Apologies for the long time between updates have a lot of work I've had to do lately…I hate school...and homework….and exams. I know a few of you thought that Dai and Anthony were a bit wimpy considering their circumstances but being suddenly confronted by an close friend's eldest son/ another close friend after such a long time of searching and he looks the same, acts completely differently and controls a bunch of aliens that have been terrorizing you for a long time now…you would probably be a little overwhelmed with both emotion and fear.

The Hal nodded to the mechs and sauntered confidently back the way he had coming, leaving a startled and confused Anthony and Dai behind.

Tom tapped his foot anxiously and tossed his head around, scanning the surroundings for any signs of an ambush. Could Hal really be coming? Be here? Dai and Anthony had been extremely shaken up by the encounter, swearing that Hal had acted unlike any other harnessed kid and they hadn't been able to see any sign of a harness of his back. Tom sighed and adjusted the gun in his grip as Captain Weaver paced in front of him, finger twitching on the trigger a little nervously. After three months of searching, of constantly coming back empty-handed with no leads or tips just a single dead end; it was strange for Tom to actually think he actually had a chance to see his eldest son once again.

The hope had never gone away of course but Tom couldn't shake the lethargic feeling that clung to him like death wherever he went, the perpetual longing to see his precious son again. To be honest, Tom was hit more heavily by Hal's capture than Ben's because he was so used to having Hal there supporting him. When Ben was taken by the Skitter's, Tom had been dumped with a lot of responsibility and he had always been preoccupied with something or another, always having to worry about those around him that he needed to care for. In many ways, Hal had adapted more quickly than Tom, perhaps because of his relative youth or maybe because he was mature enough to realise that his father needed him now more than ever, especially after Rebecca's death. The loss of such a steady, strong foundation in Tom's life that his son had somehow become meant that his responsibilities within the group seemed to increase and Tom felt more exhausted and stressed than he ever had before. To be fair though to Ben, he had really stepped up to the mark and was doing a fantastic job in Hal's difficult placement; he didn't have Hal's specific skill set and wasn't as well suited to the duties Hal had taken.

"Afternoon gentlemen, nice to see you accepted my invitation." a creepily familiar voice called out behind them.

Tom spun around in surprise, raising his gun at the intruder standing a few metres behind him and gasped at what he saw. Hal was clad in some kind of black uniform, an ebony cloak flowing over his shoulders. He looked incredibly healthy and his muscles were slightly more defined, however his eyes were empty and glassy, pupils almost large and dark. There was a cocky smirk on his face and Hal's stance held a confident but subtle swagger of confidence despite the lack of weaponry or backup. The two men just stared at the teenager speechless; intimidated by the atmosphere and presence the young man had. Suddenly Tom didn't blame Anthony and Dai for being so freaked out for seeing Hal; he was actually scary.

"Well? Aren't you going to say anything Daddy dearest?" Hal said patronisingly "After all it has been three months since we last saw each other. Don't you want one of those cute little reunion hugs that they always had on those stupid reality shows?"

"Hal…"Tom choked out, unable to find anything to say as he realised the horror of what was happening "What happened to you?"

Hal chuckled, looking away and rubbing the back of his neck "Oh, you know….around. I've actually been travelling a lot lately; tough job being the High Overlord's right hand."

"Whatever they did to you Hal we can undo it, just let us help you." Captain Weaver said cautiously, trying to keep his voice military and commanding.

Hal looked at him curiously for a second, then burst into laughter, clutching his sides.

"I-I'm sorry," he gasped after a minute, trying to stop his hysterical giggling "Help me? You? Forgive me but you aren't the ones rescuing me…the Overlord's did."

"No Hal!" Tom burst passionately, tears welling in his eyes "They didn't! They took you from your family, from your home! They're messing with your head! You're my son…please let us stop this, come home."

For a second Hal faltered before he seemingly winced in pain and regained his composure, rebuilding the evil mask and reforming the dark presence that seemed to resonate from his body.

"Sorry, Dad" he whispered contentiously, his eyes narrowing as he spoke "You're a little too late."

Suddenly the sound of mechs and gunships filled the air and made it vibrate with impending nature. Weaver tried to grab Tom's shoulder as he lunged forward but missed and fell into a crouch at the loss of balance. Tom however reached out to subdue Hal but before he could even register what was happening Hal was right before him, slamming his knee upwards into Tom's exposed stomach. Wind rushing away from his lungs as the powerful attack almost incapacitated him and he dropped like a stone onto the littered tarmac. He was vaguely aware of Weaver crying his name and manages to roll onto his back just in time to see Hal drive a savage looking knife into Weaver's side. Weaver cried out and doubled over, blood pouring from the wound and the gun slipping from his grasp. A line of mechs appeared around the corner and Tom heard a muffled yell from Pope as their reinforcements surged forward and opened fire.

Hal crouched down beside Tom and shook his head "My, my Mason, I'm disappointed…I thought this was going to be a private family affair and you bring Pope? Do you distrust me so?"

With a casual chuckle Hal rose up again and just walked past the fighting, disappearing into the army of Skitters without another word and Tom stretched out to him in despair before just curling up into himself and burying his head under his arms. Someone grasped his arms and he was heaved up and dragged backwards, struggling.

"No! Hal! Hal!"

"Dad, stop, he's gone!" Ben cried out, narrowly dodging an elbow to the face as he pulled Tom out of the line of fire.

Dai and Maggie were hurriedly carrying an unconscious, heavily bleeding Captain Weaver and Tom managed to grasp just enough sense to stop fighting and follow after them, Ben following just behind as the line of second Mass. fighters retreated. Tom glance back desperately hoping to see any sign of his eldest son.

Hal was gone.