The Last Mission of the Living (The Last Bastion #2)(62)

“That fence line is a worry. We could request an aerial drone to scan the area now that they’re flying again.” Solomon folded her arms over her chest and tilted her head as she observed the hologram of the depot. “Rooney, what are the chances of the Scrags following an aerial drone?”

“Honestly, I have to look up that data.”

“Do it. Now that we have access to fuel again, let’s take advantage of it.”

Torran lifted his pad and did a quick search. “There are several aerial drones patrolling the valley. The rest are mothballed. We might be able to requisition one for the mission. But it won’t be able to make it over the mountains by itself. We’ll need a tiltrotor to ferry them over.”

“I might be able to swing it. We’ll want more than one,” Chief Defender Solomon decided. “I also want a new test run on those suits. This data stamp is two years old. This isn’t acceptable.”

“Yes, sir.” Lindsey slid onto a chair at a console and activated a screen.

“Until we have a dependable report on just how good those suits are, all training room scenarios will be without them. The last thing we want is for our squad to be dependent on faulty tech.”

While the chief defender continued to issue orders and toss out questions, Lindsey stole a look at Torran. He was obviously pleased and so was she.

Finally, the mission didn’t feel like it was doomed to failure.





Chapter 18


The bar was bustling with activity, and no one glanced at Torran and Lindsey when they entered in their civilian clothing, ordered drinks, and sat at a table in a corner. Exhausted from the long day, Torran had considered going home to bed, but hadn’t wanted to turn in just yet. He needed time to decompress from all the preparation they’d done during the day. Much to his relief, Lindsey had agreed to meet up with him after dropping by her place for a shower and a change of clothing.

Working with Lindsey was interesting and rather intriguing. Her brain sometimes seemed to process faster than the computers they worked on. Also, she had an uncanny ability to read his expressions, or maybe they were just that similar. She always seemed to know what he was thinking or about to suggest. He’d rather enjoyed the lengthy planning session, but he wanted to spend time with her without the veneer of rank.

Though Lindsey was visually striking in her uniform, he preferred how she looked in her olive cargo pants, black sweater, and battered boots. Her blond hair was twisted into two small messy buns on either side of her head and her bangs fell into her face as she slumped in her chair with a tired but happy look on her face.

“You know, the unkempt look suits you,” Torran remarked.

Lindsey laughed. “Why, thank you. And you look like you’re in uniform even when you’re not.”

“Ouch.”

“It’s true.”

Torran pointed at his shoes, a pair of lace up canvas sneakers. They were dingy, ratty, and would probably soon expire, but they were incredibly comfortable. “Not regulation.”

“And neither is that hair.”

“You like my hair. You like me. I charm you.” Tilting his head, he gave her his best cheesy smile.

“Maybe I’m just using you for sex.”

“Nah. You like me.”

Lindsey poked her fingers in her drink, then flicked droplets at him. “You’re far too confident, cheeky boy.”

“So, work today…”

“Ugh. My brain still hurts.” Lindsey pressed her damp fingertips to one temple.

“So what did you think of Solomon?”

“She’s going to kick our asses, and that’s a good thing. She’s clever. I like clever. Clever is very, very good.”

“Which is why you’re seeing me, right?”

“Still digging for a compliment, I see,” Lindsey teased, then sipped her liquor.

Torran winked and downed his own drink before signaling for another. “Shit, I’m so damn tired, but I have no desire to go home yet.”

“It’s no walk in the park for me either. Being in the SWD facility all day is... tiring. Everyone is so prim and proper.”

“It’s because you’re Constabulary. They’re trying to impress you.”

Lindsey rolled her eyes at his comment. “I’m no one to impress.”

“Well, it’s clear that the Constabulary has the upper hand in all this. Hell, I used to be Constabulary. So that means all three leaders of the mission were trained by the Constabulary. And there are lots of rumors floating around about the SWD possibly being absorbed into the Constabulary.”

“Really? I hadn’t heard that gossip.” Lindsey played with the lip of her glass with one finger. “I don’t’ really see that happening, though.”

Slouching in his chair, Torran bobbed his head. “True. The government will want to keep the tension between the SWD and Constabulary to inspire productivity.”

“Exactly.”

Nearby voices were rising in distressed tones. Lindsey’s eyes flicked toward the possible conflict, then lifted to regard the screens overhead on the wall. “Torran, this isn’t good.”

Torran followed her gaze. “Shit.”

“Level Four already? That can’t be true!”

“Can someone turn that up?” Torran shouted over the increasing racket.