Criminal Minds Series Rewrite: Season Four

Minimal Loss: Part Two

With the police on edge at being shot at, your team was called in for backup/help. They know you and Spencer are in here, but they don't know exactly what's going on. Hotch made sure to coordinate with the commander in charge only because he knows Hotch has two agents on the inside.

"Dave, they've left the choice of negotiators up to me," Hotch says to his friend.

The police and FBI have set up camp on the edge of the property so that they can be there in a flash if needed.

"I taught most of the hostage negotiation unit. Do you want a recommendation?"

"I'm making you the lead negotiator. Why go to the students when I have the teacher?"

"Because the teacher is emotionally involved, so is the agent in command," Rossi sighs.

"I know I am. This is a unique situation. We have two agents who could affect the outcome on the inside."

"True, but I can't be objective! I know them too well."

"This outcome depends as much on our ability to predict the moves of Y/N and Reid as Cyrus. That's why you're the best man for the job."

"Assuming that Reid and Y/N are still in a condition to make moves."

"I know how bad this is. That's why I want you doing the talking."

"Alright," Rossi finally gives in.

One of the sector members, Nathan Cole, approaches Hotch and Rossi with an angry look on his face.

"You're obviously not in charge. I can see that! I demand to know why I wasn't told that the FBI was sending undercover agents into the Septarian Ranch!"

"The only thing that you're in the position to demand is a lawyer," Hotch glares.

"Who the hell are you?"

"I'm Aaron Hotchner, Unit Chief. I'm the guy who's gonna tell the Attorney General of the United States whether to charge you with obstructing a federal investigation or negligent homicide."

"You can't talk to me like that."

"Get off my crime scene," Hotch says coldly.

Nathan Cole knows that if he stays, he will be arrested. To avoid that, he has no choice but to leave. Hotch finds the true person in charge, Dan Torre, who knows more about this than anyone else.

"You know Dave Rossi. I assume introductions aren't needed," Hotch says to Dan.

"We've been here before, haven't we?" Rossi chuckles.

"Waco. Ruby ridge. Freeman standoff. Let's hope someone listens to you guys this time."

"Oh, they did more than listen. They put us in charge."

"Bring us up to speed."

"I've sent the state police packing. They started this mess. We lost a man in the process. Hope that's okay."

"If you hadn't, we would've."

"Good. County sheriffs have had no run-ins with the sect. So, we're using them as support. We've had no contact with them so far. They've got solar power which we can shoot out the panels if you think--"

"No. That's an escalation," Rossi cuts him off.

"Okay, but that means they have access to the news."

"I'll get JJ to talk to the press. Are your men ready to be briefed?" Hotch asks, and Dan nods. "Let's go."

Hotch, Rossi, and Dan head inside the small trailer where Derek, Emily, and the rest of Dan's men are gathered.

"This is how we're going to do things," Rossi starts. "I call this the 'minimal loss scenario'. Every person we get out is a life saved. We won't save them all. All of us have to be prepared to accept that situation."