"Shhhh,"Tom whispered into his son's hair, his hand placed firmly behind his head, fingers lacing through his strangely silky hair "It's ok Ben, we'll get him back. Whatever it takes, I promise. They will not keep him."

HAL POV

When Hal awoke he was confused and disorientated, struggling to pull together his thought and emotions. His brain tried to fathom how he was floating above the floor, a pressure on his chest and torso and not his face. The realisation was like getting hit by a Skitter-he was on one of those table bed things in a Harnessing chamber; like the one they had saved Matt and Jean Weaver from a while back. That was when Hal had first seen Ben's spikes glow and he felt shivers at the memory. Hal tried to force himself up but he was restrained tightly and all he could do was thrash around and scream curses at the walls. The feelings of loneliness and hopelessness were the strongest- feeling like weights that crushed down on him. The darkness was so solid, Hal felt like he was trapped in a tiny box and the claustrophobic feeling left him gasping for breath as he again tried to free himself. Hal had never been scared of the dark, but every noise was deafening and made Hal flinch, tossing his head from side to side in search of any impending danger, and the sound of his thumping heart filling his ears. However there was never anything there, just the silence and the darkness.

Hal searched his memory, trying to construct an image of what had happened whilst he tried to bury his terror. He had to gain a sense on what was happening.

He was in bed, sleeping soundly…then someone had woken him…Matt? Yes, Matt. He said something wasn't right….I offered to investigate…got outside…jumped by Skitters, quite literally. Karen was there…she said she was looking for me…Dad turned up…then Matt…and Ben? Dad was threatening Karen…Matt was screaming his name…then there was shooting and he was dragged into the trees. Yeah the woods! His fingers still stung from where he had tried to dig into the dirt….Ben…Ben had chased him till they reached the ship. A mech. had attacked and Ben…oh God-Ben was on the ground…then the doors had shut…Karen had whispered something…then he felt a prickling feeling…and then nothing…just that blackness all over again…

Hal shook himself awake, breathing heavily as his thoughts spilled to his brother. Where was Ben? The mech had been right on top of him...could he be dead? Hal physically winced at the idea, even the mentioning of the 'd-word' in the same sentence as one of his family members sent agonising pangs through his heart. The worry built on Hal's rising terror and the knots in his stiff, tense muscles and Hal literally had to compel himself to breathe deeply and relax a little.

Suddenly the room was flooded with light and even though Hal's head was down, spots danced in his eyes as he squinted and tried to blink away the pain.

"Glad to see you're awake, Hal. Now you'll get to fully experience the wonder of the joining." Karen's quiet, sweet voice echoed around the room. Although Hal couldn't see her, he could feel her presence beside him, but also the sensation of another, two others, two Overlords.

Hal writhed furiously as her smooth skin brushed against his back, lifting his shirt. Somehow his jacket had been removed whilst he was unconscious. Karen seemed to sigh, sounding almost exasperated as she pressed down on him a little harder so that he stopped fighting.

"You don't realise how incredibly special you are Hal. The Head of the Overlord's had chosen you because of your prowess. You're the right age, perfect build, strong, determined, intelligent, and skilled-you're the ideal candidate in every aspect of your being despite being just a human. You should be honoured."

"Lucky me…"Hal snarled but his anger dispelled when he heard a Skitter approaching and the sound of a living harness in its arms "Please Karen, don't do this!"

Karen now hovered over him and Hal felt her lower the harness onto his back. This one seemed different to the others; smaller, lighter but in a way much more dangerous, more powerful.

"Don't worry Hal, it'll all be over soon. No more pain, no more emotion, you'll feel clarity and understanding. I was scared when I was chosen too, but it soon passes; a waste of energy to fight, just relax and accept the Overlord's mind into yours."

The harness crawled further up Hal's neck but he was frozen, unable to shake the creature of as it established itself at the base of his neck and he could feel it merging with his skin, fusing to his spine. Memories and thoughts and words danced around Hal's mind as the harness sunk deeper into his skin, almost disappearing completely beneath it.

"You'll be more powerful than the Skitters, Hal. More important than an entire army of mechs. They'll die to keep you, Hal. Human royalty, ordering all those below you for your King. No one we'll be able to stop us. And best of all…"

Karen leant down and Hal could feel her hot breath tickle his ear as his vision swam and he began to fade into a spinning, crazy abyss.

"We'll do it together."