The gathering started when people got impatient.

  People were still trickling into the safe zone on foot, diverting other people to deal with them.

  The backlog of people waiting to undergo the tutorial was steadily growing, making David wonder about resources and priority.

  All in , it was a chaotic start to a meeting that hadn’t expected a rapidly growing number of people who were awake.

  By the time things got started several hundred people, all interested in doing -something- had collected in the park, though there was still a lot of unrelated activity.

  The crowd had had enough time to start dividing, with locals clustering together, not a great sign for the future...

  David stood with his team near the front, watching as Phil Greenwood worked the crowd with practiced ease, shaking hands and asking after people's health. Micky Vale stood apart with a cluster of his watch members, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

  Thomas had moved over from among the grieving, offering quiet words of comfort to all he passed.

  Dr. Chen who had remained near the medical area was fetched, though she'd apparently sent several others to represent the health concerns of the group who she now ordered back to dwindling number of sleeping patients.

  Pat Kozlov stood with a small knot of people examining a map spread across a makeshift table close enough to participate without actually stopping whatever he was doing, Micky drifted over to him and peered at the map.

  David had no idea where they had found a paper map and wondered if it was remotely up to date.

  Sarah Donnelly and Melissa McCreedy were deep in discussion near the food distribution area and came over at a signal from Phil.

  Finally, all the council members were present.

  Without really realizing it David let Phil take charge and start the meeting. He was self-aware enough to admit that he preferred smaller, more chaotic, brainstorming sessions like his recent training, but he kicked himself. He couldn’t both worry about Phil becoming a dictator and happily let him organize everything…

  There was some fiddling, then a huddled conversation with the tech guy from the previous evening. That ended with Phil shoving the microphone back into the techie’s hands and after a brief pause grabbing a folding chair.

  Finally, he climbed onto his chair and got everyone’s attention. The crowd quieted as he prepared to address them.

  Carl spoke so quietly that David could barely hear. “Sure is a pity… I guess his amplifier stopped working, that does make it hard to make bullshit speaking rules…”

  When David looked at him Carl mimed innocence while his grin told a different story.

  "Thank you all for coming," Phil began in his smooth politician's voice. Then paused. “Can you all hear me?”

  After a rumble of assent, he continued.

  "I know many of you are confused, scared, grieving. We've lost friends and family. The world is changed."

  David felt himself tensing. This felt like a campaign speech, not a practical discussion.

  "But we're not alone," Phil continued. "We have each other. We have this safe zone. We have skilled, brave people who've been working tirelessly to help survivors." He gestured toward David and the team. "We owe them a debt of gratitude."

  Polite applause rippled through the crowd, growing more heartfelt as more of those who had woken learned who was the reason they were alive from their neighbors.

  David caught Camila's eye - she looked as uncomfortable with the praise as he felt.

  "Now we need to discuss our next steps," Phil said. "We should discuss-"

  "We need to hit the airport," David interrupted, stepping forward. Phil's expression flickered with annoyance before smoothing back to professional courtesy.

  "That's certainly one option to consider-"

  "It's not optional."

  David's voice carried more force than he'd intended.

  "There are thousands of people at the airport. Everyone waiting for morning flights, those who just landed, staff. All the survivors there are starting to wake up on their own.

  Which is great, but what happens if you wake up surrounded by zombies?

  We know that survival rates drop off away from the Obelisk, but they don’t flatline. There are a ton of people we can save and today might be our last chance."

  Even as a ripple passed through the crowd, apparently some people didn’t get the zombie threat, Micky pushed forward.

  "Copy that on the time sensitivity. Wrong priority though son. You’re right that people are waking up but you said it yourself. More around here!

  We need to get out and hit the streets, secure them so people can get here AND so maybe we have the room for those folks and they can go back to their houses safely…

  I don’t think we could put enough tents up in here for everyone who we hope will come but secure a school or the like…”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "He's right," Sarah Donnelly called out. "But we're running low on supplies. Another big rescue means more mouths to feed. We need to address food and shelter first so people who come here don’t starve."

  Melissa McCreedy raised her voice from near the back.

  "Agreed, every family need’s food and shelter as well as safety. Going out and finding more people solves none of that. Fix the problem then save the people so they don’t starve!"

  The crowd erupted into competing voices. David saw the careful peace they'd maintained yesterday beginning to fracture.

  Carl's voice cut through the noise.

  "Y'all need to settle down and think clear."

  The crowd quieted slightly, some perhaps remembering him as the focus of the armed standoff, and no doubt were noting that he was more heavily armed this morning. He continued as soon as he got quiet.

  "Nobody here is wrong. We got multiple problems that all need solving."

  "Then we split up," Camila said, moving to stand beside David.

  "We have enough people now. Different groups, different missions."

  This was the strategy they had discussed. Hopefully it would keep their enemies from growing AND help lots of people…

  Phil looked uncomfortable with losing control of the meeting.

  "That would require significant coordination. We should really take time to plan-"

  "Time is exactly what we don't have," David said. He was done being diplomatic.

  "Look, it's simple math. We have three main priorities: rescue operations, securing supplies, and clearing the local area. We have hundreds of people right here right now all willing and able to help. That’s enough to address all three if we organize properly."

  Micky's eyes narrowed. "And who decides who goes where? You?"

  "The people volunteer," Camila shot back.

  "David and our team are going to the airport. Anyone who wants to join that mission, is welcome. Anyone who wants to gather supplies goes to Sarah and those who want to patrol the neighborhood go coordinate with Micky. Anyone want to propose to lead something else?"

  "It's that easy, huh?" Micky's tone was sharp. "Just let everyone run off in whatever direction they want?"

  Carl stepped in again, his southern drawl taking on a harder edge.

  "You got a better idea, Micky? 'Cause from where I'm standing, we got two choices. We either trust each other to get things done, or we sit here arguing while people die."

  Thomas's voice rose from the crowd, gentle but firm.

  "Lord willing, we'll find wisdom in working together rather than against one another. Each person here has gifts to offer. I will be happy to organize those who remain in the safe zone to comfort the bereaved and ensure that those who venture out have a warm welcome on their return."

  Phil saw his opening. "Then let's organize properly. I see one other priority. Who has loved ones they want to check on within easy driving distance?”

  There was a rumble of replies.

  “Based on the reports it’s dangerous to go alone. I would be happy to help organize all of you so you can travel in convoys.”

  To David this highlighted that Phil probably hadn’t left the safe zone since waking up. To everyone else it sounded like a lifeline in uncertain times.

  The rumble of agreement was the loudest so far.

  Phil Continued. “So, Thomas, comfort and guidance here in the Park?”

  The reverend nodded. "Of course."

  "Melissa, Sarah, you want to lead a supply run?"

  "All day on that," Sarah Donnelly agreed.

  "Pat's already got maps and engineering knowledge. He can work with Micky to plan patrols?"

  So, they had a plan too…

  The civil engineer looked up from his map and nodded, pencil still tucked behind his ear.

  Phil turned to Micky. "The watch can also provide security, make sure we're not caught off guard."

  For a moment, David thought Micky might say something. Then the ex-cop gave a sharp nod. "Copy that. I'll get people organized to keep us all safe."

  Phil's politician smile widened. "And David, you and your team take point on the airport rescue. You've proven you can handle the dangers out there."

  It was smoothly done, David had to admit. Phil had taken Camila's idea and made it sound like his own plan, while managing to give everyone - including Micky - defined roles that kept them from direct conflict. It also probably included all the things his group had planned for people to do anyway…

  The crowd began to break up into smaller groups as people gravitated toward their chosen missions.

  David found himself surrounded by those who wanted to join the airport raid. He recognized most of the original raid team, minus the group who were the core of Micky’s militia or watch or whatever.

  They were joined by others, new faces who wanted to help, or maybe people who knew someone at the airport.

  Carl pushed through the crowd toward him. "Looks like we got ourselves an army."

  "More like a mob that might become an army," David muttered.

  Billy and Bessie joined them, the mutt sniffing at newcomers with professional interest. Charlie was already talking animatedly with some of the younger volunteers about spell combinations and tactics.

  Camila appeared at his other side, counting heads. "We got maybe thirty more people than yesterday. That's better than I hoped. Though we need to factor in that a lot of them don’t have guns or experience."

  At that Carl rushed off muttering to try and find the extra weapons they picked up the day before, clearly worried that Micky would claim them.

  Katie and Mark stood together near the back of their group, both looking determined despite obvious nervousness. Sarah was finishing up a conversation with the supply run organizers before heading their way.

  David looked around at the assembled group. Most of the new people had weapons of some kind - improvised clubs, kitchen knives, the odd firearm. The rest just had the system-granted abilities they'd barely begun to understand. All of them were choosing to walk into danger for strangers they'd never met.

  "Alright," David said, loud enough to be heard. "Everyone who's coming to the airport, gather around. We need to go over what we're walking into."

  As the group pressed closer, David felt the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. This was bigger than the raids they'd done so far. More people meant more variables, more chances for things to go wrong.

  But it also meant more chances to save lives.

  He began explaining what they knew about the zombies' behavior, about staying together and watching for cocoons. Camila added details about combat tactics. Carl came back with several more guns and distributed them covering basic safety protocols and use.

  He looked upset, Micky had probably swept up at least some of the guns they had retrieved…

  The sun climbed higher as they planned. Other groups were forming across the park - Pat and Micky were sending out patrol teams on foot with hand drawn maps of where to go.

  Sarah Donnelly came over and discussed vehicle division for the supply runners and airport. David’s team getting the lion’s share of the vehicles after pointing out that there were still multiple trucks parked ready to be claimed at the fulfillment center.

  Thomas moved among those staying behind, offering comfort and prayer.

  It felt like something was shifting. Not just in their small group, but in the entire dynamic of the safe zone. They were no longer just survivors huddling together, this was a community or maybe communities. They were organizing, acting, dividing resources to meet multiple goals.

  For better or worse, they were building something new.

  David looked at his team - his friends - and saw the same mix of determination and fear he felt. They'd come so far in just two days. Now they were about to push even further.

  "Alright," he said finally. "Let's move out. We've got people to save."

  The team began moving toward the edge of the safe zone to prepare, their expanded group falling in behind them. David caught Micky watching from across the park, the ex-cop's expression unreadable.

  They'd deal with that problem later. Right now, there were thousands of people at the airport who needed them.

  David took a deep breath and started thinking. This was a bigger group, how were they going to do this? Before they stepped beyond the barrier they needed a plan.

  The real work was about to begin.