Then she can totally infodump them about it.

Sandy takes notes. Terel doesn't, since this isn't precisely his area of maximum interest.

Sandy derides fractional reserve banking. Most Tileworld nations use fiat currencies that are converted into slightly more of the next version of the same fiat money by national decree every once in a while. No money supply problems, but no bank runs ruining everything.

Well, Sadde is only explaining, she did not invent it. They can probably do better.

Sandy's pretty insistent that responsibly managed and difficult to counterfeit fiat money in the style of Kavased is the- metaphorical- gold standard for currency.

Terel goes along with it, musing that Sandy's the economics student here.

Well, Sadde's world does not have magic that can enchant objects, and the technology to make money work like Kavased does has only been around for a decade or so.

"That's a good point, actually - there must be thousands of great ideas that don't work because there isn't the proper technology for them."

"Like computers," she grins. "The converse is true of magic, naturally, for my world."

"And we can have great fun exploring all these suddenly-feasible ideas. I'm going to love it, Sadde probably is too, I don't know about you Sandy."

"I'll hover around the edges. It's interesting, for sure."

"I'm definitely going to have a lot of fun, even though I did not get to specialise there."

"Well, as a rare and excellent scenario, I don't have any classes or work for the rest of today, but I know you probably do, Sandy. Want to put some solid hours toward bringing computers to the people, Sadde?"

"Sounds like lots of fun!"

"In that case, I'll just grab my notes and let's head to the lab! See you tomorrow, Sandy."

"Bye, Sandy!"

And much nerding ensued. And some kissing.

They're starting to get close to the point where they need to make their own special tools, and get materials like silicon.

Luckily, at around 7 PM Empire Imports calls Sadde again! They're ready to have her come down and start producing on a massive scale, and they've also appointed someone to pretty much be her Gofer, responsible for tracking down whatever random things she needs for her science projects. Workspace and access to experts might be on offer too. For appropriate fees, of course.

Ooh.

...also she should ask Terel whether he'd like to go visit a ship with her when school's out—that'll be pretty soon, right?

"I would be interested but not extremely so, depending on details. This is Nils' ship yes?"

"Yeah."

"He sounds like an interesting guy. If he doesn't mind, I think I'd like it. Close up look at the shipbuilding industry too."

"Cool, I'll call him and see if he does mind."

So, about Empire Imports, how willing would they be to help with the computer project?

However deep her wallet is, basically. Though they'll likely refer her to some engineering firms for the nuts and bolts. And of course they're willing to sign some very tight NDAs that go in the other direction if Sadde requests that about her work.

Nah, no need to sign any NDAs, she's pretty certain they won't be able to replicate their work without outright stealing their notes (not that she's telling them this) and in any case free sharing of information sounds like a grand idea (in a fashion).

Well, that's her prerogative. They'll start making inquiries with engineering and manufacturing types for her according to the requirements she told them, then.

At some point she calls Nils and asks about the possibility that her mate go visit.

"I know you, I don't know him. No recording devices and you stay with him the whole time. You know what, I'll stay with both of you the whole time given the love thing."

"Sounds reasonable."