The Last Bastion of the Living (The Last Bastion #1)(93)

“You’re thinking about looping around that formation and heading back, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely. That passage used to be part of a major supply line that encircled the valley. If the scans are correct, the road isn’t that bad off. We can pull them into the area between those rocks and the base of the mountain, then kick up some speed and head around the formation, doubling back. If we have enough speed on us, they’re not going to see where we went. The road splits off in three directions from that point. Back to the hydroelectric station, another to The Bastion, and a third to the far side of the valley.”

“I like it,” Maria said, nodding.

“The trick is not getting hemmed in.”

“I think we might have a solution,” McKinney said from behind them.

Holm held up the compact flamethrower they used to incinerate the bodies. “I say we burn them alive.”

“She’s kind of a genius,” McKinney said with a grin.

“If I was a genius, I would have thought of this before.” Holm set the flamethrower down on the floor, kneeling beside it. “We have twenty of these and the fuel for them is stored in this vehicle, right?”

“You’re thinking of creating bombs?” Maria arched her eyebrows.

“No, sir. Actually one big flamethrower.” Holm motioned to McKinney, who handed over his flamethrower. She set them side by side. “Like most Bastion weaponry, these are pieces of shit, old as hell and equally clunky. But they were created to store easily and save space.” Holm hooked the flamethrowers together using the clasps that were used to secure them in storage units. “I say we string these babies together, bind them to the top of the carrier and use them to burn anything trying to follow us. That’ll slow them down for sure.”

Maria grinned slowly. “Cormier can you outrun and outmaneuver a mass of burning Scrags?”

Cormier smirked. “Hell yeah. I’ve been studying the scans for hours. I know exactly where I need to go. We will not have a repeat of that first day.”

“Then let’s make this happen!” Maria ordered.

“Yes, sir!” Holm, McKinney, and Cormier all answered.

Maria’s work station paged her just in that moment. Leaning over, she opened the feed. To her surprise, Dwayne’s face filled the screen.

“Vanguard Martinez, we’ve noted that you are en route to the hydroelectric station,” he said crisply.

“Yes, sir,” Maria answered in a cautious voice.

Near her, her three squad members looked pensive.

Dwayne’s expression was pure business and she felt slightly intimidated. It had been a long time since she had interacted with him as her superior officer.

“And why is that?”

“Chief Defender Omondi and his squad are pinned down. We’re on our way to rescue them,” Maria answered, sliding into her chair. She wasn’t sure if a reprimand was on the way, but she was ready to kill the feed and disobey him. She would rescue the others.

“Very good. I’ve been asked to coordinate the rescue effort with you,” Dwayne said, a slight hint of warmth entering his gaze.

“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day,” Maria said with relief.

“Let’s discuss logistics and exactly what will be required for this rescue,” Dwayne continued.

“What’s required is weapons,” Maria said. Sliding the dagger out of her armor, she held it up. “This is not going to hack it against creatures armed with projectile weapons.”

Lifting his eyebrows, Dwayne inclined his head in agreement. “I’ll see what I can do.”





Chapter 27


“The situation is grave,” Dr. Curran said. “Chief Defender Omondi has lost most of his squad and the Anomalies have him trapped. They’ve retreated to the basement shelter, but are now pinned down.”

The men and women seated around the table, all members of the government, upper echelon of the SWD, and the president’s council, shifted uncomfortably at her words. Dwayne’s own daughter, Caitlyn, was seated behind the Vice President. She was studiously taking down notes and ignoring her father. Dwayne respected his daughter’s professionalism and directed his attention to the doctor seated across the conference table. A holographic image of the hydroelectric station slightly obscured his view, but he didn’t need to see Dr. Curran to know she was afraid. It was in her voice.

“Is that what we’re calling them now? Anomalies?” Mr. Petersen scoffed.

“Would you prefer we call them your previous failures?” Dr. Curran answered briskly.

Mr. Petersen started to retort, but the president said, “Enough squabbling. Keep to the facts at hand, Dr. Curran.” President Cabot’s voice was as stiff as his manner. He was angry, his usually-amicable public face set into a stern expression.

Mr. Petersen sat back in his chair, but said nothing.

“Chief Defender Omondi and his squad were our best chance to wipe them out. The Anomalies are a growing danger to this city. The recent breach into the subway tunnels proves this,” Dr. Curran continued. “A breach, I would like to point out, that I was not aware of until today.”

“You’re told what you need to know,” Mr. Petersen said with a reptilian smile.

Dwayne had met the man only a few times previously and didn’t care for his manner. Though Mr. Petersen was at the heart of the SWD mission, Lindsey’s deep forays into the SWD system had not revealed one shred of information on Mr. Petersen. That was the perfect reason to fear him. He was most definitely SWD Black Ops.