With a sudden flurry of movement, a pheasant burst from the hedge about fifty yards ahead of the swarm, screeching out its alarm call. As one, the swarm moaned and lurched forward, moving at an increased pace in the direction of the bird which sped down the road ahead of them, calling madly to its fellows in the fields and hedges.

As the walkers moved out of sight, a platoon of soldiers exited the compound and walked down the road behind the swarm.

"Summers here, all clear, repeat, all clear. Well done everyone."

The tower breathed a collective sigh of relief and the team made their weapons safe.

"What would we have done if they'd attacked?" asked Andrew.

The Sergeant glanced over at him. "We'd have had to take them out as quickly and quietly as we could. Summers would have ordered silent weapons with guns as back up."

"What would happen if it was a much larger swarm, like a thousand?"

"Then we'd be in trouble," said Dan. His brows furrowed. "What are you getting at here lad? Are you thinking about something specific?"

"I don't want to overstep," said Andrew blushing. "I mean, I'm just a kid."

The Sergeant shook his head. "You're a kid who survived with a group of other kids when many so-called adults died. I know your story and you did well. So, as far as I'm concerned, if you have an idea, or a question then you have the right to voice it. And Captain Summers feels the same."

Andrew nodded. "They stopped. They were beginning to sense we were here somehow, but as soon as that stupid pheasant kicked off they got distracted and followed it. I know the Captain has his contingency plan of the castle over the river, but what if we can't get there cos it's low tide? We can't trek across the estuary mud, we'll sink and die, or get stuck and ripped apart by deadheads. We shouldn't give this place up so easily. So, if a massive swarm hits us, could we distract them, divert them around us? Use a pretend pheasant to lure them away, maybe into the river or the sea. If they get stuck in the mud, we can pick 'em off at our leisure. If they go into the sea they'd disappear but I guess might become someone else's problem if they survive. No shark's going to eat one of those things. Um, yes. So the short version is can we distract them, lure them away using some loud sound, and not fight them?"

Dan blinked. "Well apart from the fact I think you might breathe through your ears, that's a damn good idea. Well done lad, I'll talk to Summers. Right, I'd better report into debrief. I'll catch you later. Andrew isn't it?"

Andrew nodded.

The Sergeant held out his hand and Andrew shook it with a smile. "Don't be afraid to come to me with any more ideas if you have them. And that goes for all of you. I'll make sure Summers knows that was your idea. Credit where it's due and all that." He cast a look at Merryn. "Impressive Scout 2."

Merryn grinned at him and the Sergeant climbed down the ladder and walked towards the main building.

"Teacher's pet," muttered Eddie and punched Andrew in the arm. Then she gave him a hug. "Smartarse. Well done."

Andrew blushed to the roots of his hair. "Thanks Ed."

Merryn motioned them to the ladder. "Well done Andrew, Come on you lot, let's get a cuppa. We deserve it after that. That was a little nervy."

~

The Captain approached them as the team sat in the canteen with steaming mugs in front of them. "May I join you?"

Merryn shifted over and the Captain sat, placing a mug of tea on the table. He looked at Andrew first. "I've just led the debrief on our encounter with that group of walkers earlier and Sergeant Dan Harper passed on your idea. "We're going to be testing it on the swarm that passed earlier using a few bicycles and some air horns. Well done.

"Also, I have a proposition for you. For some time I've been thinking our scouts should not be solitary operatives. Scout 1, Gareth spoke highly of you, and I've suggested to him you and he might make a good team. Gareth is a superb outdoorsman and your skills would compliment his. Take some time, have a think about it, and then come back to me."

Andrew nodded and muttered a quiet thank you. Eddie looked into her mug and lifted it to her lips, a momentary frown appearing on her face. Merryn exchanged a glance with Hope, then lifted her own mug as the Captain continued.

"I have a mission for some of your team, Merryn. Dave is taking the fishing boat up to the Isle of Wight on a supply run. We have some equipment here that is useful to the Isle, and they have some supplies we can make use of." Summers paused as if trying to work out what to say. "I'd like Sergeant Harper to run point on that one."

Merryn put her mug down. "You're taking my team away from me? Not saying no Captain, but why Harper? And 'some' of my team?"

Summers looked uncomfortable for a moment but continued his explanation. "Andrew and Eddie will remain here, but I'd like Harper to take Stan to HQ so he can be examined by our medical team."

Hope opened her mouth to say something and Summers raised his hand, forestalling her comment. "To preempt any concern, Hope, I have had assurances Stan will be treated humanely, and they will ask his agreement prior to doing any tests. To that end I would like you to travel up with him and remain on the Isle for a while until they are done as you have a good rapport with him and I'd like you to act as his handler."

"Okay," said Hope without hesitation. "I can do that."

"Thank you," said Summers and let out a deep breath in relief. "Now, onto something less pleasant. "Do you wish to press charges against Private Rimmer?"

"Private?" said Eddie.

"I have demoted him," said Summers. "I expect the occasional disagreement between members of this community. But I cannot allow this sort of action to go unpunished. He not only pointed a weapon at you when he was on guard at the castle, but I saw him attempting to draw a knife on Hope. That's one step too far. And quite frankly it's the latest in a long series of stupid behaviours."

"No," said Hope. "I started that fight. If anything, I should be the one facing a disciplinary action."

Summers gave her a serious look. "This is another reason, albeit a minor one, that you are being sent to the Isle Hope."

"Noted." Hope's face was sombre as she considered her response. "Will I be allowed to come back here?"

"Yes, but a bit of time to cool off is a good idea."

Hope nodded. "Okay, that's fair. I'll get Stan ready. When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow, on the tide."

Hope stood, and left the table, followed by Eddie who caught up with her friend and dropped an arm over her shoulders. Andrew finished his tea, nodded at them both and moved to join the others.

Merryn sat back on her seat, Summers moving around the table so he could sit opposite her now that they were alone. "What else is going on here Captain?"

"The powers that be are worried. Do not share this with your team please."

Merryn nodded her agreement and the Captain continued.

"They're getting more and more reports of swarms; from our scouts elsewhere in the country, but also from some of the other governments we've managed to re-establish contact with including the French, Germans, Portuguese, US and Canada. They're similar to us in that we're looking at survivors dotted here and there in old military complexes or even older re-purposed fortifications or modern versions of like stadia or warehouses. The Outbreak almost wiped humanity out, but since then people have been able to start rebuilding.

"The swarms threaten our very existence as they can overwhelm us if they have enough bodies, and that's something you saw first up on Dartmoor with Marcia. Single walkers, or even small groups attracted by noises we've always been able to deal with, but these swarms are different, and our scientists are worried about them getting larger, merging, and gaining a sort of hive mind. We just don't know."

Summers took a swig of tea and continued. "Stan, you, and Hope represent something different and we need to protect that. The swarms change our priorities. So you will stay here for now, and Hope and Stan will be protected at the Isle. If the Isle falls, then we still have you here."

"Is there a chance the Isle might get overrun?"

"Given the defences they have there I think it's unlikely, but we need to be prepared for every eventuality at the moment."

"Which is why you're preparing the castle on the other side of the river?"

"Exactly. The human race is holding on by a thread. As well as the walkers, we're fighting disease, gangs, pirates, loners with guns, food shortages and so many other things. All we need at the moment is one harsh winter, a change in how the virus works, a well-organised and tooled-up bandit group, or something going wrong with our power generation and we could be in serious trouble."

"Okay Captain, I get it. I can't say I'm happy about losing Hope, or Stan for that matter, but I get it. I also understand Andrew would be a good fit for Gareth, he's a talented lad."

"And Eddie's rather good too," said Summers. "I've been watching her, and while she's not perhaps as skilled at tracking as Andrew is, she's a better all-rounder. Andrew needs to learn a little more calm which is why Gareth will be good for him. You and Eddie are a natural fit too." Summers paused. "Is there anything going on between Andrew and Eddie?"

"I'm impressed Captain," said Merryn with a smile. "And here's me thinking you were all stern and commanderish and stuff."

Summers rolled his eyes. "Even I was young once Merryn. Are we at the 'everybody else knows but them' stage?"

"That's probably a fair assessment. They're good kids, but they are still kids despite having to live through the Outbreak."

Summers stood. "Ah well, I'm sure they'll work it out. Thank you for your understanding here Merryn, it's appreciated. Keep up the good work."

Merryn watched him go and sighed into the remnants of her tea.