Demon Storm by Justin Richards Page B

guys,’ Webby said – more loudly than was necessary. ‘Hang on.’ He pulled out the earphones and clicked with his mouse, stopping the beat of the music. ‘What can I do you for?’
    ‘We came to introduce Ben,’ Rupam said. ‘He’s new.’
    ‘Hi there, new Ben,’ Webby said. ‘Look, will this take long, only I want to finish up here. Just another week or two and I’m out of here.’
    ‘He’s always saying that,’ Gemma whispered to Ben.
    ‘So what do you do down here?’ Ben asked. ‘Is this where you live?’
    Webby picked up a can of coke from one of the worktops. He swilled it round, then put it down again without drinking.
    ‘Just till the job’s done,’ Webby said. ‘Taking a bit longer than expected. But as soon as everything’s set up and working properly, I’m history.’ He pointed to the main screen in front of him. ‘Monitoring the various emails, text messages and reports that come in from the School of Night agents out in the field. That’s the other kids to you, Ben.’
    ‘Webby set up all the systems,’ Rupam explained. ‘Any agent can report in, then Webby’s systems automatically filter out the important information and pass it on so Mr Knight can decide what to do about it. Isn’t that right?’
    ‘Sure is,’ Webby agreed. ‘Every time one of you guys uses their mobile, the image data is sent here to be analysed and stored. It’s a full-time job keeping all the systems running and monitoring all the messages and reports that come in. Then there’s the blogs and the conspiracy websites that I need to keep checking for any hint ofdangerous paranormal activity that might need further investigation. You can only automate so much of it.’
    ‘Keeps you busy, then,’ Ben said.
    ‘Oh, I’m just doing it until the systems are all up and running properly. Short-term contract, you see. Not a lifetime’s work. Can’t wait to move on to the next challenge. That’s what it’s all about. Variety – the spice of life.’
    Gemma nudged Rupam to ask about the tank battle game and Webby laughed.
    ‘You’re supposed to pick up anti-gravity converters from the warehouse on the previous level once you clear it of bad guys. Then you fit those to your tanks using the upgrade option and float out of the rubble and over the bridge. Easy.’
    Rupam looked at Ben and shook his head. ‘Oh yes, easy. We should have guessed.’
    ‘Thanks,’ Ben said.
    ‘Any time.’ Webby pushed his earphones back in and started the music again. ‘Catch me while you can, though,’ he shouted above the noise in his ears. ‘Shan’t be here much longer.’
    ‘When does he leave?’ Ben asked as they climbed back up the stairs.
    ‘Never,’ Rupam said. ‘He says he’s on a three-month contract.’
    ‘He’s been here longer than any of us,’ Gemma said. ‘Except maybe Maria.’
    Rupam nodded. ‘He’s been here for years. I think he likes it down there. He never goes out.’
    ‘So does he sleep down there?’ Ben asked. ‘I saw he had a bed.’
    They had reached the top of the stairs. Knight was standing waiting for them in the corridor.
    ‘Maria told me you were down here,’ he said.
    ‘Sorry,’ Ben said instinctively. He assumed they were about to be told off.
    ‘Oh, it’s no problem.’ Knight smiled. ‘I’m sure it does Webby good to see some real people now and again, rather than just his machines.’ He turned to Gemma. ‘It’s time we were going. Are you ready?’
    Gemma nodded. ‘Sorry, I’d forgotten the time. I’ll get my coat.’
    ‘No problem, but we need to make a start.’ He turned to go, then changed his mind and turned back. ‘We’re off to a school about fifty miles away,’ he said to Ben. ‘One of the teachers there is a former pupil of the School of Night and she thinks she’s got a few children who might be of interest. Why don’t you come along as well andkeep Gemma company? You never know,’ he added as he headed off down the corridor, ‘you might