The hooded figure is Skittles. You heard me.. S.K.I.T.T.L.E.S!! That cat has serious survival skills. I don't think it's beyond his character's growth arch. There's a reason he's been able to hang solo for so long. He did have a weapon the last time we saw him, so that lines up as well.
He's been gone too long and why have him in the story at all if he's not going to play some part in it? Hell, he may even have more intel for Saul and Vic.

Speaking of those two.. F'n Blind leading the blind. Saul is my boy (don't have Ra1th/Angel level mancrush though) and he reminds me of my roomate from my first assignment.. Smart as hell, but Fly by the Pants as you can get and hard headed as hell! Saul has one mission and his biopic approach isn't smart at all. He just wants to be with Lizzie. It doesn't matter if they both die, just as long as he's there.
Victor.. "what,why,how?" that's all we hear from him. Someone said he was a scout.. he wasn't. Vic was set up at a Listening/Observation Post to report movement back to the main area.

I'm also going to take a swing at the lack of brass at the tower.. It make sense to police the brass when you have limited resources. It can be used for reloading. I've been saying this for a year now, Durai is like Shaft! That cat is just too good. He's been ahead of the game since day one. So, ensuring his troops are hip to the logistical nightmares makes complete sense.

"Listen up dumbasses... this isn't some John Woo flick. We will run out of ammunition eventually. Pick up your brass when and if you can, and we'll slow that tide."