We follow the River Brink as we did the day before, but this time heading towards the university. We don’t have to hide this time, as we know most of the bugs are busy, so we make good progress. Not as fast as Ade, obviously, but it isn’t long before we’re cutting through the golf course, sprinting under the big bridge, and dodging between the gravestones in the cemetery. 275

I signal to the others to stop as we see the masts of the Cake looming up ahead of us. They used to be lit up at night, but they’re dead now – just ghostly white figures standing on the roof, looking out across the campus.

‘So,’ I say, knowing this might be the last time I talk to my friends. ‘One last check that we have the right supplies.’

We each take off our backpacks, open them and rummage inside. When we split up, we’ll need specific items to carry out our parts of the plan. I go to zip my bag up, but then take some of the contents out and stuff them in my socks.

‘Radio silence, unless it’s life or death,’ I say. ‘How long do you think you’ll need to find the water source and get inside, Mak?’

‘I’m pretty sure I know where it is, but accessing it might be tricky. Say ten minutes, give or take.’

‘I’ll let you two in the fire exit at the back, and then I can be on the roof in two.’ Kat grins. ‘I’ll hide there until I hear from Karim.’

‘Make sure you do,’ I say. ‘I don’t think the standard bugs will be up there, but there’s still…’

‘Digger, I know. I’ll be careful, promise.’ 276

‘I’ll make sure Karim has a free run to his mum’s office, then I’ll try to locate Ade,’ I say. ‘She should be within radio distance once I’m inside.’

‘And I’ll get on Mum’s computer and get XGen back on,’ Karim says. ‘You sure you know how to reboot the masts, Kat?’

‘I’m sure,’ Kat nods.

‘How are you going to distract the bugs?’ Karim says. ‘There are a crud-ton of aliens in there, and only one of you.’

‘I have a few ideas,’ I say, not wanting to give them too much detail in case they try to stop me. ‘But until I get there and see what the deal is, I can’t say for sure what will work best. Lucky I can think on my feet.’ I grin. ‘The important thing is getting you in, Karim, and then you just have to work as fast as you can.’

‘Understood.’

We look at each other for a couple of seconds, our breath coming out in white clouds and mingling together.

‘Group hug moment?’ Karim says, and we all groan, tighten our backpacks, and jog towards the back of the Cake.