Octavia sat back down, pulling her cap on, but not bothering to hide her scars. “Our programs have partially decoded the messages. It’s not perfect. There are still too many letters missing. I heard a couple of words, though. Just listen and see what you can pick out.”
They sat next to each other in silence, both concentrating on the Dinnorm language.
“They’ll be changing the channel in a few seconds, if I’m right about this latest pattern,” said Octavia. Sure enough, ten seconds later, the noise vanished. “What did you hear?”
Jude’s shoulders felt tight. “I only got one word. Attack.”
“It had to be something like that,” said Octavia. “They wouldn’t go to such great lengths to hide what they were doing unless it’s something big.”
“An attack where and on what? When is it going to happen?” The unanswered questions spun through Jude’s head.
“That’s what we need to find out,” said Octavia. “And there’s a way we can do it. Now we know the basic patterns they’re using to broadcast their message, I have what we need to crack the rest of it.”
“Another piece of software?”
“It’s equipment.” Octavia looked steadily at Jude. “We need to go to my supply store.”
THE LOOK ON JUDE’S face was just as Octavia expected it to be. A small frown played across his lips as he ran a hand down his face.
“It’s not a good idea to be out right now. We could find ourselves in the middle of this attack the State are planning.”
She nodded. It was a risk. But it was one they needed to take. “My supply store is secluded. It’s a hidden air raid shelter. You’ll find hundreds of them all over the place, often in people’s backyards or in fields.”
“I know what you’re talking about,” said Jude. “Old, solid concrete bunkers that people built during the last war.”
“That’s right. When I found it, I realized it was ideal for what I needed. I couldn’t carry all my kit in the van, so I used it as a central store.”
“What does this equipment do?”
“It will track the frequency-hopping pattern the State are using,” said Octavia. “We can follow along with them in real time. It will mean we won’t miss any of their communications. It will give us a chance to collect the data in a complete message.”
“We might still do that with the programs we’re already using,” said Jude.
“These have been running for hours. If they were going to work, they’d have done so by now.” Octavia ignored the frustration she felt. They needed this bit of kit.
“There might be another way.” Jude raised the wrist comm device he wore. “Kade, are you awake?”
“If you’d asked me five minutes ago, you would not have liked the reply.” Kade sounded sleepy. “Why the hell are you awake so early?”
“I’ve not managed to get to bed yet,” said Jude. “I’ve been working with Octavia on the comms mystery the State are broadcasting.”
“What have you found?” The sleepiness in Kade’s voice had gone. He loved solving a puzzle.
“A couple of words have been deciphered,” said Jude. “Come take a look. You might be able to help.”
“Give me five minutes.”
Kade arrived in three, his shoulder-length dark hair unbrushed and his crumpled shirt misbuttoned.
“Kade, this is Octavia,” said Jude.
He nodded a greeting. “What have you got for me?”
“Take a listen to this.” Octavia passed him an earbud, being careful to keep her scars away from Kade. Although Jude didn’t seem to mind them, she wasn’t ready to reveal them to everybody else.
Kade grabbed one of the mugs of coffee from the desk without asking and downed it as he listened to the message. “You’re missing content.” He pulled the earbud out. “You won’t be able to decode this until you’ve got a complete message.”
“We figured that out for ourselves,” said Jude. “Isn’t there some kind of fancy program you’ve got that can do it for us?”
“All of my programs are fancy, but they’ll be best guessing.”
“Can’t you put your mega-brain to use and crack this?”
“My skills are in code breaking, not wordplay,” said Kade. “I will take a look, run it through a couple of programs, but I’m promising nothing.”
“This is what we’ve used so far.” Octavia showed Kade their programs.
“These are as good as mine,” said Kade. “If they haven’t figured out the patterns, then nothing I’ll do will make a difference.”
“We need that equipment.” Octavia raised her eyebrows as she looked at Jude. “I know it will help.”
“What’s that?” asked Kade.
“It’s a frequency tracker,” said Octavia. “It will follow the pattern the State use so we can collect all the data.”
“That sounds perfect,” said Kade. “Plug it in and start using it.”
“There’s one problem,” said Jude. “It’s not here.”
“But I know where it is,” said Octavia. “We can get it. The site is secure. The State know nothing about it.”
“How can you be so certain?” asked Kade.
“The alarm system on the air raid shelter. If anyone tries to get in, I get an alert pinged through. It’s out of the way, hidden in overgrown bushes. No one will ever find it. That’s where the equipment is.”
Concern clouded Jude’s face. “Can you build the device from what we’ve got in the bunker?”
Octavia looked around the room. “I might be able to make adjustments to the kit here. But if we can get our hands on what I already have, we can use it straightaway. It would take me a couple of weeks of tinkering to fix up what I need. That’s time we can’t waste.”
“How far is it from here?” asked Jude.
Octavia did a calculation in her head. “We can be there in an hour. It’s in Alpha zone eleven.”
“Not much goes on there. It’s a relatively safe zone. It could be just what we need,” said Kade.
“We’ll have to travel at night,” said Jude. “We can spend the rest of the day tracking these messages. We might have cracked it before we even need to leave.”
Octavia nodded, knowing that wasn’t true. She’d spent every waking minute she had listening to these messages and had hardly scratched the surface. “I’ll give you the coordinates, so you know where to go.”
Jude brought up a 3D map of Alpha zone eleven. “I’ll check in with Heath and Danni, make sure they agree to the mission.”
“There won’t be any trouble,” said Octavia. “Like I said, no one knows about the place.”
“Even so, we’ll need a small team with us,” said Jude.
Octavia sat back in her seat as she listened to Jude and Kade discuss the logistics of the mission and plan their route. She didn’t want to wait until night, even though it would be safer for them. A heavy, twisted feeling sat in her stomach. The State were planning something big, and that meant bad news for anyone who got in their way.
She planted an earbud in and continued to listen to the State babble. As she did so, she lined up some music and hit play, broadcasting it out to her Flame listeners.
She couldn’t do anything now to solve this problem, but she could give her loyal listeners something to enjoy while she figured out how to stop the State.
Chapter 9
“That’s enough.” Jude plucked the earbud from Octavia’s ear.
Her head shot up. “What’s going on?”
“You can barely keep your eyes open. Time for you to get some sleep.”
“I don’t need it. I’m fine.” She reached for the earbud, but Jude kept it out of her grasp.
“You’re exhausted. There’s no way you’re coming out on this night mission if you’re not properly rested.”
“You’re not sleeping.” She glowered at him.
“I have a routine I keep to,” said Jude. “I’ll be going to bed soon.”
“I’ll do on
e more hour.”
“No more listening. What if you fall asleep and miss something important?”
“Everything is being recorded,” said Octavia. “I won’t make a mistake.”
His face softened. “I know you won’t. But I can’t have you collapsing from tiredness. Let’s find you a room. You can get some proper sleep before we head out.”
“I never sleep when I’m in a strange bed.” Octavia’s fingers slid toward the earbud.
“You’ll sleep if you’re tired enough.” Jude’s gaze ran over the enormous green T-shirt he’d given her. It swamped her tiny figure. “And I’ll see if I can find you some better clothes, as well.”
She looked down and plucked at the T-shirt. “This is fine. It’s clean. That’s all I care about.”
He stood and held his hand out to her. “Let’s go. No more stalling.”
She grumbled, ignoring his hand as she stalked to the door.
He grinned as he activated his wrist comm. “Annie, is there a free room for Octavia?”
Annie came on the comms line. “Section D has a spare room. Fourth door down on the right. I’ll get it unlocked for you.”
“Thanks.” He caught up with Octavia and led her along the corridors toward the living quarters. “Did I mention, you get your own shower?”
She slowed and glanced at him. “Are you joking?”
“I thought you might like it.”
Octavia sniffed her armpits and wrinkled her nose. “I definitely do. I also need it.”
“Each unit cuts off the hot water after three minutes. It makes sure we don’t waste any.”
“Three minutes will be a luxury.”
Jude stopped by the empty room, the green light next to it showing it was open. He waved his hand over the sensor and the door slid back. “This is yours.”
He watched as Octavia stepped inside and looked around. “This is all for me?”
“I know it’s not much.” Jude looked at the single bed covered with a gray blanket, the kitchenette, and the door leading to a compact wet room.
“Are you kidding?” She turned toward him, a smile lighting up her face. “This is like the Hilton. And I don’t have to share with anyone?”
“Not yet,” said Jude. “We are talking about maybe having to double up soon if we don’t expand fast enough.”
Octavia moved to the single bed and sat on the edge. “A real bed. It beats the sofa-come-bed I had in the van.”
“I’m glad you like it,” said Jude. “This is your home now.”
She looked around some more. Her gaze settled on Jude. “I guess it is.”
A frisson of uncertainty slid across Jude. He wanted to stay. The thought of Octavia alone in bed seemed wrong.
She seemed to sense it too. She patted the space next to her. “Is it time for you to get some rest?”
He took a step forward, but then stopped himself. “I still have things to do.”
“Can you do them later?” Her gaze dipped down and her fingers slid across the bed.
Shit! He could. Why wait? Jude forced himself to think with his head, and not the hardness between his legs. “We need to be mission ready for tonight.”
Octavia’s hand went to her face. She covered the scars. “It’s fine.”
Jude strode over, pulled her hand from her face, and pushed her back on the bed. He covered her body with his, pinned her arms above her head, and kissed her until they were both breathless.
The urgent throb between his legs encouraged him on. It took every ounce of willpower to drag himself off of Octavia. “Get some sleep.”
“You think I can sleep after that?” Lust filled her gaze as she sat up and reached for him.
This was torture. “I promise you, we’re just getting started.” He grabbed her for another kiss and then turned to leave.
“I will hold you to that,” said Octavia, her already husky tones sounding deep and warm.
Her voice sent shivers down his spine. He turned and winked at her. “I’ll make it worth the wait.” Jude headed back to the comms room. He spent the next couple of hours listening to the messages before letting the programs take over and grabbing some sleep of his own.
As he sank onto his mattress, his thoughts filled with Octavia. He should go to her. He wanted to. There was something about her that had him craving more. He would never get bored with this incredible woman. She figured herself as somehow damaged and not worthy of anyone’s attention. He would show her that was wrong. He let his fantasies about Octavia take over as he disappeared into sleep.
Four hours later, and after grabbing a quick shower and a change of clothes, Jude walked to the weapons room. He hoped they wouldn’t encounter any resistance when they went out to this location, but they needed to be covered for anything.
As he opened the door, he found Heath and Danni already there.
“Have you made progress with the communications the State are sending?” asked Danni.
“Nothing so far,” said Jude. “This equipment we’re getting from Octavia’s secure store will help.” He checked the pulse laser gun he’d taken from the rack.
The door opened. Octavia appeared, her scarf back in place and her black cap pulled low. “I wasn’t sure I was in the right place.”
“If you’re looking for weapons, you are.” Heath extended a hand. “We’ve not met properly.”
She shook his hand. “I’ve heard all about you from Jude. I feel like I know you, having spent such a long time keeping an eye on what you’re doing.”
Heath smiled. “We’re glad you’re continuing to do that. Especially if it helps us figure out the messages the State are sending.”
“It should work,” said Octavia.
Malachi entered the room and nodded at everybody. “Are we ready to go?”
“We’re ready,” said Heath. “We’ll take a Foxhound. The coordinates are keyed in, waiting for us. It’s just the four of us.”
“I’ll leave you to it,” said Danni. “Keep us up to date as to how you get on.”
“So long as we stay under the radar of the State, this will be a simple grab-and-go mission,” said Heath.
Jude led the way out of the weapons room, along the corridor, and into the vehicle bay. Octavia walked alongside him. She smelled different. She must have showered. He wasn’t sure whether he preferred that, or the earthy, spicy scent she had when they first met.
“How did you sleep?”
“I passed right out,” said Octavia. “I must have been more tired than I realized. How about you?”
“I always sleep fine.” That was when his dreams weren’t interspersed with his desire for Octavia.
They reached the Foxhound. It was lighter and smaller than the Cobras they used on larger missions, but with its v-shaped hull and Invis Tech capability, it was ideal for keeping them safe.
Heath climbed into the driver’s seat. Malachi sat next to him. Jude and Octavia got in the back.
Low-level lighting lit the ramp as they journeyed toward the double doors sliding open in front of them. Then they were out in the night, making the hour’s journey to Octavia’s secure shelter.
Jude passed her a pulse laser protection vest. “It’s a good idea to wear one of these.”
Octavia nodded and took it from him.
He flicked on the comms channel and began a rapid scan of the main channels used by the State. “It’s all quiet so far.”
“Let’s hope it remains that way,” said Heath. “It will only take a single drone to spot us and decide to be nosy.”
Jude gritted his teeth. Even though the site they were going to was out of the way, there was always the risk of detection.
He sat in silence, his knee bumping against Octavia’s as they both listened to the comms channels. He liked their closeness. It felt easy and natural. His thoughts kept drifting back to earlier when they’d been on the bed together. An ache of longing filled him. Next time, he wouldn’t stop himself. He couldn’t stop himself. Jude
wanted Octavia, every sexy inch of her.
“They always make me nervous when they’re quiet.” Octavia’s voice was low.
“Even Dinnorms have to sleep.” Jude touched the brim of her cap. “You don’t need to hide if you don’t want to.”
She glanced at Heath and Malachi. “Everyone will know soon enough. I can only conceal my face for so long before it gets strange.”
“You’re not strange, you’re gorgeous.”
She gave him a small smile. “I think you’re biased.”
“Damn straight I am.” He tucked in a strand of her hair that had come loose. “There’s no hurry. Whenever you’re ready. No one will think any less of you because of a few scars.”
She looked at the floor of the Foxhound. “Sometimes people get this look on their face. It’s like they see them, but then they don’t. They stare and look away. I guess they don’t know what to say.”
“They don’t do that to be mean.”
Octavia shrugged. “It feels mean.”
Jude placed a hand on her knee and felt her shiver. He hated her feeling bad. He wanted to say more, try to take this hurt away, but it was buried deep in Octavia. She would not let it go that easily. They continued the journey in silence, focusing on the radio transmissions.
“This is the place.” Heath killed the engine.
Octavia peered through the front window. It looked different every time she came here. The air raid shelter was concealed by a hedgerow of untamed bushes that changed with the seasons. There were swathes of brambles and thorny twigs that prevented people getting curious. It was a perfect, natural defense.
“We’ll keep watch from here,” said Heath. “Jude, you and Octavia head to the air raid shelter and get what you need. Let us know if there are any problems.”
Jude nodded as he unlocked the back door of the Foxhound. After a quick look around to make sure everything was clear, he hopped out. Octavia followed him.
“This used to be someone’s garden.” Octavia led the way past the hedgerow. “To the left of the garden was a huge detached house. It’s rubble now.”
Jude (sci-fi romance - The Ember Quest Book 5) Page 9
