Brad takes another swig of the flask, wincing slightly at the harsh aftertaste. "Like you said, Leo, you don't sugarcoat things," he says, setting the flask down with a thud. "And that's exactly why I value your pessimism. Keeps us grounded."
He gestures to Karl, who just entered. "Welcome in, Karl. Glad to see security's taking this seriously."
"The Dreamscape retrieval is more than just a scientific endeavor," Brad continues, addressing the entire room now. "It's a potential turning point for the Consortium. But Leo's right, getting that ship out whole might be a stretch."
A flicker of disappointment crosses Emily's face, and Brad acknowledges it with a nod. "Look, I share your sentiment. That ship's been through hell and back. Ideally, we bring it all home, fixed up and ready to serve again. But preliminary scans of other wrecks in Earhart paint a grim picture. Those defense pylons seem to have done a number on anything that got too close."
"That's why I need both plans fleshed out in detail. Operation Full Recovery, where we tow the Dreamscape back in one piece, and Operation Phoenix, where we focus on salvaging key components."
He leans forward, tapping a data pad on the desk. "Here's the kicker: our window. In five days, an anomaly cluster will open a clearer path into Earhart. We need to be ready to move the moment it does."
The weight of the mission hangs heavy in the air. Brad looks to each member of the impromptu team, their faces reflecting a mix of apprehension and determination. "Alright, let's get to work. We've got a derelict flagship to reclaim, and a Consortium's future riding on it."
