‘With respect, Miss Smith,’ he said, ‘we at the navy can call on the power of the entire US military, if we wish. A lot more power than you could muster in a thousand years. And most importantly, we have Potus in support.’

‘The president is happier with our agency than he was a year ago,’ Smith said.

‘He has never lost faith in us,’ Ingram said. ‘But that aside, if Mr Haut can access that oil in Tasmania, he will represent a most valuable asset in the Pacific. We don’t have to hide the elephant in the room. Or should I say, dragon.’

Ingram called for a comment from Donnelly, who was sitting next to a bemused Haut. Donnelly got to his feet and pushed back his hat.

‘I’m not going to take sides here, Mr Chairman,’ he said, ‘but I want to say this. Thanks to Al Haut’s seismic technology we are now once more the world’s prime producer of energy—oil and gas. He has given that to us for free, because of his spiritual beliefs, which we do not need to go into here.’

All heads turned to Haut. There was spontaneous applause.

‘But, apart from that, Mr Haut’s water-as-fuel technology is going to be important for all engine development. His other inventions are going to be vital for space travel and the military.’

‘So you’re saying the navy should be involved?’ Ingram asked.

‘I care about who defends him, of course,’ Donnelly said. ‘The navy is already guaranteed access to the oil in Tasmania, if Al holds those leases. The other main issue is which institution deals with him and his military products, which of course the navy will benefit from.’

The CEO of Tielisten Allan, Mark Anderson, caught the chairman’s eye.

‘That’s where we come in, sir,’ he said. ‘We have already been in touch with him. He wants to work with us …’

The deputy director of NASA, Bob Cowper, was on his feet appealing to the chair.

‘We’ve also had discussions with Mr Haut,’ he said. ‘We believe his ultimate aspirations are closest to our future developments …’

Admiral Ingram indicated Donnelly should comment. ‘William has had more to do with our guest today than anyone,’ Ingram said.

‘I sure have, Admiral. This man is a serious genius. I pulled him in to plug the biggest oil well blow in history you all will recall in the gulf two years back. No one, not even Red Adair in his heyday, would have had a clue what to do. Al did.’

‘Which corporation do you think he should work with?’ Ingram asked.

‘It’s a no-brainer: NASA.’

Bob Cowper beamed. The scorned representative of Tielisten Allan looked grim.