Ben Mason is the middle child of Tom and Rebecca Mason, he is 15 or 16 when the series begins. Shortly after the initial invasion, Ben is over at his friend Nick's house when he is captured by the aliens and harnessed. He has been missing for months when the series begins.Although he is later freed and the harness is removed, Ben continues to feel its residual effects, including the ability to communicate with the Skitters and increased physical abilities and heightened senses. The spikes still protrude from his spine even after it is removed and he has an ability to sense when Espheni skitters and mechs are nearby.Ben becomes a capable fighter for the 2nd Massachusetts Militia Regiment, partly out of anger over what was done to him and partly because he is stronger after having been harnessed. His father Tom struggles with the changes in his young son, but eventually has to admit that his ordeal has made him stronger and able to take care of himself.Throughout the series his friends include Rick and Deni, two other teens who were harnessed, and Jimmy, a young fighter.Background: Before the invasion, Ben was a good student who excelled at math. Show less «