Page 93 of Jude

“Don’t worry about them.” Tobias waved his pulse laser at them and they scattered.

They raced past the startled-looking lab workers before turning another corner. There were more people around now. They had to get somewhere quiet, get away from the guards and the cameras that would be watching their every move.

They concealed their weapons as they hurried past other workers. They turned down an empty corridor.

Jude shoved open a door and discovered a row of lockers. “In here.”

“I don’t think the guards saw us come in.” Tobias stood by the door, his pulse laser raised.

They waited a moment until the hurried footsteps of the guards passed.

“We’re good, for now.” Tobias turned and looked around the room.

“Put these on.” Jude handed over two white lab coats. “We’ll blend in with the others and work our way out.”

Octavia’s hand went to her black cap. “I might not blend in so well.”

Jude’s mouth twisted as he studied her. He looked around the room and strode to a shelf full of spare lab coats. “How about this?” He held up a floppy white hairnet style hat.

She grimaced but nodded. “It will have to do.” Swapping hats, she smoothed it over her head. “Will I pass?”

“You look great.” Jude smiled at her.

“Let’s work out the best way out.” Tobias slid his port screen from the backpack and opened the 3D image of the plant.

“We’re there.” Jude pointed at the image.

“And the nearest exit is at the end of that corridor.” Octavia frowned. They’d have to pass through three open-plan areas. They’d be spotted.

“I don’t like that route,” said Tobias.

“Agreed. Too many eyes,” said Jude.

Octavia stared at the diagram. “How about we go down, into the maintenance area? There will be fewer people around. Maybe fewer cameras and guards.” She traced her finger along an access route. “That takes us outside.”

“That looks like the best route.” Tobias took a moment to double-check the diagram. “It takes us through one main area.”

“It’s the best we’ve got,” said Jude.

An alarm screeched, making them all jump.

“It’s time to go.” Jude’s hand sat on Octavia’s back as he ushered her toward the door.

“We need to do this fast,” said Tobias. “There’s less than five minutes before the bombs go off.”

Jude checked the corridor. “It looks good.”

They continued their journey, heading toward the maintenance tunnel.

“How’s everyone doing?” said Jude quietly through the comms link.

“The bombs are in place,” said Mad Dog.

“The same with me,” said Colton.

“We’re all set,” said Gray Fairy.

“Locked and loaded,” said Holden.