Eight fighters and a half-dozen civilians from the 7th Mass got away, and kept moving until they holed up at a secluded farm located in a valley. Skitters have swept the area twice, so Clayton & Co. think they're in the clear for a while. He points out their location on the map. Weaver asks why Clayton thinks the Skitters are coming to the 2nd Mass, and he says that he established contact with Porter last week, who thinks that the aliens are stepping up construction on their structures and need more slave labor. He points out the nearby areas where Skitters have been sweeping through, using small patrols of one Skitter and one Mech to identify a target and then come back full force. Clayton says that their orders are to regroup. OR ARE THEY? The 3rd Mass is located right between the 2nd Mass and the last attack, and happens to be running low on fighters. They won't be able to survive on their own, so Porter has ordered them to join up with the 2nd Mass. OR HAS HE?

The 2nd Mass is also ordered to hold their position until the 3rd Mass can join them, and then everyone will pull out together. They should get there in about 72 hours. Tom notes that three days is a long time to sit tight with an imminent Skitter attack, and Clayton says Porter agrees. That's why they're supposed to send anyone under twenty along with him. Say what now? Yes, you heard him right. Tom is all, "Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Clayton?" Clayton says they'll be safer at the farm, and if the 2nd Mass has to engage they won't have to worry about the kids. After the 3rd joins up with the 2nd, all the adults can head to the farm and then everyone will find a new place to live. Maybe it will be like Watership Down and such a place really exists. Perhaps a crotchety yet friendly seagull will help them on their journey. Tom has instincts like Fiver, and says that he's not ready to give his kids up. There's a dog loose in the woods! Clayton says he's just conveying the order. OR IS HE? Okay, you get the point.