***continued***

Next episode - #13

- Back on the island, many of the castaways begin to view Sawyer as the leader after he successfully spearheaded the rescue mission. Together with Sayid, Kate & Locke they begin to formulate a plan to defeat a much larger group.

- Meanwhile, Desmond tells Charlie and Hurley that Jack and Michael are helping them. They believe him and suggest that they share this information with the other castaways. Desmond is reluctant to do that because he feels they will just think he's crazy.

- Jack calls Michael again and this time tells him that their plan is back on track and that he was visited by Desmond. At first Michael didn't believe him but Jack managed to convince him that he was telling the truth. Michael informs Jack that his friend (the detective) has been following Ben ever since he left Jack's house.

- While doing reconnaissance missions, Sayid & Locke witness a paramilitary unit arrive on a large ship. They quickly retreat to their camp to inform the castaways. After they announce what they witnessed, most of the castaways appear shocked but Clair states that it could be a rescue crew who were there to save them. Desmond replies by telling her that their mission is to kill them all.

- Michael convinces Jack that the only way to get answers is to take Ben hostage. All of their detective work has thus far lead nowhere and time was running out as Ben had recently upped the ante. The foursome ambush Ben and take him to a secluded warehouse they had scoped out weeks ago.

- Jack tells Ben that he wants to make a deal. They will allow Ben to live and never speak of the island to anyone in exchange for the release and return of all the castaways. Ben tells Jack that he's in way over his head and that he's in for a big surprise. Jack replies by telling Ben he has a secret weapon - one that can see the future.

- On the island, Sayid suggests that they change course and instead of waging a final battle against "The Others", they should try to avoid them since they are more overpowered now than ever before. He tells them that it would be a war between a trained military that outnumbers them against a group of civilians.

The castaways spirits are crushed. Hurley steps forward and tells Sayid that they have been running for too long. He looks over at Desmond. Reluctantly, Desmond steps forward and reveals his newfound gift. He tells them that he can help defeat "The Others".

Charlie replies by throwing Desmond's own words in his face about how the universe has a way of course correcting itself and how the future can't be changed no matter how hard you try. Desmond tells Charlie that maybe he was wrong and maybe the person who told him that was wrong.

He says that if everything has already been determined then it wouldn't matter what they did anyway and that there would be no harm in trying to change the future. Saywer begins to ridicule Desmond and Charlie says that trying to fight an army doesn't make any sense. Desmond tells Charlie and nothing on the island makes sense and that he sees them all dead, killed by the paramilitary group.

Sayid tells Desmond that he's at his disposal and shows him the C4 explosives. He asks Desmond if he knows how they should be used and Desmond nods.

end of episode.