5. Search and Recover (2)

Complete story — includes the ending

Tom awakens in the burning wreckage of their plane in the forest to discover Brigadier General Bressler dead and Pope unconscious. After pulling Pope from the plane, they discover that the Espheni and the Skitters are searching for them. Back at Charleston, the members of the 2nd Mass discuss Anne's disappearance and come to the conclusion she may have acted out of desperation knowing how people would react to the news of her baby being part-alien. Weaver leads a search party of Hal, Ben, Matt, Jean and Maggie, but they only discover the body of a woman whom they initially believe to be Anne. They bury the woman and pay their respects. Ben discovers Skitter prints and human ones, which they believe to be Anne's. Ben tells the group that the Rebel Skitters have spies within the Espheni ranks and that this would be the best course of action to take to find Anne. Weaver agrees and calls off the search. Peralta informs Dr. Kadar that Tom asked her to approach him to ask his thoughts on the unknown machine the Volm are building. Kadar is suspicious about the machine, explaining that the power requirements are unusual. Meanwhile, Tom and Pope argue and bond by the campfire: Tom reveals that he had a hard upbringing, as his father was a mean drunk, while Pope tells of his two children and how he wound up in prison for murder. They are soon attacked by Skitters and forced to jump from a ledge into the water below. Tom's ankle is hurt and he is unable to walk, so he forces Pope to leave him behind. Pope returns later and kills two Skitters to save Tom. Pope helps Tom to a nearby car, which he drives to Charleston; they collapse at the gates. Matt bonds with Ben about what happened during the search, and Tom awakens two days later to find Pope has stayed by his side in the hospital the whole time and that Anne has disappeared.