And knowing that Ade is out there, putting herself in danger, and pushing herself so that she can help all of us gives me that kick I need to step up.

‘Do you think she’ll make it?’ Karim asks.

‘It’s Ade,’ I say. ‘She’s crazy fast and crazy smart. She’ll make it.’

‘I just hope the Lookout holds out for long enough,’ Mak says, as a sporeling hurls a rock at one of the walls and the crash makes us all jump. More rocks are thrown, thunking onto the glass like an apocalyptic hail storm.

‘Ten minutes, that’s all she needs to get to the university, and then another couple of minutes to set off the alarm.’ I watch as a group of bugs run at the door with a tree trunk.

‘I wish she wasn’t alone.’ Kat sniffs, as the door shudders.

‘Me too. But it was the best way. And with almost all of the sporelings here, she has a good chance of getting there without running into trouble.’

‘I’m gonna get the stuff together – radios, tardigrades, firelighters and some light weapons in 266 case we do have to fight our way out of here,’ Mak says. And I know it’s a good idea, but the thought of fighting these people who used to be our family, friends and neighbours makes me feel sick.

‘Good thinking,’ I say. ‘Grab anything you think might be helpful, and load up some backpacks.’

‘What’s happening up there?’ Trent’s voice booms. ‘What’s all the banging?’

‘It’s about a hundred alien parasites,’ Karim says. ‘They’ve found the secret entrance to the bunker and they’re coming for you.’

‘They can’t get in though, right?’ Trent says. ‘This place looks like it was built to survive a nuclear attack.’

‘Not sure.’ Mak comes back with four backpacks and a plate of brownies. ‘It’s never been tested, so it could go either way.’ He offers us the brownies. ‘These are special – since Crater Lake, Dad and Zuzie have been experimenting with their baking.’

Karim takes a massive bite. ‘Is good,’ he mumbles through his mouthful.

‘And they have a bonus ingredient,’ Mak grins, ‘that should give us an extra layer of protection against the spores.’ 267

‘Are these tardibrownies?’ Kat asks.

‘Yep. Packed full of chocolate and water bears.’

The door shudders again, and there’s an awful snapping noise from somewhere above us.

‘Wait, are you saying I just swallowed a mouthful of those wrinkly hippo things?’ Karim says, looking down at the rest of his brownie.

‘Genius,’ I say, taking a bite of mine.

‘I feel a bit bad,’ says Kat. ‘Thank you for your sacrifice, guys,’ she whispers to the brownie.

‘I want a brownie!’ Trent shouts.

‘Will I be able to see them wriggling around in my poo, then?’ Karim is still inspecting his brownie.