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Ianto was ready for them.
They were not ready for what greeted them, the tent looking inviting as were the cushions and bean bags instead of the desks they had endured all day.
"Please sit, ignore the little Pip, he has decided he wants to listen in" Ianto smiled as he motioned to the baby bump in his lap, the twins also there in little bean bags with little eyes staring at them like they were judging them ever so quietly. He was about to burst and they could see it, any day now there would be a new Wolfling pup.
Ianto moved to show his discomfort then smiled as his Nainny rushed forward to fuss, pulling the blankets around him as she kissed his forehead.
"If Zs appear get off the street, out of the open. Chances are they did not see you if you move quick enough and are downwind. If they have seen you they will be moving at speed, those simply ambling along have not. Take those few seconds to judge their movements and if they are simply ambling you have more time so don't panic." Ianto began as his hands rubbed the stomach lovingly "Only share plans with your group, anyone you pick up along the way might be a hindrance of they try to jump ahead, let them follow you, not try to take over."
"We were told to keep any newbies small, groups are to be avoided but two or three are OK?" Kitty asked.
"Yes love, you need to learn judgement in this as children are a different matter and anyone seen with several children will be judged differently to a large group of adults. If it comes down to a judgement call you will see why there needed to be a leader to make what might be a hard call" Ianto nodded at the little girl as she looked pleased that he had accepted her question.
"You all need to learn Frank's hand signals and code. Silent communication could save your life." Ianto continued, "Also means newbies do not know them and if there is distrust it can still be communicated without them knowing you are on to their games."
Remember the back-up weapon is always hidden. Not just Zs out there that are a danger and if you are forced to give up your gun, there will be back-up for the right time. Do not let any new members see where you keep your back-up." Ianto warned, "Trust no newbies until they have been processed, even if they seem good people. Good people still exist, but so do evil. Believe me, the evil ones have survived at the expense of the good."
"Stay out of sight where possible. You can not kill them all, more will come when a scuffle makes noise." Ianto warned "You might not be aware of those around you, but there may well be Zs undetected in the area."
"Just because you can't see them, it doesn't mean they are not there. Always act like you are in the middle of a snarl." Hope said suddenly, making them jump and swing to watch her enter the tent with two bottles, the twins lighting up as they saw her being followed by Jack with another bottle for the little girl watching form behind Ianto, Rosie grinning at him as she scuttled forward for a cuddle.
"Pay attention during a fight, be aware of your surroundings as you can get tunnel vision when struggling. They come in packs, more than one should be expected." Ianto smiled as he kissed Jack and settled back again to watch as the students eagerly accepted the task of cuddling tired little toddlers.
"If it looks like a Z, moves like a Z and hangs with other Zs … shoot it in the bloody head." Ianto sighed then grimaced "Little bugger, stop it."
Jack crooned as he rubbed the belly and then Nainny moved to cuddle against him and it eased, the little Pip's favourite person was there and he was not afraid to show his affection for her.
"Animals can help. A pack of dogs running in a certain direction or a cat hissing then running means something is coming, follow them as they know the area and the right way to avoid what is coming." Ianto instructed, "Don't be Jesus. You can't save everybody. Pick your targets and know when to take a hard shot. Your first kill will be the hardest, don't think getting it under your belt will make it all easy. It doesn't work like that."
"Remember your number one job is to survive, not defeat. You will never defeat them, they are everywhere and you will fail. Focus on yourself, not them." Ianto finished out his instructions, "You need to come home. Always come home, we need you more than anyone still out there. Understand?"
They all nodded then cooed as the little ones started to nod off and Ianto smiled softly as he whispered, "It is all for them. Remember that most of all. They need you. Your children need you more than anything you find and have to leave in a hurry."
Everyone nodded as the final class for the day was the most sage.
Ianto's large stomach the most poignant of all their teachings.
The future was waiting for them and they had to be strong.
They had to survive.