The Last Mission of the Living (The Last Bastion #2)(112)

“I don’t agree in the mindless destruction of civilian populations, but I’m not opposed to the Gaia Cultist starting their own colony elsewhere in the world. I will help you if you agree to let The Bastion continue to exist while your people start over.” In his periphery, Lindsey gave him a sharp look. “I have information I’m willing to share if you’ll come to an agreement with me.”

Solomon’s eyes narrowed, her fingers tapping on the armrest. “Why do you think the Gaia Cult would destroy The Bastion?”

“Because it fits with your belief system. You believe Gaia has provided a path to a new Eden with the virus Maria has in her veins,” Torran said, shrugging. “Let’s say that Dwayne and Maria are the new Adam and Eve out there in the world. Now, you and your people want to join them. I totally understand that desire. But Gaia Cult has actively tried to destroy people who don’t agree with their philosophy in the past. What I’m asking you to do is let nature take its course. If I help you, then you must allow the last vestiges of humanity to have a shot at surviving.”

Yates stepped forward. “They’ll come for us, Solomon.”

“They don’t know you’re alive,” Lindsey said. “And if you let us go, we won’t tell them.”

“This world is vast. It’s huge. You can pick any spot in the world and start over.” Torran knew that any promise Solomon gave him would most likely be broken, but he needed more time for a solid escape plan.

“If The Bastion survives, we fail,” Yates insisted.

“If the citizens of The Bastion survive, they’re trapped,” Dr. Curran pointed out. “They can’t leave their valley. The Inferi Scourge will forever keep them trapped while you take over the world.”

Solomon patted the armrests of her chair with the palms of her hands a few times, then stood up sharply. “All right, Torran. Let’s talk terms.”

“First, you give up the search for Maria Martinez.”

“We need the virus!”

“There is another way to get it,” Torran said boldly.

Dr. Curran swiveled about to stare at him with widened eyes filled with uncertainty. Lindsey cocked her head while staring at him with interest.

Solomon set her hands on her hips. “If you can find another source of the virus, we will let you and Rooney go.”

“Dr. Curran, too,” Torran added.

“No. Not her. We need her. We need her to administer the virus in the proper dosages and to oversee the process.” Solomon shook her head adamantly. “We can’t let her go.”

“I’m fine with that,” Dr. Curran said, her voice hollow. “I have nothing to return to.”

“And you can’t just turn us out into the world,” Lindsey said firmly. “We have to be provided with safe passage back to secure a location where we can contact The Bastion for retrieval.”

“Good point.” Torran gave Lindsey an appreciative smile. Solomon might just decide that plopping them down in an infested city was sufficient in keeping her side of the bargain.

“Fine. Agreed.” Solomon cocked her head and gazed at Torran. “Are we done negotiating now?”

“Yes. So...” Torran took a deep breath and stared directly into Solomon’s eyes. He had to sell this lie and buy them time. He hoped he could keep the lie simple. The more elaborate the falsehood, the more likely he’d be discovered. “The SWD has knowledge of another sample of the virus in the dead world. I was told to either retrieve Maria Martinez or return with the sample.”

“I see,” Solomon said warily. “Where is it?”

Searching his memories for a plausible location, Torran hesitated. His lie seemed to have Solomon on the hook, but he was piecing everything together as he talked. Wherever he chose had to make sense.

“I know where it is,” Dr. Curran muttered.

Torran gave her a sharp look.

“It’s in an offsite lab attached to the Saint Marie Center for Disease Control in the upper city of the Notre Dame Metroplex,” Dr. Curran continued. She looked very tired and was as pale as her uniform. “Though the primary lab was destroyed, the offsite wasn’t. Right before the fall of the city, some of the modified virus samples were moved to the offsite location. I don’t know how the SWD found out about the samples. I scrubbed all the information from the databases after the disaster with the Inferi Boon.”

“Why didn’t you reveal this information yesterday?” Solomon demanded.

Dr. Curran shrugged. “I just wanted all of this to be over. For it to end. I didn’t realize the SWD knew the truth.”

Torran and Lindsey exchanged apprehensive looks. They hadn’t expected this development.

“You had best not be lying,” Solomon said to the scientist.

“I’m not,” Dr. Curran replied, lifting her bruised chin defiantly. “But now that you know, you’ll let them go, correct?”

“Not until the virus is secured,” Solomon answered. “Take them back to their room. Tomorrow morning, we retrieve the virus.”





Chapter 32


“Can we talk?” Lindsey asked in a lowered voice once they were returned to their room.

Torran stood with his head tilted to gaze through the small observation window tucked in the locked door. He held up a hand, indicating for them to wait.