John turned to look at Kara, not really happy about her words. Of course rank mattered, even he knew that. In a crisis it was important to know who was in charge. If everyone acted on their own orders and ran in different directions everyones life might be on stake. He didn't really care if he was the one in charge or a higher ranking officer, as long as it was someone. Hopefully someone smart.
Right now he wasn't too impressed with Kara or Kadaj. Kadaj and his brothers didn't look old enough to be in charge anyway. That left him and Lee. Lee seemed like a good and smart guy as far as he knew him. And from what he told him he was a leader. He would have preferred to go exploring with him, but if they split up he thought it might be better for everyones sake if Lee was on the other team.
"I think two teams would be better. This might look like a holiday resort, but it's not. People have died here already", he said. Shortly after he arrived someone had been killed. He didn't even know who they were.
"Lee, Kara and... Loz." He glanced at the tallest of the slightly strange looking young men, hoping he got the name right.
"You're with me", he added gesturing at Kadaj and Yazoo. "Everyone ok with that?", he asked more rhetorically. He hoped noone would object or they really would have to get into the whole rank thing. If he had to he would make them all sit down and discuss who was in charge. He might not know these people, but he still wanted to get them back in one piece. In his opinion the best way to achieve that was by working together and having someone in charge to make decisions in dangerous situations. Second-guessing could get people killed.
When Kadaj pointed out where they had already been John nodded.
"Alright, northeast", he agreed.
Glancing at Lee he then nodded. He might be right. "No. But this place seems to have everything we need. We can check the woods today and the mountains tomorrow, after we found the right equipment", he suggested.
"Wish I had a jumper", he then muttered more to himself. Flying over this place would be so much easier. But at least Rodney wasn't there to complain the whole time while they walked. On the other hand he would prefer Rodney to these strangers. He trusted his friend. These people he would have to get to know first.
"Alright, let's go", he hen said and started to walk towards the gate to leave town.