[Steve knows there's an ultimatum. Even if it hadn't been spelled out, he would know by the hints that had been dropped for him. The dark amusement the woman had when she told him that Earth was under threat and the mission here. Hearing D'artagnan state it only confirms his worst fears.

Now, what is he going to do? Even if they are holding planets hostage, it doesn't change that fact that right now on this planet there are people captured and facing death right now. He can't abandon them. He keeps his eyes on D'Artagnan's, a hard stare that doesn't show the turmoil he's actually feeling.]

I was a soldier. I know what the price of battle is. Where I'm from, we tried to preserve whatever lives that we could.

[It doesn't come out angry, but he doesn't move either. He takes the team leader's words in with his head raised and an even expression that is mostly weighing what he says. These are the words that will decide his course of action, because he's certainly not going to do it just for the CDC or because of threats. The real fight is more than that. It's about lives.

The people taken are my friends... and I won't let them die for it.

Simple, but sincere. More sincere than the woman who called him here, and while D'Artagnan laid down his threat, it was done so for the safety of those he cares about. There's a heart behind his actions. Honor. He's a good man in a bad position, and that means everything. Don't get in my way. The words of a desperate man. Steve's posture relaxes slightly.]

I came here to help and that's what I'm going to do. We'll get you're friends back, so take care of the rest of the team for now. Don't rush in. The people here need you too.