The Last Bastion of the Living (The Last Bastion #1)(94)

“The Inferi Anomalies, as you call them,” the president said, motioning to the hologram, “are only at the hydroelectric plant?”

“That is uncertain,” Mr. Petersen admitted.

“They’re congregating there because it’s the most vulnerable access point into the city and they know it,” Dr. Curran said crossly.

“Why didn’t we clear that area first?” President Cabot glowered at the silent people at the table.

Again the men and women who held the greatest power in The Bastion averted their eyes and shifted about in their chairs. They were obviously ill at ease with the discussion. There was a desperate aura about them. Perhaps they, too, were terrified of the days to come if the Inferi Boon failed.

“We didn’t know the Anomalies still existed,” Mr. Petersen said after an uncomfortable pause. “After their last push into the sewers, we killed most of them. We did an inventory of the dog tags collected and all but five were accounted for.”

“May I point out that this information was kept from me and I am hearing it for the first time now,” Dr. Curran said, her steely gaze fastened on Mr. Petersen.

“This mission was doomed from the start.” Commandant Pierce’s tone was icy and her dark eyes were cold as she regarded Mr. Petersen. “You kept me and the Castellan out of the planning stages of this mission. We’re only here because you need our help to salvage what is left of your plans.”

“The SWD’s primary mission is to destroy the Inferi Scourge. Your mission is to protect the city,” Mr. Petersen said in a voice that was slightly on edge. “There was no need to include you in our mission.”

“Yet you conscripted the best of our people to do the actual dirty work,” Dwayne pointed out.

“SWD security is also part of the mission. In fact, Chief Defender Omondi’s squad that was nearly destroyed today are all SWD personnel.” Mr. Petersen looked equal parts smug and contrite.

President Cabot pointed a finger at Mr. Petersen. “I was told that you would have the valley ready for the big final push within the week.”

“Mr. President, there have been—,” Mr. Petersen started to answer.

“What is the Constabulary doing to resolve this issue, Castellan?” the president asked, directing his focus to Dwayne. “I understand you were brought in once we lost contact with Chief Defender Omondi.”

“Vanguard Martinez and her squad, consisting of Constabulary soldiers, are on their way to the hydroelectric station to rescue the Chief Defender and his team,” Dwayne explained. He had spent most of his morning receiving intel from the satellite feeds and observing Maria’s trek across the cleared valley toward the last infested area.

“Any ideas as to why we lost contact with Chief Defender Omondi?” the president asked.

“We lost contact with the chief defender’s squad soon after he reported that the Inferi Anomalies had ambushed him and his people at the hydroelectric station. We believe he fell back to the basement shelter after communication became an impossibility.”

“But we are in communication with Vanguard Martinez?” the president asked.

“We are.” Dwayne could see that the president was pleased to have direct answers. It was clear that the power struggle between Dr. Curran and Mr. Petersen was annoying the president.

“Will we have a quick resolution to this issue?”

Dwayne caught the president’s slight shift in his weight toward him and the commandant. He was starting to freeze out the SWD, which was exactly what Dwayne and Commandant Pierce wanted. “By the time we spoke with Vanguard Martinez, she and her squad were already on their way and had a solid rescue plan.”

“Vanguard Martinez has requested that we airdrop weapons for them to use against the Inferi Anomalies,” Commandant Pierce added.

“I would advise against that,” Mr. Petersen interrupted. “We have the Inferi Scourge exactly where we want them for our big…finale. If we send out aircraft now, we could pull the Inferi Scourge out of the range of the Maelstrom Platforms. That would mean we would have to have the Inferi Boon kill off any of the stragglers and—”

“This would add time to the mission projected end date,” Dr. Curran added with a sigh. “But it would be worth it to make sure the squads survive and kill the Anomalies.”

“Show me the position of the Inferi Scourge right now,” the president motioned to the hologram.

Mr. Petersen changed it to show a scan of the valley. The Inferi Scourge glowed red against the brilliant blue hues of the projected valley, mountains and city.

“Can we handle them with the platforms?” President Cabot again looked to the Constabulary officers.

Dwayne kept his face neutral. He didn’t like where this line of thinking was going. “Based on our previous experience battling the Inferi Scourge with the Maelstrom Platforms, I would say yes.”

“Only the ones around the city. Those clusters east of the city are out of range,” Mr. Petersen hurriedly added.

“Do we have the firepower and fuel to eliminate what’s left of the Inferi Scourge with the tiltrotors?” the president asked.

Dwayne’s spine stiffened. Next to him Commandant Pierce’s eyes narrowed.

“That is a question for the SWD. They conscripted the Maelstrom Platforms and the remaining ammunition per your order,” Commandant Pierce said in a terse tone.