The Last Bastion of the Living (The Last Bastion #1)(70)

Sighing, she leaned forward. “The gate is closed. The official story comes out in an hour. The circumstances surrounding the gate closure are top secret.” Caitlyn hesitated then said, “Daddy, I trust you not only as my father, but as the Castellan. I want you to know that. I don’t know how much they will tell you, but...”

Dwayne felt his heart seize up. His little girl was afraid. He could see it.

“Don’t let them keep you out of the loop,” she said at last.

The call ended.



*



The face of an Inferi Scourge came into sharp focus as her vision was restored, and she thrust it away. She hated entering torpor so close to the hordes. Observing the rest of the squad, she saw that they were still in their blacked out state. Most laid on the ground to emulate sleep. It was a way to maintain a little distance between the squad and the undead around them.

Omondi was seated nearby. She was viewing him when his eyes suddenly focused. Startled, he studied the area, then cast a questioning look at Maria.

She shrugged.

They both checked their wristlets. They had been revived early. The sun was barely piercing the sky above The Bastion.

“What the hell?” Omondi muttered.

Their wristlets chimed. A quick message scrolled across the screens. The SWD would be contacting them within five minutes.

Pointing to an adjacent position, Omondi pulled out the screen from his backpack. In silence, they strode to where he had indicated. Though the squad wouldn’t awaken until the SWD was done with their conference call, room was needed to unroll the screen. Omondi found an old dead tree trunk, and together they spread the screen and fastened it at the corners.

Unease had settled into Omondi’s features, and Maria mirrored his feelings. The events of the last two days had been disquieting. The mission was supposed to be a simple endeavor, yet now appeared immensely complicated. It was difficult to put into words the myriad of thoughts that boiled within her mind. The silence between them was not reassuring.

Omondi linked his wristlet to the screen, and they waited.

Exactly five minutes later the screen activated. Mr. Petersen and Dr. Curran appeared, projected in all their holographic glory. Dr. Curran looked exhausted, but Mr. Petersen appeared calm as usual. Unexpectedly, Commandant Pierce of The Bastion Constabulary sat at the conference table as well. Her dark eyes and sharp cheekbones always made Maria think of a hawk. Her silvery-black afro was twisted into spirals that were wrapped into a bun at the nape of her elegant neck. She was beautiful, severe, and, according to Dwayne, borderline paranoid about everything.

“Congratulations on the closure of the gate,” Commandant Pierce started.

“Thank you. It was a great success for us personally and for The Bastion,” Omondi answered.

Commandant Pierce continued, “The death of Special Constable Coleman was an unexpected tragedy. We reviewed the report of his death. Though it was an unfortunate event, we learned new vital information about the Inferi Scourge. That we now know how they identify their prey is of great importance.” She gave Dr. Curran a pointed look.

Dr. Curran didn’t shrink under the piercing glare. “With the data we’re now receiving from the field we do not anticipate any further setbacks of this kind. Now that we know specifically what stimuli compel the Inferi Scourge to attack, we can plan to avoid such situations again,” Dr. Curran responded, her tone crisp and slightly defensive. “We will be updating the mission specifics accordingly.”

Commandant Pierce’s impassive appearance didn’t alter when she spoke again. “I have been asked by the president to inform you that we’re releasing the news of the gate closure to the public, and that a special ops team is destroying the Inferi Scourge. Initially we were going to wait to disclose this information, but the president feels it’s in the best interest of the city if the population knows about the success we’re incurring on the field. The fact that you’re Inferi Boon will not be released to the media. Nor will your names. That aspect of the mission must remain secret. We will determine when to update the population on your progress as time goes on.” The commandant paused, and instinctively, Maria knew what came next wouldn’t be pleasant. “We’re altering your work schedule to twenty hours a day.”

“Understood,” Omondi said with a brief nod of his head.

“We realize this may be emotionally taxing, but feel that the squad can handle the duress,” Dr. Curran said with a short smile.

Maria didn’t think the doctor believed her own words.

“Any questions?” Commandant Pierce asked.

“The Inferi Scourge from yesterday who spoke-” Omondi started to say.

“Vanguard Martinez heard a grunt and her mind interpreted it as a word,” Mr. Petersen said swiftly over him. Mr. Petersen directed his gaze at Maria. “You’re still adapting to your new environment. Your mind will play tricks on you. The Inferi Scourge do look remarkably alive at times, but they’re not capable of speech.”

Maria started to protest.

“We understand,” Omondi answered, his dark eyes silencing Maria with just a look.

“Vanguard Martinez, your work has been impressive,” the commandant said, directing her fierce gaze at Maria. “You will continue to compile the information you’re gleaning from your observations and relay them through the Chief Defender. We would like you to work closely with Medic Denman on his reports as well. It’s best if we keep communication between us to the minimum. The media will be watching closely, attempting to glean any information it can.”