Hey guys! Here's another chapter for you. Kinda sucky as well. Sorry. Bear with me. Hope it will do for now.

"Hal! How's he doing?" Tom asked his eldest son. He, Matt, Ben, and Weaver had just entered the medical bus and saw the oldest Mason son standing over a very confused looking man.

"He's okay. A little shaken up, but alive." Hal replied.

"That's good. Because we'd like to ask him a few questions," the Captain said.

"Be careful, though. He's still weak."

"Did Anne ask you to say that?"

"Yeah."

"Sounds like her. Fine. We will. Just a few simple questions." Dan walked over to the cot where the mystery man was sitting. "Hello. I'm Captain Weaver. That there's Tom, Hal, Matt, and Ben. May we ask you some questions?" The man nodded, but for some reason he kept his eyes trained on Ben. "What's your name?"

"Dennis. Dennis Cleary."

"Alright, Dennis. Where'd you come from?"

"Nowhere specific. Ever since the aliens invaded, I've been on the run."

"Impressive. Surviving for that long. And by yourself?"

"Well, sometimes I got help from some other people. But eventually I moved on. Just seemed right."

"Ah. I see. You could always stay here with us."

"And who's 'us'?"

"2nd Massachusetts Militia Regiment."

"Nice name."

"Yeah."

"Okay. May I ask you something? I don't mean to be rude, though. Just a concern."

"Concern? What kind of concern?"

"Well. This is for that kid. Ben, is it?'

The middle Mason wore a confused expression. "Yeah. Ben Mason," he said.

"What's on the back of your neck?" At this, the whole room seemed to tense up.

"It's a long story."

"I've got time."

"Well, in a nutshell, I was harnessed. And—"

"Woah, woah. Wait—harnessed? What does—what?"

"The skit—the six legged green things? Yeah, well they captured me. Right when the invasion started. Put a parasite on my back. We call it a harness. Eventually my family got me back. Removed the bug. But it left these things—these spikes in my spine."

"Oh. Well, um, Captain Weaver? May I speak with you in private?"

"Yes. Of course," Dan told Dennis. "You mind?" he asked cocking his head at the others.

Tom spoke for all of them. "No. Go ahead."

"That was awfully strange," Hal said as he, Ben, Matt, and Tom left the medical bus. "Wonder what he wanted to talk to Weaver about."

"I dunno. Don't think Dennis liked me very much," the middle Mason replied.

"What? How would you know that?"

"His face. It's an expression I've seen everyone give me at least once. Disgust. Hate. Good thing I've gotten used to it."

"Ben—"

"No. It's fine. Hey, I gotta do something. I'll catch up with you later?"

Hal hesitated, but finally nodded. "Okay," he said. Ben gave him a weak smile and watched as his brother walked away. When he was sure that he was gone, he walked back to the med bus and by the side in the shadows. Then he pressed his ear up against the door.

"Mr. Cleary? What would you like to talk about?" Weaver asked.

"Well, it's about that kid."

"Ben?"

"Yeah."

"What about him?'

"He said it himself. Those aliens captured him. Put a parasite on his back. What were those harnesses even used for?"

"Well, to control minds. Get kids doing the physical work."

"Control minds? And you got him back?"

"Yes. Minds and actions. The kids didn't know what they were doing, though," Dan said, slightly confused.

"Who's to say that Ben still isn't under their influence?"

"Who? The aliens?"

Dennis nodded. "I mean, think about it. What if you have a spy on your hands?"

"No. I know Ben. And he's been nothing but loyal. He hates what the aliens did to him. He wants the defeat them. Kill the all."

"It could be an act."

"No. Listen. You've been here for about three hours. Ben's been here for months.No offense, but I trust him more than you. I know him."

"I understand. Why would you trust me only after a few hours? But like I said before, it was just a simple concern. I'm sorry to have upset you."

"No. No, understand. I have to go ready a team for a mission. If you'll excuse me."

"Of course."

"Are you okay, though? Need anything?"

"No, no. I'm fine. Thank you."

"Alright. I'll have someone check in later."

"Thanks again."

Weaver nodded once and then made his way out of the medical bus.

Like I said, pretty sucky chapter. But I have to get through all the boring stuff in the beginning before it starts getting good. ;) Like i said up top, please just bear with me. I promise it's gonna get better than these past chapters. Bring stuff first. Then the exciting stuff. I dunno if I'll get in any more updates. Maybe. I'll work on it. Okay, I've rambled on long enough. Buh-bai peeps! Stay tuned plzzzz! :)