"Jack, White Mask's target is definitely the White House. I haven't figured out exactly what they're planning, but it's definitely related to the White House. The people Zheng Anshun killed were all employees of the six engineering firms that worked on the White House heating system upgrade three months ago…"
Owen relayed the latest findings to Jack via comms. In fact, Jack was right beside Jenny at that moment, and he shared Owen's thoughts—it was sheer madness. The White House wasn't just any building. It was known as the most secure place on earth. What kind of lunatic would even consider targeting it?
"Jenny, notify the White House Secret Service. Have them search the heating system for any explosives…"
After a moment of thought, Jack gave the order. No matter what the situation, it was imperative to notify the Secret Service so they could be ready.
Jenny acknowledged and carried out the task. Meanwhile, Owen continued through the comms, "Besides explosives, there's another possibility. All those killed were people who had actually worked on-site during the project. White Mask might've targeted them to obtain detailed floor plans of the White House."
Floor plans? That sounded completely insane. Did they not just plan to attack the White House but intend to storm it?
Jack found that possibility far-fetched—but it was at least a lead.
As Owen said it, it was as if something clicked in his mind. He suddenly remembered those old movies he'd seen in his previous life—White House Down, Olympus Has Fallen, or something along those lines. The premise in both was terrorists storming and taking over the White House.
Although he had long since stopped relying on those memories—too many discrepancies had cropped up—there were still some ideas from those films that held water. Sure, the movies were riddled with plot holes—sometimes a handful of men could apparently conquer the entire White House—but the underlying threat scenarios were plausible.
He had to admit that some Hollywood screenwriters had astonishing imaginations. He remembered that after 9/11, the Pentagon had allegedly brought together a group of screenwriters to brainstorm various terrorist scenarios as a way of drafting contingency plans.
To be honest, even some of the contingency plans Owen had helped write for CTU drew from cinematic depictions of terrorism—crashing satellites, hijacking nukes, triggering self-destruction on U.S. soil, even hijacking Air Force One. These wildly imaginative plots had taught CTU a lot. Jack Bauer himself had once joked: if Owen ever became a terrorist, it would be America's worst nightmare.
Still, film is film. In reality, Owen believed that successfully breaching the White House was nearly impossible. It was the nerve center of the only superpower left in the world. You don't just walk into that place.
After arriving in Washington, Owen had specifically studied the White House's security protocols. Not to mention the three-layer security ring from the outer perimeter inward, just the sheer number of security personnel stationed nearby made infiltration seem laughable.
The White House covered roughly 5,100 square meters, but the combined number of security personnel surrounding it numbered around ten thousand. That meant, on average, two guards for every square meter. Without deploying an army, there was no way to breach it. And sneaking a full-scale force into the heart of the U.S. unnoticed? Not even Ethan Hunt could pull that off.
Still, doubt alone wasn't enough. Owen added, "Jack, it's best to have someone inspect the garbage trucks, especially near the White House. These things can easily be converted into armored vehicles if fitted with a weapons system. Also, check whether any foreign diplomatic delegations have visited the White House in the past couple of days."
"I've already alerted the police about the garbage trucks," Jack replied. "But why the diplomatic delegations?"
"No reason. Just a thought."
Owen couldn't really explain. What was he supposed to say? That he vaguely remembered a movie where terrorists had infiltrated under the cover of a foreign delegation?
Too much time had passed, and the two movies had similar plots. He couldn't recall the details. All he remembered was something about armed trucks and a diplomatic cover. Maybe some heavy anti-aircraft systems on the White House roof. Either way, it seemed wise to inspect the place in person—maybe being there would jog his memory.
"I need a pass to the White House," Owen said. "I want to inspect the site."
"No problem. I'll come with you. Wait for my call."
After ending the transmission, Owen had the Rapid Response and field units stand down and return. Halfway back, Jack called again: "The clearance is ready. Pick me up at the CTU entrance. We leave now."
The motorcade returned to CTU. The rest of the team disbanded. Jack swung around to the driver's side and motioned for Owen to take the wheel. Owen instead climbed into the back seat to change out of his tactical gear. They'd just come back from a raid, so he was still fully kitted out. That wouldn't fly at the White House.
He stripped off all combat gear except for a P226 pistol and a soft Kevlar vest—lightweight body armor that could be concealed under street clothes.
Jack skillfully steered the car around a corner and merged onto Eighth Street. CTU headquarters was a good distance from the White House, but Jack drove fast, minimizing the travel time.
Once Owen was dressed, he returned to the front seat. "Jack, how's the White House security set up?"
Jack understood exactly why Owen was asking and began a detailed explanation: "The White House's security is divided into three layers, each handled by a different agency: the FBI, the Army Command, and the Metropolitan Police Department. These correspond to the outer, inner, and core security rings. The core—meaning inside the White House—is under full control of the Secret Service."
He continued, "Security measures come in three main types. First, physical defenses. These include checkpoints. The surrounding streets—about two or three blocks—are pedestrian-only zones. To the north is Lafayette Park; south, the South Lawn; west, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building; east, the Treasury Department. All entry points have retractable steel bollards that block unauthorized vehicles, greatly reducing the threat of car bombs. And above the White House? A full no-fly zone.
"Second is technological defense. The lawns are dotted with infrared sensors covering the entire grounds—no one can sneak through unnoticed. The closer you get to the White House, the denser the surveillance. From the command center, they can monitor virtually everything happening outside.
"Third is personnel. Plainclothes agents patrol the premises. Both visible and hidden posts are everywhere. The most obvious are the sniper nests on the rooftop. Snipers there are required to hit targets over 1,000 meters away with pinpoint accuracy. Beyond that, multiple outer rings of security include FBI agents and uniformed officers."
Listening to this ironclad setup, Owen couldn't help but nod. It was as impenetrable as advertised. He seriously doubted anyone would be foolish enough to attack the place. Jack continued, "If there's a weak point, it's probably Pennsylvania Avenue. That's the pedestrian street in front of the White House. Police cars are always parked there, but public protests and demonstrations are allowed. Tourists can see the White House through the iron fence. In recent years, a few incidents of people climbing the fence have occurred—but they were always tackled as soon as they breached the perimeter."
(End of Chapter)
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