Foryears,Martinhasbeenworkingonhisgreatplayaboutcloudcastles,flyingpiratesandafeistyprincess.HissecretrolemodelfortheleadingcharacterishisgoodfriendIsabel,acheekyyoungwomanwhoiswagingwarongeneticallymodifiedseedsaroundtheworld.AndsheisleavingtomorrowtogotothemiddleofAfricaforthenextthreeyears.Lowandbehold,Martinconfesseshislovetoheratthedeparturedesk.AconfessionwhichwouldhavemeanttheworldtoIsabelsometimeago,butnowcomestoolatetochangethings.Butthentheflightisdelayedforseveralhours.IsabeltakesoffintothecitytotalktoMartin,buthehasdisappeared...