5. Chalk Two Down

Complete story — includes the ending

Troops from Combat Outpost Steedley, accompanied by Max, arrive at the site of the helicopter crash and confirm that Presidents Warner and Daoud have both been killed. General G'ulom inherits the Afghan presidency and unilaterally declares martial law, ordering his army to apprehend Haqqani, whom he blames for the presidents' deaths. Saul warns Haqqani, believing him to be innocent, but Haqqani is unable to flee Kabul. Carrie learns that Warner's helicopter was switched at the last minute, but determines that it was a routine swap, leading her to speculate that the crash of the helicopter the presidents were in may have been an accident. A massive Taliban attack risks overwhelming the U.S. troops; on Wellington's recommendation, Vice President Benjamin Hayes orders the site abandoned and bombed to avoid having the President's body fall into Taliban hands. Carrie contacts Max and tells him he first has to retrieve the helicopter's flight recorder so the cause of the crash can be determined; Max succeeds, but the entire squad is killed by the Taliban and he is forced to surrender.