Iced no problem at all, glad it helped.
You are right, the timeline should not be affected in an adverse way. If anything it is an encouragement for those that hold options that expire to move the company forward in a positive way more quickly rather than less.
As far as the how the options not yet exercised are dealt with in the event of a buyout prior to the expiration...I am sure there are multiple ways that it could transpire...however none of which would circumvent the rights of those option holders.
S