Disclaimer – I don't own the characters or the show. If I did, oh the things that I would do. This story has been in my head for awhile, so when I finally got a fanfiction account, I decided to write and post it. It takes place in season 5, Tector is still alive in this story as is Deni. It happens after episode 3, but Sara didn't die or get caught in the fog pit thing. Also note that I am very rusty on my season 4, so if I did make a mistake, just let me know. Other than that, please enjoy.

Chapter 1

That's How the Argument Goes

"Hey Tec, how's it going?" Hal asked as he came to sit on the chair beside Tector's cot in the infirmary. Tector proudly lifted his right arm, showing the absence of the sling that Anne had forced him to wear the weeks following the mass bombing.

"Nice." Hal said, happy to see his back on the mend.

"Yeah, Anne said soon I'll be able to get back to duty." Tector told him.

"I believe I said, 'back to light duty.'" The two young men looked up as Anne came over to them.

"Anne, we all know that in this war zone, there is no such thing as 'light duty'." Tector pointed out. Hal couldn't help but agree to that. Especially since the 2nd Mass was still in such an obvious place. Tom and Weaver had been talking a lot about getting ready to move out of Chinatown and towards Washington DC. According to Cochise, there was a lot of alien activity going on there.

"Be that has it may, there is still no fighting and no missions for you yet mister." Anne replied.

"But Anne,"

"No Tector, I don't want to hear. By the way Hal, your Dad was looking for you." Anne changed the subject. Hal nodded, stood up, and headed to the door, the sound of Tector's protests filling the room. Oh, good luck with that Anne, Hal thought to himself.

FSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFS

Hal found Tom in his 'office' or whatever it was called. It was the place where Tom, Weaver and Cochise did most of their talking and planned their strategies for defeating the Espheni, so it might as well be called an office. He was just about to open the door, when it opened in front of him and Weaver came out.

Hal backed up instinctively, making sure the door didn't hit him. Weaver then looked up and saw Hal was there. The Colonel didn't say anything, he just walked past him, lifting his arm and giving Hal a tight squeeze on his shoulder and continued on his way. Hal watched as Weaver left, confusion covering his face, before shrugging it off and entered the room.

"Hey Dad, what's up?" Hal asked, coming over to the table which was where Tom and Cochise were standing beside, looking down at what appeared to be a map. They both looked up at him when they heard his voice.

"Weaver, Cochise and I've been talking. We're going to move out the 2nd Mass, and head to Washington, D.C. tomorrow." Tom said, as Hal came up right against the table, seeing that it was indeed a map laid out, with two different routes drawn in black marker, going opposite ways, but ended up meeting at the same place, where it went to Washington.

"Okay. What does that have to do with me?" Hal asked, not seeing the reason as to why his father called him.

"Hal, what I'm about to tell you is top secret." Hal could hear the seriousness in his father's voice. He looked up from the map and straight into his Dad's eyes.

"Alright."

"The Volm have created another weapon. It's a lot like the one we used to take down that one tower in Boston. However, there was a problem with its transport. So we need to get to D.C. What we're going to do is, have the Volm and one other person head out at the same time as the 2nd Mass, but go a different way and we'll meet up in Fayetteville. Hal, I want you to go with Cochise and the other Volm."

"Why me? You don't trust Cochise to do it himself?" Hal wondered, trying to make sense as to why his Dad was asking him. Cochise started to look around, clearly uncomfortable.

"Of course I trust Cochise. I just think it would be good for you to go along, help them out, and clear your head a little." Tom answered, also starting to get uncomfortable.

"Cochise, can I talk to my father in private?" Hal requested. Cochise nodded and made the alien made his way out of the room.

"Is this about my going with Maggie after that girl and her skitter brother instead of going on a patrol with Pope and Sara?" The words were out of Hal's mouth the minute the door had closed.

"Maggie and that whole situation with her and Ben has been distracting you Hal. You can't argue that. You would normally never do something like that when I gave you orders against it." Tom insisted.

"And if we hadn't disobeyed you, we never would've captured that Overlord and get that skitter breeding place blown up." Hal pointed out.

"You still disobeyed me!"

"What, you'd rather I just follow you around and do whatever you say like a good, mindless, little, soldier. Fine, I will go with Cochise. Anything else, sir?"

"Hal…" Tom started, but Hal was already gone, leaving the door wide open, letting the bright sun shine through.