The Last Bastion of the Living (The Last Bastion #1)(125)

“I think of my kids running around in a big yard and my wife being able to have a real garden and I know it was worth it.” Denman sat on the steps, his body slightly shivering. He kept rubbing his hands together in an anxious manner. “How’s the Constabulary going to explain our return?”

“Commandant Pierce has a plan to reveal everything the SWD did to seize control of the city, including what was done to the Inferi Boon.” Dwayne kept an eye on Denman and the top of the stairs. They were crouched in the darkness, not visible to the tiltrotors circling the city.

“So our story will be told. People will know what happened to all of us.” Denman nodded, looking satisfied.

“Yes,” Dwayne promised him. “People will know what happened to all of you.”

Denman stared longingly at the doorway to the subway. “Sir, I hate to rush you, but I’m starving and I’d love to contact my family tonight.”

“Of course,” Dwayne said and extended his hand to Denman. “Thank you for taking care of Maria.”

“She’s a dear friend. We all must have a drink together one day.” Denman shook his hand before rushing down the last few steps to the doors.

Dwayne activated his wristlet. “Lindsey, open the door to the subway.”

She didn’t answer this time, but the locks to the door audibly clicked. Denman gave Dwayne a quick salute, then stepped through the doorway.

Dwayne shot him twice in the head. The silencer rendered the shots completely inaudible. With a sigh, Dwayne trudged down the stairs and pushed Denman’s legs through the doorway.

“Lindsey,” he said into his wristlet as the door swung shut, obscuring Denman’s body.

There was a long pause, then she said, “Yes?”

“Denman was an Anomaly. Dr. Curran must tell Commandant Pierce what she told me about the virus she gave everyone, but Maria. His body must be destroyed immediately.”

Another pause. “Understood.” A longer pause. “You’re not coming back are you?”

“No, I’m not.”

“What are you going to do?”

Dwayne stared down at the weapon in his hand. “What I have to do.”

He cut the feed.



*



Former Castellan Dwayne Reichardt’s trek across the valley was not without its share of danger. A few times he had to lie among the Inferi Scourge that were burned to a crisp to avoid detection by the circling tiltrotors. Petra had managed to secure one of the most recent upgraded versions of the SWD armor through unknown means. Its mean black countenance was sleek and beautiful, but its internal workings were near magic. They could hide him from scanners and allowed him to blend almost seamlessly into his surroundings.

A daily runner, it was easy for him to maintain a swift pace as he headed toward the area that Denman had pinpointed as Maria’s hiding place. He reached the base of the outcropping and began to scan the face for a path upward. Movement registered on his helmet and he whipped around.

A thin pine copse was a few feet away and the wind rustled the branches. Feeling on edge, he checked his map.

Again, movement drew his attention.

Shapes within the trees were beginning to move. Dwayne raised his weapon and aimed for the nearest form. As it stepped into the clearing, the twisted face of an Inferi Scourge snarled. Dwayne shot it, the head snapping back as it tumbled to the ground.

Within a second’s time, Scourge were pouring out of the trees, racing toward him, howling. Though his heart was racing, he kept calm as he aimed precisely at each creature, firing off a single shot. Their heads exploded, their bodies crashing into the ground around him. Stepping carefully backward, he tried to maintain a safe distance from the creatures dashing out of the shelter of the pine trees.

The ammo counter hit zero. With his left hand, he calmly drew his other weapon and fired. Not as accurate as he was with his right, the bullets hit the Scourge below their screaming faces. He adjusted and managed to kill the last three just as they reached him. The last Scourge fell into his arms and he shoved it off, blood and brains pouring out of its head.

Dwayne reloaded both weapons and took several deep breaths to still his thundering heart. He had to holster the firearms to climb, but he comforted himself with the idea of being able to see the Scourge from a high distance before they could reach him. From his bag, he drew out the special climbing gear Petra had secured for him and attached the grips to his gloves and boots.

Soon he was moving swiftly over the massive boulders and heading toward the rock face that would lead him to Maria. His heart heavy inside of him, he resolutely climbed higher.



*



Darkness greeted her when she finally awoke. Pushing herself up on one elbow, Maria activated her wristlet. The glow from the screen filled the cave around her. She considered trying to contact Dwayne, but was afraid to do any more than pull up the blank starter screen.

Shoving her braid over her shoulder, she scooted over to the wall.

“Denman?”

A strange dream flitted through her memory.

He had left her, hadn’t he?

A cramp made her shudder. It wasn’t the same as before. It was different, yet familiar.

The heavy armor was still damp inside and uncomfortable. Unlatching it from her body, she slid out of it and rubbed her hands down over her still damp leggings. Another cramp made her flinch. Something moist and warm trickled against her thigh. Mystified, Maria touched the dampness, the light from the wristlet revealing the dark red of blood.