When responding to the emergency call, Helena is taken hostage by Pasc and held at gunpoint with her own weapon. Carter snatches the boy out of harm's way, but Verdeschi presses his to Etrec's head. Each man threatens to kill his respective hostage, but Pasc knows humans are too weak to kill in cold blood. When asked what became of the Archanons' abhorrence to violence, Etrec reveals his father has the dreaded 'killing sickness', as denoted by the mark on his forehead. Bartering with Helena's life, Pasc demands access to the stand-by Eagle. Verdeschi concedes, but Etrec opts to remain on Alpha. Pasc tries to kill his son for his disobedience but, again, cannot follow through.