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Kari Wolf     The Confederate R&D designer and technician prefers the open airy space of Taro's lab to the Citadel's much more dungeon-like space. While the Citadel's workshops are spacious, there's no sunlight or view from them, making it hard to recharge one's mental batteries when stumped by a thorny problem. So Zarenna has gotten permission to bring her work here for the day.
    Zarenna has managed to fabricate a number of prototype frames based on the work done in building Harriet, with some variations and improvements built upon the lessons learned from the Mach Hare's last four months of operation. She's brought them here to Taro's lab (leaving both Kari and Harriet at home because of how distracting they can be...) for the Bishop Engineer to examine for any obvious flaws. The three frames are sitting on the table in their stands, with the case that Zarenna brought them in lying nearby.
    "Based on the fine-turning I've done on Harriet, the burnout rate of the myomer controllers is down about 15% compared to when Harriet was first activated. With both Harriet and Kari's help, I've also managed to find some ways to improve step control on the servo control software so there's a small increase in fine motor control for the hands." Zarenna explains to Taro, pointing out on the display where the improvements were made to the basic motor systems. There are no AI cores in these frames; they're prototypes.
Garen     Holding the invitation in his hand, Garen made his way towards the Cynosure. He wouldn't say it aloud, but he was reminded of Coruscant in some ways by Neo-Arcadia. Still, if any guards stopped him, he simply told them he was expected by Taro. Once that was done, he made his way up to the Bishop's lab. "Impressive....I'd imagine half of Imperial R and D would kill to get a look in here." He says.
Taro     There are reasons that Taro chose this place for his lab, yes. He has spent quite some time himself gazing out of them to the city spread out around them. Zarenna has earned his respect, and so he does not mind granting her permission to work at one of the workstations. While the fact that Kari and Harriet did not accompany her is a mild disappointment, he can't deny that they can be distracting even while behaving themselves. Which may be why most of his cyber-elves are likewise absent...
    ...though knowing them, there's probably at least two hiding in one of the vidscreens somewhere.
    There would have been a key to go with the invitation - more of a dongle, really - but it will get Garen past the less visible security int he building and in the lift to his lab.
    He's listening to Zarenna as she relates all that she's learned from Harriet since the not-as-little android was activated, even if his gaze has been caught by the prototype frames. He removes his gloves and tucks them through his belt before reaching out to gently touch one of them. "Mm. I see. Fine motor control in such small digits is tricky, so I'm pleased to see you've been able to improve that..."
    He trails off there, turning toward the lab's lobby area a few seconds before Garen arrives. Having access to one's security grid does have its advantages, hm? "Ah, good afternoon, Garen," he says with a bow. "And thank you. I'm quite proud of it." A glance from one guest to the other. "Have you two met?"
Kari Wolf     Zarenna nods to Taro's assessment of how the fine motor control issue. The frames are all different, though they are all covered in silvery bundles of myomer fibers much like the musculature of a humanoid being.
    Zarenna looks at Garen and smiles. "Afternoon sir. You're... the sniper, I seem to remember?" She gestures towards one of the prototype frames, which seems to have a larger head than the other two. "This one might interest you. While I designed it as an electronic warfare frame, it could easily be a recon frame by putting a different electronics package in it."
    One of the three looks very much like how Harriet's frame was, and thus can be assumed to be a 'stock' design. The other has thicker limbs and a thicker torso, with far more of the silvery myomer bundles covering the internal skeleton. They are indeed labeled, saying 'Electronic Warfare', 'Standard', and 'Heavy Duty'.
Garen     Garen nods towards Zarenna. "That would be correct, yes." He also returns the bow to Taro, after all he was the gratious host. At the mention of electronic warfare, his ears perk up. "That does interest me quite a bit. It would prove a valuable asset on my missions." He says, walking closer.
Taro     Introductions seem to be unnecessary, and so he does not make them. Taro as said gracious host moves aside so that Garen can have a closer look at the three frames. "I also noticed that your myomer weaving skills are improving," he asides in a compliment-assessment to Zarenna, then falls silent so she can show off her work.
    "Did you have anything specific in mind?" resumably to Garen.
Kari Wolf     Zarenna smiles. "I've invested in making tools to improve the myomer threading." She pushes a button and the holographic display moves over the EW frame, cycling through a number of possible ideas that Taro and R&D threw around once upon a time.
    The first is an owl-like design, clearly designed for manipulating sonic frequencies and flight. 'Burst Strix'
    The second is a stealthy raven-themed armor, with not one but two remote drones making up the armor. 'Ghost Raven'
    A third one appears over the EW frame, very much a cross between a ninja and a white-tiger color scheme. Very much a close-combat specialist despite the fact that it's an EW/scout design. 'Lightning Tiger'
    "These are some of the ideas we've come up with while working on the augmented shinki project, Garen. Of course, you're free to ask for something else, these just happen to be the most developed designs we have right now."
Garen     Garen hrm's softly. "Well, Preferably, I'd like something that can watch over the field and deliver pinpointed disruptions. Mainly to anything along the lines of camera's, radios and such. Maybe even an ability to hi-jack or loop a camera feed." He says, pondering on how such could assist him in the field. "What did you envision, Zeranna?"
Taro     Taro has only half an eye on the screen - having helped design them, he doesn't need to see them again to recall what they look like. Thus, while Garen is looking and Zarenna is explaining, he picks up one the electronic warfare prototype again to gently examine it.
    "I suspect, Garen, that either a design like Burst Strix or Ghost Raven may suit your purposes more than Lightning Tiger." He doesn't look up from his impromptu inspection as he speaks. "All three are quality designs, of course. However, the tiger design is meant to be more of a physical combatant."
Garen     "I have to agree. More then likely, Ghost Raven will fit me best. She can disable comms while I enact a little...'aggressive negotiations' with targets, and prevent any facial recognition via recordings, something the Watchers would be quite happy about." He then allows himself a moment of pondering again, but this time he doesn't speak his thoughts.
Kari Wolf     Zarenna nods. "That's actually why I designed Ghost Ravens with two remote drones instead of just one."
    She gestures, the display bringing up diagrams of the Ghost Raven's drones, which are as much a sophisticated mobile package of sensors and electronic hacking tools as they are mobile drones and armor components. "Ghost Ravens won't be very durable because of the amount of equipment they need, but they're meant to confound electronic sensors of all kinds as well as circumvent electronic security. I tried to fit an optical camouflage system in, but they produce too much heat and would cook the EW equipment and high-density batteries we use for shinki and augmented shinki alike. But even augmented shinki are small enough to hide in places a person wouldn't think to look. But a Ghost Raven can not only share sensor data with her drones, but also use them as relays to mount electronic attacks."
Garen     Garen nods softly. "She'd be perfect for a coordinated shut down with the watchers as well. Shut down a republic relay station long enough for me to slip in, extract documents or assets, and get out before they knew what hit them..." He says, his grin slowly becoming more devious and perhaps a bit scary.
Taro     The prototype seems to have met Taro's approval, though he continues to cup it gently in his hand as he turns more of his attention to the screen. "In theory, Ghost Raven should be able to share telemetry and sensor data with you." It's said in musing tones, but he's certain that it would work. "Of course, you'd need to wear a receiver, such goggles or glasses, but constructing that would be simple in comparison."
Kari Wolf     Zarenna nods. "Exactly. There's one tricky part about building a Ghost Raven. We need a supply of particles that are entangled on a quantum level in order to make the communication between a Ghost Raven and her drones nearly fool-proof. I'm sure there's some Elite or world out there with abilities or technology that can crack quantum encryption but it's the best thing I can find that works most places. It wouldn't be very good if an electronic warfare specialist was easily hacked."
    "Plus distance wouldn't matter like it does with normal communications and there's nothing to intercept via traditional means." Zarenna adds.
Garen     Garen nods. "Agreed. I'll see if Keeper can get in touch with any of our assets to see if any of our worlds or even if our enemies have those particles." He folds his arms and looks over the frame and projection. "I can already see her proving herself. If she proves herself enough, you might find yourself with alot of orders from Imperial Intelligence. Maybe even from a few members of the Dark Council."
Taro     Taro hints a pleased smile. Still, he tempers that ambition with a wave of his free hand toward the screen, along with, "Do bear in mind that each of these augnments are crafted individually. The precision that designs require would suffer in mass production, and I for one would not allow that to even be considered. I believe Zarenna would agree with me on that point."
Kari Wolf     Zarenna nods at Taro's words. "They're not going to work 100% either, Garen. I honestly don't think Ghost Ravens could ever be mass produced because of the entangled particles and manipulation equipment we need. Most of the designs proposed for the Electronic Warfare frame require so much specialized equipment that I doubt any of them could be production models." She clicks through a few more designs: Ambush Mouse, Void Raptor, and Queen Bee. There are far less details about these three designs, only notes. Mine/explosives expert. Teleporting surveillance model. Mass drone controller.
Garen     Garen nods and looks over the notes. "Understandable. But I think your craftsmanship might be saught out. You might even wind up getting offers to work on our droids.....but that's for another time. I'll leave you both my personal frequency....well, personal except for Keeper always listening. But feel free to forward me what parts you need. Sadly, I must go....duty calls."
Kari Wolf     Zarenna makes a quick change to the labels of the designs, renaming the Electronic Warfare one to 'Specialist Equipment', based on some thoughts she had during the discussion with Taro and Garen.
Taro     "My workshop is always open for custom work. I would be flattered if your people would consider us an option." Taro returns the prototype he's been cradling to its display, treating it with the care it deserves. "We can work out the details later. I believe you should already have my personal contact, but if not then keep the key for now."
    The change in the design labels is noted, and mental flick updates his own files as well.