It had been six weeks. Six long weeks. Six long but exciting weeks. He had spent much time tracking several octopuses he had tagged, mapping their routes and habits. He'd actually got quite attached to two of them, he named them Troy and Atlanta as a 'homage' to his old teammate Troy Tempest and his on/off girlfriend Atlanta Shore. Gordon had got so much data on new habits that it would take many more weeks to decipher and publish his findings.

But the most exciting thing that had happened was he had discovered a new species! He was pretty sure about it, having studied the eight specimens extensively. They were a type of elusive midget octopus he had found on the sea floor, and he hadn't found a match anywhere. They were similar in colour design to the deadly blue-ringed octopus, but they were a gorgeous muted orange and had deep red rings when provoked. They were not deadly to humans – thank goodness, as he'd been bitten by one the first time he'd discovered them – but they were beautiful.

Seymour Griffiths and Gordon may not have worked together on and in the water, but they knew each other well. Griffiths had manned the communication tower at Marineville, and Gordon had spent many hours chatting with him while he had been on the year-long marine farming study. Sometimes Griff had helped keep him sane when he couldn't talk to his family but needed a friendly voice. He'd been so invested back then before he joined Spectrum, and he had been very helpful now.

If anything, Gordon was going to miss being here. Sure, Four was a small sub to be spending so long in, and he was looking forward to a soak and some real food, but he'd grown attached to his octopus friends. He'd send all the data off on his new species to Professor Brown, knowing that she would be the ideal one to confirm and publish the details and get everything peer reviewed. Part of him wanted to take one of the octopuses home.

The last day was looming, and Gordon was busy packing up. Virgil was due to pick him up, but he was hoping Virgil would like to come down and see for himself the octopuses. He was sure his artistic brother would like to see and maybe photograph the new ones. He should probably ask Virgil to do that. Gordon had lots of pictures, but Virgil had an artistic eye and would catch details he had probably missed. Yeah, that was a good idea.

Virgil was very receptive to diving with Gordon to take pictures of these new octopuses his brother had discovered. Making sure he had his wetsuit, he and Gordon convened just off of Whitianga, where he left Two until it was time to leave. Gordon collected him and they travelled together in (a very fragrant) Four, and they wasted no time getting out into the water, camera at the ready.

Gordon was right, these new octopuses were beautiful and, unlike the usually reclusive behaviour of the others, they were very friendly, almost cuddly and…damn, that one bit him! He told Gordon, and predictably his brother just laughed, saying he'd already been bitten and it was not an issue.

They headed back to Four not long after, eager to get home and see the results for themselves.