"Gentlemen, I believe we all understand the role that intelligence plays in modern warfare. What I need is an efficient, comprehensive intelligence agency—one capable of effectively integrating and coordinating all 16 of our national intelligence organizations. What the CIA has done in the past has been far from sufficient."
President Palmer's gaze swept the room like a hawk. The atmosphere was tense; everyone was waiting for what he would say next. CIA Director Martin wore a bitter expression. He knew that Palmer's long-standing dissatisfaction had finally boiled over.
The CIA had provided little meaningful support to the President during his tenure—in fact, on several occasions, it had hindered progress. Palmer had tolerated Martin until now only because of the critical importance of his position.
The dissolution of the "Mission Impossible" squad had been a direct warning to Martin and the CIA. Moreover, the recent exposure of Avril—a key member of the White Masks and once the core operative in the CIA's "Medusa" program—had pushed Palmer's frustration to the brink. Avril's codename had been "Medusa" itself. Although the media had yet to reveal her identity, once that news broke, it would deal a devastating blow to the CIA and the current administration. The idea that a former top CIA agent had defected and masterminded the attack on the White House would be catastrophic.
"I've decided, effective immediately, to establish the Office of the Director of National Intelligence—ODNI. This office will serve as the highest-level intelligence authority in the country, responsible for overseeing and coordinating the operations of all 16 U.S. intelligence agencies. The office will be led by the Director of National Intelligence, who will report directly to the President. All agency heads, including those of the CIA and NSA, will report to the DNI. And the first person to assume this role will be..."
Palmer paused and looked around the room, then enunciated clearly, "Jack Bauer."
In that instant, every eye turned to Jack Bauer—even Jack himself was visibly shocked.
"Mr. President…" he began.
It was clear Palmer hadn't given Jack any prior warning. Jack's surprise was genuine, but before he could continue, Palmer raised a hand to stop him.
"Jack, appointing you as the first Director of National Intelligence is a decision I made after careful consideration. You'll also retain your current position as head of CTU. I hope you won't let me down."
With things stated so plainly, Jack had no choice but to accept. As the President's trusted man, and the de facto leader of CTU, he had to support the decision fully—both personally and professionally.
Martin sat in sullen silence. Though he was seething inside, there was nothing he could do. The timing of Palmer's announcement—coming right after the White House crisis—left no room for opposition.
Before the ODNI, the CIA had been the de facto lead agency in coordinating U.S. intelligence. The Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) was the top figure in the intelligence community. Now, with this new office suddenly placed above him, the CIA was effectively demoted to a regular intelligence agency, stripped of its oversight authority.
Palmer's eyes shifted to the NSA and FBI directors. Both now despised Martin. In the past, the CIA could only "coordinate" with their agencies—it couldn't directly interfere. But now, with the ODNI's creation, that would change. Palmer had carefully used the terms "supervise" and "coordinate." While technically not direct control, those words gave the DNI a wide berth to make demands.
Still, the two veterans kept their expressions neutral. No one dared oppose this openly. Palmer then looked toward the Secretary of Defense and Brigadier General Hans of the Marine Corps. Each branch of the armed forces had its own intelligence unit—the Office of Naval Intelligence, the Air Force Intelligence Agency, the Army Intelligence and Security Command, and the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity. Going forward, all of these would be under the ODNI's oversight.
Other departments like the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and Coast Guard Intelligence would also fall under the DNI's jurisdiction.
Neither the Secretary of Defense nor Brigadier General Hans voiced any objections. In fact, they offered Jack Bauer congratulations. Everyone knew what this meant: CTU was about to rise in power. And as for ODNI? Everyone in the room could see it for what it was—an instrument to weaken the CIA and bolster CTU. With Jack Bauer in charge, ODNI would essentially be an extension of CTU.
"Very well then," Palmer continued. "Jack, I'll need you to prepare a formal proposal for Congress. Now, I'll move on to my second announcement."
Everyone immediately focused. If the first decision was enough to shake the foundations of the intelligence community, what could the second be?
Palmer turned to Owen. Owen braced himself, sensing that the next declaration had everything to do with him.
"As for the CTU Quick Reaction Team," Palmer said, "I believe everyone here is fully aware of their role in the recent crisis. Agent Owen and his team not only rescued me, but also saved a great number of hostages.
The Quick Reaction Team was initially created as an experimental unit—designed to address crises more flexibly and proactively than SWAT units from CTU or any other department. The key difference is that they go on the offensive. And the results speak for themselves.
I've reviewed their record since their formation. It's outstanding. This proves the concept works. Therefore, effective immediately, the Quick Reaction Team will be separated as an independent unit—still under CTU, but reporting directly to Jack Bauer. The unit will be officially named 'Omega.'
The Omega Team will receive an independent budget. It will include its own intelligence analysis and support departments. Personnel may be recruited from other agencies. Omega will have the highest anti-terrorism priority in the nation and will be authorized to conduct operations overseas. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence must cooperate unconditionally. In any case involving terrorism, Omega will have decision-making authority and the power to issue direct orders to the ODNI and all subordinate intelligence agencies."
Palmer's second announcement left everyone visibly stunned. If the first announcement had favored CTU, this one was blatant favoritism. Omega Team was being granted unprecedented authority.
They could make demands of any U.S. intelligence agency—and expect unconditional compliance. Worse yet for others, the team would be entirely hands-off. No one else could interfere. It would be personally managed by Jack Bauer, who answered only to the President.
This was essentially a superstar unit built with the full power and resources of the United States. Even the military didn't enjoy this level of autonomy. Of course people were jealous.
The Secretary of Defense, however, was focused on another detail: the mention of an independent budget and dedicated intelligence analysis units. It sounded an awful lot like the Navy's SEAL Team Six.
Officially known as the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), SEAL Team Six not only executed anti-terror missions overseas but also pioneered and tested new tactics and weapons systems in real-world scenarios. Omega now appeared to be CTU's equivalent of SEAL Team Six.
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