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“He’s right,” said Tobias. “Octavia has saved our butts countless times. We need to return the favor.”

Danni nodded. “I agree. She’s a valuable member of our team. If she is turned by the State, she will become a lethal enemy.”

Jude looked around the group. “We have to cause a diversion. Mess with the State. Make it so they lose control.”

“You have something in mind?” asked Danni.

“We should reveal to the population what they really are.”

The group was silent for a few seconds.

“It could work,” said Heath. “Even if the population doesn’t believe the messages, the State will have to focus on dealing with that. They won’t want any of those messages going out.”

“And we will keep sending them,” said Jude. “We’ll create a dozen different messages across communication routes. We can bounce the signals off different satellites, use a remote location so they’re hard to track and disable. They’ll be so busy concentrating on that, they won’t care about Octavia.”

“They will still care. It’s a big risk,” said Danni.

“Not if we’re careful. We arrange to meet them. That way, we know where she’ll be,” said Jude. “I’m not leaving her behind. Even if I have to do this alone, it’s happening.”

Lincoln slung an arm around Jude’s shoulders. “You’re not doing this alone. Your idea could work.”

“Let’s reply to their offer,” said Danni. “I’ll arrange a meeting. In the meantime, get to work on revealing who the State are to the rest of the population.”

Jude nodded, his brain alive with possibilities. This had to work. He had to get Octavia back.

***

OCTAVIA OPENED HEReyes. She was face down on a concrete floor. She was back in her cell. Slowly, she raised her hands to her head and grimaced as she felt a prickle of hair on her scalp. It hadn’t been a nightmare. Her head had been shaved.

The last thing she remembered was Commander West’s fist slamming into her face. From the ache in her cheekbone, that had also been more than a bad dream.

She let out a sigh. Her memories were intact. They hadn’t mind wiped her. Maybe after her disobedient behavior with Commander West, he decided he didn’t want her as his pet. She could only hope that was true. The thought of having that creepy, sadistic asshole being anywhere near her made her stomach turn.

Octavia felt frozen to the core, her bones aching with cold and bruises. She eased onto her back and stared at the ceiling. She had no idea how long she’d been out for. It must be night—maybe a whole day had passed.

She looked around and realized she wasn’t in the original cell. This was a different room. A camera watched her from one corner.

She stared at the camera for a moment. If it was active, there would be wires. There would be power, and she could use that to her advantage.

Easing into a sitting position, Octavia gingerly touched her cheek. The flesh was puffy and sore. She didn’t think the bone was broken, but the impact of Commander West’s fist meant she could barely see out of her right eye.

She’d make sure he paid for that the next time they met.

Thoughts of Jude crammed into Octavia’s head. He was alive, he had to be, despite what Commander West had said. If he was safe and free, she didn’t want him to come back for her. She didn’t want him to listen to any offer Commander West might make to trade for her. It was too much of a risk.

She stood and walked to the door. It was the same design as before; the metal grille and electronic lock.

Sliding along the wall, she stopped underneath the camera. Standing on tiptoes, Octavia felt around the base of the camera. It was attached to the wall by screws. She gave it an experimental yank. It held fast. She’d need all of her strength to pull it from the wall and expose the wires.

Octavia worked a fingernail into one of the screws and felt it give. After breaking several nails, one screw was partially out. She twisted and tugged until the whole thing gave way, taking a piece of plaster with it.

She grabbed hold of the camera and jumped, swinging her weight on it.

The camera twisted and snapped off in her hand. It exposed a bunch of wires behind it.

Anyone watching the camera feed would know something was wrong. She wouldn’t have much time to make this work.

Octavia selected the wires she needed and then hurried to the door. The electronic locking mechanism was hidden behind a metal panel. She grabbed the discarded screw and used it as a makeshift tool to loosen the panel. She forced down the metal, exposing the wires that operated the door. Using some wires from the camera feed, she bypassed the circuitry and the door unlocked.