"I'll put this stuff inside and you can go with me on rounds."
Charlie nodded, not sure why the Boss wanted his company, but eager to help if he could and be seen doing it - like everyone else here.
Adrian folded up the table, taking it and a chair to the flap, and the boy automatically carried the other one, but didn't step inside because he hadn't been invited. Adrian nodded his thanks. Well-trained…and it bothered him - a lot.
"Grab that box and come on."
The first stop was the Mess, where 30 or so people were in line or already sitting down to canned chili, crackers, and applesauce. Adrian stopped near the flagpole ropes.
"Raise our colors, boy."
Charlie and Adrian saluted, as did others, and the blond man's quick eye saw those who looked natural, like they'd done it before. It likely meant they had military training or a history of service. He saw two, maybe three, and mentally added them to the list of interviews for the next set of Level One guards. There was work for them if they still had the desire to serve. He wouldn't respect them as much if they didn't. In the Corps, in for life, but he definitely understood, and wouldn't treat them differently.
Kenn fell in on Adrian's right as they moved on and Adrian noticed Charlie dropping back out of eye, but not earshot, pretending to be very involved in kicking a path through the sand that had blown back into the camp during the night.
"I have a great idea." Kenn handed Adrian a slip of paper. "That's our next supply run. Everything we need for a while, depending on how lucky we get."
Adrian's mouth curved into a smile and he clapped Kenn on the back. He really should have already thought of this. "Great is an understatement. Kyle's men will be your escort. Leave day after tomorrow. I'll need a list of people and supplies by tonight."
"You know it," Kenn answered, writing the directions down.
Adrian saw a look of satisfaction on young Charlie's face. Had the boy helped Kenn? It was a brilliant idea, over half of America's goods transported by rail and the massive boxcars would just be sitting there, waiting to be found and emptied. Some, say half even, would already be cleaned out or too damaged, but the rest would still be on the tracks where the EMPs or lack of fuel shut them down. It was a terrific idea. Kenn's or the boy's?