The Last Bastion of the Living (The Last Bastion #1)(12)

“What was that?” Lindsey asked.

“An aircraft.”

Lindsey’s eyes widened. “They were grounded.”

“I know, but everyone on the last train saw it,” Maria answered.

“That’s what I get for taking the ground tram. Damn. I would have loved to have seen it. The sky has been empty for over a year.” Lindsey lightly chewed on her bottom lip.

“Everyone got so excited when they saw it, but I’m not sure how I feel,” Maria admitted.

Lindsey leaned heavily on her cane as she slightly frowned. “Maybe it’s a good sign. If they’re running the aircraft maybe we’re close to something big.”

They reached the end of the terminal where the transports were loading up soldiers and whisking them to their assigned duties.

“We need to get a drink soon,” Lindsey decided, “catch up.”

“Yeah. Definitely. Send me a message and we’ll hook up,” Maria answered before swinging herself up onto the transport that would carry her to the wall.

Leaning on her cane, Lindsey gave her a small smile. “And if I find out anything on that aircraft, I’ll let you know.”

“Rumors are going to be flying,” Maria reminded her.

“I have a way of finding out what isn’t bullshit,” Lindsey assured her, then walked on.



*



As Dwayne passed through security and into the main building that housed the leadership of The Bastion Constabulary and their staffs, he noted the absence of the usual hectic bustle. This didn’t bode well. The last time he had witnessed this sort of inactivity in the HQ was right before the last disastrous push against the Inferi Scourge. Between the aircraft, the president’s speech, and the abrupt cancellation of all his meetings, his growing sense of unease definitely didn’t seem without merit.

Tucking his hat under his arm, he strode down the long corridors that would lead him to his office. Like the rest of The Bastion, the hallways and offices were austere with black tile floors, pale gray walls, and very little ornamentation. Only the flag for The Bastion and the crest of the Constabulary decorated the main corridor. He noted that there was definitely tension in the air as the lower officials of the Constabulary spoke in hushed voices. A few glanced in his direction, but quickly averted their gaze. He was most likely the highest ranking officer in the building today and people didn’t want to be seen gossiping.

Reaching his office, he glanced at the doorway across the hall that led to Commandant Pierce’s office. The doors were shut.

“She didn’t even come in today,” Petra, his assistant informed him as she stepped into the corridor to greet him.

“Something’s up,” he decided.

He slipped past her into the small block of offices where his staff worked. Petra followed, her pad in her hand.

“Absolutely,” Petra agreed.

She was efficient, smart, and tenacious. Very tall, a little too thin, and fine-boned, she reminded him of an avian predator. Her slightly hooked nose and narrow face only added to that impression. Her thick curls were pulled back from her face into a braided bun and her uniform was immaculate.

As he hooked his hat on a metal coatrack and slid out of his wet jacket, he inclined his head toward her pad. “I know you have your ear to the ground. Talk to me.”

“I admit I have been in communication with a few sources,” she said, the corner of her mouth quirking upward.

He entered his personal office and flipped on the coffee maker in the corner. He desperately needed caffeine. “And what did you discover?”

“Commandant Pierce didn’t come into the office this morning, but her assistant sent a communiqué informing me that all her meetings were canceled, including the one with you. Then word began to filter in that all the echelon of the government was canceling meetings.” She tucked her long body into a chair, her pad resting on her lap.

Dwayne slid into his somewhat comfortable chair behind his big ugly desk. “All divisions?”

“Every single one. I did some sleuthing and found out that an aircraft picked up the president’s counsel and delivered them to the capital. Which is where they have been since early this morning,” Petra informed him.

“I just saw an aircraft heading toward the capital.”

“Ah, now, the interesting part is that the aircraft you saw was seen landing and departing from the SWD.” Her fingers lightly caressed her pad. “I received that information right before you arrived.”

“The Science Warfare Division? Interesting. They’ve been incompetent since the beginning of all this. I wonder what’s changed.” Dwayne set his hands on his desk and tapped the surface. The keyboard display popped up and he entered his password. Scanning through the communiqués being sent out by the senior officers, it was obvious they were all in the dark. “Do you know anyone in the Science Warfare Division?”

Slightly inclining her head, Petra affirmed what he suspected. “I have been in contact with a few people I know. They’re scrambling for information as well. There are rumors of a covert operation being implemented by the SWD, but there are no specifics about what that operation may be.”

“I hate being in the dark,” Dwayne complained.

“I will attempt to remedy that,” Petra vowed.