The Last Mission of the Living (The Last Bastion #2)(100)

Pushing the remote generator in, Lindsey ducked inside. The lights flicked on, illuminating the interior as Franklin jumped through the doorway and Torran retreated while still firing at the Scrags surging toward their position. Trusting Torran to keep the Scrags out, Lindsey rushed into the oval-shaped inner room and to the console. Activating the hub’s internal generator with the flip of a switch, she quickly called up the main screen. The racket caused by the weapons firing abruptly ceased as Torran hit the door switch and it slammed shut.

“That could kill a person,” he gasped, shocked at how swiftly the door had snapped close.

“It was meant to keep Scrags out,” Franklin answered.

The surveillance camera feed clicked on, and Lindsey winced at the sight of the horde shoving their way into the area surrounding the hub.

“We need to go up!” Franklin snapped at Lindsey, slapping her hand against the wall near the panel.

“Back off,” Lindsey retorted. “I’m working on it.” The older programs were a little confusing to navigate, but she found what she needed and entered the directions.

A loud clacking noise was followed by a hum that vibrated through the shelter. A second later, Lindsey’s stomach dropped as the pod shot upward. She steadied herself by grabbing the edge of the console, while Torran braced himself in the doorway. Franklin stumbled backward, then landed on her ass, much to Lindsey’s amusement. A second later, the hub came to a jolting stop and there were several sharp clicking sounds as it locked into place.

“Your hub has been secured. Automatic notification of the activation of this hub is being sent to our security offices. Please remain calm. As soon as we can secure safe passage, you will be contacted with the details of your evacuation. Please sit tight and wait for rescue,” a soothing female voice said over the loudspeakers.

“Betcha they won’t show up,” Torran said with a wink at Lindsey.

Now that they were safely away from the Scrags, Lindsey could afford a giggle. “Would be surprising if they did.”

“Don’t count on it,” Franklin said grumpily.

Pulling out a chair from beneath the console, Lindsey waited for the back to flip up, then collapsed onto it. She stared at the readout on the screen as a preprogrammed diagnostic started on the hub. With still trembling hands, she popped the clasps on her helmet and tugged it off. The stale air inside the hub made her sneeze, but it was better than the helmet. Her blond braid flopped out, and she tossed it over her shoulder.

Torran leaned over and turned off the remote generator as Franklin climbed to her feet. Both removed their helmets and also sneezed a few times.

“The air isn’t too pleasant,” Torran noted.

“The air scrubbers are working. It’ll be better soon,” Lindsey answered. She was relieved to see all the internal systems in the hub were working.

Franklin tugged at the tabs on her armor and started to discard it. “We’re safe. That’s all that matters.”

Lindsey bit her tongue. How safe were they really if Franklin was working against them and with an unknown group with an agenda to recover Maria? With a sigh, she started shimmying out of her own suit. Soon all three soldiers were down to the sleek black body suits they wore beneath the armor. Lindsey instantly felt incredibly lighter and stretched out her body while sweeping her eyes over their temporary haven. It was about seven meters in diameter, including the thick pole that took up the center of it. The hub featured a small kitchen area, bunk beds, and a sanitation station.

A weapons locker drew Torran’s immediate attention, and he walked over to explore it. Meanwhile, Franklin started scrounging through the stores of food and water in the kitchen area. Lindsey remained at the console, too tired to move, and pressed her fingers to her throbbing temples. When Franklin handed her water, it took all her willpower to accept it with a smile.

“We made it,” Franklin said, leaning against the wall.

“But the others are dead,” Lindsey responded, then gulped some of the water. It tasted fresh. She was impressed.

Tilting her chin so she was looking away, Franklin was silent.

“Hobbes is gone,” Lindsey added sorrowfully, watching Franklin out of the corner of her eye.

“I know.” Franklin shoved off from the wall. “But I don’t want to think about that.”

“I thought you two were…” Lindsey watched the other woman’s retreat. Maybe Franklin did feel remorse. Or was she just agitated?

“There will be time to mourn later. Right now I’m going to visit the sanitary station.”

Brushing past Torran as he continued to take inventory of the small weapons locker, Franklin vanished inside the sanitation center and a small panel over the door read OCCUPIED.

Lindsey pivoted about on her seat as Torran took three sharp steps toward her and bent over her. Taking her face in his hands, his lips met hers in a tender kiss.

“What’s happening?” Lindsey whispered, her eyes on the sign over the doorway.

“She’s part of a group trying to find Maria. Solomon is part of it, too.”

“Constabulary?” Lindsey’s eyes widened at the thought. “Commandant Pierce?”

“I don’t know. Just try to dial down the anger, and I’ll try to get as much information out of her as possible. She has control of an aerial drone. I need the program she’s using for it. When she comes out, make an excuse to go inside.”