Considering the list of parts and looking through your own information on them, you decide there are a few you'd like to go over. Besides, there's always the possibility that you're missing some information, lost with the other data that was corrupted.
You spend a few moments considering how best to frame the questions, Tendou doesn't have the time to read over a wall of text for your explanations in this situation. So you'll have to shorthand a lot of it for him. You start off by putting your response up in a box directly over top the parts list, so it'll look like he's studying that.
We need info on a few parts, mostly computers. Can't be obvious about that though. Start by asking about the combat grapple.
His eyes scan over the text, then up and down the list of parts briefly. He points with one hand, and asks, “What's a combat grapple? I have a, uhh, non-combat one in this frame, but it isn't really strong enough for much. Is the combat one just a better version?”
As he does, you write up a quick reference for him and put it beside the list, out of the way, but easy for him to reference it if he needs to. You include each part he should ask about, with the amount of interest he should show, and how important it actually is. In this case.
“For the most part,” Mouse is responding by the time you're done. “The tow line is way stronger. It basically won't break unless someone manages to cut it, like with a plasma sword. And it can pull with way more force. The grapple itself will also attach to basically anything, so it doesn't risk slipping off, especially with the amount of weight on it. They're mostly good for close range grappling and melee, for closing ground and keep enemies from running away from you, or for traversal when you're not in combat.”
Just when it seems like she's finished explaining, she adds, “Oh, also, hooking it up with an extra engine can give them even more towing power.”
Tendou nods a few times, and glances to the chart you gave him. The combat grapple is listed as moderately important, since you may actually be able to make use of it. So he asks, “So what about with the Firebird? Would it work for that?”
Mouse frowns a little in thought. “That's... harder.” She looks over to her own screen once more. “Usually you'd put it in the arm so you can aim better, but these Firebird arms are already super loaded. There are some unused sockets, but I seriously doubt you'd fit any other internals in these. You'd probably have to remove something else to get one in there. Or put it in somewhere else.”
“I see...” Tendou glances to the Firebird's info screen, eyes tracing text for a few moments. “What about the phasers in the left arm?” Tendou asks. “The report says they're damaged. Can those be repaired, or would it be better to replace them?”
She shakes her head and shrugs. “Can't say, you'll need to get a mechanic to look at it. See exactly what components got damaged and replace them. If you did replace one with a combat grapple, you could use it for parts to repair the other one.”
“You think?” Tendou asks, not looking so sure. Thinking back on it, they were both damaged by a shot from your missile launcher, so the same parts of both should have taken the brunt of it. Tendou is probably thinking the same thing. It's a toss up on whether or not other parts in there would be used.
You double check your own data. You have a variety of schematics, but the Zaratan isn't one of them. There's no way to tell whether you never had it, or if it was lost. So you can't check on that one yourself.
Meanwhile, Tendou is saying, “I'll look into that. Have to consider it based on the weapons.”
“Pretty much,” Mouse agrees. “Though... in a Firebird, you definitely don't want to be grappling in melee. The main use would be for traversal. Like, I say use it to get to high ground and avoid melee if you can.”
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“Ahh, right,” he nods. For a frame focusing on long range combat, it would have a completely different use. Tendou gives a small pause, eyes shifting back up to the parts list.
Ask about the Data Link next. It's not actually that important to us, but act like you're interested.
Since you know this one is related with computer systems, it's the best chance you can think of for him to find a natural transition into asking about computers, without just bringing it up unprompted. “Hmm...” he hums briefly. “What's this Direct Data link? Ray frames already have comms built in don't they? So what's the difference?”
“Oh, that? Yeah, there's not that much use for those anymore. Mostly, it works for hacking computer systems, like the kind used by this factory, if they're shut off from wireless communications. Almost all computers have physical ports on them, and a Direct Data Link has basically every different kind built in so it'll be able to interface with any computer.”
There's the opportunity you were looking for.
Ask about computers now.
You throw up arrows pointing out the primary and secondary computer systems on the list for him to use as reference, and his eyes flit across the screen, parts list, and your reference sheet, where they are listed with a very high importance.
“Different computers?” He asks. Just as he's about to go on, he suddenly yawns, mouth wide, until he shakes himself. “Sorry.” Not his best segue...
Thankfully, Mouse just smirks and chuckles. “Well, sort of,” she begins. “Sure, every computer is fundamentally the same, on like, a mechanical level. But they're built for a bunch of different uses. For instance, there are tiny ones built into every ray frame part, that make the different pieces all work together.”
“Ohhhh,” Tendou sits up a little straighter. “So that's what an engineering gun works with?” He holds up the little hand scanner he's been using to read the info from all the ray frames, and she nods.
“Yeah, exactly.”
“And how are those different from the... the Primary and Backup computers listed here?” he redirects the conversation properly this time.
“Those are...” she considers it momentarily. “Mostly, they're just bigger. You know, purpose built with the power to handle all the computing needed to interface with the different parts and components, and turn a pilot's input into action. You know, make these big hunks of metal actually run,” She slaps the side of her cockpit for emphasis, with it giving a dull, metallic thunk.
“I'm not sure if there's any real difference between a Primary and Backup computers, besides the primary one being bigger, and having more power.” Then she cocks her head to the side. “Well, if the designers were smart, they'd build the backup with some extra ion shielding, so it doesn't just go out with the main one as soon as you take some electrical damage.”
While Tendou is giving a few slow nods, you decide that's enough. It covers the basics you need to know without him asking anything more specific or in depth that would likely arouse suspicion.
Drop it there, that's all we need to know. Ask about the Recoil Suppressor now.
Glancing across your words, he makes a show of tracing a hand down the list, and asks, “So then... what about the Recoil Suppressor?”
“Ah, those are for ballistic weapons. They're for the really big guns that have enough kick back to even throw a ray frame's aim off. Like heavy machine guns or demolition cannons and the like. Not really useful for energy weapons like the Firebird has.”
“Oh, that makes sense,” he agrees, thinking aloud, “yeah, energy weapons don't really have much recoil.” He pauses, double checking the parts list, and when don't give him anything more to ask about, he says, “Well... I think that's everything I had questions about. Thanks a lot, Mouse. You're a life saver.”
“Glad to be of help,” she laughs. “Have to show I'm a good source of info for a potential customer,” she adds with a wink.
That gets a similar chuckle from Tendou.
With the two pilots about to say their farewells, you consider what to do next.
----------------------------------------
Vote:
[ ] Ask about something else first
-What?
[ ] Head back to Shado
-Carry something back with you?
[ ] Talk to someone else first
-Who?
-About what?
[ ] Plan on getting a transport truck?
[ ] Write-in