in chapters 1-3

Mark seems to have it all together. He has an important job in the military that allows him to be forewarned of impending crisis. He has a wife who he loves and thinks extremely highly of, as well as two children. He's steady and smart even in the face of possible death. He is quite the opposite of his brother in the beginning of the novel, but even so, he completely trusts Randy with his family and their survival. By doing this, he is opening up the floor for Randy to become the hero, and Randy, though certainly anxious, seems up to the challenge.