The Last Mission of the Living (The Last Bastion #2)(31)

“Well, it was pretty obvious they hadn’t warned me about the Abscrags that were the result of the failed Inferi Boon missions or about the downed tiltrotor. So when all that was factored in the line of questioning became much less confrontational.”

“Bu they gave you hell at first, didn’t they?” Lindsey frowned.

“Well, it’s the second time I was the sole survivor of a squad.”

“So they were suspicious.”

“Yeah, but the story you asked me to tell them helped me more than you probably realize.”

“I don’t know if it was fair of me to even do that. Asking you to lie.” Guilt weighed down the corners of her lips.

“Well, having a mysterious figure come out of the subway and help me fight off the Abscrags before disappearing into the night would have seemed a bit farfetched if not for Castellan Reichardt’s departure from the city.”

“You put a lot of trust in me when I asked you to do that.”

Torran ducked his head so he could see her expression. “Hey, you saved my life. It creates instant trust, right? Besides, if Commandant Pierce wanted me to relay that information, she had to have a plan.”

“Actually,” Lindsey said with a wince, “I told you to say that without getting it cleared with her.”

Surprised, Torran stopped in his tracks. “Oh my.”

“Well, I knew that they would assume it was the castellan, so that’s why I had you say that. It felt like a much more likely story than you fighting off the Abscrags singlehanded.”

Uncertain if he was miffed or not, Torran stood in silence for a few long beats. Glancing toward the immense city spreading out all around him and the high mountains on the horizon, he considered all the possible ramifications of what she’d asked him to say. At last, he realized, she’d been very clever.

“Are you mad?” Lindsey stared up at him worriedly.

“Nah. You actually gave me the best story other than the actual truth. Plus, it made the castellan that much more heroic, right?” Torran rested his hand on her shoulder, urging her to walk on.

“I guess that’s why I’ve been so worried about you going through the debriefings and reviews.”

“I thought it was because I’m roguishly handsome and charming.”

Lindsey rolled her eyes.

“Nah, I get it, Lindsey. I was worried about you and the others, too. With all the tension between our two forces, the coup, and the basic hell of living in The Bastion, it feels like everything is a potential landmine.” Torran hated the unease that never left his system. Even walking among the citizens of the city made him a bit nervous. He’d seen the old historical vids and knew how fast the Inferi Plague Virus could spread in a populated area. Nowhere ever really felt safe anymore. It was an exercise in mental fortitude to not see everything in the city as a potential threat.

“I’m glad you kept me updated, Torran. I was worried. So many lies have been said to keep people safe that it makes me anxious.”

They finally reached the end of the bridge and turned up a street that cut through a warehouse district where heavily armed guards watched over what few provisions were left. The high fences, cameras, and soldiers in riot gear inspired the crowd to speak in hushed voices. Even Torran felt wary of the guards with their black SWD uniforms and opaque helmets.

Lindsey’s hand brushed against his and he automatically took it. She didn’t flinch, but wrapped her fingers around his. Understanding her misgivings, he squeezed her hand gently.

If the valley wasn’t secure soon, this area of the city would be filled with violence as food riots broke out among the starving masses. The people around them had no idea that the city was on the brink of starvation in a matter of months if there wasn’t a significant change. That change was the valley.

“It’s worth it,” Torran said, leaning over to whisper into Lindsey’s ear. “All the death, the pain, and the lies...if we can save these people. It’s worth it.”

Lindsey turned her head upward and smiled. “Absolutely.”





Chapter 9


The small café was packed with people and it was hard to find a place to sit. Lindsey dispatched Torran to find a battered table while she joined the ordering line. He’d handed over his protein ration for the day and she had fished her own out of her coat pocket. The line moved along rather quickly as a young woman took orders and passed them off to the two cooks behind her. It was hot inside the small area with the ovens in use, but Lindsey didn’t dare shrug off her coat. Thievery was a major crime in the city, especially during bad weather, and coats were one of the most commonly stolen items.

“Order, hon?” the woman behind the counter asked.

“Barbecue with potato salad and greens on the side. Do you have bread right now?”

“We have several loaves left, but that’s extra.”

“Okay, we’ll have four slices with that order. And two herbal teas.” Lindsey handed over the protein and the credits. She never ate at a café that didn’t have the cooks in plain view. It was well-known that some cafés skimmed off bits of protein to sell on the black market.

“It’ll be out in ten minutes.” The server studied the credits Lindsey had handed over for a second, then returned a few. “Military discount.”