"Does it matter?" he flares back, temporary flash of annoyance overtaken by an adrenalized flood of exhilaration. The sheer potential of what they have discovered, the pathways they have wrought - it is easily worth the sacrifice all discoveries invariably demand. He had made that choice. He would make it again if presented with the same matrix of sequential events. There would be repercussions, he had surmised as much, and so he will accept them and progress. It is a process, rational and serial and ongoing.

"We'll need to determine our current location, obviously," he responds, visually taking note of the scope and breadth of the chamber in a methodical, practiced sweep. "Power requirements and available resources become our next priority."

The 'gate shuts off with a sucking snap, the severing of an oscillating, isothermic, unidirectional variable. The absence of any other apparent source of lighting floods the room in darkness. Pressurized steam hisses out from either side of the 'gate in a loud, angry rush.

Perhaps he should delineate lighting as priority four. It is an option worth consideration.