Homeworld Command's Headquarters were located inside the Pentagon. The organization had moved from its original place to another in the Pentagon since many years. The office was divided into different sections: the command center, an open space with desks and screens to monitor operations; two meeting rooms; and individual offices.

Colby and Nelson were waiting inside the individual office adjacent to a meeting room. Colby, in dress blues, was seated in one of the two chairs in front of the mahogany desk. He was looking around while Nelson was pacing in the back of the office, nervous.

Telephones, including a red one, were on the left side of the desk. There was a frame on the other side, with a personal picture, Colby thought, he had never seen it and that wasn't something you would ask to the owner of this office. Behind the desk and the leather seat, a big shelf. Full of books about astrophysics, engineering, and other scientific topics. Lost among them, a small Bible, with bookmarks in it. Quite surprising, Colby had thought the first time he had been in the office, but why not? The walls were decorated with a few frames. One contained a photo of the universe, another, a photo of fishes in the ocean. The latter was quite relaxing. Colby had to stop looking at it as he felt Nelson's anxiety was growing. Time for him to make his young colleague relax.

"You know what they say. Imagine they're–"

"Please, colonel, don't say "naked"."

Nelson glanced at the empty leather seat, then, looked back at Colby. The colonel glanced at the plaque on the desk. It said "Lt. Gen. Samantha CARTER". The officer tilted his head.

"Uh, well, imagine they're wearing jeans and sneakers."

"Easier said than done. You're not the one who's gonna meet for the first time the Head of Homeworld Command, – Nelson glanced at the empty seat again – the IOA, and a bunch of politicians and military people."

"You've prepared this with Akira and Rebecca. You're not alone. I'm here and General Harrigan will attend remotely. It's gonna be fine."

Samantha "Sam" Carter, in her fifties, dress bules, carrying a laptop and a notebook, entered the room. Nelson immediately stopped pacing, immobile. Colby stood to attention and saluted his superior.

"General Carter."

"Colonel Colby."

Sam paused, worried. "Am I late?"

"No, ma'am, the meeting's in..." Colby checked his watch. "Twenty minutes. Your aide told us we could wait here."

Sam nodded. "Good." She noticed Nelson. "Doctor Nelson, I presume?"

Nelson didn't react, daunted. Carter looked at Colby, who replied, "Yes, ma'am. Doctors Wayland and Sakai are sorry they couldn't make it today, they're dealing with a situation on a planet. Doctor Nelson's been working with them on the project we're gonna present."

"It's... a honor to be here... General Carer..." Nelson finally said.

Carter smiled. She put her laptop and notebook onto her desk. She gestured for the youngest man to sit, and once seated, she said, "I don't think I've met Doctor Sakai since he's in the program. Just heard he's been doing a great job."

"You haven't, ma'am," Colby confirmed. He and Nelson discreetly glanced at each other, amused.

"Mrs. Ballester seems quite enthusiastic about your project. I'm curious to learn more about it," Carter revealed.

"You won't be disappointed, ma'am," Nelson said, more confident, this time.

"Well, as long as you don't start a war with some we-want-to-control-the-universe aliens, that should be fine."

Nelson and Colby lost their smile, as the general had said her words in a serious tone.

"That was a joke, gentlemen," Sam reassured, chuckling.

Nelson and Colby smiled again, but this time, it was rather a nervous smile.