Andar listened intently, though he only understood small bits and pieces. 'Thirty thousand percent increase' and 'far too expensive' were standouts; the first for its obvious benefits to his company and the second for his company's obvious benefits to the scientist. From a business angle, the drone they were planning was sounding like the smallest victory to come out of the project. Of course, he was mostly here to learn from her - but he'd been trained too much to avoid an opportunity.
Ghislaine didn't speak, just watched the two of them with an intent that was somehow both bored and piercing all at once. Andar wasn't sure how she did it, but the young man had spent some time practicing in a mirror and was sure he'd crack the code one day.
"I'll be honest," Andar said eventually, "I don't really understand any of that. I'd like to, though! I'd like to make a proposal, assuming that Ghislaine here agrees with your take on the technology?"
He paused, looking over to the woman. She seemed thoughtful. "We haven't done any major research into energy systems, outside of some light consulting on aether technology. Most people don't continue to research power once they get aether figured out, it seems, but I'm of the opinion that it isn't the end-all be-all that it's made out to be." The muscular scientist shrugged. "A man by the name of Waylan over at DOARAD suggested we look into so-called 'dark energy' as a power source previously; quantum foam is a somewhat adjacent research subject. We haven't been greenlit to pursue either one officially. If you want to pursue it, it should at least be educational."
Noval's heir looked back to Egwene. "That works for me. So, here's my proposal - I'd like to offer you two options, Doctor Tai. The first is a limited-term contract. While you're here, we'll provide the resources you need for your own personal project in exchange for the rights to whatever technology you devise, as well as a generous payment. This is in addition to what we had already arranged in regards to my education."
There was some overlap between his new offer and the original request, he knew, but he trusted that she would see the added benefits.
"The second offer is a permanent position here on our staff. It's contingent on a few things - approval from our research and engineering managers, in particular - but I'm confident that we can work through that. As before, Noval would have the rights to whatever tech you create during your time with us, but you'd have full time employment, benefits, steady pay, access to more resources than most engineers across the sector, and a place of residence here on the station. I understand if you would rather remain untethered.
No hard feelings if you decide to reject either or both offers."
He gave her the same boyish smile he'd had from the start, but this - seeing potential, making deals, and so on - was much more in his wheelhouse. Ghislaine stayed quiet, content to just see how things played out.
"I would, ah, still like to continue learning from you," he added after a moment.