With the crackling of the radio the only sound, I turn to the tree. I can get this done. I weave between the sporelings blocking my path while they stand, unmoving, apparently not even aware of what I’m doing. There are hundreds of them – all come to the hub to watch me turn. Which is exactly what I wanted.

I look around the base of the tree for the best place. Despite what some people think, this is not something I’m experienced in. Mak gave me some tips, but I’m still worried that I’ll mess it up. I crouch down to pull the firelighters from my socks, at the same time as the ceiling above me crashes inwards in an explosion of glass, and with a bang so loud it shakes the walls.

I cover my head with my arms as shards rain down on me, shattering on the floor at my feet. Ade calls out, ‘Starshott, enemy at twelve o’clock! On the tree!’ and I look up to see Digger perched at the top of the Christmas tree, his wings flapping and antennae twitching. He’s huge – 292 probably more than two metres tall, not including his antennae. His body has become more wasp-like – his lower half elongated and his arms and legs slimmer and encased in shiny black armour. His eyes have grown enormous, and bulge out of his face, while his nose has flattened out so much I can hardly see it. There’s not really anything human about him anymore.

‘He’s not glitching,’ I shout. ‘Why isn’t he glitching?’

‘He’s an older version of the sporelings,’ Ade calls back. ‘He’s not part of the hive mind, so there’s no signal to block.’ She clicks on the walkie while Digger squats on the highest branches, like an ugly-ass fairy, clacking his mandibles and surveying the room. ‘What’s your status, FreshTrim?’ Ade whispers into the radio.

‘Logged in, just waiting on updates,’ Karim says. ‘How about you, KittyGrime?’

‘Almost there,’ Kat says. ‘Two minutes.’

‘Hate to rush you, guys.’ Ade takes a step further away from the tree, as Digger turns to stare at her. ‘But we have company.’

‘What kind of company?’ Karim’s voice crackles. 293

Before Ade can answer, Digger screeches, and flings himself in her direction, his wings vibrating as he swoops towards her. She screams and leaps sideways, her finger on the button of the walkie-talkie. ‘MakKarnage, we need urgent help in the hub.’

Digger roars as he misses her, and hits the first-floor balcony hard. He grips on, shakes himself, then turns to look for Ade again. He knows the radio is glitching the bugs so he’s trying to take it out. ‘Ade, take cover!’ I shout, as Digger launches into the air for another attack.