know, Mr. Vice President. Whatever ATC is doing better be good. And it better deliver. Otherwise, I think the President is making a big mistake. Don't you think?"
Jonas stares at Palmer for a second, as he knows he's fishing for a specific response. But, in all honesty, it is the response he has to give in this situation.
"Yes. I think so."
"I thought so, Mr. Vice President."
"Now if you'll excuse me, Palmer."
"Of course."
Palmer lets out a smile, a barely visible one, but one that forms on his face as a reflex after he's accomplished something he went out to accomplish: there is now doubt in the Vice President's mind over the actions the President has taken.
Los Angeles
Adam and Gwen are nearing the address given to them by Diaz. Adam wants to make some last minute preparations with Gwen before they proceed.
"Once we go in, you're gonna have to trust me. And I need you to say it."
Gwen looks Adam straight in the eyes.
"I trust you."
Adam vaguely senses something more in those words, something that goes beyond strictly business. He is in mission mode, so he chooses not to explore that any further, but there was an energy behind those words that he wasn't expecting. Gwen wants something, as, well, though.
"Do you trust me?"
This catches Adam off guard. Trust is not his strong suit, he can't name a lot of people that he has ever trusted in his life. And a number of those have betrayed that trust. But, oddly enough, he feels surprisingly comfortable giving the answer.
"Yeah. I trust you."
This means a lot to Gwen who spends a few extra seconds looking Adam in the eyes.
"Good."
"We'll be there soon. Let's just hope Diaz has what we need."
Adam then calls Maria. This takes Gwen out of the moment.
"Hey, it's me. I need you to send a detailed report of the virus on my phone. I need to be able to accurately describe it to Diaz."
"Yeah, you got it. It should be on your phone now. Just be careful, Adam."
"Yeah, I will. Thanks."
Diaz Residence
Nicolás Diaz is getting ready for the meeting, as he asks his right hand man Bruno to have a few words.
"Remember: if I see one thing I don't like, I'll give you the signal, and Adam's dead, alright? Let everyone know to be on their guard."
"Understood."
"But not before I've heard what he has to say. If there's money involved, I want to know about it. But after we no longer have use for him, I'll give you the sign."
The White House, Washington, DC
The President is in his office, approached by the Vice President.
"Mr. President?"
"Yes, Jonas?"
Jonas tries to be extremely careful. He is loyal to the President, and knows Palmer is up to something, but can't shake the feeling that Palmer was right earlier, in his assessment that the President could be jeopardizing national security with his decisions. At the very least, he does not want to be kept on the dark.
"With the ongoing threat, have you given any consideration to notifying the public about the situation?"
"Yes, I have. And I believe that now is not the best time to do that. It would cause mass panic, and could put an ongoing ATC operation at risk. We do not want the people in possession of the virus to be notified that we know of the virus being on US soil."
This explanation does convince Heed, but he is curious about the ATC operation.
"Excuse me, Mr. President, but could you let the administration know about this operation by ATC?"
"I'm withholding that information at this time."
"Any particular reason why?"
"It's a top secret operation. The less people know about it, the better."
"With all due respect, Mr. President, this virus is one of the deadliest threats this nation has ever faced. I would appreciate being kept in the loop."
Morgan realizes what's going on.
"You've been talking to Palmer?"
"Yes, Mr. President. He shares my feelings."
"I know how Palmer feels about my decisions regarding today's events. But I can assure you: they've been the right ones. Now if you'll excuse me."
"Yes, Mr. President."
Jonas leaves the room, somewhat puzzled. Did the President mean that Palmer knows more about the details of the operation? And if so, should he ask him?
Los Angeles
It's 12 o'clock, as Adam and Gwen stop at the agreed address.
It's a remote location, where a bunch of abandoned buildings lay unused. Just as they get out of the car, another car arrives. Out of the car come four men, and one of them Adam recognizes as Diaz. It's been eight years, but Diaz is an impressive figure with a presence that you never forget. The three men with him don't even attempt to hide the fact that they're armed. Diaz immediately notices that Adam has company.
"So who's she?"
Adam and Gwen both play it cool. Gwen does as she promised: she trusts Adam.
"She's not going to be a problem, Diaz."
"This is your bitch?"
"Yeah."
Diaz and his men stare a hole in both Adam and Gwen, until Adam decides to move the conversation along.
"Look, we don't have much time, there's money to be made, let's just go inside."
"You don't tell me what to do, Adam. I call the shots here. Your face was on the news today. So you broke out of jail."
Adam is making up a story as he goes.
"Yeah, that's why I need this break, I need to get out of the US. And what I'm about to tell you will ensure that."
"If there's someone who can break out of prison, it's you, Adam. Where have you been?"
"Around."
Diaz gets right in Adam's face.
"I'll listen to what you have to say. But I need to be able to trust you. You know what happens to people I don't trust, don't you?"
"Yes, I do."
Diaz hands Adam a gun.
"Show me I can trust you. Shoot her."
Adam tries to maintain his cover and keep a straight face, but is having difficulty. Gwen is getting nervous, as well.
"What? That's not necessary."
"I'll tell you what's necessary. You want to work with me, show me. Shoot the bitch."
Diaz's men have their guns aimed at Adam, so there's no escape for him from this situation.