Several minutes later, another soldier approached the waiting civilians holding a tablet.
"Assignments will be called individually. When you hear your name, approach the designation table."
People straightened slightly.
Names started being called one after another.
Armbands changed hands.
Some people looked relieved afterward.
Others looked disappointed.
Then—
"Johnny McLain."
Pyro stepped forward calmly.
The conversation between him and the assignment officer stayed brief. When he returned, a blue armband wrapped around his upper arm.
"Scouting," he said simply. "Forward recon."
Ash looked mildly impressed despite herself.
Scouting teams entered sectors first.
Which also meant they usually found the infected first.
Don gave a single nod.
Nothing more.
Then—
"Ashlynn Pierce."
Ash's shoulders squared immediately before she walked toward the assignment table.
