I am almost done my re-read of The Big Score. Another thing noted in the book was the comment that 'everyone and anyone who knew nickel wanted a piece of this". Again, translating to the secritive graphite market, 25+ NDA's and Dr. Charar coming on board means anyone and everyone who knows graphite wants a piece of this, or at least to understand it. Remember that ZEN did not recruit Dr. Chara, he came to them.

For me, being a business person, IF the economics are as expected or better, it is actually ridiculous to assume no one would make a bid. That is simply not how business works. When there is a good or great ROI, companies want in on that. Plain and simple.