Your mother has been working on a lot of interesting projects recently. In fact, she's been involved in most of the minor but widespread innovations that have been cropping up in recent years. You come over just as she and her under- minio- FELLOW RESEARCHERS begin testing a new lens for the lasers. They've been working on further improvements to keeping the beam coherent over longer distances, so that the point defenses of the ships can begin firing earlier, and the lasguns the PDF uses can hit targets from further away.
"Mother, how's the testing going?" you ask. Telepathy does not translate to omniscience, surprisingly enough, even if you were willing to use it on your mother without permission.
"Not very well. That last improvement was about par for our rate of technological development, and forcing another major development at this point is a slow grind." she admits. Apparently the upgrade to the PDF's lasers was about due when it happened, considering how fast they learned/relearned making advanced technology.
At that moment, a buzzer sounded, and through the observation glass. The test laser fired at a block of metal roughly as durable as Orkish hide. It left the block pockmarked, but after the tenth shot, abruptly stopped, it's barrel smoking.
Mother sighed. "You see?"
You consider the laser. "Could I take a look?" You think you might be able to help.
"Alright." Your mother agrees, though she seems a bit upset about something. Odd, the laser shouldn't have gotten this reaction from her if this had happened before. She didn't seem that confident this would work.
Learning Check: 30. Required: 10. Pass.
30: Required: 20. Pass.
30: Required: 30. Pass.
Education: General Check: 110+ 25(Experienced)+ 35(Education Perks)=170: Required: 50. Pass.
170: Required: 75. Pass.
170: Required: 100. Pass.
170: Required: 125. Pass.
Check Fully Passed! +70 Exp. 200/210 Exp.
"Ah, okay, I think I understand where you went wrong." You begin explaining, but halfway through, your mother stops you.
"Serras, I'm barely following you." She thinks something over for a moment. "...Simpler please." She says, seeming... bitter isn't the right word.
You blink, but comply. You explain it more simply, though it takes about ten minutes longer as your mother pauses to write the gist of what you're saying down. She nods, and tells her fellows to make a new lens to your specifications.
She seems upset though. You...
[ ] Confront her over it.
[ ] Leave it be. She should work it out with someone better equipped to deal with people problems.
[ ] Ask, but back off if she doesn't wish to talk.
You guys have until 8 to vote.