The Last Bastion of the Living (The Last Bastion #1)(44)

Settling back in the chair, she waited for Dr. Curran.



*



Maria’s return to cognizance was disorienting. Mr. Petersen was leaning over her, smiling his shark smile, his eyes gleaming in the light from the vid screen over the desk. Dr. Curran sat at her desk with her chin resting on her hand, staring at her with a tiredness that appeared to be bone deep.

“I...blacked out?” Maria glanced at her wristlet, confusion filling her.

“Well, we didn’t need you up and about for a while, so we turned off the alarm to let you rest a bit.” Mr. Petersen’s smile widened.

His explanation was bullshit and they both knew it. The black outs didn’t bring actual rest to her body. They had needed her out of the way for a while and had basically shut her off like a pad or computer. Her gaze flicked to the screen and she registered the time. She had been out for over six hours.

“While you were taking your catnap, we had a meeting, Dr. Curran and I, along with the oversight committee. It has been agreed that you and Chief Defender Omondi should be with the new Inferi Boon Special Ops as they awaken. It is believed that your presence will make the transition much easier.” Mr. Petersen sat on the corner of Dr. Curran’s desk, drawing a look of annoyance from her.

“You never thought you would get this far, did you? To actually creating Inferi Boon.” Maria asked. “With this program. You’re making it up as you go along, aren’t you?”

Mr. Petersen’s smile faded just a tad. “I wouldn’t necessarily say that. But we are very pleased with you and Chief Defender Omondi. He has already passed his tests with flying colors. A very good start, don’t you think?”

The disquiet she felt whenever in the presence of Mr. Petersen was beginning to grow into something akin to hate. She found it difficult not to despise him when he spoke to her as if she was a simpleton. He met her gaze comfortably, not at least intimidated by her pointed glare.

“I’m glad that he’s doing well,” she said at last.

“Aren’t we all? Now, we—I mean, Dr. Curran— is about to perform the procedure on another of your comrades. We’d like it if you joined her once again.”

Maria stood, giving him a curt nod. Dr. Curran stood, her shoulders slightly drooping.

Mr. Petersen hopped off the edge of the desk and slid his arm around Maria’s waist, guiding her to the door. “We decided it’s best if we don’t make your comrades wait too long. We’re bringing them all over in the next twelve hours. It will be a very long night.”

“Why so soon?” Maria dared to ask.

“To hurry up your deployment, of course. There’s a shining new world awaiting all of us once you accomplish your task,” Mr. Petersen reminded her. “A brave new world.”

“Did you ever read the book?” Maria asked, arching her brows.

“Of course,” Mr. Petersen said in his disquieting voice. “And many others as well.”

Dr. Curran gave Maria a warning look behind Mr. Petersen’s back. Feeling like a co-conspirator, Maria fell into obedient silence. Mr. Petersen was baiting her in some manner and it was probably best to avoid any sort of confrontation with him. Again she wondered at his persistent white uniform with its lack of rank designation or even military affiliation. Maria seriously doubted he was the secretary to the admiral of the SWD. Who exactly he was and how much power he wielded over the entire project was a mystery. One that made her very uneasy.



*



After the third resurrection, Maria and Omondi were comfortable in the process. They worked well together, catching on to each other’s cues and Dr. Curran’s. After reach revival, the new Inferi Boon was transferred to the testing facility to ensure their transition was smooth.

The first three to be revived were veterans of the last push against the Scourge. All were Special Sergeants, the rank beneath Maria, and physically strong despite former wounds. Rom Mikado and Bob McKinney were both powerfully-built and took over ten minutes to return as an Inferi Boon. Leticia Cruz revived in five. She was the dark-skinned woman with the short—cropped hair that Maria had seen in the briefing room. Slightly shorter than Maria, she was lean and muscled. When she awakened so quickly, it startled all of them.

“Am I back?” she asked, her voice hoarse as she struggled to speak.

“Take a breath,” Maria urged her. “It helps you talk.”

“You’ve returned,” Dr. Curran assured the woman.

“That was fast,” Omondi noted, his dark brows furrowing over his eyes.

“The modified virus appears to affect humans in the same way the original virus did during the plague,” Dr. Curran answered.

“Women and children changed quickly,” Maria said, remembering her history.

“Or maybe I’m just more of a badass,” Cruz suggested, getting the hang of taking a breath before speaking.

The next few soldiers were younger and more recently enlisted. Jameson was among the next group and revived in seven minutes.

“Can I kill zombies now?” he asked.

“Inferi Scourge,” Dr. Curran corrected.

“Whatever,” James said, struggling to speak above a whisper.

“You’ll be killing them soon enough,” Omondi promised.

It was disconcerting to see their fellow soldiers die and be resuscitated by the modified virus. Maria was glad that they didn’t suffer through it alone as she had. All revived disoriented, but seemed relieved to have come back as Inferi Boon.