X marks the spot

Collision Course Part I

"If you don't stop wasting my time, you're gonna lose your planet." Sarge's evidential frustration was growing by the moment as he paced in front of everyone.

"That's what you'd like us to think." Daisy was still doubtful of his claim, but she knew her friend was desperate; so she'd try, at least. Albeit hard going.

"We had a deal, Mack. My truck and my crew, now." He only ignored her doubts and made his demand clear to the man.

"You'll get them; but first, I need to know what your plan is." Mack made his own demand known.

"My plan is to stop it."

"The end of the world? Yeah, been there, done that." Aaron couldn't help but shake his head at the way the comment sounded so far-fetched. If he hadn't been with them for the best five, borderline six years, maybe he would've said just that.

"How can these Shrike destroy an entire planet?" May asked.

"They'd have to infect everything." Elena backed her friend up.

"If there's enough of them, they will. They are paving the way for their creator." He looked to Mack, "You saw what happened to Chronica II. That was because we got there too late. Keys, I'm not asking again."

"No. I'm sorry, I'm not very fluent in vague. You'll get your keys when I get some answers. Now show us."

Sarge sighed, but gave into Mack's idea, "The Shrike, their hosts are gathering at this location." He pointed to the map, "That's where the beast will appear. When it does, I need to be there."

"A beast?" May asked in disbelief.

"What happens when it appears?" Elena questioned, taking him at his word.

"I kill it. Keys." Mack looked back at his other agents, all of them nodded at the man's request. Mack then tossed Sarge said keys.

"Now my crew."

Aaron spoke up before Mack could answer the man's request.

"I'll keep an eye on him," Sarge looked at him, "You made an offer, I said I'd consider it. Deals a deal, right?" was Aaron's justification of his previous statement.

"You take those pretty seriously, huh?"

"Where I come from, you break a deal you die." Sarge nodded at his words. Daisy and May, however, shared a look between themselves.

"We'll come too." May said. Aaron turned to them, nodding.

"Alright, both agent Johnson's and May will go with you –" Mack started to brief Sarge, but he was quick to interject.

"I said my crew. The kid? Sure, I'll take him. But, not those two." Mack was quick with the comeback.

"They're your crew now. You can have one of yours."

Sarge sat himself against the table, "Forget it, no deal. I'll just stay here and watch this planet die."

"You're more than welcome to; but, I don't think you came all this way just to lose again." Aaron had to admit, hit any person's (more so, a man's, but still) ego, and they'd do anything to get it back.

"Give me two." Sarge caved.

"One, the other's stay here." Sarge, though, seemed to find that ego once again.

"How long are we gonna do this?" He even stood up.

"I need an insurance policy; cause I'm pretty sure you're willing to leave one, but not two behind." Mack explained his reasoning.

"Oh, and when this is done, you and I are going to have a very un-vague conversation about who you are, and where you're from. Now, pick one."

"What is it, don't you trust Mack?" Aaron asked in genuine confusion, eyebrows showing that very emotion to Lisa.