Porter couldn't believe what Sakai had just said.
"Doctor Sakai, are you seriously suggesting we send one of our space ships explore for a few months a planet located somewhere far away in our galaxy and for which we have no idea of what happened to its stargate, based on a chest containing dark stones, discovered with a dead corpse who had probably been executed and was holding a parchment?"
"That is correct." the Japanese calmly confirmed.
"May I remind you we can't afford accepting this kind of adventurous mission? It's been out of scope for years."
Porter continued, looking at the general:
"General Harrigan, I thought you'd been the first to restrain such an idea. Should I remind you the program budget has been strongly reduced?"
"It won't be necessary, Porter. The IOA is doing it very well already. So are mister Marlowe and his colleagues... No offense, Kyle."
"I'm not offended, sir." Marlowe assured to lower the tension in the air.
Kyle Marlowe looked like a business executive, thanks to his three piece suit and his glasses that reinforced the picture. He had the delicate mission to follow up the budget regarding the Stargate Program, for the US Air Force. Despite his role, he was very appreciated by his partners, both civilians and military people, because he really cared about the program.
The military people also liked him for another reason: Kyle knew what it meant to be a soldier, he had a few family members in the armed forces, starting with his wife.
Besides, he always demonstrated positive thinking. People knew they could count on him when they would face an issue: Kyle would look for compromises instead of stubbornly refusing every possible option. This attitude made him not react negatively to Akira Sakai's proposal.
The Japanese defended his idea:
"Maybe it could be a great opportunity to reboost the program?"
Porter and Ballester looked hard at Akira. The man stayed strong.
"It's been years the majority of our assignments have been limited to aerospace surveillance and maintaining relationships with our partners. I'm not saying all this isn't challenging, but when was the last time we made a fundamental discovery?"
"A long time ago..." Colby sighed, then backed Sakai up. "I'm aligned with Akira, mister Porter. We're not proposing you a wacky mission..."
Jamieson stopped, realizing the proposition was actually a bit wacky.
"Well, the mission is somehow atypical. But not less atypical than our decision to restart the stargate program in the nineties and send an expedition to Atlantis. We had no idea of what was in store for us, but we did it."
"And see what happened." Porter objected. "The Goa'ulds, the Wraiths, the Replicators, the Oris..."
"A few undesirable side effects compared to so many remarkable discoveries." Jamieson replied. "The naquadah, the trinium, the highly advanced and peaceful civilizations who enabled us go beyond our limits."
The scientists, the Armed Forces members, and Marlowe nodded.
Just because Ballester didn't react didn't mean she was rejecting Colby's point. Sakai spoke after Colby and played a trump card:
"Think about the many possibilities this mineral will allow. Budget will no longer be a matter of concern compared to the gains. Our space ships are today doing three month surveillance tours in the galaxy. The minerals we're extracting to date are declining. Hence, we need to anticipate and take any chance that turns up. We don't need to reinvent the wheel: let's use a next vessel planned for a tour. It will carry dedicated scientists and equipment. Let's take a few months for a primary reconnaissance."
Sakai joined his hands, as if he was going to pray.
"Please give humankind a chance, mister Porter, mrs. Ballester."
The IOA representatives remained silent for a moment. Porter eventually acknowledged:
"In theory the stones sound to allow many possibilities. In practice, we won't be able to do everything we would like. The program is still kept top secret."
Patterson, who hadn't say a word so far, decided to speak up at that moment:
"Why don't we disclose it?"
The audience stared at the lieutenant, who didn't expect his question to cause such an impact. Porter answered:
"It's not that simple."
"Maybe. However it could be helpful, just saying."
The officers smiled. Ballester moved to Porter to mutter her thoughts. Having doubts at first, Porter got convinced by Ballester's words. He turned back to the audience when the secret chat ended.
"There are indeed pros and cons. I can't deny I'm interested in these stones. The final decision doesn't belong to us. We can submit this project to the IOA and the Homeworld Command. But I'd like to raise your attention: you'll need a strong speech as I'm not sure the audience will be as excited as you, doctor Sakai."
"May I say" Marlowe expressed "In fact, we're lucky the head of Homeworld Command has both scientific and military background. I think you can use that for the scientific arguments, doctor Sakai."
This statement increased Sakai's motivation. His face glowed, making him look like he had just received the present he had always dreamed of.
"Of course! Thanks for reminding me, mister Marlowe."
Then, to Porter:
"You can trust me, I'll prepare a heck of a convincing argument."
"Well, go ahead, doctor."
Porter looked at the audience, and concluded:
"If you don't have any other remark, I suggest we end this meeting. We'll make a follow-up meeting later on."
Everyone nodded. Porter stood up and wished to have a private conversation with Harrigan. The brigadier general motioned him to his office.
Ballester asked the scientists if she could see the other stones. Sakai invited her to follow him and began to draft his ideas to sell the project with a lot of passion. The scene made Colby grinned whilst sitting back on his chair. Sakai seemed to be playing his reputation. Wayland and Nelson walked along with the Japanese and the IOA member.
Marlowe helped himself a cup of coffee at the snack cart. Captain Galvez joined him to chat about a recent football game.
Colonel Colby, captain McKinson, and lieutenant Patterson stayed in the room with no particular activity. Colby was looking towards the direction Sakai chose to leave the place with Ballester and his colleagues. The colonel suddenly demanded the Marines:
"Just asking, is Akira still hoping he will meet her someday?"
McKinson and Patterson looked at each other before they answered in unison "He is, sir!".