Outward Bound

Simon is 28 years old. A veteran of the course his teenagers have just completed. Along with two other adults, all seasoned Scout leaders, he has observed ten Venture Scouts taking their Gold challenge on the fearsome Outward Bound course.

The course had finished and, after helping load all the equipment into the rented van, Simon bid farewell to the group. He was intending to spend a further week or so “connecting with nature” in the rugged outdoors.

He took one of the small single man tents and enough supplies to ensure he wouldn’t go hungry or thirsty. He had a map and compass; why would he need an app on his phone? And anyway out here mobile phone coverage was weak at the best of times.

He hadn’t bothered to change from his Scout uniform. He had with him suitable wet weather clothes including over-trousers and several changes of underwear and a couple of fleeces should it turn cold.

After a day of walking he entered a remote valley. His pace slowed as he observed a “Royal” stag in the distance. He could tell it was a “Royal” because he was able to count 12 points on its antlers through his binoculars.

As he crouched down to observe its graceful body without spooking it his attention was caught by movement on the hillside to his right. He slowly swung the binoculars round and saw four men dressed in dark camouflage clothing, each holding a long rifle with what looked like a silencer on the end.