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24 character
Gael Ortega
Gender	Male
Jobs held	CTU CIA
Affiliation	CTU
Family	NA
Spouse	Theresa Ortega (Presumed Detained)
Current status	Deceased
Portrayed by	Jesse Borrego
Seasons	3

Gael Ortega is a fictional character on the television series 24, played by Jesse Borrego. He appeared in the show's third season.

Gael is an experienced intelligence agent, having worked for CTU for two years, after having worked for the CIA for five years, including a posting at Langley.

Approximately a month prior to Day 3, Jack Bauer learned of a shipment of the deadly Cordilla supposedly in the possession of Ukranian scientists represented by Michael Amador. After Jack recommended drug dealers Ramon and Hector Salazar as potential buyers, he, along with Gael and Tony Almeida orchestrated an elaborate sting operation in which Jack would infiltrate the Salazar's operation and gain their trust by breaking Ramon out of prison. Their intention was to locate the virus and have CTU and military personnel seize duing the exchange.

Using a small sample of the virus, an infected corpse was dumped at a Los Angeles medical center and an recorded message was sent demanding Ramon's release or his men would infect the city's population. Jack then appeared to go rogue and break Ramon out of prison on his own.

While Jack broke Ramon out of prison and brought him to Mexico, Gael served as a mole within CTU, relaying information back to Hector. The plan was nearly derailed a number of times, with Jack nearly being taken down at several points, Tony being shot during an incident with one of Salazar's men, and Gael being caught in the act by Kim Bauer.

After Kim was found by Adam Kaufman, Gael attempted to escape but was captured and interrogated under torture by Ryan Chappelle. In the middle of questioning Gael, Tony entered, having recovered, and revealed the truth about their plan to Chappelle.

The efforts to secure the virus in Mexico failed as the Ukrainian's scientists' deal proved to be simply a ruse by Amador to make money. The virus was actually in the possession of Amador's true employer, Stephen Saunders, a British intelligence agent turned terrorist who intended to use the virus against American targets.

One of these targets was the Chandler Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. Gael and Michelle Dessler went to the hotel to contain the virus. Gael personally tried to stop a viral device from detonating the hotel's ventilation system, but it exploded in his face, infecting him and most of the hotel's guests and staff. Despite knowing the virus to cause a slow, painful death Gael declined the option of suicide due to his religious beliefs. He died soon after.

Hours later, Gael's wife Theresa arrived at CTU to pick up his belongings. While there, she recognized Saunders (who had been captured by CTU) as the one ultimately responsible for her husband's death. Drawing a gun from Gael's effects, she shot and killed him.