10. Eight Hours

Complete story — includes the ending

Rick runs off to rejoin the Skitters and meets Megan, who promises to take him back in if he tells her everything he knows about the 2nd Mass. He does, but she departs, leaving him feeling betrayed, and surprised that Tom will take him back alive. Weaver presses on with the plan to attack the Skitter base, asking for 50 volunteers, explaining Porter is dead and the 4th and 5th Mass may be gone. Arriving at the rendezvous point for the three regiments with his troops, Weaver confirms that the 4th and 5th Mass have been destroyed. On learning that the Skitters know the whereabouts of the 2nd Mass, Tom decides to evacuate the civilians, leaving a small force behind. While Weaver's strike team are away, the 2nd Mass comes under attack from Mechs, but Scott and Ben save the day by finding and transmitting the right frequency to confuse the aliens. Believing his attack will turn into a suicide mission, Weaver sends Hal back to the 2nd Mass to report that the 4th and 5th Mass did not show up and are presumed destroyed. Tom heads out to rescue Weaver, and sends the radio and car back with Pope and Anthony, both wounded. Pope leaves him a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with Mech penetration ability. Tom finds Weaver, and shoots down a Skitter ship that crashes into the Skitter base with spectacular explosions. On the way home, Karen stops their truck and says the aliens will call back Ben unless Tom goes aboard the alien shuttle ship with the tall overlord. Weaver begs him to refuse, and remains behind, shocked as Tom follows Karen and the overlord aboard the ship.