The sixth was a legal adviser assigned to evaluate the proposed financing arrangement.
Everyone stood to greet Marcus.
Everyone except Richard Caldwell, who had already been introduced to the group.
Marcus took his place at the head of the table.
"Good morning," he said. "Thank you for making the time."
The meeting began with an overview of the proposed infrastructure program.
A senior engineer presented a diagram showing how Titan's technology would coordinate airport systems, cargo movement, equipment maintenance, and security monitoring.
The project was ambitious.
It would require cooperation among transportation operators, public agencies, financial institutions, and private technology providers.
The consortium had selected Titan Dynamics as its preferred technical partner because the company had demonstrated something its competitors often struggled to provide.
Reliability.
Marcus had built Titan around the belief that infrastructure technology was only valuable when people could depend on it under difficult conditions.
A system that worked perfectly during a demonstration but failed during a storm was not a successful system.
A security platform that protected a network while ignoring the people responsible for maintaining it was not a successful platform.
And a company that promised accountability but resisted scrutiny was not a trustworthy partner.
These principles had shaped Titan's culture from the beginning.
As the presentation continued, Marcus listened carefully.
He asked questions about implementation timelines, equipment replacement, training requirements, and the contingency plans for facilities that could not tolerate extended interruptions.
The engineers answered.
The legal adviser took notes.
Richard Caldwell watched from the opposite side of the table.
He had expected the meeting to focus primarily on financial terms.
Instead, Marcus kept returning to operational risk.
"What happens if one of the participating investment entities changes ownership halfway through the project?" Marcus asked.
The legal adviser glanced at the financial documents.
"That depends on the terms of the agreement."
"Then we need to specify the terms before approval."
Richard leaned forward.
"Our proposed structure already includes provisions for changes in control."
"It includes provisions for notifying us of certain changes," Marcus replied. "It doesn't clearly establish what happens when a controlling interest is transferred to an undisclosed affiliate."
Richard nodded.
"We can clarify that."
"Good."
Marcus turned to the legal adviser.
"I want any change in beneficial ownership that could affect project governance disclosed within the time period established by the agreement. I also want the consortium to retain the right to review the arrangement if the change creates a material conflict."
The adviser made a note.
"That can be drafted."
Richard folded his hands.
"Those provisions may make the investment structure less flexible."
Marcus met his gaze.
"Flexibility is useful when everyone understands how it's being used."
The room became quiet.
Richard recognized the meaning beneath the sentence.
He also recognized that Marcus was not attempting to embarrass him.
The discussion was precise, technical, and focused on the documents.
That made it more difficult to dismiss.
A personal disagreement could be explained away.
A compliance question supported by written evidence required an answer.
Richard opened his folder.
"We have a few concerns about the reporting requirements," he said. "Some of our affiliated funds operate under separate governance arrangements. We need to ensure that the agreement doesn't require us to disclose information we're not legally permitted to share."
"That is a reasonable concern," Marcus replied. "Our counsel can work with yours to define the requirements appropriately."
Richard relaxed slightly.
"Thank you."
"But the obligation to disclose relevant conflicts cannot be optional."
Richard's expression tightened again.
Marcus continued.
"We are not asking you to violate confidentiality agreements or disclose unrelated private information. We are asking for sufficient transparency to evaluate who controls the entities participating in a project of this size."
One of the consortium representatives nodded.
"That distinction should be straightforward."
Richard looked toward him.
"It can be, provided the scope is clearly defined."
"Agreed," Marcus said.
For the next forty minutes, the participants worked through the proposed structure.
Several questions were resolved.
Others were assigned to the legal teams.
The meeting remained professional.
No one raised the incident on the aircraft.
No one needed to.
At 11:32 a.m., the consortium's lead representative, Helen Ward, closed her folder.
"Mr. Reed, I believe we're aligned on the technical framework. The remaining question is whether the proposed financing partner can meet the governance requirements."
Marcus nodded.
"That is my understanding as well."
Helen turned toward Richard.
"Can Caldwell and Pierce provide the missing ownership documentation by Friday?"
Richard hesitated.
"I believe so."
"Can you confirm that the affiliated entities will agree to the disclosure provisions?"
"I'll need to obtain written confirmation."
"Then the partnership remains conditional."
Richard looked around the table.
"That is acceptable."
Marcus closed his folder.
"Good. We'll reconvene after the documentation has been reviewed."
The meeting ended without a dramatic confrontation.
There were no raised voices.
No accusations.
No sudden revelations.
Just a set of questions, a set of answers, and a clear decision about what remained unresolved.
For Marcus, that was how serious business should be conducted.
He gathered his documents and stood.
Richard approached him as the other participants began leaving.
"Mr. Reed, could I have a moment?"
"Certainly."
They stepped into the smaller lounge beside the conference room.
Richard waited until the door closed.
"I appreciate your handling of the situation this morning."
Marcus regarded him carefully.
"I haven't handled anything beyond a seating disagreement."
"You know what I mean."
"I do."
Richard looked toward the windows.