The thing is that this is not a "Mind of Things 5b" like the other branches of research that can be completed in 2-3 levels, this is by the naming conventions of this quest it´s its own thing and is extremely likely that it follows the rules of "New Research"...
And about the incomplete rune, yeah we have it, but why are you so sure it can be completed with a single extra level? Even if we assume that with the incomplete rune, we have already completed level 1 of this tech tree, level 2 of basically all research that we have done until now is at best a barely usable prototype to be refined in the 3rd level, which is another 20 AP for getting it to be useful for us...
And if that is the case and the drip that you are that optimistic about doesn´t happen or just give us 1-2 points in the other projects we have lost two turns of prod for prod that would allow us to complete 2 projects, for what it is a very optimistic theory, not any solid facts...
So if your certainly optimistic predictions fail we have missed a couple of great opportunities for rushing to something that is, at best, a big maybe...
I know it is a chance, and you may call me a coward, but having a 20-30% chance of a Chaos gate opening on our home turf from turn 60 onwards is something that I would like to avoid...
You point to our past research projects to define the category of "New Research". This means that this category is defined
by and thus limited to the circumstances around those past research projects and the qualities of those past research projects. You also make the claim that we won't gain something immediately useful out of it.
I was actually basically wrong to say "None of those started with an incomplete rune". Many research projects started with a rune, though none of them were given the Incomplete status. But going back and looking shows your claim to be wrong and that history actually supports my side. Many of our past research projects started with runes in hand, which we then upgraded or improved on the next level.
Diction Direction started with the Rune of Translation, a completed rune. Completing level one gave us the Rune of Speech.
- Diction Direction Pt. 1 complete! Pt. 2 unlocked!
-- New Rune Unlocked! Rune of Speech: Bearers of this Rune have their speech converted into fluid Khazalid, though it does not aid them in translating Khazalid back into their language.
-- Rune of Translation rendered redundant.
Movement of Things started with the Rune of Waking/Animation and Master Rune of Waking, both completed runes. Completing level one upgraded those runes, gave us the Rune of Prosthesis, and unlocked Mind of Things.
- The Movement of Things Pt. 1 complete! Pt. 2 unlocked! Variant Research unlocked: The Mind of Things
-- New Rune Unlocked! Rune of Prosthesis: Items inscribed with this rune can act as simple prosthetics. It cannot match natural Dwarf strength, offers no tactile feedback but can be mentally controlled. Better a nugget of gold than no gold at all.
-- Improved Master Rune and Rune of Waking! More fluid movement and improved strength.
The Rune of Reflection was present for Secrets of Light level one and completing level one gave us the Rune of Refraction, rendering Reflection redundant.
- Secrets of the Light Pt. 1 complete! Light, so small a thing, such a simple thing, yet perhaps there is more to this ephemeral thing which makes gems gleam and gold glitter?
-- New Rune Unlocked! Rune of Refractions: Allows for very rudimentary manipulation of light that hits the Rune. Changing the direction, the colour, even splitting it into multiple weaker beams. A nice trinket, fine perhaps for a toy, but it lacks the finesse or power to do much else.
-- Rune of Reflections rendered redundant.
Mind of Things worked similarly. Akazit level one gave us the Incomplete but still useful Rune of Calcination.
By looking at the history you reference, apparently without looking at it before you make that reference, we see that history says we will get something useful out of ESP level 1.
And if that is the case and the drip that you are that optimistic about doesn´t happen or just give us 1-2 points in the other projects we have lost two turns of prod for prod that would allow us to complete 2 projects, for what it is a very optimistic theory, not any solid facts...
Sure. That's a cost I and others are willing to pay. Just outright I'm willing to pay that cost.
They're getting completed before turn 60 anyway so. Every project brought up in this conversation can be completed between turn 56 and turn 60. Having those two turns of prod for prod doesn't actually change that.
