Hackett stuck close to Franka on the journey from the riverbed to the so-called 'house'. She was cautious, of Franka and Derrick, even the newest arrival, the guy from the plane for whom she didn't remember a name. But mainly, she watched out for the infected and for Ashleigh. Even if it were a lot to think about, Hackett seemed totally disinterested in the internal politics that were splitting the group, or at least in her mind they were. Derrick and his revealed motives, Franka came with all sorts of tough choices, and Hackett being so tired after that brief battle, she was normally a wreck and wrath to be around, but today she was just distant. Staring off, her head was moving alot as were her eyes. It actually made her laugh to herself, at one point, the 3 ladies were in front and the guys followed behind. Irony had many forms, this felt like one for some reason, not because Utem or Derrick had posted themselves as the alpha male, but it was odd in comparison to the world she was used to.<br/><br/>In the back of her mind, Hackett almost envisioned a scooby doo episode, everyone walking in a straight line, some hunched over moving quickly like Franka, and others like Hackett moving quietly without really trying, all of them off to solve one great mystery. In the forest it was hard to move silently, but well placed footing could do a lot of work in making one invisible to the enemy, invisible by other means. In the front of her mind, Hackett debated the next move. They had food, water and if Franka came through, shelter. Now came the issue, what to do with the plane man, Franka and Derrick. She trusted Utem, definitely trusted Ashleigh, and had to admit Franka had proven herself trustworthy, and if it weren't for Hackett's reservations about this place, she might have considered her as someone to keep in confidence. Truely, the issue was what Ashleigh needed to do. That was the key thing Hackett didn't know, nor understand. And what Ashleigh needed for her research would dictate their lives for the next few weeks.<br/><br/>The trip itself was quiet, which Hackett simply loved. After that brief skirmish with the infected, Hackett worried about increased resistance moving through the farmlands, but they never even did that. Franka was a pretty good, no, damn good navigator and guide. Hackett was thankful she hadn't managed to drive the woman off, and honestly felt a tinge of regret in treating her so harshly. She was used to being distant with civilians, and always did so on mission. But Franka had been very helpful, to the point Hackett might even apologize. Might... very, very unlikely but still. Hackett had her reputation, and of course needed to appear solid for everyone else, morale booster as it were. It worked with her team, the unit leader was iron and everyone else blended well, it was an environment where you felt invincible. Not personally, Hackett didn't fear death, but it was a sensation that felt like luck, literally, like there was no mission her team couldn't do. She wasn't with her team, however, and this made her feel naked.<br/><br/>Upon reaching the house, or more specifically, where Franka said the house was, Hackett stopped, crouched and faced Utem. "<strong>Alright, you go, get us in. Utem, cover the east, plane boy...</strong>" Hackett looked at the man. "<strong>If your not jelly headed by that brain knocker you got there, cover the south. I got north, Derrick take west. Spread out a little, but stay tight. Call contacts, do not engage unless your spotted.</strong>" Hackett looked at her watch as Franka left them.<br/><br/>She sat down in the bush, not expecting an actual attack but took off her night vision and packed it, then her helmet. Her shoulder length hair flowed out and down over her shoulders, briefly as she just wanted to get some air to her head, the helmet head was itching like crazy. Hackett used her arm, free of blood, to force her hair back up and smothered it with her helmet, leaving the strap undone. Her face paint had mostly vanished, leaving just a dirty looking face in its wake. And so the waiting game worked its magic, Hackett waiting for Franka to return, all the while, studying a map and thinking up contingency plans. If things went badly, if Franka weren't truthful or something happened to her, Hackett was prepared for the manouver to Vinxel without a guide. Much more dangerous, as her intuition told her, but necessary. Her fears were put to rest, and she had plenty of patience left to spare as Franka reappeared.<br/><br/>"<strong>Lets move.</strong>" Hackett spoke over the radio to the others, reorienting herself and making the short journey to regroup with Franka at the outer wall.