This alternate world has no hostage negotians?
Luke is a coward for sure. But come one you have a Commanders child. He could have easily negotiated the return of June and Hannah in exchange for Nichole. Two wrongs don't make a right but I would think as a father he would try to get his own child back and June. Then work towards freeing Nichole and if possible Serena in time.
These plot holes are getting bigger and bigger.