Free The Last Mission of the Living (The Last Bastion Book 2) by Rhiannon Frater Page A

trigger.
    Instead, Alkan gave the unconscious bodies at her feet a mighty shove while continuing to fire. Hobbes rolled onto Lindsey, pinning her to the steps with his weight. Meanwhile, the blast doors continued to close and the female Abscrag was single-minded in reaching it. Leaping over the tangle of bodies, Alkan fired at Franklin at nearly point blank range, paralyzing her instantly.
    MacDonald flung off Hobbes’ legs just as Lindsey rolled out from beneath him. Alkan hurtled her body toward the doors.
    Lindsey realized in that moment her plan had failed.
     
    * * *
     
    Torran ascertained that the female Abscrag was going to make it through the doors if he didn’t act. He and Lindsey were jumbled up at the bottom of the stairs with her unconscious squad members. Shoving off the heavy legs of the man, Torran watched as Alkan leaped over them and toward the opening only to be momentarily thwarted by Reese and Franklin. The insidious little black discs embedded in both the living and the dead soldiers were sparking, meaning she couldn’t touch either one.
    Attempting to drag his weapon out from under Hobbes, Torran shouted, “Alkan!”
    The woman whipped her head toward him in surprise.
    “You’re not going in,” Torran shouted.
    Alkan shot at him just as he expected.
    And the vanguard shot Alkan just like he hoped.
    As the Abscrag crumpled to the ground, Torran flinched as the evil black disc unleashed its current into his armor, causing his limbs to spasm. A second later, it was knocked into the wall with the butt of Rooney’s weapon.
    “How are you?” Rooney asked, leaning over him her hazel eyes wide. “You still with me?”
    “Yeah, yeah.” His head felt heavy and he was fairly convinced his legs and arms had fallen off. A second later, his limbs reconnected to his brain and he rubbed them in an effort to get rid of the disquieting fizzing in his muscles. “Just got a nip of it.”
    The doors shut with a boom.
    “We’ve got the two remaining Abscrags from your squad heading back here. I don’t know if they’re bringing company. I need you. The others are...” Rooney glanced toward her downed squad. “It’s you and me.”
    Climbing unsteadily to his feet, Torran nodded and his brain sloshed around in his skull. It was definitely not the best feeling. He didn’t even realize he was slanting to one side until Rooney put her hand on his arm and pushed him upright.
    “MacDonald, I need you,” she said sternly. “Focus.”
    “I’m good. I’m good.” Torran cleared his throat and narrowed his eyes. The disc must not have fully discharged, since he was still on his feet, but it had him off center. Lifting his weapon, he concentrated on his surroundings.
    Rooney grabbed the rail with one hand and pulled herself up the steps. It took Torran a second to realize she was injured. He swiftly tucked an arm about her waist to help her.
    “Don’t. Keep alert. I’ll handle myself.” She gently pushed him away, and then pointed up. “They’re coming around. They regrouped. Without them-–” her eyes shifted toward the dead pair at the base of the stairs “—I don’t think they’ll know what to do.”
    The screech of Scrags sounded nearby. It was only a few voices though, and there wasn’t a responding cry from others in the area. The special ops team had done their job, and well. The Scrag population was nearly wiped out.
    “Not too many left, Vanguard.”
    Rooney smiled slightly. “No. Not too many. The special ops did their job...”
    “I was just thinking that, too.” Torran found himself matching her labored stride up the stairs. It was hard not to try to help her, but he could see she wouldn’t accept it.
    In the distance came the sound of explosions.
    “They’re wrapping it up with a big fiery bow,” Rooney decided.
    “A big booming bow,” Torran agreed, “on the big nice present of no more Scrags.”
    “Let’s finish our part,” Rooney said. “You and me. No more