The Last Bastion of the Living (The Last Bastion #1)(96)

“Absolutely,” Mr. Petersen answered.

Dwayne noticed he wasn’t the only one suppressing a smile.

“Then we’re done here,” the president said, rising to his feet.

Dwayne and the commandant swiftly moved to intercept the departing leader as he entered the corridor. His staff looked nervous and sufficiently cowed by the president’s outburst. He was well-known for his temper away from the news cameras and his face was flushed, the veins in his neck standing out sharply.

“President Cabot, a word please,” Commandant Pierce called out, trying to edge around a security officer.

The handsome man with the killer looks and wide grin that was so pleasing to the public fastened a glower upon the commandant that was far removed from his public face. “The meeting is over, Commandant Pierce.”

“Yet the Constabulary continues to play a secondary role in this infamous finale the SWD has planned. I have towed the line and done as you wished for months now, but I know if I had been included in this mission from its inception we would be much closer to success instead of a potential disaster.” Commandant Pierce met the president’s stare without fear and with a touch of defiance.

“The Constabulary was responsible for one of the worst losses of life and resources The Bastion has endured since the gate failed. Your final push was a disaster.”

“Yes, and my predecessor resigned in the aftermath. I am not Commandant Young.”

The president chuckled. “You’ll have to do better than that.”

“I’m sworn to protect this city,” Dwayne said. “That’s the role I play. I should have been included in the planning of this mission and its implementation. The SWD has security officers, not trained military men and women. There is a huge difference in their training. Why else would have the SWD asked for the best of the Constabulary soldiers?”

The president motioned his security aside as the vice president lingered just behind him. A small smile on her lips revealed clearly how much she enjoyed seeing the president put on the spot. Caitlyn stood just behind her, watching with keen interest.

“You do have a point there. And I do commend you for the performance of your soldiers out in the field. It’s obvious from the number of Inferi Scourge that they have killed in the last few months that they’re strong and capable men and women. Whereas the SWD security forces suffered a painful loss today, your people are still in play. So well done. But that doesn’t take away the fact that both of you have been a part of the dismal failures of the Constabulary in the past and the SWD has implemented a successful plan of action. Let me repeat that in case both of you hard heads didn’t catch that. The Constabulary failed in its plan for a final push. Failed. Yes, you were both lower-ranking officers at that time, but you had a part in the planning of that mission. I don’t trust failures.” The president was smiling, but his tone was lethal. “That is why you weren’t given a seat on the planning council and the SWD has taken point on this mission.”

“This mission is on the verge of failure because we were not included,” Commandant Pierce protested. “The SWD has made grandiose plans to eradicate the Inferi Scourge in one big show for the city to relish, but we have not been consulted. In fact, we just received the bare details of the planned action today.”

“We’re still reviewing the plans the SWD has proposed to determine if they will be effective,” Dwayne added.

The president folded his arms and smirked slightly. “You’re involved in this operation at this point only because Commandant Pierce and Dr. Curran pushed for it. I don’t like including people who have a personal stake in an operation.”

“Excuse me, but we all have a personal stake in this mission,” Commandant Pierce protested. “If it fails, we all die.”

Dwayne knew what was coming before the president directed his gaze toward him.

“But you’re not f*cking Vanguard Martinez.”

Caitlyn’s eyes widened, but Dwayne couldn’t worry about his daughter at this moment. It was a cheap shot by the president to knock him off his game, and he was not about to relent. Millions of lives were on the line.

Commandant Pierce barely acknowledged the comment. Her eyes briefly shifted toward Dwayne, then she riveted her gaze directly on the president. “We’ve been studying the SWD plans for the elimination of the Inferi Scourge around the walls. The Maelstrom Platforms will not kill all the Inferi Scourge. Some will be missed. They might scatter. The Inferi Boon will have to track them down and eradicate them. The trained soldiers of the Constabulary can assist them in clearing the valley now that the number of Inferi Scourge are significantly reduced. If you allow us to plan the mission, we can assure that there will not be an evacuation to Section A.”

“The SWD is in charge. It’s staying that way. You two should be more concerned about the potential of initiating Section A and preparing for possible riots if food production over the next few months does not reach expected levels. This isn’t over yet. We’re just trying to make sure we all have a chance at surviving. You have your orders.”

“You can’t keep playing the SWD and Constabulary against each other,” Commandant Pierce protested.

“Why not? It’s keeping you both on your toes and finally getting results,” President Cabot answered before pivoting away and striding up the corridor.