8. A Thing With Feathers

Complete story — includes the ending

The 2nd Mass emerge from the underground shelter and search for survivors, during the search Hal discovers Maggie who is seriously injured and learns from Anne that she may be paralyzed. Meanwhile, Tom rescues Dingaan from under the rubble and together they discover the Beamer Cochise shot down and board it. Ben awakens in a Skitter Farm with Lexi and is horrified with what he sees going on. Ben tries to convince Lexi to leave with him, but she refuses, believing the Overlords to be her true family. After being unable to kill Ben, Lexi lets him go and he returns to Chinatown where he informs Anne that Lexi is lost to them for good, not knowing that his words are causing her to have some doubts. When Denny's spike fluid has no effect on Maggie's condition, Ben suggests to Anne that she implant some of his spikes into Maggie. Although concerned for both Ben and Maggie, Anne uses Volm technology to implant some of Ben's spikes into Maggie, and is successful in treating her. Inside the Beamer, Tom and Dingaan are forced to take cover when they trigger a missile, and are rescued when the explosion draws the 2nd Mass to their location. During that time, Dingaan shares his own painful past with Tom. That night, the 2nd Mass gather around a camp fire and mourn the loss of Tector and Lourdes. When the Beamer inexplicably activates, Tom and Hal notice a strange light on the moon.