The Last Bastion of the Living (The Last Bastion #1)(97)

Dwayne watched as the vice president, his daughter, and the entourage of council members and security hurried after the president. Caitlyn glanced over her shoulder one last time, anger and pride mixed in her eyes. Dwayne had a feeling he’d be getting an irate call from her later. In some ways she was very much her mother’s daughter.

Commandant Pierce waited until they turned a corner before swinging around toward Dwayne. Her dark eyes were livid.

“That could have gone better,” Dwayne dared to say.

“Vanguard Martinez, huh?” The lightness of her tone in contrast to the angry set of her jaw and tense body surprised him.

“We were trying to be discreet.”

A slight smile crept onto her full, dark lips as she nodded. “Good for you.”

“I keep my personal life out of my work,” Dwayne said in a hushed tone.

“Of course, you do. That is why I have always trusted you to do what is right.” Standing with her hands behind her back, she sighed. “I should have spoken up long before this point.”

“President Cabot does hold grudges, doesn’t he?”

“He’s nefarious about it.” Commandant Pierce shook her head. “This is ridiculous. We shouldn’t be squabbling. We should be united in this effort.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Mr. Petersen said, stepping around her and flashing his pearly white teeth. “Certainly you must understand the need for there to be a chain of command? The SWD is firmly in control of the situation despite the changes that have been...requested in today’s meetings. I understand that you may feel the Constabulary will not receive the proper amount of credit once we have destroyed the Inferi Scourge, and you’re most likely correct. But at least we can all take heart that you will handle the possible upcoming food shortages with a deft hand.”

“You’re an insidious little shit,” Commandant Pierce said in a low voice. “And my question is are you the man at the top or are you sucking someone’s dick to remain their lap dog?”

Mr. Petersen simply smiled.

“SWD Black Ops may try to keep a low profile behind the ruse of Admiral Kirkpatrick and you as his adjutant, but if you blow this mission, I’m sure the president would be more than happy to drag you all out into the light and expose you for your failures.”

“Strange how the political maneuvering has become more cumbersome the closer we come to success,” Mr. Petersen said in a light voice. “And how clumsily it’s handled by some while others manage to get everything they desire.”

“We teeter at the edge of extinction and all the SWD is concerned about is usurping the Constabulary and moving into a position of power.”

Dwayne stood next to his commanding officer feeling more proud of her than he ever had before. She was pure steel.

“Ah, you’re mistaken,” Mr. Petersen said with his fake little smile. “Commandant Pierce, we are in power.”

With that chilling comment, Mr. Petersen strode away.

“Who is he really?” Dwayne wondered under his breath.

Commandant Pierce shook her head with irritation. “He’s a loathsome creature.”

“I better get back to the SWD Command Center and oversee the rescue mission.”

“Keep me abreast of the situation. I’ll join you shortly. I’ll show that little runt how clumsy I am at political maneuvering. I still have a few trump cards.”

“Yes, sir.” Dwayne turned to depart and saw Dr. Curran staring at him from down the corridor. Realizing he had spotted her, she looked away, busily scribbling on her pad.

Disconcerted, he departed.





Chapter 28


Tucked behind her work console as the carrier sped across the valley, Maria tracked the progress of the carrier while conversing with Dwayne. After months of monotonous killing, the squad was galvanized to be facing an enemy that had the capacity to respond with intelligent action. Their fear and excitement were tangible as they spoke in hushed voices. Tucked on top of the carrier, Holm and McKinney were manning the rigged flamethrowers.

It was difficult for Maria to contain her composure every time she spoke to Dwayne. His low, soothing voice was a balm to her exhausted mind. The warmth in his blue eyes stirred within her the desire to slip into his arms, press her face to his neck, relish his warmth, delight at the touch of his hands on her skin, and feel his heart beating against hers.

Outwardly, she managed to maintain her professional demeanor.

“We’re keeping away from the remaining Scrag herds. A few are following, but shouldn’t be an issue,” Maria informed Dwayne.

“There doesn’t seem to be any major shifts in the remaining herds,” Dwayne agreed.

“We should be at the rendezvous point in fifteen minutes.”

“I wish we didn’t have to do the drop so close to the hydroelectric station,” Dwayne said with a dour look on his face.

“Time is of the essence.” Maria’s gaze darted to the front of the carrier, where Cormier deftly drove the large vehicle. Through the window she could see the distant shape of the station next to a large lake. Tall pine trees dotted the foothills beyond the glimmering dark waves. It was the exact location she dreamed of having a home with Dwayne. The thought warmed her.

“Has there been any communication with Chief Defender Omondi?”