<div style="text-align: center">《 <i>Rebel </i>&amp; Dan 》<br/>
Location<i>: Abendblume gates; outside</i><br/>
Addressing<i>: Armando</i>,<i> Kennedy</i> <i>and others</i>​</div><br/>The thing about authority was that sometimes you could have it without being given it. The outside groups were kind of a ragtag association; ex-military, hunters, hikers…people who thrived in the outdoors and had a sense of needing to protect, who weren't necessarily part of Mr. Hale's inner security group. Rebel found his place among them, and though they didn't have rank, per se, sometimes he simply took charge and they followed.<br/><br/>Rebel supposed that could be considered 'taking it upon' himself.<br/><br/>"Mr. Hale was of the same mind," he answered. "He just wants them out, safely, and with minimal repercussions." But that didn't mean he wanted them dead or thrown to the wolves. He seemed to just want them to not be his problem any longer.<br/><br/>"I was thinking of the KOA," he answered. It would get them across the bridge an on the other side of the water. If nothing else, the river could act as a boundary for those who didn't know the land; don't come back on this side or else. It was cold, it was cruel, but it would keep any of those ousted from being seen as potential threats.<br/><br/>Rebel's eyes softened at the offer to use the wagon, and with a solemn smile, he nodded. "That'll work. Thank you." He turned, waving Dan over so they could make a plan as Armando prepared the horses to move across pavement.<br/><br/>By the time Armando was done, Rebel had agreed to take the rear guard, Dan the point. Having something to focus on helped Rebel take his mind off of Sou and the realization that the last few months, or perhaps years, were lies. It was all a lie. He would have to rework his memories; everything was tainted now.<br/><br/>Dan shifted his weight on his feet as he watched people gather up their things to start the trek. He helped some of the frailer ones onto the wagon, hauled their bundles of belongings over the side so they could use their bags as makeshift seats, and looked over at Rebel every time he had a question about what to do next. Dan had been a physical trainer 'before,' focused on nutrition and workouts. When it came to getting strong, flexible, and building endurance, he was the one people came to. In many ways, Dan was 'that man.' When it came to patrolling and thinking tactically, he looked to Rebel.<br/><br/>Rebel hung back as the people loaded up. He wondered who in this group knew that Sou was seeing another; who had helped her keep her secret, and who by extension had been complicit in her betrayal. Anise, for one. Possibly Rachel. No,<i>definitely</i>Rachel. Which meant that her brother, Tobias, and Ezra by association, were probably among those who knew about the other group and had hoped, secretly, to undermine Abendblume.<br/><br/>Looking at it that way, he felt like Mr. Hale had been more than forgiving towards the lot of them.<br/><br/>Armando's request and confidence was quickly accepted. "Right." Rebel leveled his gaze at the inside guard. He had secrets too, it seemed, and they were regarding the man who wore his sexual preference on his sleeve. Literally. "We won't contradict your report." As he drew in a breath, chilled and shuddered, he decided it was a small price to pay. "All we need to do is make sure anyone with a firearm knows not to use it except as a last resort." He glanced at the horse's hooves. "Nothing brings the necros in faster than gunfire."<br/><br/>Dan saw that the people were ready. To Armando he said, "I'm on point. Keep me in your sight, but don't get too close. If I see something, I don't want everyone overrun by rotters."<br/><br/>Rebel started to turn towards the back of the group. "I'll take up the rear. Tell everyone to keep the chatter down. We're not on a school field trip. If anyone needs to stop, we all stop."