The Last Mission of the Living (The Last Bastion #2)(90)

“They’re jumping into the water from the bridge behind us,” Franklin exclaimed.

Lindsey spotted the ripples emanating from the spot where the Scrag had fallen into the water. There was no sign of it now, but the splash had drawn the attention of several other undead creatures. Confused, they stood on the bridge, searching for the source of the noise. Lindsey urgently swam after Torran.

“We’re almost there.” Torran pointed to the tube housing the stairwell to the platform above. “We need to hurry.”

Lindsey despaired at the thought of the climb, but she dragged her body through the water with tiring arms and legs.

The splash of more bodies striking the water sent tremors of terror through her.

The main comm switched off, then Torran hailed her on a private channel. She swiped her wristlet under the water. “I’m coming.”

“Lindsey, listen. You’re in danger And not just from the Scrags. The tiltrotor was sabotaged. It was meant to crash.”

“What? By who?”

“Not sure yet, but this was all done for one purpose. To isolate you and force you to reach out to Maria.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I was told,” Torran replied.

“Told by who?” Shock and betrayal nearly choked the words in her throat.

Before Torran could answer, Lindsey brushed against something in the water. A second later, a Scrag surged out, screeching as it reached for her.



*



Ten Minutes Earlier—



The screeches of the scrags on the banks of the river ripped through Torran’s psyche like rapiers. It just wasn’t possible to ignore the horrific noises. Even Torran’s helmet being partially submerged didn’t help drown out their cries as he pushed off the tiltrotor and started down the river. He paused only briefly to make sure Lindsey was right behind him, then aimed for the stairwell rising to the upper city. Though she hadn’t said anything, he could tell Lindsey was hurting. Though it didn’t appear that she had any serious injuries, he suspected she was badly bruised and probably had a concussion. Franklin appeared to be in better condition. Hopefully, they could all find somewhere safe to hide until a rescue team came for them.

There was a beep inside his helmet. Franklin was directly paging him. A little surprised, he opened the comm. “How are you doing back there, Franklin?”

“Doing well, sir, since everything is going according to plan.”

Torran nearly stopped swimming he was so startled by her words.

Franklin continued: “I have to admit, sir, that I didn’t expect the other member of my cell to be SWD, or on the other tiltrotor. I thought it would be another Constabulary soldier on mine.”

Franklin’s words didn’t make sense, but Torran instantly knew something terrible and important was happening. “I used to be Constabulary.”

“True. I should have considered that. I know we weren’t supposed to know who our other cell member was, but I couldn’t help speculating.”

“Well, it was best to keep things secret,” Torran replied, hoping he wouldn’t trip up and expose himself as a fraud.

“Whoever rigged the tiltrotor to crash was a little overzealous. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get Rooney out on my own. I was relieved when you arrived.”

“It was a bit messier than expected.” Torran’s blood felt thick in his veins and his head throbbed with anxiety and anger. Someone had deliberately sabotaged the tiltrotor. The welded locks on the harnesses made sense now.

“The aerial drone we commandeered is scanning the area right now. I have the feed, but it’s indicating that you’re not receiving data? That I’m the only one online?”

Swimming through the oily, debris-ridden water, Torran concentrated on all the details of the unsettling conversation with Franklin, a person he realized neither he nor Lindsey could trust. “I had some damage from the jump into the river. I had to reboot. I lost the program.”

Franklin swore. “Damn. I’ll have to send the data packet once we’re topside. I guess I’m our only eyes right now.”

“What’s our status?” It was hard not to sound clueless about what she was talking about, but at least there was one slight reassurance. Franklin apparently had access to an aerial drone and that would be a massive asset in keeping them all alive.

“The drone is reporting low population on the upper platform. Our target location appears to be secure and we should be able to access it with no difficulties.”

“Excellent.”

Nearing a bridge, Torran dove into the murky depths to avoid the eyes of the Scrags populating the walkway. Sifting through all his conversations with the SWD, Torran struggled to ascertain who could be behind the sabotage. He was convinced it wasn’t the SWD. Was it a rogue faction? Or was this some sort of top-secret mission approved by the president? But would the president authorize the murder of the squad? The veins in his temples pulsed with tension.

“Do you really think she’ll tell us where Vanguard Martinez is located?” There was a note of uncertainty in Franklin’s voice.

“Not immediately,” Torran answered. The message Solomon had sent after he dove into the river niggled at him. Boldly, he added, “But she’ll get desperate when rescue doesn’t come.” It was a gamble to say that much, but he decided to risk it.