Wed: eh… hello. You must be Britannica’s brother?

Brit’s Bro: That’s right. I’m the Southern Cross, but you can call me Phil. You must be… Thursday? Right?

Wed: eh, Wednesday.

Phil: Of course. Sorry ‘bout that mate. [slaps Wednesday on the back, sending the hero careering into the opposite wall. Phil goes and picks up Wednesday off the ground] Steve’s told me all about you.

Wed: Steve?

Phil: Heh heh. Oh yeah, I mean “Britannica”.

Minutes later, in the meeting room…

Brit: Phil!

Phil: Stevie-Boy! Comere you. [Phil puts Britannica in a head-lock and musses up his hair]

Brit: Phil. Not in front of the fellas…

Phil: Ha Ha. Sorry “Britannica”.

Brit: hmm. Anyway, guys. This is my little Brother, the Southern Cross.

JLR: Little!?!

Phil: Call me Phil.

Brit: Phil, these are my team-mates. Registered Member #552, Ace, La Machine and Midnight Spectre 2.0.

Phil: G’Day!

JLR: eh... Hi… Phil.

Brit: [Noticing someone missing] Um… Wednesday was around here somewhere…?

Phil: No worries. We met.

Brit: Of course. So, how are you anyway?

Phil: Good.

Brit: Have a good trip over?

Phil: Yeah.

Brit: Stop off anywhere?

Phil: Nah.

Brit: Okaay.

[A silent pause]

Phil: So where’s me future sis-in-law? Been dyin’ to meet her.

Brit: Ah, you’ve just missed her actually.

Phil: Bugger. Ah well. No worries, plenty of time to catch up, aye? [Phil punches Britannica affectionately on the arm – sending the hero back a few paces]

Brit: [rubbing his arm] Yeah… So. Have you still got Blue?

Phil: Oh course. Wouldn’t go anywhere without me little Blue. Wednesday offered to get him from the ute for me.

Brit: Oh dear…

Just then Wednesday slowly backs into the JLR meeting room. He is visibly shaking and is sweating profusely.

Wed: [through gritted teeth] Briiiiiit!

He is soon followed-in by a dog. It is a cross between a dingo and a red-kelpie cattle dog… and a giant sabre-toothed Rottweiler.

Ace, LM and RM552 instantly dive behind Midnight Spectre.

The dog’s luminous yellow eyes bore into Wednesday’s. Its fangs bared, drool hangs from its jowls and slowly makes its way towards the floor. The rust-coloured fur on it’s back is raised as it makes a low growling noise…

Blue: Grrrrr rrrrrrr rrrrr rrrrrrrr

Wed: [starting to cry] Briiiiit!

To be continued…