Scared, Alessa did a step back as Jason moved towards her. She certainly felt threatend by this action almost as she expected a slap into her face. Eventually this situation triggered something bad she had experienced in her early life. "Mr. Kelly, please, would you stay back. Don't misunderstand me. The capability in the theoretical development of the technology and the final construction are of the most priority. Of course, my personal field of sciences are fairly different, but I can assure you that the team already has a promising entry. My job is to gain and coordinate the resources, which means personnel, knowledge and data and to create the software.
And excuse me, but certainly, the last thing we will do is to present any person interested into the project the real technology of our travel, before we will finish the expedition. Anything the people, who are interested must know is, that the project gets support, assistance and manpower from the best researchers all over Sirius and yes Mr. Kelly this also contains former Ageira researchers and even active once. Anything I can say is, your advisor is wrong with his statement. It is possible to construct it."
Alessa took her glass. Visibly calmed she just continued. "And about the LSF, I am not worried about the LSF and nor should you be. They won't or better can't do anything."
Alessa couldn't say it better without revealing that she was aware of some internas of the LSF. Drawing off the attention she moved over to the couch again. "So, as I am not interested into discussing points against the project which will initially be answered within the discussion anyway, could we please continue with something constructive and beneficial?"
There was a subtle irritation in tone during her reply. Kelly's concerns seem to her so insignificant and even simply annoying to respond to.
"The way I see it brighter and ambitious minds are leaving behind stagnant houses if a good opportunity arises. Monopolistic corporations had long divided all spheres of research turning near every worthwhile subject into a legal minefield while lack of healthy competition ensures that nobody there tries to push the envelope. Just like Zoners..." - Anje emphasized here especially knowing Kelly's OSI background. "...and many others realized that long ago and thus several prominent research groups have formed outside colonies. Everyone out there uses something that some Liberty corporation may claim to own 'intellectually', but the world doesn't turn around them. These days LSF got far more serious matters to put their limited attention and manpower at. Even within their own ranks. I don't expect them to chase after a vague technology infringement out here anytime soon."
"But sure enough an ordinary jumpgate ain't going to get us anywhere close to Sol. Now hypergates, well, they're a different matter. But the best part is they're not a mere theory in some mad scientist head."
Hans cleared his throat. "My dear friends, please let us not end this meeting with division and regress. Again, you're all correct about your individual statements. But before we try anything subversive or even potentially illegal, let the project be realized by legal means, diplomacy and exchange. If necessary, we can resort to more sinister approaches to construct the Hypergate. In my opinion, such a great objective would justify a lot to remove essential obstacles..."
Goeben took a sip from the Scotch and crossed his legs. "But this is all hypothetical talk for the future. What really counts is contacting Ageira, and keep the money flowing in. Both topics do not pose problems at this point. Let's move on to the most interesting point on which we have to build our next actions anyway: The current situation. The incident in Cayman, for example."
It was clear that such an ambitious plan comes with dispute and compromises, but bickering on the highest level of administration is more intense than he had anticipated. Of course there needed things to be discussed, but open hostilities never made any project real, regardless of its scale. It was time to pour oil on troubled water.
Alessa was still startled about Jason's raging temper, Still watching him, he stood up and left the room without a word. Seeing the door shut behind him, everyone in the room had a confused expression. "Ehhhh, ok. He may come back. Maybe he just needs to cool down. He seems to be a very temper person."
Slightly laughing and scratching her arm she continued the conversation. "However, let's continue, at least we are the core and the mind behind this venture. Aside from the financial aspects, the Zoner Consensus and you, Anje, give us a good financial puffer, I will try to contact my friend Clarissa at Ageira. Even she is a loyal person towards Ageira, she is as same trustfull. She can give us a better insight, if it will be possible working with them. Alternatevly, we can try to contact and work with EFL. Though, I don't have much clues about theirs specifics and organization.
Strangely, I was also contacted from an Order agent, willing in sharing information with us. However, I am not sure if he told the truth. I don't know actually in which aspect we can await an involvement of IRG. They are in a very uncertain state about their future and direction. Regardless, we have a list for this, now. Who we need to have on board or involved in some kind."Still listening to Alessa, Hans and Anje started tapping fingers on a surface. "Yes, the first choice of the Construction Site was a mistake. Luckily, it was just at the start. We were able to demount everything and moved to another location. I'll send you the coordinates later when I will be back on my vessel. For now I think we have everything relevant and should end this meeting." All agreed to continue the meeting at a later state, but finished their drinks and moved to some small talk. In fact, even being in a professional relation Hans, Anje and Alessa symphatized each other and left the room later with a very optimistic motivation.