Dorath ran his team the way experienced hunters ran teams that worked: with the minimum structure necessary to keep everyone alive and maximum freedom within that structure.
There was a pre-mission briefing that lasted four minutes. Contract details, zone eleven target species for the day, each person's role, communication signals. One hand gesture meant hold position. Two fingers extended meant contact ahead. A closed fist meant immediate retreat. The whole briefing happened while they walked from the lodging house to the entry station, so there was no wasted time between briefing and operation.
Kai's role was right flank support. Not lead. Not rear. Right flank, which meant he moved with the formation but on the edge furthest from Ress's support position, covering the angle most likely to produce a secondary contact while the primary engagement was running.
He understood why Dorath had put him there without being told.
