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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jdeleski" data-source="post: 2592242" data-attributes="member: 33307">James Starkweather's Opening“Good Evening!”, said James Starkweather begins with a smile, "Good evening and welcome.  Thank you for such a warm reception." Gesturing towards Dr. Moore, who is now seated at his table in the front, he says "And thank you, Professor Moore, for your extremely kind words.  I couldn’t think of a better leader, or a more distinguished colleague, or a more loyal friend, to accompany me—and to help lead our team—on this expedition.”  Spreading his arms wide and looking out into the audience, he continues “And to all of you, my guests, it is indeed a great pleasure, and a humbling experience, for me to be here in such grand company.  Tonight I am surrounded by leaders.  Each of you have earned titles, and respect, and in some cases fame, in the conquest of new frontiers.  Each of you has planted your flag in new territory, whether in business, or in science, or on a snow-covered mountaintop.  You have each confronted the challenge of the unknown and have overcome it.  Our expedition, with your help, will do likewise. "Many of my expedition team are here tonight.  To you, my team members, I'd like to now take a few moments and extend my warm welcome and hospitality.  You've earned it!  And," He winks and laughs, "you'd better enjoy it because this is as warm as it gets considering where we're headed!  And to all of you who will not be joining us on this journey, but will instead remain behind in this warm... comfortable... pleasant... did I say warm?...  city of New York, I urge you to take some time to chat with these individuals.  They are truly the best of the best.  And they have remarkable tales to tell.   "And now that the introductions are out of the way," he says with a grin, "it's time for me to provide a bit of information.  Tonight I will first answer a question--the question as far as I'm concerned.  Second, I will describe the challenge.  Not just any challenge, but what I consider to be the major challenge of this journey."First, the question.  The question, very simply, is “Why?”.  Any discussion of the Antarctic problem, except perhaps in scientific circles, soon comes up hard on the question:  “…but what’s the use of it?  What’s the value of snow and ice so many miles away?”  It is sometimes difficult to answer that question, and it's not because the answer is necessarily lacking in logic or conviction, but more often it is that the asking mind has not turned its thought in that direction.  As is natural in our own crowded affairs, we see things narrowly, especially in a matter such as this, in trite, personal and commercial terms of worth.  Antarctica, a vast wonderland laid out on a giant scale, in which littleness has no place, cannot be judged or appraised according to limited values.  When I speak to certain businessmen, they often reply “But where’s the money in it?  Where’s the profit?”"Candidly, at this moment the Antarctic is sleeping, so far as we can calculate its value to modern civilization.  No one, except God, can tell how long it will remain sleeping.  However, even with the little we do know of Antarctica, we know of vast treasures.  Now, for example, in summertime, the southern continents waters swarm with Norwegian whalers who annually harvest a revenue of $15 million from their catch.  On the continent itself, immense beds of coal were hinted at by Shackleton’s discoveries.  Scott found copper.  Economic minerals were found by Mawson’s party at Adelie Land, and Scott’s Northern Party found titanium.  And these treasures pale in comparison to those that will reward the diligent scientist and observer who will add precious pieces of knowledge to the puzzle that we consider to be our world.  Our expedition in the coming months will address all of these areas.  And more!"We will also seek to travel back to the campsight and last resting place of our colleagues from Miskatonic University, led by professor Charles Lake, some two years ago.  We intend to confirm their amazing discoveries and to map and climb the Miskatonic Mountain range, reported to be the highest peaks in the world.  Once we've reached those peaks, we will continue further.  We will continue beyond the mountains.  Beyond those mountains where we intend to perform an aerial survey of the lands on the far side of that range, into uncharted territory that has never before seen by the human eye.  To uncover the secrets… Starkweather stops midsentence.   He stands staring towards the rear of the room; towards something, or someone, that has arrested his attention.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<a href="http://www.enworld.org/showpost.php?p=2441784&postcount=1" target="_blank">Bibliography Reference 5.</a></blockquote>

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