The Last Bastion of the Living (The Last Bastion #1)(57)

After deactivating her console, Maria slid out of her harness and joined the other soldiers as they prepared to disembark.

“We’ll have to go out the top to avoid being crushed,” Omondi said, motioning for Jameson to climb up and open the heavy hatch above them.

The young man quickly scaled the ladder to obey.

“Everyone keep together. Once the Scrags no longer identify us as potential victims, they will most likely remain where they’re standing. We’re going to have to push our way through.” Omondi’s eyes trailed over the soldiers crowded around him. “Nothing like an early morning walk, right, Vanguard?”

“Absolutely,” Maria answered. She hung her bolt weapon over her shoulder and forced a wry smile. “I hear the view is pretty at this time of the day.”

Omondi chuckled.

With a loud creak and a clang, the hatch folded open and the stench of the Inferi Scourge filled the enclosed space. The Inferi Boon Special Ops had a diminished sense of smell, but a few winced as the pungent scent of death washed over them. Maria was glad she didn’t have to breathe. Since they didn’t have to worry about breathing in any biological or chemical weapons, their armor was lighter due to the lack of air filters. Maria wished they had left them in.

“Let’s go!”

Jameson’s legs vanished through the hatchway as the soldiers fell into line. Maria took lead with Omondi right behind her. The bolt weapon on her back bounced against her hip as she moved and she adjusted the strap one last time before pulling herself onto the roof of the carrier. As she stood and surveyed the area, she was sure she was in hell.

The sunrise filled the sky with deep oranges, reds and pinks, making the clouds appear on fire. The twisted, snarling faces of the Scourge spread out as far as she could see. The sheer number was almost incomprehensible.

“We got a lot of heads to bash,” Jameson said beside her, grinning.

“Yeah,” she answered in an awed voice.

Making her way across the top of the vehicle, she pulled out her binoculars and pointed them in the direction of the gate. As expected, there were less Scourge up by the entrance to the valley, but the creatures from the southwest had compacted into a horde that was heading toward the carrier. Glancing at the display on her helmet visor, she saw it was empty of any new orders. They were truly on their own.

Omondi joined her, standing with his feet apart to keep steady on the rocking carrier. “Getting to the gate is going to take longer than we thought.”

“Oh, yeah,” Maria agreed.

“Why aren’t they calming down?” Jameson asked. “They can see us, right?”

Twisting around, Maria saw that most of the soldiers were now on the roof, weapons ready, trying to stay balanced as the pitching of the carrier grew more violent.

Omondi glowered into the howling faces below him, then at Maria. His dark eyes held an unspoken question and doubt.

The crowd was even more raucous now that the soldiers were visible. The carrier was rocked hard to one side and a few people fell to their knees.

“Sir?” McKinney called out, his face strained behind his visor.

Coleman, at his side, leaned over to stare at the crazed creatures below. “Sir, they’re not identifying us as Scrags, sir!”

Omondi moved so his back was to the soldiers and looked at Maria questioningly. She didn’t know what to say. The Inferi Scourge were out of control below them and the carrier shuddered under their assault.

Again the carrier lurched to one side.

Maria heard a strangled cry.

“Coleman!” Cruz screamed.

“Coleman fell!” Mikado shouted.

There was a mad scramble to grab the fallen soldier. Maria reached the side, falling to her stomach, just in time to see Coleman dragged into the crowd. The outline of his comrades peering down at him was reflected in his visor just before he disappeared under the tumult of gnashing teeth and tearing hands.

“Our helmets! They can’t see our faces!” Maria tore at her helmet clasps, trying to get it off.

Around her the Inferi Boon Special Ops hastily tore off their helmets. Maria leaped got to her feet and faced the crowd. The Scourge below her stared up at her, mouths agape, then started to fall silent.

“Spread out! Let them see you!” Omondi ordered.

Slowly, the Inferi Scourge howls faded as the crowd of undead saw their own kind standing above them. The need to bite and infect was what controlled their violence and as they identified the soldiers as Inferi Scourge, the need dissipated. Maria could literally see it in their faces as their jaws went slack and their gazes dropped. A low moan swept over the crowd.

“We need to get Coleman,” Denman said from behind her. “Do you think it’s safe?”

Together they moved to the spot where Coleman had fallen. Cruz was already there staring in silence at the Scourge clustered around the fallen soldier. Slowly, the Scourge that had attacked Coleman drew upright, falling into their torpor state.

“Mother of God!” Denman exclaimed. He scaled down the side of the carrier and into the crowd.

Maria followed, her hands shaking. She had caught a glimpse of what lay beneath the feet of the now quiet Scourge. Beside her Cruz and Omondi were also climbing to the ground. She dropped the last few feet, knocking aside the now still Scourge. Shoving a few more away, she knelt next to Denman. The gloom was thick near the ground in the shadow of the carrier and the undead. Denman had activated a light on his armor and was examining Coleman.