Rules

**"Rules"** is the upcoming second episode of *Season 5: Remake* of *Strain Zero*, the remake of *The Walking Dead by EDStudios*. It is the twenty-seventh episode of the series overall.

## Plot

*Now part of a larger world, our group struggles to abide by the new rules. Nathan bonds with a fellow Ram, while Holly has a startling revelation.*

## Synopsis

Within a week of the dam confrontation, the majority of Greencole's inhabitants finish preparing for the move to Graystone, packing bags and fuelling vehicles while Delta Force soldiers move into the dam. Henry helps pack the last of his family's stuff and says goodbye to Hope, who asks why he isn't coming with them. He repeats to her that he and his best soldiers - Gideon and Katrina - have been drafted into Delta Force and that he will see her soon. He kisses Hope goodbye and talks with Holly about Kyle, who has been quiet since his encounter with Kieron; Holly cuts their conversation short when Henry tries to apologise for never talking about his brother. They say goodbye as Albert, Henry's new squad leader, calls him over to move out. Greencole's families leave through the gate, leaving a small group consisting of Jane, Drew, Mike and a few others to look after Greencole, now little more than a work camp. Henry places Jane in charge of the town before receiving a rifle from Nicolas and climbing into a Delta Force truck, which then drives away.

In a tent in Archangel, Nathan, still bandaged and exhausted from his injuries, is met yet again by Lydia, who brings him to calm. He asks how he survived; she replies that he was half-dead when a patrol discovered him: bleeding, dehydrated...but alive. She states that, while she and the other Elders have forgiven him and the other Rams - followers of Joseph - for abandoning Archangel and spilling innocent blood, they have yet to be forgiven in the eyes of Father Ajax. Nathan asks what will happen to him; Lydia replies that he will face the "Ritual of Thorns" and that survival will mean his spiritual forgiveness. Angered, Nathan tries to fight against the Frontiersmen guards that wrestle him into a wooden cage, where he will wait until the ritual has been prepared. Already seeking a way out, he discovers a fellow Ram huddled in the corner of the cage; he tries to communicate, only for the man to viciously growl and demand to be left alone. Nathan spots that the man is covered head-to-toe in bandages.

Led by Holly and David, the bulk of Greencole's population finally arrives at Graystone, an entire town surrounded by a wall of scrap metal where Delta Force soldiers await them. As the residents unpack, the soldiers attempt to sort them into houses; Holly, however, intervenes and instructs the larger families and families-to-be into the larger houses, leaving the loners and partners to buddy-up into the smaller buildings. Becky, Sarah and Laika immediately make for an abandoned convenience store; Holly, Kyle and Hope take the house facing the front gate; Nicolas takes ownership of the town bar with Emma and Abigail moving in above; and Ben and Jimmy move into a garage near the gate.

While moving in, Holly meets Maldoon, head of the Delta Force soldiers stationed in Graystone, who agrees to follow Holly's orders but reminds her that she answers to the Commander first and foremost. Maldoon recommends that everyone receive a health check-up from Delta Force's head medic, Tanya Steele.

Holly asks Emma to look after Hope and enters Tanya's medical tent to introduce herself; the stern doctor warns that her time in Graystone will be short before she returns to Adams Air Force Base. Tanya quizzes Holly on her group's knowledge of "LBI"; Holly asks what she means and Tanya clarifies: "Lazarus Brain Infection", the name given to the zombifying disease by the Contingency shortly before the global outbreak reached critical mass. The doctor also unveils her "Overlord Protein Test", a method of tracking the progress of infection, which she created when D.F. discovered "slow turners"; Tanya suggests that everyone in town be tested.

Out on the road, the D.F. convoy carrying Henry, Gideon, Katrina and Albert's soldiers groups up with another patrol bound for Prescott. Henry tries to apologise for holding Albert and his men captive but is ignored as the convoy approaches Prescott; Henry is surprised by the community's diminutive size and Albert explains that Prescott is home to D.F.'s Forward Operating Base. As he enters the airfield's grounds Henry notices a hooded man watching him.

After unloading their equipment, Henry and his soldiers are introduced to Prescott's leader, Katherine, who claims she was uninformed of more soldiers arriving at Prescott. Albert dismisses her with "order are orders", allowing Henry and his soldiers to claim bunks in the air traffic control tower. While Katrina and Gideon settle in, Henry steps outside for a cigarette and wanders to collect his thoughts; on his walk, he stumbles across a barrel labelled "carbofuran" concealed under a tarp. His investigations are cut short when he is met by Katherine and her second, Dominic, who formally introduce themselves.

At Graystone, with everyone still settling in, David and a small group decide to go hunting and find stock for Becky's new shop; as they try to leave, Maldoon's soldiers stand in their way, informing them that entry and exit times are strict and must be pre-assigned. David tries to move past them anyway but is threatened with a raised rifle, drawing a crowd of onlookers that includes Holly. She tries to break up David and the soldier and is also angered when she learns that their movement in and out of Graystone is restricted.

Holly appeals to Maldoon, who unfortunately echoes her soldiers and states that there are no exceptions: Graystone is under Delta Force's protection and as such must follow their regimented order. With Holly stunned, David decides to leave anyway and receives a rifle butt to the face, knocking him to the ground. The soldiers try to arrest David but face resistance from the gathered onlookers, forcing Maldoon and her soldiers to stand down. Holly helps David to his feet and carries him to Tanya's medical tent.

Out on the road, Henry, Gideon, Katrina, Albert and his soldiers load up into their trucks for the drive to Fairbanks, the network's primary crop source. Albert warns the team about the theatrical persona of the farm's leader, Samuel, while also warning them not to piss him off. The truck finally reaches the farm around midday and the team are shocked to see rolling fields of wheat, barley and potatoes: the most food they have seen since the outbreak. As they park up and exit they are approached by a tall, dark-haired man carrying an ornate cane that introduces himself as Samuel Fairbanks; to Henry's amusement, Samuel clarifies that his community is named after him, not the other way round.

Samuel gives Henry a tour of the farm and reveals that the area was owned by his family for generations. Henry hears a bird call and admits that he has always loved birds; Samuel recommends that he walk the south field, where the birds typically gather, while he heads off to deal with the upcoming crop spray. Now alone, Henry finds his way to the south field and discovers a bench and a guitar; he plays while he listens to the birds. His peace is interrupted by Ashleigh, Fairbanks' deputy leader who is confined to a wheelchair. Henry apologises for taking up her space and offers to wheel her back to the farmhouse; Ashleigh assertively refuses and reveals the shotgun hidden under her seat. She adds that "wild people" in the wilderness could attack at any moment and tells him to be ready.

At Graystone, Holly finally gets her check-up by Tanya, which includes a blood test; Tanya reveals that she has developed an immunoassay test for the progress of LBI infection after being bitten, which is the closest they have come to understanding how the disease progresses. Holly passes all of her checks but is stunned when Tanya congratulates her; she inquires and is shocked when her blood test reports that she is pregnant.

## Deaths

*To be added...*

 **Season 5: Remake** | "Blood" • "**Rules**" • "Dissent" • "The Game" • "The Coming Storm" • "Brotherhood" • "Call to Arms"