26
Xander’s Journey
Once the voices died down to a low murmur, Xander began to assemble the REMs into a hierarchy of command. His friends from the beginning, Jasper, Graham, and Bixby would become his lieutenants, each charged with specialized jobs for the venture to come.
“Jasper, you’re gonna be in charge of making sure the crew has all their equipment ready to go. No one can lack the basic elements—food, water, rocks, weapons, and tools. Everybody has to have a way to carry everything. Bixby, you’re the lineman at the end of the group as we travel, making sure that we all stay together. No one falls behind. Each of the guys pounded each other on the back and shoulders. You’d think they’d just won a lofty prize.
Xander clapped Graham on the shoulder. “And Graham, you’re my right-hand
