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"It appears your intel was correct Professor. We have seen a great Espheni spaceship land in the city you call Washington, and there is a great deal of Overlords and skitters present, as though they are guarding something of importance." Cochise informed Tom as they walked into the board room. Weaver, Hal, Ben, and Maggie were already there, sitting at the table.
"Well, it was Hal actually who got the information, but it's good to know it was accurate. So, the Queen has already landed then?" Tom deduced, sitting down in the chair at the head of the table.
"That is our assumption. We are trying to learn more, but this might now be an area where the, rebel skitters might have better success." Cochise suggested, moving to stand by the table instead of sitting down.
"Ben, do you think the rebel skitters can find that out?" Tom asked, looking over at his middle son. When he nodded, Tom turned back to Cochise.
"And what about the power source? Any sign of it." Hal couldn't help but tense up a little when his Dad asked that question. Ever since he asked Kadar about the power source two days ago, it was constantly on his mind.
Hal tried to cover his reaction by sitting up straighter in his chair, but saw that Ben was staring at him. He had been watching him like a hawk every time they crossed paths in the last couple of days, ever since Hal told him what happened. Just like he knew the younger would. Hal mentally shrugged it off, and turned to look back at his father and the alien.
"We have reports of something in a metal box being transported to Washington D.C. with four Overlords, and with great care." Cochise replied.
"You think they're keeping their power source at Lincoln Memorial too?" Maggie questioned.
"It would make it easier for them. Keep everything important and of most value in one place makes it easier to protect. Smaller space, all their forces in one spot and not all spread out." Weaver answered.
"But doesn't that also make it easier for us? If they are together, we can kill two birds with one stone." Hal pointed out.
"True, but that area is going to be way more guarded than any base or tower that we've ever hit. It's going to be nearly impossible to get in there." Weaver countered.
"That is correct Colonel Weaver. Many Overlords have been spotted in the area. Over 30 to be precise." Cochise interjected. Everyone in the room sat in silent shock at the thought of 30 Overlords in one place.
"How many Overlords are there completely? As in, the entire Espheni population?" Tom asked.
"Around 200, last we checked."
"So, even if we kill this Queen, and destroy this energy source or whatever it is, we still have to take care of the remaining Overlords." Maggie stated.
"Unfortunately yes. But without their leader, their technology, and the majority of the skitters, they should be very easy to take care of." Cochise assured them.
"But neither Hal nor I will be able to talk to the rebel skitters with the power source destroyed. Or any of the other de-harnessed kids. How will we communicate with them?" Ben realized. The room again went silent, until Tom spoke.
"We know from earlier attempts of trying to communicate that they let out a sort of, frequency. Our radio picked it up. Maybe Kadar can rig something, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. The most important thing to worry right now, is getting to Washington, and finishing this war. Killing the Queen shouldn't be too hard, as far as we know, she dies just as easily as skitters. Problem is, Kadar still hasn't figured out a way to destroy the power source."
"Maybe we should take him along. If he can see it, it'll probably be easier for him to figure out." Ben suggested.
"He's so not going to like that." Hal commented, hoping to dissuade the idea of the scientist coming with them. If Kadar realizes what he is planning on doing, how to actually destroy the power source, then everyone will try and stop him. That is the last thing he needs.
"Still, it might be the best chance we have. I'll talk to him about it." Tom agreed with his middle son, while Hal tried not to show how nervous he was getting.
"Alright, then who is going to destroy it?" Weaver asked.
"I will." Everyone turned to stare at Hal when he volunteered. When he saw their faces, he was quick to start explaining.
"Like you said Dad, what Cochise told you. I have a stronger connection to it because of the explosion, which means I'll be able to find it easier. And if there are any guards around, I could get inside their heads and see if I can find the way to destroy it."
"It does make the most sense Tom Mason. He would be the most qualified person to do so." Cochise sided with the oldest brother.
"And I'll go with him." Ben immediately captured Hal's attention with that statement, "My spikes also gives me a connection with it, as does Deni's. We can go with Hal, watch his back, and Kadar's if we do get him to come with us."
Ben risked a glimpse at his older brother and instantly caught the disapproval on his face. Though, with a longer glance, he thought he saw fear, and anger in Hal's eyes. But why?
"I don't know Ben." The blonde turned back to look at his father when he started speaking, "We are going to be taking out the Queen at the same time. We might need all of you guys there."
"But if we destroy the power source first, it'll make it that much easier to get to the Queen. They won't have any of their beamers or Mechs, and might lose some of their skitters too." Hal replied.
"I again, agree with your son." Cochise chimed in. Tom looked at his sons, then over at Weaver. The Colonel nodded, telling Tom that he agreed with them as well.
"Alright. But first, let's make sure we can actually execute this plan. Then we can go for lunch." Tom decided, and they started planning the attack.
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"Hey Benji." Deni said as Ben came over to her. She had been waiting for him to finish eating so they could go to the rebel skitters camp together to tell the leader about what they were planning.
"How many times do I need to tell you to stop calling me that?" Ben asked, though gave the girl a smile.
"Tell me as many times as you want, still not going to listen to you." Deni replied with a chuckle. Ben's smile grew and he shook his head. He knew that would be her answer. They then started walking towards the camp.
"So, we have to meet up with the rebel skitters?"
"Yup. Dad, Weaver, and Cochise are starting to plan another attack, they want to see if the rebels can confirm that the Espheni Queen and power crystal are both at Lincoln Memorial." Ben answered, then started explaining what was decided on during the meeting.
Deni nodded, then looked over at the other teenager. He looked a little tired, but mostly, worried and confused. She didn't want to pry, but she was curious as to what was going on with him.
"You okay?" Deni wondered. Ben tensed up a little, yet nodded.
"I'm fine."
"Hey, it's me. What's going on?" Deni repeated her question.
"It's Hal. I'm worried about him." Ben told her. When Deni didn't say anything, he looked over at her and saw the look that told him she wanted him to continue. So he did.
"Yesterday, he told me what happened during the five months Karen had him. I think he is doing better, but he's been though too much, it's changed him. He's more withdrawn and determined to end this war."
"Sounds to me like he's still trying to process everything that happened and come to terms with it. I know it's been two months, but he was gone for five. Odds are, he's going to need at least that long to fully recover. And as to wanting to end the war, news flash, we all want that. I may not know Hal very well, but I know that he would do anything to protect his family, and anyone else he can. Maybe, going through that trauma just, added more fuel to that fire. He doesn't want anyone else to go through what he did." Deni replied.
"Maybe. But, I still feel like he's hiding something." Ben revealed.
"Like what?" Deni questioned.
"I don't know. He's just, is trying too hard to act normal. And he started acting weird during the meeting when Dad brought up the power source. Then, he volunteered for the most dangerous part of the attack. I mean, it makes sense because of what he can do now, but I could tell from the look on his face that if Dad had said no, he would've fought him on it." Ben explained.
"Well, like I said, Hal is really protective. He probably doesn't want to risk anyone getting hurt doing something that he could do, especially if he has a better chance at succeeding." Deni reminded him.
"Yeah, I guess." Ben said, though he wasn't really comforted. He couldn't describe what it was, or how he could tell, but he knew something else was going on. Hal was hiding something. Suddenly, Ben felt Deni slip her hand into his. He looked over at her and saw her giving him a small smile.
"It'll be okay. Besides, we'll be with him the entire time. Worrying isn't going to get you anywhere." Ben nodded, and squeezed her hand, turning his gaze back to the ground. When he first met Deni, he thought she was weird, but he soon found himself grateful for her friendship. She was someone who could relate to him, someone who understood a lot of he went through.
"Hey." Deni's voice broke Ben out of his reverie. He looked back up at her and saw a mischievous smirk grace her lips.
"Race ya!" Deni exclaimed, and took off running. Ben smiled and chased after her.
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"You were pretty quick to volunteer for that job." Maggie finally said. She had been silent ever since the meeting ended and all though lunch. Hal didn't look at her, but did squeeze her hand as they continued walking down the hall way.
"It makes the most sense is all. Besides, I didn't want to give my Dad the opportunity to stick me on the sidelines during this fight." Hal explained.
"Is staying on the sidelines so bad?" Maggie asked. At that, Hal turned his head to look at the woman beside him.
"Do you actually have to ask that? Anne told me about how you were benched while I was gone. And it's not like I'm going alone. Ben and Deni will be with me." Hal pointed out. Their presence will make completing his plan more complicated though.
"Fair enough, but-" Maggie suddenly stopped, and lifted her free hand up to her mouth as her stomach turned violently.
"You okay?" Hal asked, concern filling his voice. When he felt Maggie stop, as she was still holding his hand, he turned and saw her hand by her mouth, like she was trying not to throw up. He moved to stand in front of her, placing his other hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah I'm okay. My lunch just didn't agree with me. I'm fine." Maggie assured him.
"Maybe we should get you to bed. Don't want you to get sick." Hal suggested. He expected Maggie to insist that she's fine, that she doesn't get sick, but she didn't.
"Yeah, I'm actually feeling kind of tired." Maggie revealed. Hal tried to hide his worry and wrapped his arm around his girlfriend's shoulders, gently leading her to their room.
A few minutes later, they were lying down on their bed together, Maggie pressed up against Hal, her head on his chest, while his arms encircled her.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Hal couldn't help but ask as he looked down at her beautiful face.
"I'll be fine. Just, lie here with me?" Hal gently grabbed her hand which was lying loosely over his stomach, lifted it up to his lips, giving it a light kiss before answering.
"Anytime."
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Weaver walked down the hall away from the offices. After a long day of planning the future attack, checking the inventory to make sure they had enough weapons, and getting two groups out to scavenge for more ammo, he was exhausted.
As he was heading past Tom's office, he noticed that the light was still on. He looked down at his watch, and saw it was almost midnight. After a moment of hesitation, he knocked on the door, though he didn't wait for an answer before he opened the door to see Tom sitting at his desk, empty cup beside him, and a map of Washington sprayed out on the desk.
"Tom? You okay?" Weaver asked, as Tom looked up at him.
"I know it makes the most sense, but I don't like this plan, I don't like the idea of sending both Hal and Ben out into the most danger." Tom replied. Weaver nodded, coming over to sit down in one of the chairs in front of him.
"Believe me Tom, I understand, you know I do. But, they have the best chance, they're our strongest fighters. And we'll be with them as long as we can. Not to mention, once Kadar gets a better look at the crystal, it won't take him long to figure out how to destroy it." Weaver tried to assure his friend.
Tom nodded, but didn't say anything. He just continued staring at the Washington map on his desk with a worried frown.
"I'm worried about Hal. I just, I feel like he's hiding something, that he's still struggling with everything. I'm worried that he's not going to be able to do all this." Tom confided, gesturing at the map.
"Despite the fact that Hal ended up in the infirmary after New York, he still managed to kill Karen, and he was okay. He can do this too. He's strong and he'll do whatever it takes to get the job done." Weaver reminded him.
"Just like his mother." Tom commented.
"A lot like you." Weaver replied. Tom looked up at his friend with a surprised, yet thoughtful look on his face.
"It's late. You should get some sleep." Weaver said as he stood up and made his way to the door. Tom took one last look at the map, before folding it back up, and started for his room to get a few hours of shut eye.