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What if they couldn’t stop the State? Jude’s brother could be dead, the population would be poisoned, and the resistance movement shattered. Everything they’d been working so hard for could be gone.

Sitting in the driver’s seat of the van, one eye on the responses to the message she’d sent and an earbud in as she listened to the link to the bunker and everyone in the field, Octavia’s nerves were frayed.

She sucked in deep breaths. This had to work. There was no way in hell they would let the State do this.

She’d plugged her keyboard in next to her, balancing it on the passenger seat, before driving after Jude. Her fingers skimmed over the keys, touch typing a new message.

Don’t let me down, everyone. This mass vaccination has to be stopped.

A message flashed on the screen. She clicked it open. Her heart raced as she read it.

Flame, the militia are on the move. Heading to the location you’re planning to destroy.

She recognized the messenger’s name. It was Mad Dog. He was a regular listener and often sent hints about what the State were doing.

She typed back. How many?

Fifty. Maybe more. All armed.

Can you help?

I’m on my way, hot lips.

Octavia smiled. He always called her that. Stay safe, Mad Dog.

You too. Looking forward to meeting you and kicking butt.

Octavia focused on the road. Several burned-out cars partially blocked the way, forcing her to slow.

Jude would be halfway to Lincoln’s last known location. He must be frantic with worry. She wanted to be with him, but letting him go had been the right thing to do.

“Jude, how’s it going out there?”

“So far so good,” replied Jude, the tension clear in his voice. “The roads are quiet.”

“I’ve had word militia are moving to the vaccine plant,” said Octavia. “Everyone needs to be careful.”

Jude cursed. “Heath, did you get that?”

“Affirmative,” said Heath. “We’re monitoring their movements. They’re a good half hour away.”

“You still want us to do this?” asked Jude.

“We have to,” said Octavia. “We can’t let the State keep this place open.”

“I agree,” said Heath. “Both of you get as close as you can. See what the situation is. Octavia, how’s the recruitment drive going?”

Octavia glanced at the message box. “It’s slow going. People are reluctant to do this. We’re asking them to put their lives on the line.”

“It’s nothing less than we do every day,” said Tobias. “We’re ten minutes from Lincoln’s location. We’ll let you know what we find.”

Octavia nodded, her hands tight on the steering wheel as she left the main road and drew closer to the plant. Despite the fear running through her veins, it felt good to get involved and make a difference, she’d missed that. In her former life, she’d worked in the shadows. Life as an undercover agent meant keeping everything discreet, no matter what she did. Now, Octavia was exposed and vulnerable. She was hiding nothing. She felt alive.

A message pinged in. Octavia smiled as she opened it. It was from Hell Cat.

I’m close by. If you need a hand, I’m happy to help.

Hell Cat was a crazy, balls-to-the-wall kind of woman. She lived on the edge, risked her life most days from all accounts, and then laughed about it while drinking beer and chatting online. They’d never met, but Octavia considered her one of her closest friends.