36
Sean and Kev had the class now afternoon tea was over and Kev was taking the lead as Sean laid out weapons and other instruments from their Go-Packs to show the class.
"Windows are not your best friend, it's best to choose a hideout with as few ground level windows as possible." Kev was explaining, "If on a second story or higher, have anchor points located with ropes attached in case you have to skin out. Act pre-emptively, better to be wrong than right."
"Don't think about hunkering down and waiting for it to blow over. Zs will not just stop or go away, they will rot slowly over a long time and the stench will likely lure others in the area to see why they are there. It could be years." Sean added as some groaned "Stay above ground, do not go into a basement, you are trapped."
"When opening a door, open from the side with the handle not the hinge as a Z would slam the door into you, if you are at the opening gap you will see them moving and get warning of incoming." Kev motioned with his hands, "Anything moving at you first without speaking is to be considered hostile. If it's human then it's still not friendly if it didn't identify itself, right?"
"Glass is your friend. Smash some under a cloth to mute the sound then sprinkle it around the doors, Zs will walk in it and it will make a sound. Humans trying to sneak up on you will walk in it and likely hurt themselves as well as make a sound and alert you." Sean shook a sack of bottles, "Please try to get it into your heads that humans might not be coming to greet you, but to kill you."
"If fortified do not stick in one group, fan out, smaller groups with lookouts at all entry points. Be aware." Kev explained "Draw a floor plan of your house on a wall with the vivid marker kept in one of the vest pockets, mark all visible escape routes and list strengths and weaknesses, this could save your life when you start to panic. Write names of those on duty at each spot. This way there is no confusion and it also means anyone new gets to learn."
"Always knock before entering a room, if it is empty there will be no noise. If there is a Z it will come at the door." Kev went on to speak once pens had stopped moving "We go back to the noise thing. A voice is not a Z, definitely. But do not go in with glee, they may not be friendly or may have been robbed before and nervous. Take things carefully and use caution."
"Keep marking your maps, draw anything not on them, this will help the next excursion." Sean took over as Kev turned to get something "Learning and reading maps about the area you live in or need to travel too are a must. Getting in and out of a city or building you can find schematics for is a challenge and you must have scenarios in place."
Kev held up an old tourist brochure "Scope out the area before going in, time is your friend here. A good lookout is a must and do not over think someone else's ideas, they might be right. If it jells, let it have air. In the heat of the moment if you do not have an idea, go with someone else's. You can bitch about it later, at least you will be alive to."
"All go-bags for the current recon will have maps for the relevant region, each pack will be named and colour coded for the recon so you don't grab from the wrong pile. Be aware that there may be some crossover, so don't fuck it up." Sean warned, "Same with the ATVs and motorbikes. You will find ribbon on the handlebars to match your packs. Those travelling in one of the prowlers will also have a colour code to match the one tied to the aerial."
"Food and essentials are in the vehicles as well as the go-bags so if you get separated you have time to find them again" Kev held up several hair ribbons, "Also be aware, the children know not to steal these but will covet them. Anyone bringing back pretties will get extra cuddles and kisses."
Laughter as they all agreed some of the recon had to be for things that might not be needed, but wanted. The babies came first, always.
"Right, Ianto has you all this evening after he has settled the bubs" Sean smiled, "if you end up having a lesson around a little beast or two don't be alarmed, they are well aware of the world we live in and are not afraid of the Z talk. Hope will be here as well and don't be surprised if she chips in, she is more than some of you think and her voice is strong. For those of you entering Shangri-La for the first time be aware that there will also be the weird feeling of being watched. Don't panic. You will be."
"And now you will all come look at these go-packs and see what we both have, you will see that we have different things. If any of you need to know why we will explain as we have lived different lives and our personal things show that." Kev said as he motioned them forward, the class now energised.
This was the best one yet.