The Survivors: Book One

Roger grinned, and while Adrian hated that gleam of eagerness in the ex-Pinkerton detective's brown eyes, he also understood the deep need to punish those who were even the smallest bit responsible for all they had suffered.

Adrian waited until Kenn dropped his vote into the metal lockbox, then joined him at a small, empty table in the back. The rest of the camp was crowded around the front tables to watch the votes get counted.

"That was some of the slickest shit I've ever heard," Kenn's voice was low, admiring.

Adrian grinned at him. "Maybe you'll MC for me sometime."

Kenn laughed, very happy with the words. That was exactly the kind of authority he wanted here. "I'm not a public speaker."

Adrian let it go, sure the Marine would be, and there would be no one better. "How about coming by my tent an hour after everything's done? We'll have a beer and a conversation."

Kenn agreed casually, heart rate picking up. This was it. "Sure. Should I bring anything?"

Adrian shook his head, face serious, "Just your stamina, Marine. I'm gonna need to be drunk when this night's work is over."

5

The vote went Adrian's way on all of the issues and as the crowd slowly broke up, their eyes showed they were confident that their Guardian was doing his job. Their calm gazes also said they'd find out what rule had been broken and what was done about it.

In a short time, the Mess was mostly empty, the camp quieting down as everyone settled in for the night. Kenn wanted to stay, longed to be on the inside, but caught Adrian's eye instead of waiting until he was asked to leave.

"I volunteered for a double on guard duty tomorrow, so I'm gonna hit the showers, then the rack. Call me if you need anything." Kenn was saying he assumed he hadn't been here long enough to be on the inside, showing a humility he didn't even remotely feel.

Adrian took the opportunity without hesitation, telling them the Marine's status had changed. It had been suspected for a while and talked about openly since the encounter with the birds three days ago, but there would be some surprises when they found out how high up he was about to be placed.

"Hang around, will ya? I need someone on my right."

There was a ring of magic to the words, and Kenn kept the triumph out of his voice by sheer will. "You know it."

Adrian gave Neil a nod before turning to the thirteen men and women waiting together, and the trooper left with a scowl on his face. It was as he and Kyle feared. That coveted position was being given to Kenn.