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“You can say that again, sweetie.” Hell Cat stroked his arm. “Are these muscles natural?”
“Every hard inch.” Colton grinned at her.
“Evan and Holden, you take the east side.” Tobias handed around bags of explosives as he talked.
“What about me?” Lincoln still lay on the ground.
“You’re staying here,” said Jude.
“I can almost walk.” Lincoln flipped his feet up and down.
“No can do,” said Jude. “If you collapse out there, this mission could go to shit.”
“You’re saying I’m not reliable?”
“I’m saying you’ve been badly injured,” said Jude. He looked at Tobias. “Where do you want me?”
“Inside, with Octavia and me. We need to plant the largest pack of explosives in there.”
Octavia felt Jude tense next to her, but he didn’t protest about her going inside.
“Is everyone clear on where they need to be?” asked Tobias.
They all nodded and spent a moment checking the map and explosives.
“Is everyone ready?” asked Jude. “We’ll get one chance at this.”
Mad Dog slapped him on the shoulder. “You can count on us.”
“You need these.” Tobias passed around earbuds for everyone. “This is an open comms link. Activate it by pressing the earbud. Everyone will hear you.”
“I’d better keep the cursing to a minimum.” Hell Cat grinned as she inserted the earbud.
“Cursing is fine,” said Tobias. “Just keep everyone informed as to your movements. Good luck everybody.”
After moving Lincoln to the concealed vehicle Tobias and the Hive Two squad had arrived in, the group divided into smaller units. Everyone headed into the darkness.
Octavia kept close to Jude as they moved around the edge of the building.
“The door we want is fifty yards in this direction,” said Tobias. “It’s a service entrance. It’s locked but not guarded.”
Octavia scanned the gloom, trying to pick up any signs of the militia. It was quiet outside. The night felt like it was holding its breath, watching to see what they were doing.
Tobias ducked down and inspected the door lock when they reached it.
“There will be more security inside,” said Octavia. “It will slow us down.”
Jude squeezed her arm. “We’ll get in and out. This will work.”
She hoped it would. Even if they got caught after placing the explosives, that would be enough. They just had to make sure the State failed to distribute the vaccine.
“We’re in.” Tobias stood back as the door clicked open. He poked his head into the corridor. “It’s all clear.”
They followed him inside.
“How’s everyone doing?” Jude kept his voice low as they continued along the slate-gray corridor.
“We’re at the location,” said Mad Dog. “Just breaking through the security and we’ll be inside.”
