DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN cherub OR ANY CHARACTERS FROM THE BOOKS, THEY BELONG TO ROBERT MUCHAMORE

Chapter 2

Zara's office was even more posh than Ben's room, with a curved wall of windows, 3 computers and a large world map, with annotations on different countries.

"So, I suppose you will have a few questions," Zara asked

Ben nodded, "Where the hell am I?"

"This is CHERUB campus," said Zara, a warm smile upon her face, "My name as I already said is Zara Asker, and I am the chairwoman here."

Ben was still stunned, gazing around, taking in his surroundings.

"I still don't understand, what is this place?" He asked

"Think of us like a children's home. We have about 250 pupils here, with various sports facilities, including swimming pools, all weather football pitches and athletics facilities and shooting ranges. We have a school here, where pupils learn 2 foreign languages, and we have a high percentage of pupils going to the top universities in the country. And the all important question, how would you like to live here?" Zara finished.

Ben broke into a fit of laughter. "Are you serious?"

"There is one more thing you have to agree to, if you wish to stay here." Zara said, her smile now gone, replaced with a look of deep seriousness.

"What's that?" Ben asked, slightly confused by this point, wondering what the hell was going on.

"You must agree to, what is a more interesting requirement, you must agree to become an agent." finished Zara.

At this point, Ben stared at Zara, a look of sheer confusion on his face, bemused by what he was hearing.

"An agent," he exclaimed, "You mean like James Bond?"

"Sort of," Zara explained, the warm smile returning to her face, "CHERUB is a member of the British Intelligence Service."

Ben was shocked. He had seen things like this in movies before, such as Spy Kids, but he never thought it would happen in real life, and even if it did, never in a million years did he think it would happen to him.

"OK, I'll join." Said Ben finally. At that moment, Zara stood up, extended a long, slender hand towards him, and said "Welcome to CHERUB Ben.

"Before we can sort you out with a room and stuff, we need to go over some formalities. As you are becoming an agent, you need to change your name," Zara said, pulling a form out of a drawer, "You can keep your first and middle names, but you have to change your surname. However, your taken surname must match your ethnicity. Do you have any idea what you want to be called?"

Ben sat there pondering for a minute or two, but he broke the silence by announcing his new name.

"Pleased to meet you," he said, "My name is Benjamin Lucas Owen."

Zara laughed at this, and asked where it was from.

"Well," Ben said, "My dog I had when I was a lot younger was called Lucas, I loved him to bits, but he was run over, and my favourite footballer is Michael Owen."

"Ah, a Manchester United supporter I see," Zara assumed, "You and my son Joshua would get on well!"

At this, Ben cracked up, "I can't stick Man.U," he exclaimed, "I liked him when he played for Liverpool!"

At this point, there was a loud knock on the door. Zara got up, and then turned to Ben.

"Ah, I've been waiting for this," she sighed, walking towards the door, "I think you might remember this"

The door creaked open, and Ben was stunned to see a familiar face.

"Hello," said Tom.