The brilliant opening speech that I went to such pains to craft... I really want the Admiral to hear iiiit!

If the guests of honour aren't present, then starting proceedings would be...

The newbies are going to be a little late in getting here!

Grave news!

However, a number of them are still...

The guests are almost all seated.

Right! It's time to get this party started!

The Admiral said that he has some urgent business to attend to and to tell you "I'll be there later so just start without me".

Urrghh...