Kenn and Charlie were his own kind, more so than even Doug, the Army Veteran. Kenn would likely turn out to be one of his circle, he could feel that, but instead of being elated to finally have found his first, Adrian was worried. There was a sinking feeling that the Lance Corporal might also be a weak link, and that was dangerous, because the first of his circle would be the one he depended on the most. The bond of bringing these people through the wilderness was one that would need to be strong enough to hold them all together. It was the foundation, and if there was a crack, a weak brick, the whole thing could fall.
Head starting to ache from peering through the grit, the leader sighed. It didn't matter right now. The man was desperately needed, no question there, and he didn't have the luxury of "cherry-picking" his help. Besides, Kenn had put the boy behind him instead of in front. That said enough about his character. Didn't it?
3
The ride was a slow but quiet one, the two males dozing most of the way, and Kenn was impressed from the minute they stopped to make camp. It only grew as he watched them set it all up, recognizing the equipment and techniques. There was no denying the feeling of longing, that old edge of excitement and glory he'd been missing. Not just a fellow grunt, Adrian had been a military leader, and Kenn was about to be serving again.
Tents were being erected, campers and trucks being guided into place, yellow caution tape wound around the entire perimeter. People ran for head calls, animals were let out, supplies unpacked, and through all, Neil - talking, directing, solving and overseeing. Kenn knew instinctively it was a perk of leadership to have that job, commanding this authority during the camp moves, and was only a little surprised to already feel himself wanting it. He had definitely found his own kind in Adrian, and it took only a couple of minutes for him to understand by the actions of the guards that the blond had no XO. His right side was empty and they were all vying for the place.
Kenn's sharp gaze found Adrian directing the camp members in the parking area and his eyes narrowed, feet already moving. Was someone sneaking through the cars?
He was at the leader's side seconds later, drawing frowns from the men around them, but instead of saying anything, he chose to handle it himself, hoping to earn points. When the shadow tried to slip a hand between the metal bodies, Kenn locked in a tight grip, nine-mill pointed at the infiltrator's head.