13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

As Jack Silva (John Krasinski) steps off the plane in Benghazi, he's met by his trusted colleague and fellow contractor Tyrone "Rone" Woods (James Badge Dale), a chance encounter that will soon unfold into a desperate bid for survival. The two are suddenly confronted by a group of militants, who halt their vehicle and demand an impromptu inspection. Rone swiftly reaches out to their Chief (David Costabile) for backup, but the higher authority remains steadfast in his refusal to intervene. With guns drawn, Rone warns the militant leader that a drone is monitoring their every move, threatening not only them but also their families. The standoff ends with the pair being granted permission to leave.

Back at The Annex, Rone's frustration boils over as he confronts the Chief about his decision to keep the team on standby. The Chief's counsel is simple: avoid conflict and don't engage civilians. Meanwhile, Jack meets the rest of the G.R.S. contingent - Kris "Tanto" Paronto (Pablo Schreiber), Dave "Boon" Benton (David Denman), John "Tig" Tiegen (Dominic Fumusa), and Mark "Oz" Geist (Max Martini) - a diverse group of operatives brought together by circumstance.

Later, Jack embarks on a low-key mission with two undercover CIA officers, Sona Jillani (Alexia Barlier) and Brit Vayner (Freddie Stroma). Though the rest of G.R.S. provides cover from afar, Rone's keen instincts kick in as he spots a couple of suspicious characters lurking nearby, inadvertently putting himself in harm's way. Jack springs into action, alerting Sona and Brit to their precarious situation.

The team is eventually transported to the Special Mission compound, where they meet Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens (Matt Letscher), a seasoned diplomat whose presence is marked by a palpable air of unease. As the group becomes familiar with the location, they're joined by other guards, including Dave Ubben (Demetrius Gross) and Scott Wickland (David Giuntoli).

As the fateful morning of September 11th, 2012, dawns, Stevens' antennae twitch in response to some dubious activity around the compound. Meanwhile, back at The Annex, the team members make a series of poignant phone calls to their loved ones - Jack sharing a heartwarming moment with his wife Becky (Wrenn Schmidt) and their daughters, only to be surprised by the news that another addition is on the way, cementing his family's status as a precious lifeline amidst the chaos.

As night descends, a ruthless team of militants unleashes a coordinated assault on the compound, overwhelming the perimeter guards and storming the premises with a hail of gunfire. Wickland, anticipating catastrophe, hastily ushers Stevens and Sean Smith (Christopher Dungli) into the panic room's secure confines. However, as the attackers pour diesel fuel onto the floor, intent on incinerating their human shields, the panic room is enveloped in choking smoke. Wickland manages to escape, but tragically, Stevens and Smith are consumed by the inferno. The Annex's leadership, cognizant of the attack, hesitates to dispatch a response team, fearing their own base would be left vulnerable. Ignoring orders, the team decides to take matters into their own hands and hastens to Special Mission to render aid.

Upon arrival, Jack and Rone stumble upon Smith's lifeless body, asphyxiated by the toxic fumes. As they mournfully gaze upon their fallen comrade, the Annex is besieged by a relentless militant onslaught, armed with RPGs and AK-47s. The defenders retaliate with fierce determination.

With the threat of reprisal looming large, the CIA officers scramble to establish communication links with nearby airbases, seeking assistance in launching a counterattack against their tormentors. They successfully contact Glen "Bub" Doherty (Toby Stephens), a seasoned G.R.S. operative stationed in Tripoli, who assembles his own team and hastens to Benghazi to provide critical backup.

As the siege intensifies, the Annex's defenders continue to repel the assault, despite being subjected to withering fire. The militants regroup and launch a series of mortar strikes, catching the team off guard. Tragedy unfolds when Rone falls victim to a barrage of shells, followed shortly by Glen's untimely demise. Oz suffers a gruesome injury, his left arm mangled beyond recognition. Amidst the chaos, Jack is struck by the stark reality of Rone's death, and in a poignant display of grief, he mourns the loss of his closest friend.

As the sun rises over the devastated landscape, the remnants of the team are left exposed and vulnerable. A procession of vehicles, a harbinger of hope, converges towards The Annex, its occupants bearing a message that would soon shatter the veil of uncertainty. Tanto's rifle, once poised to strike fear into the hearts of potential threats, is now trained on a pair of Libyan soldiers who approach with outstretched hands, their intent clear: to offer aid and comfort to the beleaguered Americans.

The tears of relief that well up in Tanto's eyes are a testament to the depth of his despair, as the Libyan army personnel gather the survivors and begin the somber process of recovering the bodies of Stevens, Smith, Rone, and Glen. The weight of their loss is compounded by the realization that these fallen comrades will not be returning home.

As the Chief prepares to depart, Jack summons him for a private conversation, his tone firm but laced with a hint of anguish. "You're not leaving until you're on that plane," he says, his voice heavy with the knowledge that their actions, or inactions, have contributed to the tragic outcome.

Before departing, Jack takes a moment to connect with Becky, sharing the news of his survival and the devastating reality that Rone did not make it. The emotions that follow are raw and unbridled, as Jack's composure gives way to tears.

As the plane takes off into the horizon, Jack finds himself drawn back to Rone's lifeless form, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made in the line of duty. The journey home is a bittersweet one, marked by a sense of relief and gratitude for the 28 American lives that were spared that fateful day.

In the aftermath, Libya is left reeling, its fragile state on the brink of collapse as the extremist group ISIS gains foothold. Ten days later, thousands gather to mourn the loss of Ambassador Stevens, their grief a palpable force that underscores the devastating consequences of the attack. In a private ceremony, the Chief and surviving members of G.R.S. are honored with medals for their bravery, their service now a distant memory as they lay down their duties to be reunited with their loved ones.

The final shot is one of reverence, two stars etched onto the wall of the CIA HQ in tribute to Rone and Glen, their sacrifice a poignant reminder of the ultimate price paid by those who serve.