Gael Ortega

Gael Ortega was a CTU agent who was working with Tony Almeida and Jack Bauer on an undercover plan to infiltrate the Salazar compound in Mexico to follow a lead on the Cordilla Virus.

Before Day 3
Gael was raised as a devout Catholic, believing that suicide was a sin. He was married to Theresa Ortega, and the couple had children. Before joining CTU, he served five years at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. He was at CTU two years before Day 3.

During the events of 24: Stories, Gael was given an order by Ryan Chappelle, but was not seen.

Day 3
Gael was a part of a massive sting operation during Day 3. The only other people involved at the beginning were Tony Almeida and Jack Bauer. As part of this operation, he acted as a mole within CTU, having frequent contact with the Salazars behind closed doors and leaking information to them. In order to maintain his cover, he held Kim Bauer hostage within CTU until his capture and interrogation by Ed Miller under the direction of Michelle Dessler. However, once Jack had regained the Salazars' trust through a jailbreak of Ramon Salazar and infiltrated the compound, Tony revealed the nature of the operation to Michelle and to President Palmer. From this point on, he worked in full cooperation with CTU.

Gael was infected with the Cordilla Virus during a field operation at The Chandler Plaza Hotel, while attempting to secure a vial of the virus. When his nose started bleeding, he was immediately isolated in the basement of the hotel. Michelle went down to speak with him, and he asked her to tell his wife, Theresa, that he died quickly. Michelle saw how much he was suffering and quietly set her gun next to him. Gael explained that he had been raised to believe that suicide was a sin and refused her. He died from symptoms of the infection.

When his wife, Theresa Ortega arrived at CTU to collect his things, she discovered a gun in his desk. Enraged and inconsolable, she shot and killed Stephen Saunders, who was identifying the couriers of the virus, to avenge Gael's death.