A small crowd slowly gathered, and when there was enough for teams, Adrian moved toward them. "Game anyone?"
He and Kenn were the quarterbacks, and it got rough from the start. The Marine, who still sometimes struggled to hide his true nature, slammed his way through three other players, knocking them back to run by for a score.
"If you bleed, you're out. Eagle Two's team has six. Our turn."
Adrian's team let out a shout of approval and the game became an outlet for them as they tripped, shoved, elbowed, and harassed each other. Sweating, shirts coming off, they drew in more of the camp's people who were very sensitive to noises now. When Adrian looked up, nearly 50 people were watching, with about half waiting to play.
"Time out!"
Adrian waved Kenn over as he headed for the sidelines, the stiff wind cooling his sweaty skin. "Pick your replacement. We've got a level test to give."
Adrian threw the ball to Zack, knowing it would please Kenn. "Take my place, will ya? I've been knocked down enough."
Everyone was laughing as the two men left. The leader had been tripped and hurried, but hadn't hit the ground even once due to great protection, deft footwork, and respect.
The game went on behind them, and both men were pleased, Kenn mostly because his side had been up by twelve when they stopped.
"Gather the Level Ones, Seth too. Send 'em to that barn half a mile back and have them put on the vests. Neil is their supervisor, but not their leader. We'll find out who that is today. Their mission begins with securing a 200 foot perimeter and staying out of sight. If anyone sees them leave, they fail. Meet me at the house next to the barn in half an hour."
Kenn nodded eagerly, hoping the Boss would like his plan, and handed him the paper as he left. It was his first attempt at tests like these, though he had worked with the Man, before the War. Nobody had been better than Brady at high-casualty ambushes.
Adrian gave it a quick look, then put it away, heading for his tent. In and out, he was in the parking area a few minutes later talking to Daryl, the only Level Three Eagle not out of camp with Kyle.
"Anyone come in?"
The tall, thin football coach shook his head. "No, it's all quiet."
Adrian sighed, not showing his disappointment. The help he needed wasn't coming today. "Kenn will be by for the paperwork. That's his job now. When's Kyle due?"