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Octavia looked up at him. “It’s time to go.”
***
IT WAS ALREADY LATEevening when Octavia and Jude headed out of the bunker.
Jude rode a low-slung, hydrogen-powered bike. She was on the back, her arms wrapped around his waist.
Octavia hoped no one had discovered the van and destroyed it. She was attached to that hunk of junk. Even though it was no longer any use to her, she didn’t like to think of anyone mistreating it.
She pressed her cheek against Jude’s back. Thoughts of their sleepover filled her head. Jude was amazing. She’d never met anyone like him. There was no point in denying it; she’d fallen for him. She wanted this man in her life forever. There was no way she was going to let him go.
Jude raced through the night, the roads their usual eerie quiet with the State curfew in place. “It’s not far now.” The quiet hum of the bike’s engine made it easy to talk.
In response, Octavia tightened her grip, enjoying the feel of his hard muscles beneath her fingers.
The bike slowed. Octavia leaned around Jude, recognizing the road where they hid the van.
Stopping the bike, Jude slid off. “This is the place.” He pulled a receiver from his pocket and hit the button.
Octavia smiled as her old, rusty van revealed itself. It was just as she had left it; dented, filthy, but intact.
“We’ll store the bike inside the van.” Jude wheeled the bike closer. “We don’t want any drones getting nosy when they spot it parked on the side of the road.”
“No problem. It will fit.” She helped him lift the bike into the van before stepping inside and taking a deep breath.
It already felt musty and damp. Hell, how had she survived so long in this rusty hunk of tin? Octavia pulled out a stool and sat down. She tested the radio and was relieved to find it still operational.
“I’ll get to work on messaging my contacts.”
Jude looked around the inside of the van. “Is there anything you need me to do?”
“Set up the transmitter signal jammer. It will make it harder for the State to pinpoint our location.”
“Will do.” Jude eased past, his fingers brushing the back of her neck as he did so, and switched on more equipment.
Octavia stroked the tatty bit of plywood she used as a desk. “Is there any chance you could get this thing moving? Maybe we can get it back to the bunker?”
He flashed her a smile. “What do you think is in the bag I brought? I know you’re attached to this old thing. I figured, while we’re here, I can take a look and see if I can get this back on the road.”
Octavia wrapped a hand around his neck and drew him down for a kiss. “Thank you.”
“Anything to make you happy.” Jude turned toward the controls and focused on getting the signal jam in place.
Octavia activated a secure message and opened her encrypted list of supporters. Her fingers flew over the keyboard. This is a red warning message. The State are planning a worldwide mandatory vaccination program. This vaccine is not safe. It will remove members of the population the State no longer believe are valuable. If you know of any local vaccine sites, I ask you to let me know. I am also looking for volunteers to help destroy the vaccine plant. All offers of help will be appreciated.
She sat back in her seat and read the message a couple of times. It would have to do. They were short on time. Lincoln was already heading to the vaccine plant to assess its security before the rest of them moved in.
Octavia keyed in the coordinates of the vaccine plant, hit send on the message, and let out a sigh.
“Is everything good?” asked Jude.
“As good as it’s going to get.”
“The signal jam is in place,” said Jude. “The State will have no idea where we are. I’ll check the engine and see if we can get this thing moving.”
Octavia watched him leave, his bag of tools in one hand. It felt good to be helping again. She fired up the music system and celebrated getting the word out about the attack by playing her favorite heavy metal tune.
As the song ended, Jude poked his head through the door. “Try firing her up. I’ve rigged up a temporary fix. It should get us back to base. We can make the proper repairs then.”
