Episode 6 of "Countdown" kicks off with Mark and Oliveras honing their shooting skills at a bustling gun range. Mark, an exceptional marksman, demonstrates remarkable precision, earning Oliveras's undivided admiration. Elsewhere, Borys Volchek orchestrates a clandestine business deal with an American company with apparent ease, while his Belarusian compatriots sneer at the country's insatiable greed. However, their celebration is cut short by an unwelcome intrusion – the Belarusian Consul General, Astapov. Informed of the recent hack but reluctant to provoke the United States, Astapov issues an ultimatum to Borys: abandon his machinations and return to Belarus, with the assurance that pending charges against him will be dropped. Borys feigns contemplation, weighing his options.
Meanwhile, the task force unearths Shawn Killian Gallagher, a convicted junkie who was once close to Timur. Shepherd briefs Blythe on the consulate hacking that has come to light, surmising that Astapov, a man lacking in resolve, prefers the status quo and thus remains tight-lipped.
Shifting focus to the Gallagher lead, Mark and Oliveras learn from his parole officer that Shawn harbors doomsday beliefs. As they venture to his residence, Mark's headache suddenly flares up, which Oliveras notices but Mark dismisses nonchalantly. Upon arrival, they find the place deserted but rigged with traps, hinting at Shawn's paranoia.
Returning to Borys's narrative, he warns his team of Astapov's menacing presence and declares their intention to abduct him. Andrej secures Astapov's daily schedule, while Danill devises intricate plans for the kidnapping.
Elsewhere, Shepherd delves deeper into the Gallagher lead and uncovers Wade Trippett, a frequent visitor to Gallagher during his prison stint. Finau and Bell track down Wade, who initially appears shifty but reveals himself to be merely fearful of the police. He is Gallagher's AA sponsor and divulges his true address – a desolate trailer park nestled in the California desert, promising to lead the task force one step closer to unraveling the mystery.
Borys' kidnapping scheme kicks off but is abruptly foiled when Astapov fails to materialize at the predetermined location. Subsequently, the task force steers towards Gallagher's trailer. Mark's headaches intensify, prompting Oliveras to confront him at last. Mistakenly believing him to be a drug addict, she bares her soul, revealing that her undercover mission compelled her to descend into addiction. Though she has since cleaned up, the allure remains a constant temptation. Despite her confession, Mark insists his woes stem merely from migraines, shading the truth somewhat as he explains that reporting it would land him on desk duty. Oliveras empathizes with his plight, acknowledging the necessity to endure until their mission concludes.
Elsewhere in the convoy, Finau confides in Bell, sharing his motivation to join the gang unit: to aid young souls in escaping their troubled paths. For Bell, his aspiration is loftier—to become the first Black FBI deputy director.
Upon reaching their destination, Mark volunteers to scout the trailer first. Oliveras finds this odd, whereas Finau chalks it up to Mark's eclectic personality. Gallagher, indeed present in the truck, speeds off with Mark aboard the trailer. A high-speed chase ensues, stunning Oliveras as Mark leaps onto Gallagher's moving vehicle. Distracted by this daring maneuver, Gallagher's escape route is blocked by Bell's car.
During the interrogation that follows, Mark, Oliveras, and Blythe deploy various tactics to crack Gallagher. Yet, Gallagher claims ignorance of any Belarusians beyond Timur, making it evident that he was a dead-end lead. Blythe is left with no choice but to
