Page 5 of Jude

“Tobias, this is Octavia.” She thought her voice sounded hoarse. She cleared her throat. “Can you hear me?”

“Holy dragons.” Tobias sounded out of breath. “How the fricking fuck are you on our secure comms channel?”

“That’s a story for another time. You’ve got two creatures ten yards from you on your right.”

“How the hell...” Tobias was quiet. “I think you’re right. I can hear scuffling sounds.”

“There are another two approaching from your left. There are six in total.” She let out a quiet breath, not wanting to panic Tobias by sounding anxious.

“We’re on our way.” Abbie sounded breathless.

“Damned Dinnorms,” said Solomon.

Octavia shook her head. She was sure that was the word Jude had used a moment ago. Dinnorms were a myth. They’d died out before true dragons took control of the planet and stabilized the mess humans had made. What did they mean by Dinnorms? Maybe it was a name they used for a mutant creature.

“Where are the final two Dinnorms?” asked Jude.

“Fifty yards off,” said Octavia. “It looks like they’re moving through a service panel. They might be in the walls.”

“I know the one you mean,” said Jude. “I’m looking at building schematics of the bunker.”

“It’s on the east side of Tobias.”

“They’re on me!” yelled Tobias.

“Tobias!” shouted Jude.

There was silence over the comms link.

“Is he okay?” Octavia’s heart pounded. She had to help. “What’s happening?”

“We’re here,” said Abbie. A gasp shot down the comms line.

“What?” yelled Jude. “Tobias, what’s happened to him?”

“Fuck!” Solomon cursed several more times.

“For dragon’s sake, tell me what’s going on.” Jude sounded so desperate. Octavia wished she could be by his side to comfort him. She knew this man. She trusted him. She needed to know he was okay.

“He’s alive!” said Cliff. “We’ve got him.”

“But he’s hurt?” said Jude.

“There’s... some blood,” said Abbie.

“How bad is it?”

“It’s hard to tell.” Abbie sounded stricken. “There’s a mess in here. Two dead Dinnorms. Young ones by the look of their size.”

“Check your right flank,” said Octavia. “There are more creatures approaching.” She dug her nails into her palms as she heard more laser fire and shouting.

“Those fuckers didn’t stand a chance,” said Cliff.

“You’ve still got two more out there.” Octavia’s earbud hissed. She adjusted the signal and amped up power. It would drain her battery, but she had backup cells. The squad’s voices fell in and out of signal. “Something is messing with my link. Jude, can you still hear them?”

“Yes. They’re okay, for now. The State could be on to us,” said Jude. “Be careful they don’t trace your signal. You don’t want them finding you.”

“They won’t stand a chance,” said Octavia. “I’ve got a four-dimensional chain link engaged. It uses an omnidirectional transmitter. By the time they’ve unwoven the threads of that, I’ll be long gone.”