Episode 2 of *The Last Fronter* opens with Frank holding a press conference for the public. Still shaken by Havlock's menacing threats, he musters all his courage to put on a brave front, urging the townsfolk to stay alert and vigilant.
Meanwhile, Sidney uncovers a startling revelation: Havlock has managed to infiltrate the Agency's database via one of their backup servers. He has absconded with a classified file known as Archive 6. This file is none other than the CIA's master playbook, detailing every enemy they've eliminated with lethal force under the Atwater Protocol. If this information were to be traded or leaked, it would unleash utter chaos for the Agency.
Amidst this escalating turmoil, an inmate named Henry Sickler voluntarily turns himself in to the police. Unsure whether there's more to this unexpected surrender, Frank instructs the other officers to keep a close watch on the situation, fearing it might spiral out of control.
In the midst of these events, Frank receives a tip that a neighbor had spotted Sarah and Havlock at their residence. Alarmed, Frank rushes over, only to discover a video camera set up inside. Alongside a ransom tape, the prevailing theory is that Havlock has hacked into Frank's computer, gaining access to the marshals' database and even the flight manifest. To make matters worse, Havlock has also taken some of Frank's personal belongings, including his clothes.
As Frank watches the tape left for him, it becomes clear that Havlock is fixated on an inmate seated in 12A. Havlock demands that this inmate be handed over in exchange for Sarah's freedom. Once the inmate is located, Frank is instructed to transport him one mile north to Pump Station Seven, arriving at Marker 452 by 4 p.m. that very day. Failure to comply, Havlock warns, means Sarah will never return home.
In a twist of fate, it turns out that the inmate in question is none other than Henry Sickler, the very same man who had turned himself in earlier in the episode.
Frank is deeply averse to negotiating with Havlock, as such an act blatantly contradicts the principles he has steadfastly adhered to throughout his life. However, Sidney is convinced that this is the most prudent course of action; after all, no one will mourn Sickler's departure when he is finally dismissed.
Flashbacks delve deeper into the intricate connection between Sidney and Havlock. We witness Havlock at a major conference, passionately discussing aviation and the pervasive lack of trust within the industry. Sidney, posing as a representative from PMD Industries, approaches him and offers to buy him a coffee.
Yet, Havlock is no fool. He swiftly sees through Sidney's guise and recognizes that she is there to recruit him. With unwavering determination, Havlock firmly declines, stating emphatically that he has no desire to work for the CIA. As he walks away, Sidney makes a call to someone, confirming that they "have their guy" in their sights.
Meanwhile, Luke and Kira venture out from the cabin and stumble upon one of the inmates hiding in the back of a truck. Unaware of the inmate's dangerous nature, they naively assume he is just a lost hiker and bring him back to the cabin, where they proceed to light a fire.
In a separate development, Havlock contacts HQ and speaks with Bradford. He sends her a link via text and insists that the person monitoring his call open it. Upon doing so, a countdown is revealed. Havlock has ingeniously set up a dead man's switch, complete with an insurance policy. If he fails to enter a code into the website every 72 hours, Archive 6 will be unleashed upon some highly perilous individuals.
Sarah manages to break free from her restraints and attempts to overpower Havlock. However, her plan backfires spectacularly, and he eventually shoves her down the stairs, leaving her unconscious. Despite sustaining a nasty gash across his abdomen, Havlock reappears before Sarah with a cooler in hand when she regains consciousness.
Frank engages in a conversation with Sidney, seeking to uncover more about Havlock's motivations before even considering entering into negotiations. Sidney elucidates that Havlock, like many Americans, simply harbors a profound distrust of the system. He specifically targeted the CIA, but before disappearing, he breached a CIA server and copied the contents of Archive 6.
Havlock requires Sickler's assistance to broker a deal with a potential buyer for the Archive. Given Sickler's shady background and his penchant for moving money for criminals, it becomes evident that he is a crucial piece of the puzzle for Havlock's scheme.
Now, here's the intriguing twist: Sickler initially struck a deal with the federal authorities, agreeing to enter witness protection and embark on a fresh chapter of his life. This move sparked a wave of skepticism among the other officers, prompting Frank to orchestrate an elaborate ruse in an attempt to outsmart the mastermind behind it all.
Frank made his appearance, ostensibly to broker a deal with Henry. Meanwhile, Havlock lurked in the shadows, observing from a distance and needling Frank with taunts throughout the ordeal. It didn't take Frank long to catch on that the entire spectacle was nothing more than a diversion. Havlock's true objective was to intercept the transport carrying the flight deck recorder from the aircraft. Alas, Frank and Sidney arrived on the scene too late, and Havlock made off with his coveted prize.
As the episode drew to a close, the inmate holed up in the cabin stirred from his slumber. Unfortunately for him, he awoke just as Hayes, one of the officers, watched from afar as Kira and Luke danced together, oblivious to the peril lurking nearby. Completely unaware of the looming threat, he radioed Frank, reassuring him that all was well.
Meanwhile, Frank received the notorious cool box from Havlock. Blood stained the exterior, and a cryptic message, "for Frank," was inscribed on it. Yet, the contents of the box remained a mystery for the moment.
