Ben is the in the protection racket

protecting the Island at ALL costs and so is Locke

Ben is emerging as a Hero... misguided and ruthless at times but still focused on the mission

to protect the Island

I do agree there must have been a shoot out and the Losties took casualties as did the Others

alliances bend and flo as the ocean tides but the BAD guys are still coming after the Island

the fate of all rests on protecting the mystical Island