The Last Mission of the Living (The Last Bastion #2)(115)

Most of Solomon’s people appeared out of various doorways clad in their black jumpsuits. Seeming curious, they joined the escort to the lab, and Torran was very troubled by that fact. Any attempt to escape now would only speed up their deaths. The only reason they were still alive was as insurance. If the virus was in the Cultists’ hands, they would be dead in minutes. If the virus hadn’t been retrieved, then at least Solomon would have chance at finding Maria through Lindsey. Torran was fairly certain he was alive because he’d be tortured to convince Lindsey to talk.

Yet, reflecting on the last few months, Torran realized his death was actually coming at one of the happiest times of his life.

“I’m glad we took that walk that day,” Torran said abruptly.

“Me too,” Lindsey answered, grinning.

“Both of you shut up,” Yates ordered.

“I’d rather not be taking this walk though,” Torran added.

“Yeah, the company leaves something to be desired.” Lindsey glowered at Yates.

The building was very cold, and the air tasted and smelled stale. Instead of proceeding to the command center, they were directed down another hallway. Several remote generators were set up at the far end and the open doorway glowed with bright light.

“Why not torches?” Torran asked. “I mean, you hate tech, so why not shuck off the generators and go for good old fashioned fire?”

“Why don’t you shut up?” Yates responded, aggressively pushing her weapon into his back.

“Aren’t you going to miss it, Carter? No more hacking?” Lindsey squinted at the big man, but he only scowled in return. “As a fellow hacker I know that high that comes from being able to unlock all the hidden secrets of those in power. The pleasure of the tech bending to your will. It’s like it becomes a part of you.”

Torran witnessed the slightest twitch in Carter’s grip on his weapon and he immediately stepped between Lindsey and the big man. “She’s just curious. No need to get agitated.”

“Keep moving,” Solomon ordered from behind them. “Stop aggravating my people.”

Lindsey gave Torran a triumphant look. Maybe she was enjoying needling their soon-to-be executioners, but he wanted to enjoy what little time he had left with her, not squabbling with the Cultists.

Carter gruffly pushed Torran and Lindsey inside the lab when they reached their destination. Dr. Curran stood behind a wide counter loaded with lab equipment with her attention focused on a microscope. Ramirez stood at the scientist’s side, watching her every move. Some of the screens along one wall were active, scrolling data from Dr. Curran’s examination. A containment chamber with thick glass walls sat in one corner and the sight of it made Torran uneasy. Why did he suddenly feel like a lab rat?

Carter pushed Torran and Lindsey deeper into the room, while Yates trailed behind, followed by Solomon and the rest of her people.

Dr. Curran finally looked up from the large, high-powered microscope and regarded them with a blank expression.

“Did we get the virus?” Dr. Solomon asked.

Torran’s heart sped up and he stepped closer to Lindsey. All the Cultists gathered in the room stared at the blond scientist expectedly. Had they been successful, or not?

“Let me show you my results so far,” Dr. Curran said, picking up a pad and turning toward Ramirez. “Would you mind giving this to Solomon?

Ramirez reached toward it, but Dr. Curran accidently dropped it.

“Oh, sorry, let me just get that,” she said, bending over.

There was a sharp bark and a fount of blood erupted from just under Ramirez’s chin.

Carter shoved both Lindsey and Torran to one side, and it registered in Torran’s confused mind that the big man had shot Ramirez.

Torran drew in one sharp breath.

Carter fired again, this time striking Solomon in the shoulder, knocking her back through the doorway.

Pandemonium erupted.

Most of the squad was already out of their armor, but Carter and a few others were not. Yates returned fire, but in her panic, hit Carter’s armor and missed any killing shots. Meanwhile, Carter aimed for her head, bullets punching into the wall near her as she scuttled for cover.

Lindsey ducked and scrambled toward the counter Dr. Curran was hiding behind. Torran scurried behind her. Gunfire destroyed the equipment beside him, sending Torran sprawling onto the floor. Raising his head, he saw Lindsey lying on her side, clutching her stomach.

“No!’ Torran exclaimed, realizing she’d been shot.

He attempted to go to the woman he loved, but Carter grabbed him by the collar and flung him behind a bank of computers. Torran crashed into the wall with a loud thud. Twisting about, he searched for Lindsey and spotted Dr. Curran dragging her to safety. Blood was pulsing between Lindsey’s fingers and her expression was one of shock.

The thunder of battle raged on.

To reach Lindsey, he’d have to cross an open area, but he was willing to take the risk. It was difficult getting to his feet with his hands still secured, but he managed. Peering out around the equipment that was providing shelter, he spotted Carter exchanging fire with Yates and the remains of the squad taking cover in the hallway.

Desperate to get to Lindsey, Torran fought the wild staccato of his heartbeat and dashed toward her location. Carter shouted at him, but Torran wove through the room, avoiding fire. The big man lunged out from behind cover, grabbed Torran about the arm, and hurled him back to where he’d been before. Torran slammed into the wall, smacking his head so hard his vision blurred.