After a short discussion, we headed to the park next to the Roundhouse. It was open and deserted, and we’d be able to see anyone who came toward us.
It also held the playground equipment on which Jace and I had once practiced our moves in the suits. As we approached, I stared at it for a moment with a sense of longing. Things had been so different the last time I’d seen it. Granted, we’d been about to embark on a raid that had made me nervous, but it had just been a raid. We were going to break into a building, see what we could find. That hadn’t seemed much more advanced than the rescues I’d performed with Nelson’s crew, and my mind had been on keeping my relationship with Jace casual more than anything else.
Now the world had dropped down around my ears, some of the people from that raid were in danger of losing their lives, and we found ourselves going up against the government. We were about to sit down and start planning how exactly we were going to break into a government jail to bust our friends out—and whether we might legitimately be able to hide for long enough after the break-in to come up with a plan for continued survival.
Yes, we were the definition of going to hell in a handbasket. I’d never really understood the phrase, but it felt exactly right for how the last forty-eight hours had gone.
We found a large area in the middle of the park, without any trees or slides for anyone to be hiding among, and dropped to the ground. We sat cross-legged in a circle for better communication. I put my phone, with Gabby still on the open line, in front of me so that she could hear what was said.
Zion, who had become de facto leader of this particular meeting, began.
“Okay, so, cutting right to the chase: given the lack of options, our mission is to bust our friends out of jail. The problem, of course, is that we have only Gabby on our side in terms of technical support. Not that I don’t think you can do it,” he said quickly, glancing at the phone. “With OH+ down, we’re short on numbers, and that means less protection. Each one of us has become more important.”
I shivered at his statement, knowing it was true. Without OH+, we were the only team, and that was terrifying.
We were all sitting ducks.
“Additionally,” Alexy added, “if we’re going to be breaking into a government jail, I have to say that we have a responsibility to do some snooping around. We seem to have stumbled upon something no one else knows about, and as long as that’s true, it means we’re also the only people who can really address it. Which is going to require a lot more information than we currently have.”
I frowned at her. That definitely hadn’t been on my list of things to think about, and it surprised me that she was able to consider it, given what we were facing.
“Oh, you know, because saving our friends isn’t actually going to be enough of a challenge,” Ant murmured sarcastically. “We might as well do some research while we’re there, right? Because we’re just going to have all day and everything.”
Jackie poked at him.
“You don’t know. We might have more time than we realize, and as long as we’re in there, we might as well have a look around. I’m with Alexy on this one.”
I lifted my eyebrows, surprised at that, but nodded slowly. I could see the logic. I just hoped I wasn’t the one who had to go into an office and do research while everyone else was rescuing our people, because I didn’t think I’d have the patience or the motivation.
“I might be able to have a look around too,” Gabby suddenly said from the phone. “After all, it’ll be me in their systems. Somehow.”
She added the last word rather hesitantly, making it obvious that she still didn’t have a real plan in mind.
“Makes sense,” Alexy said quickly. “Though, I still think we’ll need to look for anything physical while we’re there. They might not store everything on computers. After all, they have firsthand experience with how possible it is to hack into them.”
Zion nodded, but brought the meeting back around to the more important aspect at that point: the planning.
“Be that as it may,” he said firmly, “we need a plan for how we’re going to do it, or it’s not going to get done. So, here’s the plan. Gabby, you’re our point person. You have tomorrow and Thursday to do two things: figure out where they’re holding our friends, and then figure out how we’re going to get in there. We can’t do aerial recon, obviously, because it would run too much risk of attracting the Authority’s attention if we just start flying the airship around all over the place, looking for a building that looks like a jail. I’m counting on you to figure this out.” He lifted his eyes to the rest of us. “In the meantime, the rest of us have some work to do. I know we’re all tired and we’re all worried. I want people to get home, or to a friend’s house, if you can possibly manage it. Get some food, and then get some rest. If you have time between those things, start coming up with ideas. We’ll meet again in the morning, right here, and I’d like to hear some good, solid, workable plans for how we’re going to get in there and get this done. Bonus points to anyone who comes up with hiding places for after the fact.”
He closed his mouth, indicating that the meeting was over. We all rose, looking anxiously at each other, and loitered for a moment. No one was in a rush to go home and face the music—particularly if the Ministry did indeed have our addresses.
Jace looked at everyone standing around and put an end to it.
“Get home, people,” he said. “Zion’s right. If you can stay with a neighbor or a friend, do that instead. Our addresses might still be safe, but we can’t count on that. Jackie, Ant, you’re with Robin and me tonight. My place is plenty big for the four of us, and we know for a fact that it’s secure, because Gabby’s already checked for it on the list. We’ll see anyone coming before they get there.”
He shot glances at Zion, Alexy, and then Cloyd.
“I know the same of your apartments. If you can take the others, that would be safest.” He waited for their nods, then turned to me, held out a hand, and tipped his head.
I hesitated for a moment, confused at the idea that those four apartments were safe. What made them so special? Why were those the safe ones, and how exactly did Jace know about it? Nathan’s inner circle, I realized suddenly. I knew Jace and Cloyd were members of the top tier. Zion and Alexy must be as well.
It would have made sense for Nathan to take additional precautions for those who were the closest to him. I wondered what he’d done—but then realized that now wasn’t the time to ask. And that even if I asked, I probably wouldn’t get an answer.
Speaking of answers… no one had said anything about Zion, Alexy, and the men in black. I opened my mouth to ask about exactly that, but was stopped by Jace, who took my hand and gave it a squeeze.
“They can’t answer your questions right now, and they won’t take kindly to you bringing them up,” he said quietly.
I closed my mouth again, but put that on the list of things that I was going to ask as soon as I could. Right after we figured out a plan for Friday, when we’d be going up against the government. For reals, this time.
29
By the time we got to Jace’s apartment, my nerves had settled somewhat, though my mind was still racing. We had a big task ahead of us, and very little time to plan it. I hated the idea that we were taking yet another night off, but I knew what Jace was going to say even before I voiced my opinion on the matter.
“It feels like we should be doing something tonight rather than just going to bed,” I muttered as he unlocked his door. “Like this is a waste of time. Our friends are in jail, for God’s sake, and we’re all going home for a good night’s rest.”
“I second that thought,” Ant said from several steps above me, and I caught Jackie nodding in agreement.
“Jace,” I said when he didn’t answer. “This feels stupid. There are things we could be doing tonight.”
He turned and put a hand on my shoulder.
“What do you think we could be doing?” he asked bluntl
y. “Online research? You know that’s risky when the Authority or Ministry might be watching. We can’t go to the library to see if we can locate any government buildings, because it’s closed. Or do you want to run around on the streets trying to recruit more techs? Anyone who might help you is at home, in bed, which is where we should be. Do you think you’re going to be any good to anyone in the morning if you’re falling asleep in your breakfast?”
I kept my mouth shut but narrowed my eyes. He was right on all points, of course.
“Are you always right?” I muttered, pushing past him and entering the apartment. “Don’t you ever get anything wrong?”
“Not when it matters,” he replied as he followed me, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “Not when it’s important. And right now, it’s important that we’re safe inside, not out drawing attention to ourselves. We need to plan our next steps carefully, and that includes keeping ourselves hidden. We know the Authority is looking for us. Any research or reconnaissance we do in the next two days has to include disguises and moving around only during the day like normal people. Sneaking through the streets at night, for any reason, is a terrible idea.”
He moved through his apartment lighting candles, and the place slowly came to life, even the plants appearing to perk up at his presence. The fire was already lit in the stove, and I wondered why, but then told myself that the coffee shop above would have to have access to it, even when Jace wasn’t there. A manager must have a key to the place.
The realization made me nervous.
My face must have betrayed my thoughts as I stared blankly at the wood stove, because Jace smiled quickly at me.
“Don’t worry, the owner of the coffee shop is a friend of Nathan’s. It’s safe. Besides, I don’t have anything in here worth stealing. What are they going to take, my candles?”
I laughed shortly and shrugged.
“Anyone who has a key to the place means potential danger, though, don’t you think? What if the Authority gets to them and they turn the key over?”
He gave me a firm look.
“As I said, the owner of the coffee shop is a friend of Nathan’s. I know that doesn’t mean much to you, but it does to him. I’m telling you, it’s not a problem.”
I exhaled and turned just in time to see Jackie and Ant ducking through the door. Jackie gazed around, her face a mixture of confusion and amusement. She looked at Jace.
“This is where you live?” she asked. “I mean, I knew just from looking at you that you were a basic sort of guy, but this doesn’t even look civilized.”
Ant, meanwhile, moved right to the couch and flopped down on it.
“I think it’s perfect,” he announced. “Tons of room and no fussy decorations.” He gave Jace an approving onceover. “My faith in you is growing, my friend.” Then he sat up and became more serious. “Now, let’s get down to business. We might be taking the night off from being outside, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop planning. I have some ideas, and I want feedback. When we meet up with everyone else in the morning, we need firm suggestions.”
“I’m with you,” I conceded. I dropped onto the blanket pile on the floor. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking that first of all, we should plan to run the mission as early as possible on Friday,” he said immediately. “Not because I’m super anxious to get into the Authority’s compound and put our lives in danger, but because I don’t trust their word.”
“You think they’ll move the execution up without warning us.” Jace sighed, sinking down beside me with a bowl of fruit. He gestured toward it. “Please, help yourselves.”
“I think there’s a very good chance that they’ll jump the gun, yes,” Ant continued, leaning forward to grab an apple out of the bowl. He took a loud, juicy bite and smacked his lips.
Jackie sat down next to him and rolled her eyes so hard I was surprised she didn’t hurt herself. “Pig,” she said. “Didn’t your mother ever teach you to be polite with your food?”
“I’ve never had a mother,” he answered casually. “So no.”
We stared at him for a moment, lost for words, but he started talking again before anyone found a response.
“How do we even know they’re going to wait? They have to assume that we’re not going to turn ourselves in—and we have to assume that they’re going to try to keep this whole thing quiet, no matter what. If we don’t turn ourselves in, I believe that they’ll kill our friends. What I don’t think is that they’re going to set up a guillotine in the public square for it. We’re not in revolutionary France.”
“The government is still trying to maintain a clean reputation, at least publicly,” I offered slowly, following his logic. “We might know what they’ve done, and the reason why they’ve done it, but I think we might be the only ones… Yes, they weren’t exactly discreet about taking out our techs, but they probably had some ready excuse for anyone who inquired about the burned-out buildings—like maybe there was a suspected terrorist threat or something. The government wants people to believe their actions are for the greater good of our country, and they wouldn’t want to draw more attention to this whole issue, to the dirty secret they’re trying to hide. The Ministry is literally stealing children from people, on unjust grounds, and selling them to the rich. I really think this example is just going to be for us.”
Jace eyed me and nodded.
“Makes sense. They’ve presented themselves for so long as the government that is taking care of its people. For that to suddenly become the government that kills people who get in the way…”
“Can’t see it happening,” Ant mumbled, taking another bite of his apple. “We’ll likely just get a video of the performance.”
He stopped and swallowed. I wondered how much of that gulp was about the apple he was chewing and how much was due to the fact that we were discussing his brother’s execution. My stomach was turning at the thought, and I was doing my best to build walls of protection between myself and what we were discussing.
I didn’t even want to think about what it must be like to be in Ant’s head with it.
“A video means that it could happen at any time,” Jackie finished slowly. “We have no guarantees that they’ll stick to their word at all.”
Jace looked from Ant to Jackie, and finally shook his head.
“I don’t think we can do anything other than count on them to keep their word in this regard,” he said. “If we jump to the conclusion that… it… could happen at any time, we cause ourselves more problems. Right now, the plan is to go on Friday, and I’m not sure we can plan it any quicker than that, no matter how much we want to. There’s just too much to be done. So we have to keep our eyes on the prize. Act like we believe them. Make ourselves believe them.”
I wasn’t sure any of us could do that, now that Ant had brought it up. All I could think about was that our friends might already be dead.
However, Jace was right—again. Those negative thoughts made me want to give up, and that wasn’t helpful.
“So, we agree to propose that we go first thing Friday morning,” I said. “What else?”
“We figure out who’s going in and what exactly we’re looking for,” Ant replied.
“Before that, I think we probably have to address what the plan actually is,” Jace noted wryly.
Ant stared at him with mild disdain.
“The idea is simple, I think. Get in and find our friends. Get out, preferably alive. Then we need to find a way to… I don’t know, hide for a bit?”
“How are we going to get in?” Jace asked impatiently. “How are we going to find our friends? How are we going to get back out again? What are we going to do afterward?”
He paused at Ant’s raised eyebrows, and his tone softened.
“I’m not criticizing you, Ant. I’m just saying that there are a lot of moving parts, and we want to be as prepared as we can possibly be, or we’re going to be in trouble once we’re in there. When you’re on
a hunt, you want to know where you’re going and what you’re going to do once you’re there. If you fail to learn your surroundings and the possible dangers lurking beyond, you’ll end up being mauled by a bear.”
Ant and Jackie stared at him blankly, and I was surprised at the analogy. It was the closest he’d come to talking about where he’d grown up in a long time, and I was shocked he’d done it around people who didn’t know his past.
He caught himself at that point and shook his head.
“I’m sorry, I’m tired and concerned, and when that happens, I tend to get a bit… scattered with my thoughts.”
I put a hand on his shoulder and sighed. He’d lectured us about sleeping and taking care of ourselves, but I’d never even considered that he might also be talking about himself. He’d had the same trying day we had. It had probably been even more difficult on him, as he’d been the one to see Bobby’s body.
“We should get some rest,” I said quietly. “We all need to recharge.”
I leaned up against the wall, adjusting the pillows behind me, and pulled Jace back next to me. Then I gave him a quick smile and turned to Jackie.
“Jackie, why don’t you tell us about what you wanted to be when you were a little girl?”
It was a fanciful, silly question, just the opposite of what I wanted to be asking right now. It felt distinctly wrong to be discussing something so frivolous when there was planning to be done, but it had become increasingly obvious to me that we weren’t going to make much progress on the planning by ourselves. Ant was too worried, and the rest of us were too tired.
As much as I hated it, we were going to have to wait for the morning light to sort it out. If there was strength in numbers, we might find inspiration, and a rock-solid plan, once we were all together.
Jackie gave me a surprised look, then turned wide, nervous eyes toward Ant and Jace. I realized abruptly that my question had put her in an awkward position. She’d always been the tough girl on our team—the one with a quick, brilliant answer, the one we could count on to meet danger head-on with a dose of sarcasm.