Instead of heading straight into his London office today, Steve meets Ray in their local park near the Chuckle Technology offices. A low-lying mist hovers gently above the grass in the park as the sun starts to break through the clouds as the two men walk on this Wednesday morning.

“I’ve heard from John Mendel a dozen times since he’s been on the Isle of Colossus with Anton!” says Ray with both hands in his trouser pockets.

“Ha! I know. He’s phoned me on numerous occasions as well!” replies Steve.

“I was present with John when Silence asked him if he’d like to be part of a group to visit the Isle of Colossus. I don't think he could believe his luck, and when I mentioned Anton and Botany Research, he jumped at the chance!” adds Ray.

“I know what you mean! John’s a Neurotransmitter Scientist with a passion for botany, which is unusual, and when Anton spoke to him about the research trip to the island. John couldn’t speak through excitement!” adds Steve.

“I can't believe John’s only twenty-three and a prodigy in the neurotransmitter world with several published papers about the subject already!” continues Steve.

“I’ve met him several times, and I drove him to the airport for his flight out!” says Ray. “He’s certainly a brilliant man, even if he is a somewhat unusual individual!”

“Well! He’s coming to London after returning from the Island because he’ll be meeting Mr Gamora, Nara, Zieg and the guys, and our four ZandaBots in my office!” 

“Yeah! I know. It’ll be a week or so after he returns, and I’ll be by his side every step of the way!” says Ray.

“Has Silence given you the job of shadowing him?” asks Steve.

“Yep! You guessed it!” replies Ray.

“Good! It should be fun having all the guys together,” says Steve, playfully punching his friend on the shoulder.

“Ha!” says Ray as he turns to start shadowboxing with Steve.

“Come on!” says Steve as the two men calm down while laughing like two ten-year-olds after play fighting. “Let’s grab a coffee from the cafe and head back to my office,” he adds.

“Hello, my friend!” says Steve, on his phone while walking with Ray.

“Hi! Steve, we’re not at work until tomorrow?” says Zieg, having breakfast with Max, Nari and Dal in her apartment.

“Yeah! I know, but I just wanted to ask if you could get to work fifteen minutes early. I have a special treat I’d like to tell you about before my first meeting?” says Steve.

“Yeah! No problem,” replies Zieg after checking with her friends.

“Morning, everyone!” says Steve early Thursday morning with Ray, Judy, Zieg and the guys seated around his office table.

“What I’m about to tell you is highly classified, and I mean extremely, highly classified as well as very exciting, as far as I’m concerned!” continues Steve, concentrating on Zieg and her friends.

Zieg and the guys look around at each other.

“Mr Gamora is coming to work with us for eight weeks or so, and he’ll be here in seven days,” adds Steve.

“We’ve met and worked with Mr Gamora many times!” says Nari.

“Yeah! We have!” agrees Dal.

“Yes!” says Steve, smiling at Nari. “But! Mr Gamora will be working closely with an English gentleman named John Mendel. Mr Nara, our four Zandabots and you four guys will also be joining the party?” continues Steve, with a broad grin.