AT SOME UNNAMED OFFICE AMONG THOUSANDS IN THE ILLATERI SOVEREIGNTY
Researcher Etriz was in a conference with a hundreds of other scientists. Due to the modifications of Etriz, with a mind implant and genetic engineering, he was able to memorize, or know, all of the other scientists. He was able to call them by name during all these conferences. At this point, these heads of science were all discussing on what to focus on next. These scientists flew through thousands of other options, and even a more science oriented Archon was joining on in the call to help them decide.
"Well, what about shielding? We must be able to protect our property from harm," Researcher Zez offered. He did rarely, and this topic had been brought up already, but they were still weighing the options. Occasionally, one of the AI assistants of these men sent their voice through the comms systems too.
"Perhaps. We could use it. Our Gravitational shields were not really that good, then again, Plasmic shields weren't good either. Perhaps more research on this topic could do a good deal - and we really need to defend against the Imperials." The AI assistant of one of the other researchers said. It was true, the High Imperium was able to swiftly disable the shields of one of the other ships. The Archon seemed to agree as well, as he nodded along with a few hundred other faces in the call.
"Well then. Shielding it is - it could help." After that, the scientists nodded, and each one of them closed, as hundreds of pop-ups of the visuals of the other scientists vanished. Etriz looked away, and he knew that he could start with small techniques already, and he had a few small ideas, but he couldn't do that much.
Suddenly, his Artificial Intelligence, Sam, decided to appear to Etriz. Perhaps he had an idea?
"I had been reading a few old pieces of literature from ancient Illateri history. I do believe I have an idea to help with your latest research project," Sam offered. Etriz just waved the go-ahead as he played with his small ball, something that he always did in his spare time. Sam's avatar then flickered ever so slightly, and then a thoughtful look appeared on his 'face'.
"Well, why don't we focus on temporal technologies? 'Stasis' fields, specifically. Temporal stasis could work effectively as a defensive option as the temporal differentials will be able to block against all types of weaponry."
The temporal option? That could work, but... in all of the eight hundred years of interstellar travel, nobody had done enough research into temporal devices, and he was sure that barely anybody in high positions even thought about that idea. He decided it had merit, and then immediately called some of the other researchers...
(I'm still a long way to go from actual stasis but we have started!)