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Chapter 6

Despite Jude’s protests, Octavia had refused to sleep. After they’d finished talking to Danni and she’d finished eating her second tray of food, Jude had taken her to the communications room.

Octavia was settled in a seat to his left, loading up a program that tracked the Dinnorm language.

He loved the fact she was working alongside him. She was smart and switched on. And now that he could hear her voice unfiltered through the radio channels, it was even sexier. Couple that with her blonde hair, and he was entranced.

Jude noticed she kept her distance from him, though. She always sat away from him. Maybe she wasn’t used to close contact, and was getting used to things. She also used her cap as a shield, always keeping it low over her eyes. He wanted to take it off and run his hands through her hair.

“The program is ready to go.” Octavia glanced at him. “I’ll play what I’ve recorded so far. I reckon if we record a few more messages, we could splice it all together and figure out what they’re saying.”

“Sounds good.” Jude sat back in his seat as she pressed play. They listened to the babble from the State. The message went on for five minutes before it cut out.

“That’s the message I’ve pieced together as I frequency hopped along with the conversation,” said Octavia. “Are you noticing the pattern?”

Jude nodded. “There are reoccurring sounds. Some of those sounds must correspond to different letters.”

“It’s frustrating, I must have missed a couple of frequency hops. I had a blank thirty-second recording. That will be crucial to fill in, otherwise we could make a mistake with the translation.”

“I’ve got a program of my own that’s worth trying,” said Jude. “If we run the programs side by side once we pick up the latest message, it could be all we need to fill in the blanks. If one of us misses the frequency hop, the other program should pick it up.”

“We just need to find where the State are first.”

“Shall we have music to work to?” Jude grinned at her. “I always work better when there’s a good rock tune in the background.”

“Is it okay to broadcast live?” Octavia picked up her backpack and pulled out a data chip. “I don’t like to think of people out there wondering what’s happened to the tunes.”

“Go for it,” said Jude. He opened an empty comm line. “This is as secure as it gets.”

She handed him the data chip. “Choose the second folder. They’re my favorite tunes. I always have them on when I’m working on something complicated.”

Jude inserted the data chip and opened the folder. Within seconds, a rousing rock anthem was pounding through the comms room.

He opened his program and set it to run alongside Octavia’s. He’d always loved his work, whether it had been working in the military or helping everyone in the bunker.

Jude glanced sideways at Octavia. She was focused on the screen as the programs synced. Seeing her in the flesh, it made him realize there was more to life than work. He had his fantasies about Octavia that he lived out alone at night when the lights were out. Now that she was here, the reality was much more exciting than any fantasy he’d had.

“The programs look good,” said Octavia. “Let’s give them a test run and see what we pick up.”

“Show me how you access this sub channel.” He stood and walked over to her computer. Instantly, she shifted away and turned her head.

He backed up a couple of steps, not wanting to crowd her.

She gave him a guilty glance. “Sorry. I’m not used to being around other people.”

Jude raised a placating hand. “No worries. All of this must be weird.”

“It is, but it’s also amazing,” said Octavia. “And the food is out of this world.”

“I can always get you more.”

“No, I need to pace myself,” said Octavia. “I’ve worked hard to get this figure.”

Jude’s gaze ran over her skinny form. She might make a joke of it, but he could see she’d been suffering. “Any time you get hungry, go help yourself to more food. The canteen is open at all hours. If Juliet’s on a break, there’s always food out. And if you get desperate, you can risk going in the kitchen and making yourself something. But I warn you, Juliet does not like people interfering with her kitchen.”

“Duly noted,” said Octavia. “No stealing of food.”

“You can steal, just don’t get caught.”