Jake made a face I see too often. It's a look of disgust. Disgust with himself. He hadn't wanted to single me out, to make me on on what might be a suicidal mission. He'd waited till I could volunteer.
No one did Jake any favors by making him leader, indeed. But he's leader and that means using the pieces on his side.
I love his painfully delicious character arc but oof. And also Tobias recognizing that he's just another weapon in Jake's arsenal, another tool to use.
We see Jake and Tobias worry about each other's safety and we see Tobias grieve and desire vengeance when Jake dies in MM3. But they're also leader and subordinate in a war. Jake's willing to sacrifice Tobias but not until Tobias volunteers - but he also knows he will because it's the best plan and he has to hold off on accepting other lambs to the slaughter until the right one realizes whose turn it is.
Tobias and Rachel see this side of Jake more than Cassie or Marco are willing to admit to. And Ax? Well, he's a trained warrior cadet who knows to listen to the leader.
I love 90s children's books.
