The Last Mission of the Living (The Last Bastion #2)(107)

The drone picked up the mannequin by its torso, rapidly flew out of the shop, and along the street toward the Scrags. It was a little nausea-inducing to observe how fast it flew. One of the cameras was aimed down and showed the mannequin with Lindsey’s face superimposed over its head dangling from the drone’s clutches.

“Teeny, activate audio,” Lindsey ordered.

Instantly, the drone played Lindsey’s voice screaming for help. It was amplified to catch the attention of all the Scrags. At first the creatures were making such a ruckus, they didn’t hear the recording, but the drone increased the volume. Sluggishly, the Scrags twisted about to face the mannequin suspended above the ground.

“They’re interested at least,” Torran remarked.

“It’s going to work,” Lindsey said confidently. “Watch and see.”

As always, it took only one Scrag giving chase to unleash a horde. Within seconds after the first Scrag lurched toward the bait, the herd rushed the mannequin.

“Go Teeny!” Lindsey cried out.

The aerial drone whirled about and flew away clutching the facsimile of Lindsey screaming for help. The Scrags raced after it.

Lindsey gave Torran a triumphant look. “See?”

“Extraordinary,” Torran admitted.

“I’m amazing!”

On the feed, the aerial drone sped around a corner, leading the herd to the tube the soldiers had taken the day before. If all went according to plan, the Scrags would pursue Teeny down the stairwell and fall through the gap.

Lindsey opened the door, and they both peered out. Every Scrag that had been gathered under the Rescue Hub was gone.

“Well done,” Torran said with admiration, then pulled the emergency exit lever near the door. “Now let’s get out of here.”

A ladder unfurled from a hidden compartment beneath the door. The metal pieces locked together, forming a stable exit out of the hub. Torran climbed down first, holding his weapon in one hand just in case any were lurking in the shadows. The clank of his boots against the rungs was a little louder than he’d like, and Torran kept his external mic on high to pick up any telltale shrieks. Once he hit the ground, he crept forward to check on the street again. The thin layer of snow crunched beneath his feet.

Dropping down, Lindsey immediately lifted her weapon and joined him. “Status?”

“Clear for now.”

“Then let’s go.”

Keeping their weapons at the ready, they activated the stealth on their suits and scurried along the snow-flecked street. The grips of their boots would keep them upright if they stepped on black ice. While Torran watched the left side of the street, Lindsey monitored the right. Their objective was the monorail station a few blocks away. Teeny had swept through the area earlier, and there was minimal activity in the district. Without the clutter of street vehicles, it was easier to spot any potential dangers.

Torran shifted his view to the drone’s cameras again. The Scrags were still following it through the stairwells. At least this part of the plan was working well. He was still unsure of Lindsey’s designs to reach the communication tower, but he didn’t see where they had any other choice. They had to warn The Bastion about what they knew of the Gaia Cult’s persuasive presence in the city and its terrifying stratagem.

Sprinting along the boulevard, the feeling of vulnerability Torran experienced made it a little difficult to breathe. Even though his suit was in stealth mode, it was difficult to be out in the open. In The Bastion, the high walls were always in sight, but here, there was no sense of security. Tall, glass buildings and a vast, gray sky made him feel small and exposed.

They were almost to the monorail station when the stealth deactivated sooner than expected.

“What the hell?” Torran muttered.

“The tech is built with old parts. They’re crapping out.” Lindsey pointed ahead. “But we’re almost there!” She dashed through yet another courtyard toward the monorail station.

“Be careful!” Torran warned.

Lindsey dropped to a quick walk, sweeping through the area with a little more care. The monorail station consisted of several white concrete canopies over a glass-enclosed waiting area. There were a few Scrags inside, but Torran and Lindsey planned to bypass the passenger area and head onto the tracks. As they drew closer, the undead started to stir.

“Should we kill them?” Lindsey asked.

“There’s not enough of them to break the glass, so I say we just let them be.” Torran again checked the aerial drone’s feed. It now hovered over the gap in the escalators observing the Scrags falling to their final death. “Looks like your little buddy did his job.”

Scooting past a thick gnarl of trees overgrown with vines, Lindsey looked pleased with herself. “I should name it Buddy!”

“No, you shouldn’t.”

“You’re not very fun sometimes.”

“I’m very fun most of the time.”

“And I’m brilliant. We make a good team.” Though her tone was purposefully playful, she cautiously checked a darkened area for Scrags before continuing toward the station.

The seriousness of their situation was crushing in its intensity, but Torran was determined not to let Lindsey see his fear and worry. He knew her well enough to see that she was thrilled with her triumph with the aerial drone but also very scared.