The Last Mission of the Living (The Last Bastion #2)(96)

Again, he was paged by Franklin on a secure comm line. He answered: “How are we looking?”

“The aerial drone reached the top of the stairwell. The doors are open. Pried open from inside, it seems.”

“So we could have Scrags ahead,” Torran said.

“The drone is also reporting a blockage near the top. It definitely took damage at one point.”

“Can we get past it?”

Franklin hesitated, then said, “It’ll be precarious, but yes.”

“It’s not like we can go back down,” Torran groused.

“Once we reach the upper city, the aerial drone has mapped out the best path to our destination. There are Scrags in the area, but we should be able to deal with them.” Franklin didn’t sound as confident as before.

“This was not the best idea,” Torran said angrily.

Franklin was silent.

Torran began to worry that he had overstepped and created suspicion in the woman.

“I didn’t like the idea of the crash either, but us being stranded here had to be convincing. There was no way to let the Scrags into the food depot and create a crisis scenario. And we have to make a move now. The further out into the world Maria gets, the harder it will be to track her. Our search area doubles each time she relocates.”

“Agreed. Keep me updated. Switching back to the primary comm before Lindsey gets suspicious.”

Torran’s fury was overwhelming. It took all his willpower to not whip about and demand more answers. He had a gut feeling she’d clam up the minute she realized he wasn’t on her side.

Reaching another landing, Torran directed his gaze up at the next long expanse leading upward. It was darker than the other areas, since it was in the shadow of the upper city. Plastic bins, luggage and bags were in a heap at the top of the escalator. Kicking some of the bags out of his way, he glanced at Lindsey. Her big hazel eyes, more gray than any other color now, gazed back at him worriedly.

“It doesn’t feel right,” she said.

Franklin joined them. “It looks clear.”

“Yeah, but it still doesn’t feel right,” Torran said, agreeing with Lindsey.

“Do you think it was a barricade?” Lindsey pointed at the pile at the next landing.

“An inefficient one, if it was,” Torran said, but could see how she’d come to that conclusion.

“They were civilians,” Franklin observed. “They didn’t know how to protect themselves.”

“They were dependent on people like us,” Lindsey said somberly. “Keep alert. If it was a barricade and the Scrags aren’t below us, it means they’re above.”

Torran wished he could tell Lindsey what Franklin had reported, but he had to be cautious if he wanted to maintain Franklin’s trust in him. Once he had enough information about the group Franklin was a part of and their plans, what would he do then? He supposed he’d weigh his options when the moment arrived.

Climbing, the steps creaking beneath him, Torran’s suit adjusted to the increasing cold outside. Every few steps, he had to push bags, luggage and plastic containers to the side to squeeze through. Mindful to stay as quiet as possible, he was careful not to knock the cases down the escalators. As he neared the next landing, he saw it was filled with toppled luggage. Stepping over the objects was nearly impossible since there was so many.

“Definitely a barricade,” Lindsey decided.

“And overrun.” Torran switched on his weapon light and brushed the illumination over the area. Dark stains were everywhere. Most likely, it was blood.

“MacDonald, clear a path while we cover you,” Lindsey directed.

Attaching his weapon to his armor, Torran started swiftly stacking the stuff to clear a path. Glancing at the next portion of their climb, he hesitated. The glass canopy was gone and snowflakes fell through the gap onto the steps. The escalator was bunched into an ugly snarl of metal. To bypass the area, they’d have to climb over the ruins.

“Vanguard Rooney, this isn’t going to be easy.”

Lindsey stepped next to him and scrutinized the situation. “Shit.”

The metal steps were twisted and misshapen, exposing the damaged chains underneath. The rubber that covered the handrails lay in big loops over the devastation. Charred luggage, large pieces of metal and glass from the canopy, and scorched bodies made the situation even more harrowing.

“Grenade,” Franklin decided. “Someone set off a grenade.”

“Our best chance is to climb the center rail,” Lindsey decided. She clambered onto the wide rails set side by side, and she stood, staring at the debris. It reached as high as the broken ceiling in several places. “Yeah, this is our only way up and over.”

Torran scrambled up behind her, allowing her to lead the way. Lindsey’s analytical mind would probably help them through the ruined area much faster anyway. Lindsey treaded carefully along the handrail.

“How badly compromised is the area?” Torran wondered.

Continuing to cautiously inch upward, Lindsey squatted to peer at the beginning of the damage. Torran and Franklin paused as Lindsey lifted her pad for a scan.

“The escalator took the brunt of the explosion and obviously the roof. The frame is intact, but there are some fractures along the flooring and walls.” Lindsey stood and tucked her tablet away. Glancing over her shoulder, she flashed a smile as she shrugged. “In other words, let’s hope it holds.” With that comment, she started to gingerly find footing and hand holds amid the mound of debris and pulled herself up.