The foreign exchange program between Paragon University and Brookstone University had been finalized, and the group was just a day away from their destination. It was getting dark quickly, hence they lodged in a hotel. There were six people in the foreign exchange group, and one of them was the assigned supervisor, his name was Ray Cunningham.
Ray was getting his things arranged for the night when he heard a knock on the door.
"Room service."
The person behind the door called out before Ray could ask.
Ray slightly creased his brows but went to answer the door. He opened the door to see a tall young man dressed in the hotel's uniform smiling at him.
"I didn't order room service."
"Oh, I don't offer that type of service. My job is to inspect the room to make sure the room is to your liking. It would be bad for the hotel if you suffered the slightest inconvenience."
"I see," replied Ray.
"May I?"
The young man asked still maintaining a smile.
"Of course. Come in…" said Ray as he gave way. But as the words escaped his mouth, his eyes lit up in shock.
Almost in the blink of an eye, before Ray could completely move out of the way, he saw the young man rushing at him with an extended arm firmly grabbing his face, lifting him off the ground. Inconspicuously, the young man entered the room.
"Dr. C., I got him."
He said, speaking into the device connected to his ear. Shortly afterward, someone else walked into the room; it was Dr. Curtis.
"Is he secured?" he asked.
Martin exerted little strength in his grip and Ray immediately passed out.
"He is now."
"Good, I'll take it from here. Go to your assigned post and get ready. Remember, there cannot exist two of the same people…"
Eric nodded, understanding the meaning behind those words before he left.
~
Early the next day, a vehicle from Paragon University arrived at the hotel to bring the foreign exchange group to the university. After a three-hour drive, the group finally arrived and was welcomed by Samuel Reid and his colleagues.
"Welcome. I'm Samuel Reid, lead researcher…"
Samuel stepped forward and greeted, extending his hand for a handshake.
"Ray Cunningham,"
"Ah, Dr. Cunningham, I've heard a lot about you."
"As have I, Professor Reid."
The two exchanged pleasantries.
Ray turned to the rest of his group, briefly introducing them.
"These are my students. They're the best in the requested field, although they're just here to learn."
Samuel laughed,
"It's alright. I'm open to teaching them a few things. Please come with us, we'll show you to your rooms… you must be tired from your journey."
Samuel and his colleagues exchanged greetings with the foreign exchange group and brought them to their lodgings where they each had a room to themselves. A few hours later, after they had settled in and were well rested, one of Samuel's colleagues came by to offer a tour around the school, which they accepted. A good amount of time was spent on the tour before the foreign exchange group returned to their lodgings.
Moments later, Beth, Samuel's assistant, knocked on Ray's door.
"Dr. Cunningham, it's me, Beth."
Ray opened the door,
"Mrs. O'Neil, how can I help you?"
"I came by to give you these files. They are a summary of the research done so far, and where your help is required,
Ray nodded and received the files,
"I see,"
"I would have loved to give you another day to rest, but the professor is eager to resume tomorrow. I hope the tour was to your liking…"
Ray smiled,
"It's alright, I enjoyed it."
Beth smiled and exchanged pleasantries before she left.
Inside his room, Ray was fiddling with the electronic band on his wrist, and soon enough, a person appeared on the screen.
"Ilene, can you hear me?"
"I can. What's the progress report?"
"Nothing much for now. Work starts tomorrow… I should have more information by then."
On the screen, Ilene had a smirk on her face,
"Alright then. Remember to blend in perfectly, and don't do anything suspicious."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he frowned.
"I'm saying you're Ray Cunningham now, act like it, and keep Curtis Greene in check."
"Don't remind me I'm stealing someone else's identity, and someone this mediocre. To think he too majored in genetics…"
"Quit your whining, Greene… it's only till you get Samuel's research. What about the others… and the originals?"
"All traces of the originals have been eliminated. As for the others, don't worry about them… they've settled into their roles nicely."
Ilene nodded, content with the reply.
"Keep me updated with things on your end."
Ilene reminded.
Curtis grumbled before ending the call.
~
Beth came by the next morning. She was close to Ray's room when she saw him exiting it.
"Oh, you're up early. Did you get enough rest?"
"I did, thank you."
Ray smiled and greeted her.
"Your students?"
"You know how youngsters are. But they should be done any moment now."
Almost instantly after Ray was done talking, the students opened their doors simultaneously, fully prepared.
Beth smiled,
"Punctual… the professor will love this. Please come with me, he is waiting."
Beth led them to a laboratory different from Samuel's private lab, where Samuel and some of his colleagues were waiting.
"Dr. Cunningham, I hope I'm not being unreasonable for starting today."
Samuel smiled as he exchanged a handshake with Ray.
Ray smiled and replied,
"Not at all. This is the reason why we're here, the sooner the better."
"I agree. Your students are welcome to learn from us. They are free to ask if anything is confusing to them."
Samuel was always open to teaching and didn't hold back from doing so when the chance presented itself. Additionally, he was also trying to build good relations, as this exchange program will be important in research.
Samuel and his colleagues and Ray engaged in discussions about the research, and due to Ray joining them for the first time, they tried to bring him up to speed.