Somewhat the Beginning (A Falling Skies Fanfiction)

Heros Aren't Born, They're Made: Pt. 2

"Get down!" I yell at Ben and Uncle Scott as I grabbed a gun and got under the table beneath the window. They looked out the window and when they saw the mechs shooting at the barrier, they got under the table across from me, and Scott took the transmitter with him. There was gun fire and mech fire outside and Ben started to put his hands on his ears and his face winced.

"What's happening to him?" I asked Uncle Scott.

"I think we found the signal." He said, and Ben nodded in agreement.

"Just turn it back a little." Ben said. Scott did and a little scream escaped Ben's lips.

I took my gun and got out from under the desk and looked out of the window, the mechs were still shooting. "Nothing's happening." I said. Then a mech's blue target finder locked on to me, turned orange, and I froze.

"Ashley!" Ben yelled over the gun fire. He got from under the table and tackled me to the floor. The gun fell out of my hands and slid across the floor. The mech shot and glass from the window shattered and rained on the floor. Ben and I covered our heads with our hands and tried to slide beneath a nearby table.

"Why isn't the transmitter doing anything?" I yelled to Scott. The noises got louder with the blown out window & I could barely hear myself think.

"I think the signal isn't strong enough. We need an antenna to boost the signal." He answered.

"What could boost a signal that large?" Ben asked.

Scott thought for a second then got up and looked out the open window.

"Scott get down!" I pulled at his pants leg.

"The flagpole!" Scott exclaimed, pointing. We got out from the table and saw the flagpole to the left of the barrier's end. Ben and Scott grabbed extra-large jumper cables and attached one end to the transmitter. Ben took the other end of the cables and jumped on the table. I grabbed him arm with one hand and my other one landed on the glass-covered table. There was a brief pain but I ignored it.

"What are you doing, Ben?" I asked.

"I need to get this on the flagpole and you can't stop me."

I looked at him skeptically, "This is crazy, but if you're going than so am I." I grabbed my gun and jumped onto the table and Ben helped me get out of the window. We ran past the barrier and towards the flagpole. A Skitter ran out of the forest and towards us. I shot it about 10 times with the Colt and kept running. Ben gave me half of the cable and I helped him put it on the pole. Ben held his ears and fell to his knees on the grass. I got down and hugged him.

"Tom!" I yelled, looking around.

Another Skitter ran toward us and I tried to grab my gun. It lunged at me and it's head exploded. I sat there, stunned, and I turned around and saw Tom and his shotgun. I got up and hugged Tom then I brought him to Ben.

"What's wrong with him?" Tom asked.

"It's the signal." I answered. There were screeching noises and I looked to the street. The mechs turned around and retreated.

Some people were cheering and high fiving. I even heard Jimmy say, "They're retreating...from us?" I looked at Ben, who was smiling at Tom, and I looked at Uncle Scott, who - at some point - came outside and was cheering as well.

Looking at everyone I thought, Maybe there's some hope after all.

...

"Anne thanks for patching up my hand." I said.

"You're welcome." She said back.

I was in the infirmary getting the cuts on my hand from the glass fixed. Luckily, it hadn't gotten infected before Anne could disinfect it.

Tom and Weaver decided to implement the original plan to plant a bomb on the alien tower. They drove a pickup with the transmitter on it to keep the mechs and airships away. It was about five hours since the mech attack, and we planned to head out as soon as Weaver, Tom, and the other fighters came back from the mission. We knew they succeeded because we saw the tower fall about an hour ago.

I heard footsteps outside and I left and followed them into the hall to the front door. Weaver was there, but he was only with a slightly injured Pope and a limping Anthony. Lourdes helped them to the infirmary.

Weaver stood there alone and someone asked what we were all thinking, "Where's Tom and the others?" It was Jimmy. Weaver had a solemn look on his face, and we knew the answer before he even said anything. "The others didn't make it. And Tom...he was," Weaver sighed, "He was taken aboard an alien ship." People started buzzing with questions but Weaver quieted them down, "This is a setback, but we have to keep moving on. In the morning we're going to meet up with the rest of the civilians and head East. It's going to be a long trip, and it's already late, so everyone should just head back to their rooms and get some rest."

I couldn't believe it. Tom. Tom Mason. Taken aboard an alien ship. I had so many questions. Is he ok? Why did the aliens take him? Why didn't they take Weaver too? And the most important one of all: Will Tom come out of this alive?

Everything around me was a blur while I walked down the halls to my room. I felt like I was floating, yet my legs felt like lead. I entered my room and plopped on the bed. I looked over to Amber's bed, neatly made. Amber was a civilian, but I'd rarely seen her after the morning we, sort of, talked. I turned back around and tried to fall asleep. My body felt numb and exhausted but my mind was reeling. I stared out of the open window and looked at the stars and moon.

I was debating what I should do. I should ask Weaver what happened. No, Weaver's probably already asleep by now. Maybe I could ask Hal. Urg, no. Hal came back before the group finished the plan. The only other thing I could think of was to just try to find Tom myself...

I sat up in the bed and quickly opened the end table. I grabbed a pen and paper and quickly scrawled a note. I made my bed, and placed the note on it. I opened the window and went out. Good thing I'm on the first floor, I thought. I went around the back of the school, snuck past the barrier, and ran into the trees.

So did you like the two-part chapter? I'm sure you falling skies lovers out there remember the 2nd Mass.'s fight with the mechs, but do you like/hate my little changes? Anyway, as you know, the chapter's in this fanfic corresponds with the big stuff that happens in the show, and that means that I am almost finished with the 1st season. So there's going to be another chapter, which represents the 1st season finale of my fanfic, but it's not completely over. :)